Initiative issues

So fair warning i'm still relatively new to roll20 and this probably has a simple solution that i'm not seeing. I don't use a character sheet within roll 20, i just keep hard copies so my macros are all hand built and adjusted with each level up. I have a macro for inish with a simple emote but for some reason i can never get this macro to insert itself into turn order and every guide i have seen starts with "pull up your roll20 character sheet" and which is a problem for me. Any help is greatly appreciated. 

No problem.  The requirement for rolling into initiative is having a token selected and having an expression that includes &{tracker}.  For example: Assuming you have a token named Bob the Slayer selected, you are speaking as Bob , and you roll a 13 on a 1d20, this command: /em leaps to action! [[ 1d20+3 &{tracker} ]] Will print to chat: Bob leaps to action! [16] And insert a record in the turn order with: Bob the Slayer [16]

Long story short, you need to add &{tracker} to the roll for initiative. See  here for more information.

I'm almost certain this can't be done without a token on the table, regardless if using a character sheet. I can get the bellow working, but again, requires a token.  Otherwise, the only way i can think to do what you want to do is an API. That said, couldn't you just use a generic character sheet to facilitate what you want to do?  It would also make your macro editing quite a bit easier by being able to call attributes, instead of 'static' values. Just a thought. &{template:simple} {{rname=Initiative}} {{r1=[[[[1d20]]&{tracker}]]}} {{normal=1}}

Every character journal in a game has a 'generic character sheet' -- It is the Attributes & Abilities tab.  It is still as useful today as it was before the ability to include a character 'sheet' tab debuted :)