C# user32.dll keybd_event not working

Question

I'm trying to highlight text in text box (with SHIFT+RIGHT_ARROW Win shortcut) by simulating key press with user32.dll keybd_event but it's not working:

[DllImport("user32.dll")]
public static extern void keybd_event(byte bVk, byte bScan, int dwFlags, int dwExtraInfo);
public const int SHIFT_LEFT = 0xA0;
public const int RIGHT = 0x27;

....

keybd_event(SHIFT_LEFT, 0, 0, 0);
keybd_event(RIGHT, 0, 0, 0);
keybd_event(RIGHT, 0, 2, 0);
keybd_event(SHIFT_LEFT, 0, 2, 0);

Cursor moves to right but text is not highlighted... Can anyone explain why?

EDIT: Why is this working with Windows OnScreenKeyboard?

KEYEVENTF_EXTENDEDKEY (0x0001): If specified, the scan code was preceded by a prefix byte having the value 0xE0 (224).
So, I did this:

keybd_event(SHIFT_LEFT, 0, 1 | 0, 0);
keybd_event(RIGHT, 0, 1 | 0, 0);
keybd_event(RIGHT, 0, 1 | 2, 0);
keybd_event(SHIFT_LEFT, 0, 1 | 2, 0);

Problem solved!
Detailed explanation about KEYEVENTF_EXTENDEDKEY can be found here.

Try with `VK_SHIFT` of `0x10`? Perhaps the text box isn't looking at the specific Shift keys, but just if Shift is down. — TyCobb, Jan 03 '14 at 21:22
If it only works with the left shift key then you cannot omit the scan code. — Hans Passant, Jan 03 '14 at 23:05
What is "byte bScan" for? In description it is: A hardware scan code for the key. What that means? — mgulan, Jan 04 '14 at 10:07
Very likely there is another solution. But I cannot speculate as to what that is since you did not tell us the problem is. — David Heffernan, Jan 04 '14 at 15:35

Nasenbaer · Answer 1 · 2014-09-24T15:43:29.863

Some functions are already public available on MSDN I dont need to explain. Here is the elementary information as code which is working on different systems:

    ''' <summary>
    ''' Simulate key down event on Windows machine
    ''' </summary>
    ''' <param name="nCode">key</param>
    ''' <remarks></remarks>
    Public Sub SetKeyDown(ByVal nCode As Integer)
        Dim vKey As Byte = Convert.ToByte(nCode)
        Dim scanCode As Integer = MapVirtualKey(vKey, 0)
        Dim ret As Integer = keybd_event(vKey, CByte(scanCode), KEYEVENTF_EXTENDEDKEY Or 0, IntPtr.Zero)
    End Sub

    ''' <summary>
    ''' Simulate key up event on Windows machine
    ''' </summary>
    ''' <param name="nCode">key</param>
    ''' <remarks></remarks>
    Public Sub SetKeyUp(ByVal nCode As Integer)
        Dim vKey As Byte = Convert.ToByte(nCode)
        Dim scanCode As Integer = MapVirtualKey(vKey, 0)
        Dim ret As Integer = keybd_event(vKey, CByte(scanCode), KEYEVENTF_EXTENDEDKEY Or KEYEVENTF_KEYUP, IntPtr.Zero)
    End Sub

MSDN REFERENCES

Keybd_event:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms646304%28v=vs.85%29.aspx

MapVirtualKey:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms646306%28v=vs.85%29.aspx

C# user32.dll keybd_event not working

1 Answers1

MSDN REFERENCES