Welcome to Kofax RPA > Desktop Automation > Desktop Automation steps > Press Key

Press Key

This action presses a specified key. This is an application-level step and it is available by right-clicking the application tab.

Properties

Name
Name of the step.
Finder
Device: Select the name of the automation device.
Application: Specify the name of the application the action is performed in.
Key
Select Standard Keys or Calculated Keys.
  • Standard Keys: Select from the standard keyboard keys, such as letters, numbers, punctuation marks, arrow keys, function keys, and more.
  • Calculated Key: Select this option if the provided options for keyboard keys are insufficient. In the Key Code field, specify a virtual-key code or a space-separated list of input specifications. This functionality is only supported on the Windows operating system.

    A virtual-key code is a symbolic constant name, such as VK_LBUTTON for "left mouse button." For the list of virtual-key codes, see the Microsoft documentation.

    An input specification is a sequence of one or more keydown or keyup events. When adding an input specification, specify a virtual-key code or scan code, using a respective prefix:

    • v for a virtual-key code, such as v0xXX.
    • s for a scan code, such as s0xXX.

    By default, an input specification is a keydown, virtual-key event. To override this default, add an f flag to an input specification and separate them by a comma. The following flags are supported: u for keyup; s for scan code; e for extended key; U for Unicode.

    Examples

    • The v0x30 v0x30,fu calculated key presses the zero key and then releases it. The v0x30 input specification is a keydown event, while v0x30,fu is a keyup event.

    • The v0x5b v0x52 v0x52,fu v0x5b,fu calculated key is for the Run command (Win+R): It presses the left Win key, then the R key, and then releases both keys. The v0x5b and v0x52 are keydown events, while v0x52,fu and v0x5b,fu are keyup events.

    • The s0x04c1,fU s0x04c1,fUu calculated key is for the Cyrillic character Ӂ (Zhe with breve). While the 0x04c1 code is the Unicode for Ӂ, s0x04c1,fU is a scan code, keydown event and s0x04c1,fUu is a scan code, keyup event.

Modifier
If you selected Calculated Key in the Key property, the Modifier property is ignored, and you do not need to configure it.
Select a key modifier:
  • Fixed Key Modifier: Contains three standard key modifiers, such as Shift, Ctrl, Alt.
  • Calculated Key Modifier: When this option is selected, specify a symbolic constant name of the virtual-key code for a modifier.

    In the text box that appears, you can enter the key codes for Shift, Ctrl, and Alt only. For example, the VK_LSHIFT key code stands for the left Shift key, VK_RCONTROL stands for the right Ctrl key, and VK_MENU stands for the Alt key. For a complete list of key codes, see the Microsoft documentation.

Count
Specify how many times to perform the action. The format is an equal sign and a number, such as =1.