What is the proper syntax for using a macro named "us_sales"?

Using a macro in Splunk requires a specific syntax to ensure that the macro is correctly interpreted and executed within search queries. The proper way to reference a macro named "us_sales" is to enclose it in backticks, which are typically used to denote macros in Splunk queries.

When a macro is used within a search, placing it in backticks allows Splunk to understand that it should substitute the macro's definition (the search string that the macro represents) at that point in the query. This is essential for dynamically incorporating the predefined logic or filters that the macro encapsulates.

The other formats, although they may appear plausible, do not adhere to Splunk's syntax for macros. The option without any formatting would simply be read as a plain text string rather than an instruction to invoke a predefined search. The use of parentheses or quotation marks, though used in various programming and scripting languages for different purposes, do not serve to indicate that "us_sales" is a macro in Splunk, hence they would not trigger the correct substitution of the macro.