keybd_event Function

Declare Sub keybd_event Lib "user32.dll" (ByVal bVk As Byte, ByVal bScan As Byte, ByVal dwFlags As Long, ByVal dwExtraInfo As Long)

Platforms

Windows 95: Supported.
Windows 98: Supported but Obsolete; use SendInput instead.
Windows NT: Requires Windows NT 3.1 or later but Obsolete with Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 3 (SP3) or later; use SendInput instead.
Windows 2000: Supported but Obsolete; use SendInput instead.
Windows CE: Requires Windows CE 1.0 or later but Obsolete with Windows CE 2.0 or later; use SendInput instead.

Description & Usage

keybd_event simulates keyboard input by placing a keyboard input event into the input stream. The function can simulate a single press or release of a single key. This function should only be used when a key's state changes. For example, do not tell the function to simulate pressing the Z key if the Z key is already pressed.

Return Value

keybd_event does not return a value.

Visual Basic-Specific Issues

None.

Parameters

bVk

The virtual-key code of the key to simulate pressing or releasing.

bScan

Reserved -- set to 0.

dwFlags

A combination of the following flags specifying what kind of keyboard input to synthesize:

KEYEVENTF_EXTENDEDKEY: Prefix the scan code with a prefix byte having the value &HE0.
KEYEVENTF_KEYUP: The key specified in bVk is being released. If this flag is not specified, the key is being pressed.

dwExtraInfo

An additional 32-bit value associated with the keyboard event.

Constant Definitions

Const KEYEVENTF_EXTENDEDKEY = &H1
Const KEYEVENTF_KEYUP = &H2

Example

' Simulate the user pressing Alt+Space followed by N.  This
' key combination will minimize the active window.

' Hold the Alt key while typing Space.
keybd_event VK_MENU, 0, 0, 0  ' press Alt
keybd_event VK_SPACE, 0, 0, 0  ' press Space
keybd_event VK_SPACE, 0, KEYEVENTF_KEYUP, 0  ' release Space
keybd_event VK_MENU, 0, KEYEVENTF_KEYUP, 0  ' release Alt

' Type the N key.
keybd_event VK_N, 0, 0, 0  ' press N
keybd_event VK_N, 0, KEYEVENTF_KEYUP, 0  ' release N

Related Functions

mouse_event, SendInput