# Recording a macro

Macro command should be created using the following actions:

1. Start recording a macro.
   Hotkey `Ctrl-<.>` (Ctrl and 'dot') to record a macro in general mode and `Ctrl-Shift-<.>` (Ctrl, Shift and 'dot'), to record a macro in special mode.
   In the top left corner of the screen you should see R symbol indicating that FAR Manager has began to record a new macro.
2. Macro command text.
   FAR records every key the user presses with the following exceptions:
   the only keystrokes will be stored that are processed by FAR Manager. I.e. if any application is launched from FAR Manager console than FAR will save only the keystrokes made before the launching and after closing this application.
3. Stop recording a macro.
   Since the parameters of the macro command can be additionally adjusted there're two different commands that the user can use to complete the recording of a macro: `Ctrl-<.>` (Ctrl and 'dot' key) and `Ctrl-Shift-<.>` (Ctrl, Shift and 'dot' key). First can be used to complete the macro with default execution parameters, the second one brings up the 'execution parameters' dialog box upon completion the recording of the macro.
4. Assigning the shortcut key combination.
   Shortcut assignment dialog box will appear immediately after completion of a recording of a macro. You can use it to assign a specific shortcut key combination that can be used to call the macro execution.

Notes:

- All existing macro commands will be deactivated while the user attempts to record a new macro command. Thus it is impossible to create a 'nested' macro command that could use existing macro commands in its command sequence.