There
are three ways to use keyboard input in QuickTest Professional: Type, SendKeys
and Device Replay. Why, you might ask, use the Type or Sendkeys method
at all?  While you wouldn’t want to automate a whole script using SendKeys
only, sometimes you may, on occasion, need to automate a section of an
application where there is no object recognition.  For example, some
unsupported grids or treeviews in Quick Test Pro can be navigated using a
combination of the HOME, END and arrow keys.  Also — I’ve seen
applications where some fields need to have a keyboard event occur to trigger
some other behavior (like tabbing of a field) using the objects standard Set
method –- which would not work in this case.

1. QTP’s TYPE METHOD

Most
objects support the TYPE method.  Type will enter the specified string
into an object or perform a certain keyboard combination against an
application.  For example:

To
tab off an object you would use the following syntax:

SwfObject(“swfname:=Blank”).Type
micTab

To
enter text:



SwfObject(“swfname:=Blank”).Type “This is my string”

To
send an enter keystroke:

SwfObject(“swfname:=Blank”).Type “
“

You
can also send a combination of keystrokes at one time. The following holds down
the CTRL and the Shift Keys, then presses the “L” key and releases the CTRL and
Shift keys:



SwfObject("swfname:=Blank").Type micCtrlDwn + micShiftDwn +
"L" + micShiftUp + micCtrlUp

*Important
to remember: If you send a down keystroke, be sure to follow it with its
corresponding up stroke, as seen in the above example.  Problems can arise
by sending a micCtrlDwn and forgetting to release it using micCtrlUp. So, rule
of thumb — if you are pressing a key, make sure to also release it.

2. VBScript SendKeys Method ( Also check out: QTP’s
VBscript SendKeys FAQ)

There
are instances in which QTP’s Type method does not trigger certain events, or is
unable to mimic certain keystrokes.  In these cases, VBScript SendKeys
method can be used. To use the SendKeys you need to first set the WshShell
object:



Dim mySendKeys

set mySendKeys = CreateObject("WScript.shell")

mySendKeys.SendKeys(“{TAB}”)

To
send the text you would use:



mySendKeys.SendKeys(“This is my string”)

To
send an enter keystroke:

mySendKeys.SendKeys(“~”)

*A
few important tips: Unlike the QTP TYPE method, you will need to use
curly braces for arguments like a TAB or Up arrow key strokes. Also — SendKeys
has the following special characters:  Alt(%), Ctrl(^), Shift(+) and
Enter(~) keys.

So,
to send a CTRL and press the A key you would send:



mySendKeys.SendKeys("^A")

If
you need to perform the same keystroke multiple times, you can create a
compound string argument. This will allow you to perform a specific keystroke
and repeat it any number of times. To select, say, the 10th row in a grid
control you might use:

mySendKeys.SendKeys(“{DOWN 10}”)

This
will send the down key ten times. (For a more detailed explanation of SendKeys
check out VBScript Programmer’s Reference.)

Important
–
You’ll need to make sure that the application or object you wish to receive the
keystroke has focus before sending the keystroke.

*Common
issues with this method:

(Sometimes
multiple keystrokes will not work. If this is the case, try executing each one
in a separate line.)

3. Device Replay

This
is an undocumented and unsupported QuickTest method, but can be used as a last
resort. To employ this method, you’ll need to create a Device Replay object.

To
tab off an object:



Dim myDeviceReplay

Set
myDeviceReplay = CreateObject(“Mercury.DeviceReplay”)

myDeviceReplay.PressKey
15

*Remember
that Device Replay uses ASCII characters

To send text you would use:

myDeviceReplay.SendString “This is
my string”

To
send an enter keystroke:

myDeviceReplay.PressKey 28 ‘ASCII
code for enter

From
The HP knowledge base:

Hope
this helps.