How can I handle a keyboard shortcut when my program isn't active?

Question

Is it ok if i use it like this..for multiple events?

unit Unit4;

interface

uses
  Windows, Messages, SysUtils, Variants, Classes, Graphics, Controls, Forms         


        

Answer 1

Use the RegisterHotKey function. If you want the application to be invisible, you might want all the details in my answer to a similar question.

Try this:

unit Unit4;

interface

uses
  Windows, Messages, SysUtils, Variants, Classes, Graphics, Controls, Forms,
  Dialogs, Clipbrd;

type
  TForm4 = class(TForm)
    procedure FormCreate(Sender: TObject);
    procedure WMHotkey(var Message: TWMHotKey); message WM_HOTKEY;
    procedure FormDestroy(Sender: TObject);
  private
    { Private declarations }
  public
    { Public declarations }
  end;

var
  Form4: TForm4;

implementation

const
  MY_ID = 123;

{$R *.dfm}

procedure TForm4.FormCreate(Sender: TObject);
begin
  RegisterHotKey(Handle, MY_ID, MOD_CONTROL, ord('1'));
end;

procedure TForm4.FormDestroy(Sender: TObject);
begin
  UnregisterHotKey(Handle, MY_ID);
end;

procedure TForm4.WMHotkey(var Message: TWMHotKey);
begin
  if Message.HotKey = MY_ID then
  begin

    if not AttachThreadInput(GetCurrentThreadId, GetWindowThreadProcessId(GetForegroundWindow), true) then
      RaiseLastOSError;

    try
      Clipboard.AsText := 'This is my own text!';
      SendMessage(GetFocus, WM_PASTE, 0, 0);
    finally
      AttachThreadInput(GetCurrentThreadId, GetWindowThreadProcessId(GetForegroundWindow), false);
    end;

  end;
end;

end.

Of course, you will need to use this approach and modify it so it suits your particular case. (That is, you probably want something more than an application that prints "This is my own text!" on Ctrl+1, but nothing else.)