WPF - Send Keys Redux

Question

So, I'm using a third-part wpf grid control that is hard-coded to only accept certain keystrokes to perform short-cut reactions and one of those is Shift-Tab. However, my user-base is used to hitting up arrow and down arrow and telling them 'no' isn't an option right now. So my only option I think is to intercept the preview key down and send a different key stroke combination.

Now, I am using the following code that I found on here to send a Tab when the user presses the Down arrow:

if (e.Key == Key.Down)
{
    e.Handled = true;
    KeyEventArgs eInsertBack = new KeyEventArgs(Keyboard.PrimaryDevice, Keyboard.PrimaryDevice.ActiveSource, 0, Key.Tab);
    eInsertBack.RoutedEvent = UIElement.KeyDownEvent;
    InputManager.Current.ProcessInput(eInsertBack);
}

However, this method is limited in that you don't seem to be able to simulate a press of the Shift Button? WPF seems to look at the Keyboard.Modifiers to be able to 'read' a Shift or Ctrl, but there doesn't seem to be any facility to Set the Keyboard.Modifiers programatically. Any help out there?

Answer 1

I've created a little library that might probably help you out with mocking the Shift key:

http://wpfsendkeys.codeplex.com/

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/kirillosenkov/archive/2010/07/09/wpf-sendkeys-or-mocking-the-keyboard-in-wpf.aspx

Answer 2

try this

System.Windows.Forms.SendKeys.SendWait("{Tab}");

In WPF Application, SendKeys.Send not working, But SendWait is working fine.

Answer 3

Create a MockKeyboardDevice like this (kudos to Jared Parsons):

https://github.com/jaredpar/VsVim/blob/master/Test/VimCoreTest/Mock/MockKeyboardDevice.cs

Usage:

var modKey = ModifierKeys.Shift;
var device = new MockKeyboardDevice(InputManager.Current)
    {
        ModifierKeysImpl = modKey
    };
var keyEventArgs = device.CreateKeyEventArgs(Key.Tab, modKey);
...

A usage example:

https://github.com/jaredpar/VsVim/blob/master/Test/VimWpfTest/VimKeyProcessorTest.cs

Answer 4

I simulate what you say fine using the following is this not what you mean?

public Window1()
{
    InitializeComponent();


    Loaded += new RoutedEventHandler(Window1_Loaded);
}

void Window1_Loaded(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
{
    WebBrowser1_PreviewKeyDown(this, new KeyEventArgs(Keyboard.PrimaryDevice, Keyboard.PrimaryDevice.ActiveSource, 1, Key.LeftShift));
    WebBrowser1_PreviewKeyDown(this, new KeyEventArgs(Keyboard.PrimaryDevice, Keyboard.PrimaryDevice.ActiveSource, 1, Key.Tab));
}

private void WebBrowser1_PreviewKeyDown(object sender, KeyEventArgs e)
{
    System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine(e.Key);
}

OUTPUT:

LeftShift
Tab