HOME TIPS OCTOBER 19TH, 2012 259 COMMENTS

[Tech] Mrunal’s Auto NoteMaker for The Hindu & PDF files: Grab Data by Mouse, Make Notes
without typing!

Imagine that you’re reading a newspaper or book. All you’ve to do is just keep
highlighting important lines and phrases, and someone automatically copies them and
prepares a separate note for you.
Convenient, time saver, miraculous. And yes, it is possible- as long as you’re reading
anything on computer- webpages or PDF files (on Microsoft Windows XP, Win8).

Introduction
Situation A: want to make notes out of PDF files
Situation B: Auto Notes making from Website
Converting Notes into Mindmaps
Troubleshooting the Scripts
Eye Strain
Notepad ++
Foxit PDF reader: Changing Background Color

Introduction
Consider this example, I’m copy pasting an article from The Hindu

http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/anticollision-trial-of-trains-successful/article4002191.ece

………The Indian Railways successfully tested a path-breaking technology called Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), about
150 km from Hyderabad, on Tuesday.

The TCAS technology, based on a combination of GPS and Radio Frequency enabled technology, applies brakes without the
intervention of the loco (train) pilots once it detects another locomotive on the move or stationary on the same track and avoids
collision. The technology includes installation of some electronic gadgets on the trains, in the stations and along the tracks.

……….Sources stated that the TCAS would not only help avoid collisions due to human errors in signalling and invisibility of
signals due to heavy rain or fog, but alerts about fire on trains and warns about damage to the tracks during natural calamities or
sabotage.

End of Copy Paste.

Now, from exam point of view, the topic is important but this article is very verbose and lengthy = not good for revision. But we can
easily summarize the crux of the whole article by highlighting certain phrases, which are as following:

1. Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS)

2. combination of GPS and Radio Frequency.
3. applies brakes without pilots
4. avoid collisions due to human errors, rain or fog, natural calamities or sabotage.

So how would you create such neat and crispy revision notes from newspapers / PDF files?

You’ve three options:

a. Read the article, Manually type those phrases in notepad or MS word file =extremely tiresome and time consuming.
b. Highlight every phrase, press “ctrl+C” (copy) then goto MS word or notepad Window and Paste “ctrl+v” (paste). Repeat this
activity like 500 times for one stupid article = again waste time.
c. Save the whole webpages for later reading and making notes in pen-paper format. = still inconvenient.

To solve this problem, I’ve created an automated computer script. It’ll automatically copy the selected phrases/keywords from a
webpage or PDF file and store it in the notepad document.

Basically the principle is Option B cited above, but You don’t have to press ctrl+C/ctrl+V or switch between windows. That work is
done in background via my computer script.
 Instructions
Download and Install following softwares (free)

a. Autohotkey (Lexicos Build) (Free) Link: Click ME

b. Foxit PDF reader (Free): Click ME
c. Save following Script Files anywhere on your desktop, harddisk or any folder.
a. Mrunal’s Auto Notemaker for PDF: Click ME
b. Mrunal’s Auto Notemaker for Web: Click Me
Situation A: want to make notes out of PDF files
1. fox XP Double click on “Mrunal’s Auto Notemaker for PDF”. For Win7/8, right click on its icon “Run as Administrator”.
2. Now You will see the green icon in the taskbar, near the clock.
3. Open any pdf file in Foxit PDF reader. For the Demonstration, I’ve opened India Yearbook 2011.
a. If you’re using Foxit PDF reader’s “Classical toolbar” mode, then goto “Tools Menu”>>Text Selection Tool.
b. If you’re using Tabbed Toolbar mode in Foxit PDF reader then >>Basic Tab >>Text Selection Tool. (otherwise text will
not be selected)

4.
5. Now read the Pdf file as per your convenience, and whenever you feel that some keyword or phrase is important, then just
highlight it using your mouse cursor. (But make sure that you’ve selected “Text Selection Tool”)
6. You’ll see that my script is copying those highlighted lines and you’ll receive ballon-tray notifications.

7.
8. Continue the activity until you’ve finish the topic/chapter in the given pdf file.
9. Once you’re done reading the topic/pdf file, then right click on the green icon in taskbar -> “Pause Program”
10. Now again Right Click on green icon > “Open Storage” and you’ll see the notepad file containing all the phrases that you had
highlighted during reading.
11.
Click to Enlarge
12. Copy paste the content of this notepad file into another MS Word document / Notepad / Evernote / Onenote or any other
software, as per your requirement.
13. Close this notepad file.
14. Right click on the green icon >> Empty Storage. (plz note, it’ll remove the content from that notepad file).
15. If you want to continue making notes, then continue highlighting lines in Foxit. And repeat above steps for number 4 onwards.
16. If you’re done, then exit the program by right click>>Exit program
Situation B: Auto Notes making from Website
1. Launch google chrome.
2. Double click on “Mrunal’s Auto Notemaker for Web”. Now You will see the green icon in the taskbar, near the clock.
3. Just select the phrases/highlight phrases while reading any article or website and they’ll automatically get copied in background.
4. Once finished, Right click on green icon > “Pause Program”
5. Now again Right Click on green icon > “Open Storage” and your data will be there. Copy paste it in separate word file, evernote,
freemind or any other software as per your requirements.
6. Other instructions are more or less the same like Situation “A” for PDF files.
7. You may also use this script for copying from MS Word, Notepad etc fileformats.
Converting Notes into Mindmaps
Suppose after copying from here and there, you’ve gathered following lines

1. Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS)

2. combination of GPS and Radio Frequency enabled technology
3. applies brakes without the intervention of the loco (train) pilots
4. avoid collisions due to human errors,heavy rain or fog, natural calamities or sabotage.
5. NATIONAL SCHOOL OF DRAMA
6. set up by Sangeet Natak Akademi
7. totally financed by Department of Culture.
8. an autonomous organisation
9. to train students in all aspects of theatre
10. training course at NSD is of three years duration

The first four lines are from The Hindu newspaper (web) and remaining lines are from India Yearbook 2011 (PDF). I’ve made this list
using my scripts. (I did not manually type above list)

Now I want to properly arrange this data into a mindmap for quick revisions.
So, Copy that list. (please copy such lists from a notepad text file or MS word file, because if you directly copy paste it from a
webpage, then the list may not display properly in the mindmapping program.)
Anyways, after copying the list, Open either Freemind or Mindjet Mindmanager.
Create a new Mindmap.
Now select Central Note (the gray circle titled “New Mind Map”) and press Ctrl+V (Paste)
You’ll get this result.
 Click to Enlarge

Now hold down Shift key, and using arrow key, select the point number 2 to 4 and drag them into point number 1. And you’ll get this
result:

Click to Enlarge

Lastly, I’ve added some fancy formatting to beautify the mindmap and here is the final result.

Click to Enlarge

Troubleshooting the Scripts

1. I’ve tested this on XP SP3, working without problem.
2. Tested on Win8 (64-bit). As long as you launch the program via right click “run as administrator”, should work fine.
3. This does not work with just ‘any’ version of Autohotkey software. This works only with a customized version of Autohotkey
software, known as “Lexicos’ build. (Autohotkey_L)” So if you’re having any issues, uninstall your autohotkey, then download
and install following file: http://l.autohotkey.net/AutoHotkey_L_Install.exe
4. If you got the error window that “—> 023: Run,%A_scriptdir%\Temporary_Storage_File.txt...huge piece of code” This
happens when you launch the script for the very first time and directly click on green icon >> open storage. This error happens
because system has not yet created that “Temporary_Storage_File”. So solution is simple: relaunch the script, Selected a few
lines in PDF/Webpage only for testing and then Green icon > right click > Open Storage.
5. Sometimes it doesn’t detect the lines selected by cursor. So either restart the program or try again. If you drag your cursor too
fast or too slow, then the script may not detect and copy the text. In the Web script be extremely cautious while moving your
 mouse in dragging and highlighting lines, else it might copy the whole web instead of a single phrase :)
6. Will not work if the PDF file is “copy-protected” or if it is just a scanned image of a document without OCR. Same goes for
Non-English PDF files
7. Mrunal’s Auto Notemaker for Web, tested on firefox, internet explorer and Chrome. (Although Chrome would most reliable). If
problem then disable other Plugin/addons.
8. Better “Empty Storage” after work is done. i.e. right click on green icon >>Empty Storage.
9. Better close/exit the script when not in use. Otherwise script might unnecessarily keep copying the text while you’re surfing
websites for non-study purpose.
10. May or may not function properly if you’re using Vista or Win7 or Windowsblinds themes (because of the “ Balloon Traytip”
feature)
11. Donot launch both scripts simultaneously. Use only one script at a time.
12. Donot use this in combination with Clipmate or Clipcache or similar clipboard modifier programs.
How to Report Bugs/Errors
If you run into any trouble, don’t hesitate the post the comment below.
But For faster diagnosis of problem, please describe it in following format.

1. Name of your Operating System: Win XP, Vista, Win7, Win8

2. Are you using Autohotkey “Lexicos Build”?: Yes/No.
3. Script : PDF or Web?
4. Name of the web browser (if problem in Web script): Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Firefox
5. Description of the problem and what solutions have you tried:
Eye Strain
Notepad ++
My script copies the data in a .txt file (notepad file)
But the default notepad has white background and black text = very uncomfortable for eye, if you consciously work for more
than 10 minutes.
Therefore I suggest you use Notepad++ (free download: CLICK ME)
Open notepad++, click on Settings >> Styler Configuration >>Change theme according to your liking.
To make Notepad++ as your default alternative to Notepad, you need to goto Notepad++ >> Settings Menu >>Preferences
>>File Associations >>.txt
Compare the screens:
 Foxit PDF reader: Changing Background Color
When you’ve to read lengthy PDF files, with white background + black text = very uncomfortable.
To solve this problem, Goto Edit>Prerences (or press Ctrl+K on your keyboard)
Now select “Accessibility” and replace the document colors (for example black background and yellow text).
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259 comments to [Tech] Mrunal’s Auto NoteMaker for The Hindu & PDF files: Grab Data by Mouse, Make Print || PDF Subscribe
Notes without typing! (Need Chrome)! (free!)

« Older Comments 1 2 3 4

vaishu
Reply to this comment
sir am getting as error wen i try to install tat autohotkey….wat am supposed to do now>?

alagiri
Reply to this comment
Hi Just compile the script to produce an exe file. This works great with Windows 7.

Anmol Singh
Reply to this comment
Can you please upload it somewhere mine is not working good on windows 7
“Every time i select a Paragraph , it copy only Initial..????
Pdf is working good though .

visha
Reply to this comment
sir when I open file with notepad++…normal text files are shown in encoding…how shd I recover tis

visha
Reply to this comment
Sir when I try to install foxit reader….I get the msg.”the set up files are corrupted …please obtain a new copy of the prog…I am using xp
and browser -chrome…pls help me Mrunal sir

anand
Reply to this comment
i am using win 8 but i am not getting any space in pdf note maker in storage. it acts ilke word not sentence. suppose i have used “ram eats
mango” , and it saves like “rameatsmango”. what should i do ??… plzz reply anyone

anand
Reply to this comment
hiii,
i am using win 8 but i am not getting any space in pdf note maker in storage. it acts ilke word not sentence. suppose i have used “ram eats
mango” , and it saves like “rameatsmango”. what should i do ??… plzz reply anyone

vaishu
Reply to this comment
same prob! :(

anand
Reply to this comment
mrunal sir,
can u just upload a promo. video of using of this software on youtube. it will help all and better for us.

madhav
Reply to this comment
thankyou mrunal sir

query
Reply to this comment
Name of your Operating System: Win7
Are you using Autohotkey “Lexicos Build”?: Yes
Script : PDF and web, both
Name of the web browser (if problem in Web script): Google Chrome,
Description of the problem and what solutions have you tried:the autonotemaker (both web as well as pdf) is copying the text multiple times.

Mrunal
Reply to this comment
right click on the script-> Run as administrator.

Anmol Singh
Reply to this comment
Sir , even after running as administrator , it delaying. or sometimes copying only initials ???? what i am suppose to do ? i really
need it to work fine.
Should i change my operating system ?

Kabir
Reply to this comment
Does this work with windows 8?

narasimha
Reply to this comment
sir i am using windows xp sp3 with firefox 21. i have successfully installed foxit pdf reader and working fine. my problem here is i am unable
to install hotkey software either lexicos or another provided in the link.
please help me

narasimha
Reply to this comment
ok i could installed and autonotemaker pdf is working fine but for web Mrunals_WEB_AutoNoteMaker is copying only one string multiple
times it did not copy anything even after selecting. please help to sort out this problem.
thank you.
aday
Reply to this comment
hi,
i have some problems while trying out these tech.
1. Pdf creator after installation isn’t showing up even if i ticked launch after install
2. when i click open storage on your script, its opening up on excel not notepad. confusing.
i’m using win7 32bit.
anyone throw some light?? thnx

prince
Reply to this comment
sir,
does this work on windows 7 started edition for my netbook??

Rama kishor
Reply to this comment
Can you please help me how to make notes from PDF for ipad3?

narasimha
Reply to this comment
sir my os is windows xp 32bit service pack3. i am using firefox 21. for me pdf note maker is working fine it is doing great job but
Mrunals_WEB_AutoNoteMaker uris not working it is copying the same text which i copied first time and repeatedly copying the same text
even after i selected some different text. please help me sir.
any how many many thanks for providing the pdf note maker.

paul
Reply to this comment
extremely useful. thank you sir

Shiv
Reply to this comment
Thanks it working on window 7 thank u sooo much

sameer
Reply to this comment
mrunal,is your autonotemaker compatible with tablet pc.I tried downloading n it was possible to download but m not able to use it.suggest
other software if not.

Mrunal
Reply to this comment
no it doesnt work for tablets.

sameer
Reply to this comment
then plz suggest other software with similar functions for tab.

aman
Reply to this comment
notepad++ is not working properly on win7. plz help

krish
Reply to this comment
sir ,i wanna know about how to make notes from newspapers or magazines .
Ranjith HC
Reply to this comment
Hello mrunal… every thing is keep on copying two or three times. And when i select a phrase for first time it will not copy. and if i select for
second time, the phrase which i had selected earlier will be copied and that to two times or three times… Causing very inconvenience.
i donot get hindu or toi in my locality. I am completely relied upon internet for news papers.
i’m following AIR news bulletin, the hindu editorials, ToI and ET editorials regularly as a part of Current affairs. and yojana and kurukshetra
and CSC magazine is being followed by me regularly. Is it sufficient for dynamic part of GS and Public admin ??

Mrunal
Reply to this comment
I think you’re using vista/7/8.
right click on the script icon=>run as administrator.

ranjth hc
Reply to this comment
Win7: Same thing followed and I tried in many ways. But problem persists. any how thank U and keep innovating..

prasanna
Reply to this comment
same problem sir pdf is working beautifully but windows is repeating many times sir, thanks

aman
Reply to this comment
OS– WIN 7
USING AUTUHOT KEY– YES
SCRIPT–PDF
WEB BROWSER– FIREFOX
PROBLEM DESCRIPTION– I AM NOT ABLE TO MAKE NOTES FROM NIOS ECONOMY STARTUP MATERIAL. I SELECTED SELECT
TEXT AND TEXT IS NOT SELECTED. WHEN I PRESS LEFT CLICK TO SELECT TEXT A RECTANGLE COMES THAT COVERS
SELECTED TEXT.
WAITING FOR YOUR REPLY.THANKS

maneesh
Reply to this comment
is there any solution to make notes from hindi pdf.

chaitanya
Reply to this comment
Mrunal,
It is copying 3 times, even after running it as administrator. Please fix it bro!!
Thanks,
Chaitanya

saurabh
Reply to this comment
hey all is well but not able to read gujarati font???i have tried making notes from yojana gujarati version but fail..what should i do?

kshitij
Reply to this comment
Is it working on Window Vista ?

satish
Reply to this comment
thank you sir. working well

Ankit
Reply to this comment
Thanks a lot sir, it is of great use…your support to aspirants is commendable!!

yatish
Reply to this comment
Operating System Win7
using Autohotkey “Lexicos Build”?: Yes
Script : Web
Name of the web browser : Google Chrome
Description of the problem and solutions have i tried:
no error but the script is not detecting text .disabled extensions , plug -ins . restarted the program , chrome even laptop.
working just fine for pdf …n loads of thanks sir for everything you are doing for us .

dc shinde
Reply to this comment
sir,good afternoon.
when u will put up the upsc mains gs 1-4,essay,english language,regional language, etc .model answer paper written by topper of the upsc
exam.

« Older Comments 1 2 3 4