Editing WoW:UI FAQ/Macros and scripts (section)

=== Spells, Abilities and Buffs ===
{{faqq}}'''What is the best way to know the exact spelling of a spell to cast? '''
{{faqa}}Open your spellbook along side your macro editor. Position the edit cursor in the macro window, and then hold down the SHIFT key while you LEFT click on a spell icon in your spellbook, and the game will type in the correct /cast spellname command for you. You can then cut/paste or edit it if needed.

{{faqq}}'''Can I make a conditional macro that does something if I have a certain buff? '''
{{faqa}}You can't do that with such a macro since 2.0.1.

{{faqq}}'''Is it possible to use multiple abilities in one macro, such as cast Corruption, Curse of Agony, and then Shadowbolt? '''
{{faqa}}No. The reason is that it is not possible to wait in a macro, but to cast one spell after another, you would have to cast the first one, wait for it to finish, then cast the other. Even instant spells activate a global cooldown timer of 1.5 second (or 1 second for rogues/warriors/druids in bear/cat form), and you cannot cast another spell until this timer is done. Even with the ability to wait in a macro, you wouldn't be able to cast multiple spells: an action from the user is required to start a spell cast (like a keypress or a mouse click, not at any other time - which is why "do something, wait a bit, then cast XXX" is impossible).

It is, however, possible to do multiple things that don't require waiting. You could, for example, cast a spell and turn on attack. Or use two items (as long as they had independent refresh timers).

You just can't do anything that would require waiting between action A and action B.

NOTE: It is possible, however, since 2.0.1, to define a /castsequence macro which would allow you to cast a different spell on each button click. See 2.0 macro guide for more details.

{{faqq}}'''How do I set up a macro or script to automatically cast XXX when... '''
{{faqa}}You don't. There is no way to automatically cast any spell or ability. You can ONLY use spells and abilities in response to a hardware event (mouse button or keyboard press), and furthermore, it appears that the hardware event must trigger a normal action button or the spell will fail to cast. Furthermore, since 2.0.1, many cast/use/pet functions have been protected and cannot be used directly by AddOns and scripts.

{{faqq}}'''How do you link multiple spells together in a single macro? '''
{{faqa}}Spells can be linked into one macro if the first one does not activate the global cooldown (such as Nature's Swiftness). To do so, simply put the two spells on two different lines. E.g. /cast Presence of Mind
 /cast Pyroblast(Rank 1)

See also the Addendum on chaining spells at the end of this FAQ.

:''Note: The above has been rewritten to match 2.0.1 new restrictions. The rest of the FAQ also needs to be updated. Everything below this message is still pre-2.0.1 documented.''