> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.tailent.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.tailent.com/actions/tap-actions/keyboard/press-key.md).

# Press Key

This action can be used to send keyboard shortcuts (e.g. Ctrl + Alt).

## **Properties**

![](/files/-MfgIhv_VgsL0CuMH0nb)

### **Input**

* **Identifier**: indicate a new UI element, or select from the already defined list of selectors. TAP into our unique UI Browser).
* **Control Keys** - Enable / Disable the use of the below control keys associated with click action:
  * None
  * Control
  * Shift
  * Control + Shift
  * Alt
  * Control + Alt
  * Shift + Alt
  * Control + Shift + Alt
* **Key**: the key to be simulated alone, or in combination with the control keys defined upper.
* **vkCode** - Virtual Key Code - the decimal value of encoding from the official [Microsoft Virtual-Key Codes Documentation](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/win32/inputdev/virtual-key-codes?redirectedfrom=MSDN).

Please check also this article: [Press Key - Values of Key parameter](/getting-started/tap-studio/press-key-values-of-key-parameter.md), for a complete list of all available values of parameter Key.

### **Misc**

* **Display Name**: action display name in your implementation project.
* **Wait Before**: number milliseconds robot to wait before executing the action.
* **Wait After:** number milliseconds robot to wait until moving to the next action.
* **Abort on Error**: True/False
* **Retry Times**: Specifies the number of times to retry an action if it doesn't end successfully. Default value 0 (no retry); Use -1 if you want to retry indefinitely. 

## **Use Case**

### **Potential Use Cases**

* Navigate faster in an application menu using keystrokes shortcuts
* Assign a specific keystrokes shortcut to an application and open it this way, as an alternative to the Start Process activity.

![](/files/-MT5dM1fNKAa9YwQFn4F)

* Close an application using the keystrokes Alt + F4, as an alternative to using Click Control and close an application from the x button![mceclip4.png](/files/-MT5d5B3hT7dKu63rRiq), or using the [Kill Process](/actions/tap-actions/application/kill-process.md) activity.

### **Examples of Using Press Key**

**Example**

In this example, the robot will select the text within a Notepad document and delete it.

Watch the robot in action:

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/a2ogYmEbjFk>" %}

You can see how the **Press Key** activity is used in an example that incorporates multiple activities. You can check and download the example from here:

{% file src="/files/-MT5d5B-c89y\_vOFC1DP" %}
Press Key sample project
{% endfile %}

The article doesn't fully answer your question, or you want to find out more? Ask your question in the comments, on our community forum, or contact our support team or your account manager. Whatever works for you, your question will find its answer soon!


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