- With SendKeys (System.Windows.Forms), you'll programmatically be able to simulate key pressed events with C# or VB, and the application will behave as if the user actually typed that character sequence or hit that particular hotkey; we'll also cover special keys and focus / timing issues.
Note: in Windows 8 / 7 / Vista, this won't work on a UAC prompt and related credentials box.
- Let's first type some text: each letter will be handled by whatever control currently has the focus.
// Optionally go to other field:The Send() method processes the string you passed immediately; to wait for a response from the program (like auto-populated database records matching input), use SendWait() instead.
SomeOtherField.Focus();
// Add string at insertion point / over selected text:
SendKeys.Send("This is a test..."); - System keys, modifiers, and navigation / editing keys have their own symbols.
TOP ROW Escape {ESC} Function Keys {F1} ... {F16} Print Screen {PRTSC} Break {BREAK} Help {HELP} (Depending on active app, could be F1 or Ctrl+F1) LOCK KEYS Caps lock {CAPSLOCK} Num Lock {NUMLOCK} Scroll Lock {SCROLLLOCK} NAVIGATION AND EDITING KEYS Tab {TAB} Backspace {BACKSPACE}, {BS}, or {BKSP} Validation {ENTER} or ~ (a tilde) Ins Or Insert {INSERT} or {INS} Delete {DELETE} or {DEL} Text Navigation {HOME} {END} {PGDN} for Page Down {PGUP} for Page Up Arrow Keys {UP} {RIGHT} {DOWN} {LEFT} NUMERIC OPERATOR KEYS (on keypad side, not numpad) Keypad Add {ADD} Keypad Subtract {SUBTRACT} Keypad Multiply {MULTIPLY} Keypad Divide {DIVIDE} MODIFIER KEYS Shift + Control (Ctrl) ^ Alt % - To mimic a key press on Enter, for example, write this:
SendKeys.Send("{ENTER}");
// Or this:
SendKeys.Send("~"); - To repeat a key (pretend like user pressed it multiple times), use curly braces and an integer:
// Go up 7 lines in a text area:
SendKeys.Send("{UP 7}");
// To type three times the letter 'w':
SendKeys.Send("{w 3}"); - To hit a specific keyboard shortcut, combine or exclude modifier keys:
// Let us "Save As" in a classic-menu program with Alt+F,A
SendKeys.Send("%(FA)");
// Let's make text bold and type an "A": Ctrl+B, release, A
SendKeys.Send("^BA");Note: modifier keys combinations (like Ctrl+Alt+Delete) will not have the expected result.
- Practical example of SendKeys for ComboBox selected text with index change and focus moved.
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