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Simulate keyboard input

I am trying to write a module where I can send a string or and ascii character code and then that string/code is then simulated as keyboard input. Here is some of my sample code:

Module Keyboard
' Declare Type for API call:

Private Structure OSVERSIONINFO
Dim dwOSVersionInfoSize As Integer
Dim dwMajorVersion As Integer
Dim dwMinorVersion As Integer
Dim dwBuildNumber As Integer
Dim dwPlatformId As Integer
<VBFixedString(128), System.Runtime.InteropServices.MarshalAs(System.Runtime.InteropServices.UnmanagedType.ByValTStr, SizeConst:=128)> Public szCSDVersion As String ' Maintenance string for PSS usage
End Structure

' API declarations:
'UPGRADE_WARNING: Structure OSVERSIONINFO may require marshalling attributes to be passed as an argument in this Declare statement. Click for more: 'ms-help://MS.VSCC.2003/commoner/redir/redirect.htm?keyword="vbup1050"'
Private Declare Function GetVersionEx Lib "kernel32" Alias "GetVersionExA" (ByRef lpVersionInformation As OSVERSIONINFO) As Integer

Private Declare Sub keybd_event Lib "user32" (ByVal bVk As Byte, ByVal bScan As Byte, ByVal dwFlags As Integer, ByVal dwExtraInfo As Integer)

Private Declare Function GetKeyboardState Lib "user32" (ByRef pbKeyState As Byte) As Integer

Private Declare Function SetKeyboardState Lib "user32" (ByRef lppbKeyState As Byte) As Integer

Private Declare Function MapVirtualKey Lib "user32" Alias "MapVirtualKeyA" (ByVal wCode As Integer, ByVal wMapType As Integer) As Integer

Const KEYEVENTF_EXTENDEDKEY As Short = &H1S
Const KEYEVENTF_KEYUP As Short = &H2S

Public Sub keyPress(ByVal ascii As Integer)
pressKey(ascii)
End Sub

Public Sub printText(ByVal text As String)
Dim bits() As Char
Dim c As Char
bits = text.ToCharArray()

For Each c In bits
pressKey(Asc(c))
Next
End Sub

Private Sub pressKey(ByVal key As Integer)
'Simulate Key Press
keybd_event(key, MapVirtualKey(key, 0), 0, 0)
'Simulate Key Release
keybd_event(key, MapVirtualKey(key, 0), KEYEVENTF_KEYUP, 0)
End Sub
End Module

Now, when I call Keyboard.keyPress(13), it correctly presses the enter key. Keyboard.keyPress(Asc("a")) however, does not work correctly. What do I need to change to get this to simulate keboard output of strings sent to PrintText?

Thanks
MajinLoki

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

S-Twilley

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S-Twilley

so maybe your sub should be:

Public Sub printText(ByVal text As String)
Dim bits() As Char
Dim c As Char
bits = text.ToCharArray()

For Each c In bits
pressKey(AscW(c))
Next
End Sub

jatinderalagh

Why don't you use System.Windows.Forms.SendKeys class for your purpose.

here is the examples

AppActivate("Untitled - Notepad")
SendKeys.SendWait("Hello world!")
' Send Ctrl S to open the Save As dialog box.
SendKeys.SendWait("^S")
' Send the name of the new file.
SendKeys.SendWait("c:\HelloWorld.txt")
' Send Alt S to save the file.
SendKeys.SendWait("%S")
// Send the enter key;
SendKeys.Send("{ENTER}");