GUI: Special Key Actions
Description
Special Key Actions simulates pressing special keys or key combinations — such as Enter, Tab, Ctrl+C, or Alt+Enter — during a workflow. Use this step when your automation needs to trigger keyboard shortcuts, navigate between fields, submit forms, dismiss dialogs, or handle system-level interactions that require specific key presses. It supports three action types: Default (press and release), Key-press (hold down), and Key-release (let go of a held key). You can also repeat the key action a specified number of times using the Repeat Count option.
Configurations
| Field Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Step Name | Name of the step. The name must be unique in a single workflow.The data type is string, and the field is mandatory. |
| Action Information | Click to open the action information dialog. Select the field details, as required. Click OK, and the selected Action Information details appear in the tabular format. |
| Action Information fields: | |
| Action Type | The Action Type in special keys has three options as below. Default: It will perform Key-press and Key-release operations for the specified key(s). 2.Key-press: A key-press action simulates the act of physically pressing down a key on a keyboard. It triggers the key-down event, typically recognized by applications or systems as if a user had manually pressed a key. 3.Key-release: A key-release action simulates the act of lifting or releasing a key that was previously pressed down. It triggers the key-up event, signaling to applications or systems that the key is no longer being pressed.Note: If the "Key-press" action is used, it is recommended to use the "Key-Release" action in another "GUI: Special Key Actions" step after completing the actions that need the key to be pressed. Otherwise, it will remain pressed. The data type is string, and the field is mandatory. |
| Keys/Key Combination | Provide the single key or combination of keys. Key combination can be separate in square brackets ‘[]’ for each key. For example: [enter], [win], [ctrl],[ctrl][c],[alt][enter]Note: The single alphabetic and numeric keys are not allowed. It is a mandatory field. |
| Repeat Count | It repeats the press and release operation of the specified key(s) for the given count This option is only visible if the Action Type is Default. For example: key is [tab] and the Repeat Count is 5, then it will simulate the tab key press and release the 5 times. It is a mandatory field. |
| Wait Before Action (In Seconds) | Specify the timeout value for the action to be performed. |
| Step Description | Provide more information about the selected / chosen action.The data type is String and the field is mandatory. |
List of Special Keys
| enter | win | backspace | ctrl | tab | cancel | clear |
| control | alt | pause | capslock | space | page_up | Page_down |
| home | left | up | right | down | numpad0 | numpad1 |
| numpad3 | numpad4 | numpad5 | numpad6 | numpad7 | numpad8 | numpad9 |
| num_lock | scroll_lock | printscreen | prt sc | help | context_menu | back_quote |
| insert | esc | add | [A-Z] | [a-z] | [0-9] |