This was posted on another forum I frequent which looks like it was orginally posted on the EU Macros forums. I found it quite handy for shortening up a couple of my macros already.
Compressing Macros Guide
This guide will show you how to compress your macros, so you won't reach the macro limit.
Have you ever reached a Macro Limit and was unable to complete your Uber Macro?
Here are some Tips you may find useful to save those precious few macro characters!
IMPORTANT NOTE: All spells and macros here are purely EXAMPLES and are not 'decent' or 'to be used' macros. So please don't say "Why did you do <this> macro when its completely useless or could be done better?"
Replacements:
Use "/use" instead of "/cast". It works exactly the same, but is one character shorter!
Use "/userandom" instead of "/
castrandom"
Use "/s" "/p" "y" "/w or /t" "/g" etc instead of "/say" "/party" "/yell" "/whisper" "/guild" etc
Use "[btn:#]" instead of "[button:#]"
Use "[mod:###]" instead of "[mod
ifier:###]"
Use "[worn:####]" instead of "[equipped:####]"
Use "[form:#]" instead of "[stance:#]"
Use "/cast <Spell>" instead of "/cast <Spell>;(Rank #)" if you want to cast the maximum rank of that spell
Use "/use ##" instead of "/use <ItemNameHere>" when using an equipped item (EG: trinket). Info here: *
http://www.wowwiki.com/InventorySlotId
Use "/use item:#####" instead of "/use <VeryLongItemNameHere>" when using a non-equipped item (EG: Mount)
Use "[bar:#]" instead of "[actionbar:#]"
Use "[nostance:3]" instead of "[stance:1/2/4/5]". Same goes for other similar situations like: "[equipped:One-Handed * Axes/One-Handed Swords/...etc]" is far better if it was just "[noequipped:shields]"
Use "/run" instead of "/script"
Use "/tar" instead of "/target"
Use "/a" instead of "/assist"
Formatting:
Reduce the use of repeated spell names. For example:
/cast [target=targettarget,help][help][target=mouseover,help] Flash Heal
Is much shorter and works the same as:
/cast [target=targettarget,help] Flash Heal; [help] Flash Heal; [target=mouseover,help] Flash Heal
Reduce the use of repeated slash commands. For example:
/cast [stance:1] Retaliation
/cast [stance:2] Shield Wall
/cast [stance:3] Recklessness
Is much shorter if it was written:
/cast [stance:1] Retaliation; [stance:3] Recklessness; Shield Wall
Do not use: /cast [help,exists] Flash Heal
Because [help], [harm], [dead], [party], and [raid] all include the effect of [exists].
Reversing the order of conditions may produce a shorter macro:
/cast [noequipped:shields] Revenge; Shield Slam
Is shorter if reversed:
/cast [equipped:shields] Shield Slam; Revenge
http://forums.wow-europe.com/thread....geNo=1&sid=1#0