Load data into any application Control
any application Simulated
keystrokes Simulated
mouse clicks Use delays
to control the loadAll versions of DataLoad provide the Macro load functionality and this is the load technology of choice in DataLoad Classic, the freeware version.
The easiest way to load data into a form is using a keyboard and mouse and this is what DataLoad does with Macro loads. You configure the data, keystrokes and mouse clicks in DataLoad that you want loaded into your form(s). When you run the load DataLoad presses the keys and clicks the mouse as you specified. Any keys on your keyboard can be used by DataLoad, in any combination, and the left and right mouse buttons can also be used. And because DataLoad calls the same low-level Windows code that is called when you actually press a key or use your mouse, the application you are loading data into cannot tell the difference between data entered by you at the keyboard or DataLoad.
To build a DataLoad load write down what keys and mouse clicks you use to enter one record in your application. Now enter that into a DataLoad row and copy the instructions down into as many rows as the number of records you are going to load. Finally, paste your data into cells in DataLoad that correspond to the fields in your form. Your load is now built!
To load data as quickly as possible DataLoad uses Windows copy & paste to copy data into form fields. Where the actual keystrokes should be sent instead the data just needs to be preceded with a backslash, '\'. To send mouse clicks use the *ML or *MR commands to send left or right mouse click respectively. Please read the User Guide for more information about keystrokes, DataLoad commands and mouse clicks.
DataLoad can send data, key strokes and mouse clicks far faster than applications can handle them. To slow down DataLoad there is a comprehensive set of Delay options, using both the Delays form and the *SL (Sleep) command which cause DataLoad to wait at key points.
For the fastest, most reliable copy & paste loads use the Load Control functionality in DataLoad Professional. Load Control enables DataLoad to monitor a log file written by the application you are loading data into. Having configured DataLoad to use the log file your load will not run faster than the application is processing the data. No delays are required and DataLoad will run as fast as possible without overloading the target application. Another great benefit of Load Control is that if an error occurs in the application DataLoad will stop sending data. Therefore loads can be run unsupervised.
