caption: Macro Calls
created: 20150220182252000
modified: 20230419103154328
tags: WikiText Macros
title: Macro Calls
type: text/vnd.tiddlywiki

!! Introduction

This tiddler describes the different ways in which [[macros|Macros]] can be called.

!! Macro Call Transclusion Shortcut

To call a [[macro|Macros]], place `<<`double angle brackets`>>` around the name and any parameter values.

```
<<mymacro param:"This is the parameter value">>
```

By default, parameters are listed in the same order as in the macro's definition. A parameter can be labelled with its name and a colon to allow them to be listed in a different order.

If no value is specified for a parameter, the default value given for that parameter in the [[macro definition|Macro Definitions]] is used instead. (If no default value was defined, the parameter is blank).

Each parameter value can be enclosed in `'`single quotes`'`, `"`double quotes`"`, `"""`triple double quotes`"""` or `[[`double square brackets`]]`. Triple double quotes allow a value to contain almost anything. If a value contains no spaces or single or double quotes, it requires no delimiters.

A more formal [[presentation|Macro Call Syntax]] of this syntax is also available.

See some [[examples|Macro Calls in WikiText (Examples)]] and discussion about [[parser modes|WikiText parser mode: macro examples]].

!! Macro Calls with <<.wlink TranscludeWidget>> Widget

The shortcut syntax expands to the <<.wlink TranscludeWidget>> widget with the `$variable` attribute specifying the name of the macro to transclude.

```
<$transclude $variable="mymacro" param="This is the parameter value"/>
```

The widget itself offers greater flexibility than the shortcut syntax, including the ability to specify parameter values.

!! Assigning Macro Calls to Attribute Values

The result of a macro can be directly assigned to an attribute of a widget or HTML element. The result of the macro is not wikified, but the [[parameter substitution|Macro Parameter Handling]] is performed.

```
<div class=<<myclasses "Horizontal">>>
...
</div>
```

!! Using Macro Calls in Filters

Macro calls can be used in filters:

```
<$list filter="[<mymacro param:'value'>]">
...
</$list>
```