Why is an initial edit macro executing when I didn't request one?

There are several reasons why an initial edit macro might execute at the start of an edit session. Here are some things to check:

• Are there any stray characters in the Initial Macro field of the Edit or View panel?

• If the error happens only in the data set list utility, are there any stray characters on the Data Set Utility's Edit Entry panel? To verify the initial macro from the Data Set List Utility's EDIT Entry Panel, display a data set list that includes one of the data sets you want to edit. Then, select that data set with E (Edit). On the member list panel, select a member with the S line command and put a / in the Prompt field. Press the Enter key.

You can use the same process to verify that the VIEW Initial Macro field is correct, by selecting the data set with V (View).

You can also force the display of the EDIT Entry Panel every time you edit. Follow these steps:

1. Select the Options action bar choice from the Data Sets Matching panel. 
2. Select 1 DSLIST Settings
3. Select Display Edit/View entry panel.
4. Check the Initial Macro field.

• Does the edit profile have an initial macro name? To verify the initial macro in the edit profile, edit or view a data set for which the macro executes. On the edit command line, enter PROFILE to display the edit profile. Verify that the IMACRO keyword has a correct value.

To change the initial macro in the profile, use the IMACRO edit primary command. For example, to change the initial macro to a macro named FORMAT, type:

 IMACRO FORMAT

on the edit command line. To remove the initial macro, type:

 IMACRO NONE

If the edit session is running in an automated tool and you do not have access to the profile, see the article on How to Update an ISPF Edit Profile for an Automated Tool.

• Has the application you are running set an application-wide edit macro? To verify whether or not there is an application-wide macro, look at the editor settings. From an edit or view session, type EDSET on the command line to display the Edit and View Settings panel.

Verify the user session initial value. You can modify this value for your own use. If the value needs to be modified for all users, the application programmer can modify this value in the application, then

 VPUT ZUSERMAC

back to the shared or profile pool. To remove this variable, use the VERASE service to remove ZUSERMAC from the shared or profile pool.

• If none of the previous bullets describes the unexpected edit macro to execute, is the edit macro specified in the ISPF configuration table? You might be able to check the configuration table by using the ISPCCONF command, or you might want to contact your systems programmer.