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Send Alt+key to a window

I need to automate selecting a menu of application. The application uses a third-party menu control, so I can send a wm_command to the menu. It does respond to keystrokes, so I would like to do a postmessage that will send the alt+key to the window. For example 'ALT+F' to open the file menu. I have gotten to the point were I can do a postmessage to send keys to a text box. Now I need to know how to add the 'ALT' key too.

Thanks,
Jeff

Jeroen Rosink

you might try a line like:
Application.SendKeys "%f"

regards,

Jeroen

jarnsater

If the visual basic way (described by roos01 above) does not work, you can try using the win32 API
function "keybd_event".

http://www.vbaccelerator.com/home/VB/Tips/SendKeys_using_the_API/article.asp
http://www.devx.com/vb2themax/Tip/19094

jsw3nson

ASKER

Thank you for the replys.

I want to send the key to a window/ application that I do not own. So application.SendKeys won't work. Also, I don't want to give focus up when I send the keys so, a keybd_event won't work either.

What I really need is how to send or post a message using WM_KEYUP / DOWN and the 'ALT' key.

Thanks agian for the help.

jarnsater

I think WM_SYSKEYDOWN is the equivalant for sending Alt Control etc

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Jeroen Rosink

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Jeroen Rosink

GPrentice00, Thanks for your effort!
Jeroen