Second Keyboard for Macros
by Tygo-bear in Circuits > Computers
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Second Keyboard for Macros
![IMG_20190622_152138.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FRI/8M34/JX56ZSCF/FRI8M34JX56ZSCF.jpg&filename=IMG_20190622_152138.jpg)
If you have any spare keyboard or number pad. You can use it as a macro keyboard. Such as when you press a key, a pre-programmed task happens. For example, an app is started or an autohotkey script is executed.
Supplies
You need the following things:
- A spare keyboard or number pad
- Arduino uno
- Arduino UNO Usb host shield
Choose a Keyboard
![61AUvQSv3qL._SL1500_.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FA7/4TVV/JX56ZSCC/FA74TVVJX56ZSCC.jpg&filename=61AUvQSv3qL._SL1500_.jpg)
![61nK+kLncsL._SL1500_.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FDA/1B8U/JX56ZSCD/FDA1B8UJX56ZSCD.jpg&filename=61nK+kLncsL._SL1500_.jpg)
You can use a full keyboard or a small number pad.
- Number pad
A number pad is small and is easier to place on your desk. It is best if you do not need many macros.
- Full keyboard
It takes up a lot of space on your desk but you do have a lot of keys of different shapes and sizes
(Note: You can also use a wireless keyboard)
Multiboard
![FTQV011JWGNUDAK.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F5O/UVMR/JWL0WIG5/F5OUVMRJWL0WIG5.png&filename=FTQV011JWGNUDAK.png)
![IMG_20190527_172419.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F9Q/GBPJ/JWGNUD7J/F9QGBPJJWGNUD7J.jpg&filename=IMG_20190527_172419.jpg)
Windows cannot see the difference between 2 keyboards so we use an Arduino UNO with a usb hostshield to distinguish the second keyboard. And we need a program to let the keys of the 2nd keyboard do certain tasks. We use MultiBoard for this.
AutoHotkey
![Aantekening 2019-06-22 213619.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FP3/QSA6/JX56ZSCE/FP3QSA6JX56ZSCE.png&filename=Aantekening 2019-06-22 213619.png)
You can get the most out of Multiboard if you use it with AutoHotkey. AutoHotkey is a scripting program with which you can make very complex scripts. for example, you can make a key combination or move your mouse to a specific location.