Hotkey Step

The Hotkey Step sends a keyboard shortcut to a specific program. You can use it to trigger built-in functions within a program, like saving a file or opening a new tab.

How to Use the Hotkey Step

Add a Hotkey Step to your process to send keyboard combinations.

Step 1: Add the Hotkey Step

  1. Drag and drop the Hotkey Step into your process workflow.
  2. Select the step to set its properties.

Step 2: Set Up Application Details

  1. In the Choose Application field, pick the running program you want to use.
  2. The Application field will automatically fill in with the program's name.

Important: You must have opened the program beforehand using a step like the Open Window Process Step.

Step 3: Set the Hotkey

  1. In the Modifier key field, pick the first key of your shortcut (e.g., Ctrl, Alt, Shift).
  2. In the Single key field, pick the second key of your shortcut (e.g., S for save, C for copy).
    • You need to use either a Modifier key or a Single key, or both.

Parameters Explained

Step name (Optional)

  • A custom name for the process step.
  • This name shows up on the step box in the editor.

Wait for window activation (Required)

  • This controls if the step waits for the program window to be active.
  • T (True): The step waits until the program window is active.
  • F (False): The step runs right away, even if the program isn't active. This is the default setting.

Choose Application (Required)

  • The custom name of the program or process.
  • This program must have been opened earlier in the process.

Application (Required)

  • The technical name of the program.
  • This field automatically fills in after you pick a program in Choose Application.

Choose existing class name (Optional)

  • Pick an existing unique name for the program window element.

Class name (Optional)

  • The unique name of the program window element.

Window title (Optional)

  • The visible title of the program window.

Modifier key (Required if Single key not in use)

  • The main key for the hotkey combination.
  • Example: Ctrl, Alt, Shift.

Single key (Required if Modifier key not in use)

  • The second key for the hotkey combination.
  • Example: S, C, V.

Number of repetitions (Optional)

  • How many times the hotkey combination should be sent.

Pause between keystrokes[ms] (Optional)

  • The delay in milliseconds between each time the hotkey is sent.
  • Enter a whole number.

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