Keys Enum

Definition

Namespace:

System.Windows.Forms

Assembly:

System.Windows.Forms.dll

Specifies key codes and modifiers.

This enumeration supports a bitwise combination of its member values.

public enum class Keys

[System.ComponentModel.TypeConverter(typeof(System.Windows.Forms.KeysConverter))]
[System.Flags]
public enum Keys

[<System.ComponentModel.TypeConverter(typeof(System.Windows.Forms.KeysConverter))>]
[<System.Flags>]
type Keys = 

Public Enum Keys

Inheritance

Object

ValueType

Enum

Keys

Attributes

TypeConverterAttribute FlagsAttribute

Fields

Name	Value	Description
Modifiers	-65536	The bitmask to extract modifiers from a key value.
None	0	No key pressed.
LButton	1	The left mouse button.
RButton	2	The right mouse button.
Cancel	3	The CANCEL key.
MButton	4	The middle mouse button (three-button mouse).
XButton1	5	The first x mouse button (five-button mouse).
XButton2	6	The second x mouse button (five-button mouse).
Back	8	The BACKSPACE key.
Tab	9	The TAB key.
LineFeed	10	The LINEFEED key.
Clear	12	The CLEAR key.
Enter	13	The ENTER key.
Return	13	The RETURN key.
ShiftKey	16	The SHIFT key.
ControlKey	17	The CTRL key.
Menu	18	The ALT key.
Pause	19	The PAUSE key.
Capital	20	The CAPS LOCK key.
CapsLock	20	The CAPS LOCK key.
HanguelMode	21	The IME Hanguel mode key. (maintained for compatibility; use HangulMode)
HangulMode	21	The IME Hangul mode key.
KanaMode	21	The IME Kana mode key.
JunjaMode	23	The IME Junja mode key.
FinalMode	24	The IME final mode key.
HanjaMode	25	The IME Hanja mode key.
KanjiMode	25	The IME Kanji mode key.
Escape	27	The ESC key.
IMEConvert	28	The IME convert key.
IMENonconvert	29	The IME nonconvert key.
IMEAccept	30	The IME accept key, replaces IMEAceept.
IMEAceept	30	The IME accept key. Obsolete, use IMEAccept instead.
IMEModeChange	31	The IME mode change key.
Space	32	The SPACEBAR key.
PageUp	33	The PAGE UP key.
Prior	33	The PAGE UP key.
Next	34	The PAGE DOWN key.
PageDown	34	The PAGE DOWN key.
End	35	The END key.
Home	36	The HOME key.
Left	37	The LEFT ARROW key.
Up	38	The UP ARROW key.
Right	39	The RIGHT ARROW key.
Down	40	The DOWN ARROW key.
Select	41	The SELECT key.
Print	42	The PRINT key.
Execute	43	The EXECUTE key.
PrintScreen	44	The PRINT SCREEN key.
Snapshot	44	The PRINT SCREEN key.
Insert	45	The INS key.
Delete	46	The DEL key.
Help	47	The HELP key.
D0	48	The 0 key.
D1	49	The 1 key.
D2	50	The 2 key.
D3	51	The 3 key.
D4	52	The 4 key.
D5	53	The 5 key.
D6	54	The 6 key.
D7	55	The 7 key.
D8	56	The 8 key.
D9	57	The 9 key.
A	65	The A key.
B	66	The B key.
C	67	The C key.
D	68	The D key.
E	69	The E key.
F	70	The F key.
G	71	The G key.
H	72	The H key.
I	73	The I key.
J	74	The J key.
K	75	The K key.
L	76	The L key.
M	77	The M key.
N	78	The N key.
O	79	The O key.
P	80	The P key.
Q	81	The Q key.
R	82	The R key.
S	83	The S key.
T	84	The T key.
U	85	The U key.
V	86	The V key.
W	87	The W key.
X	88	The X key.
Y	89	The Y key.
Z	90	The Z key.
LWin	91	The left Windows logo key (Microsoft Natural Keyboard).
RWin	92	The right Windows logo key (Microsoft Natural Keyboard).
Apps	93	The application key (Microsoft Natural Keyboard).
Sleep	95	The computer sleep key.
NumPad0	96	The 0 key on the numeric keypad.
NumPad1	97	The 1 key on the numeric keypad.
NumPad2	98	The 2 key on the numeric keypad.
NumPad3	99	The 3 key on the numeric keypad.
NumPad4	100	The 4 key on the numeric keypad.
NumPad5	101	The 5 key on the numeric keypad.
NumPad6	102	The 6 key on the numeric keypad.
NumPad7	103	The 7 key on the numeric keypad.
NumPad8	104	The 8 key on the numeric keypad.
NumPad9	105	The 9 key on the numeric keypad.
Multiply	106	The multiply key.
Add	107	The add key.
Separator	108	The separator key.
Subtract	109	The subtract key.
Decimal	110	The decimal key.
Divide	111	The divide key.
F1	112	The F1 key.
F2	113	The F2 key.
F3	114	The F3 key.
F4	115	The F4 key.
F5	116	The F5 key.
F6	117	The F6 key.
F7	118	The F7 key.
F8	119	The F8 key.
F9	120	The F9 key.
F10	121	The F10 key.
F11	122	The F11 key.
F12	123	The F12 key.
F13	124	The F13 key.
F14	125	The F14 key.
F15	126	The F15 key.
F16	127	The F16 key.
F17	128	The F17 key.
F18	129	The F18 key.
F19	130	The F19 key.
F20	131	The F20 key.
F21	132	The F21 key.
F22	133	The F22 key.
F23	134	The F23 key.
F24	135	The F24 key.
NumLock	144	The NUM LOCK key.
Scroll	145	The SCROLL LOCK key.
LShiftKey	160	The left SHIFT key.
RShiftKey	161	The right SHIFT key.
LControlKey	162	The left CTRL key.
RControlKey	163	The right CTRL key.
LMenu	164	The left ALT key.
RMenu	165	The right ALT key.
BrowserBack	166	The browser back key.
BrowserForward	167	The browser forward key.
BrowserRefresh	168	The browser refresh key.
BrowserStop	169	The browser stop key.
BrowserSearch	170	The browser search key.
BrowserFavorites	171	The browser favorites key.
BrowserHome	172	The browser home key.
VolumeMute	173	The volume mute key.
VolumeDown	174	The volume down key.
VolumeUp	175	The volume up key.
MediaNextTrack	176	The media next track key.
MediaPreviousTrack	177	The media previous track key.
MediaStop	178	The media Stop key.
MediaPlayPause	179	The media play pause key.
LaunchMail	180	The launch mail key.
SelectMedia	181	The select media key.
LaunchApplication1	182	The start application one key.
LaunchApplication2	183	The start application two key.
Oem1	186	The OEM 1 key.
OemSemicolon	186	The OEM Semicolon key on a US standard keyboard.
Oemplus	187	The OEM plus key on any country/region keyboard.
Oemcomma	188	The OEM comma key on any country/region keyboard.
OemMinus	189	The OEM minus key on any country/region keyboard.
OemPeriod	190	The OEM period key on any country/region keyboard.
Oem2	191	The OEM 2 key.
OemQuestion	191	The OEM question mark key on a US standard keyboard.
Oem3	192	The OEM 3 key.
Oemtilde	192	The OEM tilde key on a US standard keyboard.
Oem4	219	The OEM 4 key.
OemOpenBrackets	219	The OEM open bracket key on a US standard keyboard.
Oem5	220	The OEM 5 key.
OemPipe	220	The OEM pipe key on a US standard keyboard.
Oem6	221	The OEM 6 key.
OemCloseBrackets	221	The OEM close bracket key on a US standard keyboard.
Oem7	222	The OEM 7 key.
OemQuotes	222	The OEM singled/double quote key on a US standard keyboard.
Oem8	223	The OEM 8 key.
Oem102	226	The OEM 102 key.
OemBackslash	226	The OEM angle bracket or backslash key on the RT 102 key keyboard.
ProcessKey	229	The PROCESS KEY key.
Packet	231	Used to pass Unicode characters as if they were keystrokes. The Packet key value is the low word of a 32-bit virtual-key value used for non-keyboard input methods.
Attn	246	The ATTN key.
Crsel	247	The CRSEL key.
Exsel	248	The EXSEL key.
EraseEof	249	The ERASE EOF key.
Play	250	The PLAY key.
Zoom	251	The ZOOM key.
NoName	252	A constant reserved for future use.
Pa1	253	The PA1 key.
OemClear	254	The CLEAR key.
KeyCode	65535	The bitmask to extract a key code from a key value.
Shift	65536	The SHIFT modifier key.
Control	131072	The CTRL modifier key.
Alt	262144	The ALT modifier key.

Examples

The following code example uses the KeyDown event to determine the type of character entered into the control.

   // Boolean flag used to determine when a character other than a number is entered.
private:
   bool nonNumberEntered;

   // Handle the KeyDown event to determine the type of character entered into the control.
   void textBox1_KeyDown( Object^ /*sender*/, System::Windows::Forms::KeyEventArgs^ e )
   {
      // Initialize the flag to false.
      nonNumberEntered = false;

      // Determine whether the keystroke is a number from the top of the keyboard.
      if ( e->KeyCode < Keys::D0 || e->KeyCode > Keys::D9 )
      {
         // Determine whether the keystroke is a number from the keypad.
         if ( e->KeyCode < Keys::NumPad0 || e->KeyCode > Keys::NumPad9 )
         {
            // Determine whether the keystroke is a backspace.
            if ( e->KeyCode != Keys::Back )
            {
               // A non-numerical keystroke was pressed.
               // Set the flag to true and evaluate in KeyPress event.
               nonNumberEntered = true;
            }
         }
      }
      //If shift key was pressed, it's not a number.
      if (Control::ModifierKeys == Keys::Shift) {
         nonNumberEntered = true;
      }
   }

   // This event occurs after the KeyDown event and can be used to prevent
   // characters from entering the control.
   void textBox1_KeyPress( Object^ /*sender*/, System::Windows::Forms::KeyPressEventArgs^ e )
   {
      // Check for the flag being set in the KeyDown event.
      if ( nonNumberEntered == true )
      {         // Stop the character from being entered into the control since it is non-numerical.
         e->Handled = true;
      }
   }

// Boolean flag used to determine when a character other than a number is entered.
private bool nonNumberEntered = false;

// Handle the KeyDown event to determine the type of character entered into the control.
private void textBox1_KeyDown(object sender, System.Windows.Forms.KeyEventArgs e)
{
    // Initialize the flag to false.
    nonNumberEntered = false;

    // Determine whether the keystroke is a number from the top of the keyboard.
    if (e.KeyCode < Keys.D0 || e.KeyCode > Keys.D9)
    {
        // Determine whether the keystroke is a number from the keypad.
        if (e.KeyCode < Keys.NumPad0 || e.KeyCode > Keys.NumPad9)
        {
            // Determine whether the keystroke is a backspace.
            if(e.KeyCode != Keys.Back)
            {
                // A non-numerical keystroke was pressed.
                // Set the flag to true and evaluate in KeyPress event.
                nonNumberEntered = true;
            }
        }
    }
    //If shift key was pressed, it's not a number.
    if (Control.ModifierKeys == Keys.Shift) {
        nonNumberEntered = true;
    }
}

// This event occurs after the KeyDown event and can be used to prevent
// characters from entering the control.
private void textBox1_KeyPress(object sender, System.Windows.Forms.KeyPressEventArgs e)
{
    // Check for the flag being set in the KeyDown event.
    if (nonNumberEntered == true)
    {
        // Stop the character from being entered into the control since it is non-numerical.
        e.Handled = true;
    }
}

 ' Boolean flag used to determine when a character other than a number is entered.
 Private nonNumberEntered As Boolean = False


 ' Handle the KeyDown event to determine the type of character entered into the control.
 Private Sub textBox1_KeyDown(sender As Object, e As System.Windows.Forms.KeyEventArgs) _
      Handles textBox1.KeyDown
     ' Initialize the flag to false.
     nonNumberEntered = False
   
     ' Determine whether the keystroke is a number from the top of the keyboard.
     If e.KeyCode < Keys.D0 OrElse e.KeyCode > Keys.D9 Then
         ' Determine whether the keystroke is a number from the keypad.
         If e.KeyCode < Keys.NumPad0 OrElse e.KeyCode > Keys.NumPad9 Then
             ' Determine whether the keystroke is a backspace.
             If e.KeyCode <> Keys.Back Then
                 ' A non-numerical keystroke was pressed. 
                 ' Set the flag to true and evaluate in KeyPress event.
                 nonNumberEntered = True
             End If
         End If
     End If
     'If shift key was pressed, it's not a number.
     If Control.ModifierKeys = Keys.Shift Then
         nonNumberEntered = true
     End If
 End Sub


 ' This event occurs after the KeyDown event and can be used 
 ' to prevent characters from entering the control.
 Private Sub textBox1_KeyPress(sender As Object, e As System.Windows.Forms.KeyPressEventArgs) _
     Handles textBox1.KeyPress
     ' Check for the flag being set in the KeyDown event.
     If nonNumberEntered = True Then
         ' Stop the character from being entered into the control since it is non-numerical.
         e.Handled = True
     End If
 End Sub

Remarks

The Keys class contains constants for processing keyboard input. The members of the Keys enumeration consist of a key code and a set of modifiers combined into a single integer value. In the Win32 application programming interface (API) a key value has two halves, with the high-order bits containing the key code (which is the same as a Windows virtual key code), and the low-order bits representing key modifiers such as the SHIFT, CONTROL, and ALT keys.

Warning

Do not use the values in this enumeration for combined bitwise operations. The values in the enumeration are not mutually exclusive.

Note

This enumeration provides no way to test whether the CAPS LOCK or NUM LOCK keys are currently activated. You can use one of the following techniques to determine if these keys are activated:

• Call the IsKeyLocked method of the Control class.

• For finer control, use the Windows API functions GetKeyState, GetAsyncKeyState, or GetKeyboardState defined in user32.dll, to do this. For more information about calling native functions, see Consuming Unmanaged DLL Functions.

The following table shows the key code values represented by two enumerated values, representing both the general original equipment manufacturer (OEM) keys and the more specific U.S.-keyboard associations.

Hexadecimal value	U.S. keyboard	General OEM
BA	OemSemicolon	Oem1
BF	OemQuestion	Oem2
C0	Oemtilde	Oem3
DB	OemOpenBrackets	Oem4
DC	OemPipe	Oem5
DD	OemCloseBrackets	Oem6
DE	OemQuotes	Oem7
E2	OemBackslash	Oem102

Caution

For the .NET Framework 2.0, a member IMEAccept was added that supersedes the previous entry, IMEAceept, which was spelled incorrectly. The older version has been retained for backward compatibility, but it may be deleted in future versions of the .NET Framework

See also

• KeysConverter
• SendKeys
• ConsoleKey
• Shortcut
• ModifierKeys
• IsKeyLocked(Keys)
• KeyEventArgs