Invoking a Local Macro
    

1    From a command prompt in the session window, enter the percentage symbol % followed by the macro file name, as in %TRIM. Also consider the following issues:

·    The default file name extension for local macros is MAC. When you invoke a macro that has an extension of MAC, you only need to type the file name, as in %TRIM. If the extension is not MAC, you must type the file name and extension, as in %TRIM.TXT.

·    When you invoke a local macro, by default Minitab looks for that macro file first in the current folder, then in the \MACROS subfolder. If the macro is not in one of those default folders, you can specify the folder by including a path when you invoke the macro. For example, %C:\SALES\TRIM.

·    If a local macro file name includes spaces, put the name in single quotes, as in %'a very long file name.MAC'

2    After the file name, type any undetermined arguments which belong with the main command:

·    Unnamed columns, constants, and matrices are not surrounded by quotes, as in %TRIM C1 K2

·    Named columns, constants, and matrices are surrounded by single quotes, as in %TRIM 'Sales' 'NewMean'

·    Text strings, such as titles or file names, are surrounded by double quotes, as in %TRIM C1 K2;TITLE "Results"; STOREIN "OUTPUT.TXT".

3    If the macro has optional subcommands, consider typing them as in interactive Minitab, ending each line with a semicolon or a period, as in %TRIM C1 K2;PERCENT 4.