Macro

Description
A Macro is a shortcut to execute a sequence of one to six, each of which can be used to active a Job Ability, start casting a spell, issue a pet command, change an equipment, put text to a chat channel, or perform some other function.

The execution is sequential, and can be interrupted by activating another macro during /wait commands or by pressing the Escape key or the cancel button on controller/gamepad during select target (e.g.  or others) commands. A macro interrupted during its execution will not complete the command on which the interruption occurred, nor execute the remaining commands in the sequence.

Users are given 20 Books (as of the 11/19/2007 version update), with 10 macro palettes each. Each palette consists of 2 rows of 10 macros each. Every Content ID or character has its own, unique set of macro palettes, which are not shared with other characters on the same account. Note that the macros are tied to the game clients, not the game servers; user playing the same account on a different client machine (e.g. another PC, PS2, or Xbox 360) will not have access to macros written on the previously used machine.

Storing Macros on PlayOnline Servers
It is now possible to store configuration data on PlayOnline's servers, in addition to your game machine's own hard disk drive. Up to four slots are available on your hard disk for this purpose, while one slot is available on the server. One slot stores one character's worth of configuration data.

Saving ("Back up") Macros to the Server
At the character selection screen, highlight a character and press the following buttons/keys and choose the slot in which you want to save the configuration information for the highlighted character.
 * PlayStation 2: L1 button + L3 button
 * XBOX 360: LB + left stick button
 * PC/Keyboard: Shift + Alt + Ctrl + B

Loading ("Restore") Macros from the Server
Bring up the configuration file load screen by pressing the following buttons/keys at the character selection screen, and choose the slot from which you wish to load.
 * PlayStation 2: R1 button + R3 button
 * XBOX 360: RB + right stick button
 * PC/Keyboard: Shift + Alt + Ctrl + R

Deleting Macros from the Server
Bring up the configuration file deletion screen by pressing the following buttons/keys at the character selection screen. Confirm deletion to restore default settings for the currently highlighted character.
 * PlayStation 2: R1 button + L2 button + R3 button + L3 button
 * XBOX 360: R2 + L2 + right stick button + left stick button
 * PC/Keyboard: Shift + Alt + Ctrl + D

PC Users
PC client users can safely back up macro files while not logged on to the character. (The files seemed to be saved from memory to files when zoning and when logging off, and perhaps at other times.) The default location for files containing the macros for PC clients is at:

C:\Program Files\PlayOnline\SquareEnix\FINAL FANTASY XI\USER\{ID}\mcr*.dat

PS2 Users
PS2 Users can use PlayOnline storage in their PS2 browser to store up to 4 sets of 20 book macros each (Slot A, Slot B, Slot C, Slot D), each slot is marked with the name of the character, date the macro set was saved to storage, and the time it was saved to storage. They can be switched at the Character Select screen when logging on.

To save or restore macros in this way (stored on the PS2), follow the instructions above for saving/restoring from the PlayOnline servers but choose one of the slots on your PS2 when prompted. Macros are stored on the PS2 and can not be loaded from another console.

Available commands
Each macro starts with a command to determine what type of command you will issue. The most common are as follows.


 * {| width="60%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2"

! style="background:#ffdead;" width="25%" | Command ! style="background:#ffdead;" width="75%" | Definition
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /ja
 * Job Ability
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /magic or /ma
 * Magic
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /song or /so or /ma
 * Song
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /ninjutsu or /nin or /ma
 * Ninjutsu
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /ws
 * Weapon Skill
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /range, /ra, /shoot, /throw
 * Performs a ranged attack on target. Will not activate without a target on the command line. (i.e., '/range ' won't work, but '/range ' will.
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /equip
 * Equip an item  You DON'T have to put a /wait between 2 /equip changes*
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /recast
 * Displays recast time for Abilities or Spells
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /item
 * Allows you to use item in inventory
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /pcmd
 * Party command
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /pet
 * Pet commands
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /party or /p
 * Party Chat
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /linkshell or /l
 * Linkshell Chat
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /lockon
 * Locks player's view and direction to current selected target.
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /say or /s
 * Say Chat
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /shout or /sh
 * Shout Chat
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /tell or /t
 * Sends a message to target player
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /reply or /r
 * Replies to the last person to /tell you
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /check or /c
 * Examines Player or Gauges the monster
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /target or /ta
 * Moves active pointer to target specified by targeting pronoun
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /targetnpc
 * Targets closest NPC (including player pets if /ignorepet command is not active)
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top
 * Identifies macros and their usage
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /echo
 * Displays text viewable only by the Macro user
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /wait #
 * Used in between other commands in macros to set a delay before moving onto the next line. Can only be integers from 1 to 60.  Any wait time over 60 seconds is counted as 0.
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /sc /seacom
 * Allows users to create Search Comment macros and write to specific lines. Example: /sc 1 RDM 64 {Looking For Party} /sc 2 Main Heal: {All Right!} /sc 3 {Please Invite Me}
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /scu /seacomup
 * Allows user to set the category that a /seacom macro is inserted into. Usage: /scu "category name" "sub category number" Available Categories: expparty, mission, quest, item synthesis, battlefield, others. Sub Categories: 1 Seek Party, Want to Sell, Need Made 2 Find Member, Want to Buy, Can Make. 3 Other. If no sub category is selected, the message is written to 3 (Other) Example Usage /sc 1 RDM 64 {Looking For Party} /sc 2 Main Heal: {All Right!} /sc 3 {Please Invite Me} /wait 2 /scu "expparty" 1 /inv on
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /macro set # /macro book #
 * change to "#" macro line change to macro book "#"
 * }
 * }

* If you are Ninja main or support job, and are equipping the same weapon in both Main and Sub via macro, a /wait may be necessary.

Selecting a Target (Pronouns)
At the end of your macro line, you must choose a target in which to activate the spell or ability. The available are as follows:


 * {| width="50%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2"

! style="background:#ffdead;" width="25%" | Pronoun ! style="background:#ffdead;" width="75%" | Target
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * 
 * Activates automatically on your character
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * 
 * Activates on current selected target. If a command is missing a target, or the target is unrecognizable, its target is assumed to be the player's current target. For instance '/ma "Fire II" '.
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * 
 * Activates on last monster claimed by party (will not work on alliance targets)
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * 
 * Activates on Call for Help target
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * 
 * Activates on NPC Fellow
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * 
 * Activates after toggling between available targets
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * Activates after toggling between available player characters
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * Activates after toggling between available party members
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * Activates after toggling between available alliance members
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * Activates after toggling between available NPCs
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * Activates on last target acquired from, , , or Example Usage /ta        /equip "Apollo's Staff"         /ma "Cure V"
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * 
 * Activates on last player to /tell you (similar to /reply)
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * Your pet's name
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * Your pet's HP in %
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * Your pet's TP%
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * Your widescan target
 * }
 * Your pet's HP in %
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * Your pet's TP%
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * Your widescan target
 * }
 * Your widescan target
 * }
 * }

Targeting specific party and allience members:


 * {| width="50%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2"

! style="background:#ffdead;" width="25%" | Pronoun ! style="background:#ffdead;" width="75%" | Target
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * 
 * Targets self
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * 
 * Targets second party member, and so on to 
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * Targets top most alliance, first member, and so on to
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * Targets second alliance, first member, and so on to to
 * }
 * Targets second alliance, first member, and so on to to
 * }

Syntax
When using the top three commands especially, there is a certain syntax you must follow in order to get the macro to work effectively. When programming your macros, be sure to always include proper spelling, punctuation, and targets.


 * {| width="75%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2"

! style="background:#ffdead;" width="40%" | Syntax ! style="background:#ffdead;" width="60%" | Example note: there are 2 alternatives for Ear and Ring slots  You DON'T have to put a /wait between 2 /equip changes* note: /pet commands will vary based on your job and level.
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /ja "Job Ability" 
 * Example: /ja "Benediction"  Example: /ja "Steal" 
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /ma "Spell Name" 
 * Example: /ma "Blizzard IV"  Example: /ma "Curaga"
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /nin "Ninjutsu Name"  /ma "Ninjutsu Name" 
 * Example: /nin "Hojo: Ni" <bt> Example: /nin "Utsusemi: Ichi" <me> Example: /ma "Utsusemi: Ni" <me>
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /so "Song Name"  /ma "Song Name" 
 * Example: /so "Army's Paeon III" <me> Example: /so "Horde Lullaby" <t> Example: /ma "Mages Ballad" <me>
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /ws "WeaponSkill" 
 * Example: /ws "Sturmwind" <bt> Example: /ws "Hexa Strike" <bt>
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /range "[target name]"
 * Example: /ra Example: /shoot <bt> Example: /throw
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /item "item" <me>
 * Example: /item "Rolanberry Pie" <me>
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /equip "Gear"
 * Example: /equip ring1 "Zircon Ring" Example: /equip main "Ice Staff" Example: /equip main (if you do not put anything, you remove the current item) Valid slots are: Main, Sub, Range, Ammo, Head, Neck, L.ear, Ear1, R.ear, Ear2, Body, Hands, L.ring, Ring1, R.ring, Ring2, Back, Waist, Legs, Feet
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * '''/ta "Target Name or Pronoun"
 * Example: /ta <bt> Example: /ta "Helm Beetle" **(See note below)**
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * '''/pcmd [subcommand] "Target"
 * Example: /pcmd add "Dudeman" Example: /pcmd leave
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * '''/pet [subcommand] "Target"
 * Example: /pet "Deploy" <t> Example: /pet "Deactivate" <me>
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * /? [macro]
 * Example: /? /pcmd Example: /? /equip
 * }

* If you are Ninja main or support job, and are equipping the same weapon in both Main and Sub via macro, a /wait may be necessary. ** The ability to target a mob by name (i.e. /ta "Leaping Lizzy") seems to have been removed to prevent NM-claiming macros.

Misc.
These are just some additional things which make using macros more helpful. These may be placed anywhere in a /s or /p string.


 * {| width="75%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2"

! style="background:#ffdead;" width="40%" | Syntax ! style="background:#ffdead;" width="60%" | Definition
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * <hp>
 * Your current hit points as a ratio of current HP over max HP.
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * Your current hit points as a percentage.
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * <tp>
 * Your current TP as a percentage.
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * <mp>
 * Your current MP as a ratio of remaining MP over max MP.
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * Your current MP as a percentage.
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * Your pet's current HP as a percentage.
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * Your pet's current TP as a percentage.
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * Your NPC Fellow's current HP as a percentage.
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * Call0-21 will send out an audible signal and vibrate the controller of everyone in your party. May only be used with the command/party.
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * NCall0-21 will send out an audible signal to everyone in your party. May only be used with the command /party.
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * SCall0-21 will send out an audible signal to everyone in your party, but without the controller vibration. May only be used with the command /party.
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * Displays your current job/subjob and their levels.
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * Displays your current job level (without subjob).
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * Displays your current subjob level (without main job).
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * Your current map coordinates.
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * }
 * Displays your current job/subjob and their levels.
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * Displays your current job level (without subjob).
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * Displays your current subjob level (without main job).
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * Your current map coordinates.
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * }
 * Your current map coordinates.
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;" valign="top"
 * }

Macro Guides

 * Summoner Macro Guide
 * Beastmaster Macro Guide
 * White Mage Macro Guide
 * Puppetmaster Macro Ideas
 * ASCII alt codes (ie. how to make special characters)