No internet connection
  1. Home
  2. How to

How to automate the keyboard

By Christian Scheuer @chrscheuer2018-06-17 15:53:25.012Z

This script shows how to invoke special keys on the keyboard and how to type unicode text.

Solved in post #2, click to view
Reply6 Likes

Linked from:

  1. Press Keys editing on Laptop keyboard
  • 14 replies
  1. Christian Scheuer @chrscheuer2018-06-17 15:55:34.925Z

    To press a (special) key based on its position on the keyboard (useful for invoking built in PT shortcuts), use this syntax with any of the key names from the list below:

    sf.keyboard.press({ keys: 'cmd+s' });

    A + between two names indicates that the modifier should be held down while pressing the other key.

    Complete list of key names for use in sf.keyboard.press:

    ctrl
cmd
shift
alt
scroll down
scroll up
mouse button 3
section
grave
a
s
d
f
h
g
z
x
c
v
b
q
w
e
r
y
t
1
2
3
4
6
5
equal
9
7
minus
8
0
right bracket
o
u
left bracket
i
p
l
j
quote
k
semicolon
backslash
comma
slash
n
m
period
numpad 0
numpad 1
numpad 2
numpad 3
numpad 4
numpad 5
numpad 6
numpad 7
numpad 8
numpad 9
numpad multiply
numpad plus
numpad minus
numpad comma
numpad divide
numpad equals
numpad enter
numpad clear
f1
f2
f3
f4
f5
f6
f7
f8
f9
f10
f11
f12
f13
f14
f15
f16
f17
f18
f19
F20
command
shift
caps lock
option
control
right shift
right option
right control
return
tab
space
backspace
escape
function
volume up
volume down
mute
help
home
page up
delete
end
page down
left
right
down
up
⇧
⌥
⌃
⌘
cmd
ctl
control
alt
caps
enter
esc
del
spc
pgup
pgdn
    Reply3 LikesSolution
    1. Jesper Ankarfeldt @JesperA2021-06-29 12:24:42.736Z

      I'm trying to trigger the windows search field on a windows computer that is running in Microsoft Remote Desktop.
      So I'm basically just trying to send the command key.

      When I use sf.keyboard.press({keys:'cmd' ) or sf.keyboard.press({keys:'command' ) I can't figure out if it's not sending the command or it's just not received on the Remote Desktop.

      My workaround at the moment is

          sf.system.execAppleScript({
        script:
            'tell application "System Events"\n' +
            'key code 55\n'
            'end'
    })

      As this is just sending the key code without thinking about apps or anything.

      Reply
      1. Christian Scheuer @chrscheuer2021-06-29 14:55:15.189Z

        sf.keyboard.press cannot be used to send just the modifier key. I think you might be able to use sf.keyboard.modifiers with cmd set to true, and then to false, instead. (also insert a wait in between)

        Reply
        1. Jesper Ankarfeldt @JesperA2021-06-29 15:18:53.390Z

          Cool. Yeah tried that (without the wait earlier, but tried that now as well). But no luck.

          There's definitely something going on in terms of what Remote Desktop is sending in to windows.

          Using sf.keyboard.type also only sends the letter "a", so I have to use sf.keyboard.press and then just split up the text in order to input text.

          Reply
          1. Christian Scheuer @chrscheuer2021-06-29 15:24:44.888Z

            Yea gotcha. Remote Desktop is pretty messy with keyboard commands even without SF, so I can imagine it would be unstable or hard to control from SF as well.

            Reply
            1. Christian Scheuer @chrscheuer2021-06-29 15:25:42.220Z

              It may be better to invoke this through ssh, some kind of remote PowerShell or something like that.

              Reply1 Like
              1. Jesper Ankarfeldt @JesperA2021-06-29 16:55:02.631Z

                Yeah was thinking of seeing if AutoHot keys could be controlled from SF over ethernet.
                But I think I've got the things I wanted working right now, so that might be for later if things should be more advanced :)

                Reply1 Like
    2. In reply tochrscheuer⬆:
      Christian Scheuer @chrscheuer2018-06-17 16:11:22.842Z

      To type unicode text, use the sf.keyboard.type action.
      Use this for cases where a user supplied string of text needs to be input, or anything where a series of characters - not shortcuts - need to be inserted as a value somewhere.

      Example:

      sf.keyboard.type({ text: 'One two three four æøå ÆØÅ ö ü ä and done' });
      Reply
      1. J
        In reply tochrscheuer⬆:
        Jonathan Grossman @Jonathan_Grossman
          2020-05-13 17:09:55.930Z

          I'm using the type text macro to speed up input of my password when installing something for example.

          the macro works when I'm in a program like MAIL but won't work when there is pop up dialog box like when you are installing an app and it asks for your password.

          Reply
          1. Christian Scheuer @chrscheuer2020-05-13 17:17:46.274Z

            Hi Jonathan,

            Generally, I would advise very strongly against this type of macro. I would definitely love to have one like this myself, but since your settings are stored in the cloud, storing your password in clear text in a script or macro is not safe.

            Reply
            1. JJonathan Grossman @Jonathan_Grossman
                2020-05-13 17:29:46.006Z

                ok thanks

                Reply1 Like
            2. T
              In reply tochrscheuer⬆:
              TJ Forman @TJ_Forman
                2023-02-09 02:23:24.641Z

                Not sure why some of these scripts work. And the last one does not. Hopefully someone with more experience can help me out.

                **This one works in PT is selects the very next full region to the right. Works Great with Stream Deck! **
                sf.keyboard.press({ keys: 'ctrl+tab' });

                This one works too. Selects the very next full region in PT and then centers it.
                sf.keyboard.press({ keys: 'ctrl+tab' });
                sf.keyboard.press({ keys: 'right' });

                **This does not work. It looks like it should based on the syntax of my understanding. I'm fairly new! **
                sf.keyboard.press({ keys: 'ctrl+tab+alt' });

                Reply
                1. Christian Scheuer @chrscheuer2023-02-09 04:58:43.105Z

                  You would need the modifier keys first, ie. ctrl and alt, then followed by the key to press tab, so ctrl+alt+tab.

                  Note that it's easier to learn how to do this by making a Press Keys macro action and then convert it to a script.

                  Reply1 Like
                  1. TTJ Forman @TJ_Forman
                      2023-02-09 18:42:57.611Z

                      Yes! That worked great. Thank you for the support!

                      Reply1 Like
                  ReplyAdd progress note