# Keyboard macros

You can define a keyboard macro to automate frequent keystroke sequences. They are defined in the same manner as in the Borland IDE:

```
        - Press Alt--
        - Press <key> - macro name
        - Enter macro body
        - Press Alt-=
```

All macros are lost when you [exit](https://docs.hex-rays.com/9.0/user-guide/user-interface/menu-bar/file/exit-ida) IDA. If you want to have a static macro which is not lost when you quit IDA, then write it down into IDATUI.CFG file. The format of a macro definition is explained [here](https://docs.hex-rays.com/9.0/user-guide/configuration/configuration-files).

**NOTE:** keyboard macros are available only in the text version of IDA.