How can I send keys to another application?

Applies To: C++Builder 1 or higher
Category: Knowledge Base

I have to send keys to an opened window such as Notepad. How can I do this in C++Builder?

 

 

1.

  Start a new project using File | New Application.

 

2.

  Add a Button and edit the OnClick event:

 

void __fastcall TForm1::Button1Click(TObject *Sender)

{

    // Get the handle of the window

    HANDLE notepad = FindWindow("Notepad", 0); 

    if(notepad != NULL) 

    { 

        // Activate Notepad 

        BringWindowToTop(notepad); 

        // Send key 

        keybd_event('A', 0, 0, 0); 

        keybd_event('A', 0, KEYEVENTF_KEYUP, 0); 

    } 

    else 

    { 

        ShowMessage("Notepad not opened!"); 

    } 

}

 

3.

  Make sure that Notepad is opened.

 

The Win32 API function keybd_event sends keystrokes to another application.

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