C# SendKeys.Send("{CTRL} + C");

Direct work with the Clipboard can be done as shown in this example:
http://www.geekpedia.com/tutorial188_Clipboard-Copy-and-Paste-with-Csharp.html

I want to copy something from outside the application. (Sorry if that was not clear) This means, the text is selected and has focus. But i need a standard CTRL + C.

Do you have the handle to the window? As you can then extract the text using API and then copy it into the Clipboard using the code above.

Oh, and once you have copied the text - what do you want to do with it next?

I don't think i've the handle because i didn't set it. After i've the text i want to set it in a string and use it in my program.

OK, talk me through what you are trying to achieve.

1. I have a program(name: test1) that executes an other program(name: test2)
2. test1 execute some code to get to the right field
3. In that field(textbox) is some text.
4. That text is selected
5. !!! I need something that perform a CTRL + C !!!
6. I copy de clipboard into a string.
7. Finished

            Process.Start("test2.exe");
            Thread.Sleep(200);
            SendKeys.Send("testtest");
            
            SendKeys.Send("{TAB}");
            SendKeys.Send("{ENTER}");
            SendKeys.Send("{TAB}");
            
            SendKeys.Send("^(C)");
            
            string test3 = Clipboard.GetText();
            MessageBox.Show(test3);

                                              

1:
2:
3:
4:
5:
6:
7:
8:
9:
10:
11:
12:

So, is test2 your own application or a third party? If it is your own then it would be better to provide communication between the two applications. If your application is in control of executing test2, then this also gives you the edge. If there is a chance that the user is able to open and close test2 whenever they want, then you may want to use API to find the application, then the text control, and then extract the text that way.

If you put focus onto the test2 application and using SendKeys to send the Ctrl+C, this should work, so perhaps there is a timing thing, as the test2 application must have complete focus (that includes the control with the text selected).

Oh, and you need to send "^c" not "^C", I think.

Just thinking, you may need to use Process.WaitForInputIdle() to wait for the application to be fully loaded, and perhaps you should use SendWait instead of Send?

Actually, scrap all this. The problem is with the Clipboard.GetText() - it does not retrieve the text from a global clipboard, only the local. If you do a Ctrl+V after the Ctrl+V you will see the text has been copied. Trying to find out the best way in .NET to retrieve the information that was just copied into the clipboard...

I've this code now(See below). It's working when i just paste it someware. But i was thinking to paste it in a textbox in my form and set it from there in a string. But when i set focus on a textbox the code is not working, so it don't do the SendKeys.Send things.

Process.Start("RDP.exe");
            Thread.Sleep(300);
            SendKeys.Send(PasswordBrunstad);
 
            SendKeys.Send("{TAB}");
            SendKeys.Send("{ENTER}");
            SendKeys.Send("{TAB}");
 
            SendKeys.Send("^c");

                                              

1:
2:
3:
4:
5:
6:
7:
8:
9:

I think you'd be better off using API to locate the window and input the text using SendMessage. Have you used API before? It is also a little more secure since you are sending a password to the RDP application.

I'm not quite understanding what your problem is with the code snippet above. Paste the code in a textbox? Set focus on a textbox - what code is not working? None of the SendKeys work? Have you tried SendWait instead of Send?

What i mean with it is this.

1. The program do the right thing, it copy's the text from the external app
2. I've to got the code inside my app, i thought doing it this way: i've a textbox inside my app, i set the focus on it. Then i paste the text, and on the textboxchange event i let it copy to a string.
3. After this i kill the RDP app
4. Finished

I didn't used SendWait. I don't understand the reason, maybe you can post an example.

But maybe you are right and i have to use an API. Do you have a sugestion for an API ?

I think i just drop the hole idee of doing it this way. If have found a much better way to do it.

Thanks for your help

By the way Process.WaitForInputIdle();  gives an error.

Sorry, it should be the following...

So what did you do to solve this? You shouldn't have declared my solution as an answer if it wasn't the answer. It is confusing for others that may find this question. Oh, and it is also mean to not declare what solution you found - you must have been through this yourself?

rdpProcess.WaitForInputIdle();

                                              

1:

I don't understand your comment, but your code was doing everything good but not the part of coping to the textbox. The way i thougt to do it was not right. It was not secure, and fast enough.

I will now work on another way to do it.