FX in an ability not going to chat properly

I'm trying to make an ability to output /fx based on a few inputs, basically the type and how many. I'm using the D&D5e Roll20 sheet. So far I have this, which gives the proper inputs, but the output shows in the chat as having been spoken by me, not as an actual /fx.  If I copy/paste the output into the chat box, it works fine.  How can I get it to actually submit the /fx instead of making it appear that I said it. /em PEW PEW!! {How Many|One, /fx beam-?{Type|Death,death|Fire,fire} @{target|Caster|token_id} @{target|Target 1|token_id}|Two, /fx beam-?{Type} @{target|Caster|token_id} @{target|Target 1|token_id}, /fx beam-?{Type} }@{target|Caster|token_id} @{target|Target 2|token_id}

It looks like you just need to add a ? at the start of the query. (Bolded below for emphasis) /em PEW PEW!! ? {How Many|One, /fx beam-?{Type|Death,death|Fire,fire} @{target|Caster|token_id} @{target|Target 1|token_id}|Two, /fx beam-?{Type} @{target|Caster|token_id} @{target|Target 1|token_id}, /fx beam-?{Type} }@{target|Caster|token_id} @{target|Target 2|token_id}

There were a few, easily made, issues here. To start, this one will work: /em PEW PEW!! !?{Type|Death,death|Fire,fire} ?{How Many|One,/fx beam-?{Type} @{target|Caster|token_id} @{target|Target 1|token_id}|Two,/fx beam-?{Type} @{target|Caster|token_id} @{target|Target 1|token_id} /fx beam-?{Type} @{target|Caster|token_id} @{target|Target 2|token_id}} The mistakes being: You don't need to do html replacements on { You don't need to do html replacements on the offending characters ( , | } ) when part of an attribute call such as the token_id calls You were missing some key syntax, the opening ? as previously pointed out and a closing } to the overall query You had spaces before the "/fx" calls which meant, when sent to chat, you'd get " /fx" which wouldn't be a valid call Changes I made for your convenience: I prefixed the whole macro with a fake API call "!?{Type|Death,death|Fire,fire}" which allows you set your variable without html replacements and call it within the macro itself with the simplified, and minimal html, version of "?{Type}" A hard return is needed between the two fx calls for that option otherwise you'll only get one anyway I can't remember whether it is possible or not to avoid having to select 2 targets every time regardless of your choices but if it isn't then you'll just need to select the same target twice for a single beam option which isn't too much of a hassle right? ;) Hope that helps a bit with this complex subject.

Thank you both so much.  I did have the opening ?, it must just not have been in the highlight when I copied it over. Ziechael, you solution worked a charm.  Thank you. I had started that way, but kelp replacing the characters with the escape code bae on things being cut off in chat.  Seems like all I need when I started was the ! in front. Thanks again for the info!