Question

I have a windows application running at the backend. I have functions in this applications mapped to hot keys. Like if I put a message box into this function and give hot key as Alt+Ctrl+D. then on pressing Alt, Ctrl and D together the message box comes up. My application is working fine till this point.

Now I want to write a code inside this function so that when I am using another application like notepad, I select a particular line of text and press the hot key Alt + Ctrl + D it is supposed to copy the selected text append it with ‘_copied’ and paste it back to notepad.

Anyone who has tried a similar application please help me with your valuable inputs.

Answer 1

Your question has two answers

How can my app set a global hotkey

You have to call an API funcion called RegisterHotKey

BOOL RegisterHotKey(     HWND hWnd,         // window to receive hot-key notification     int id,            // identifier of hot key     UINT fsModifiers,  // key-modifier flags     UINT vk            // virtual-key code ); 

More info here: http://www.codeproject.com/KB/system/nishhotkeys01.aspx

How to get the selected text from the foreground window

Easiest way is to send crl-C to the window and then capture the clipboard content.

[DllImport('User32.dll')]  private static extern bool SetForegroundWindow(IntPtr hWnd);  [DllImport('user32.dll', CharSet=CharSet.Auto)] static public extern IntPtr GetForegroundWindow();  [DllImport('user32.dll')] static extern void keybd_event(byte bVk, byte bScan, uint dwFlags, uint dwExtraInfo);   .....  private void SendCtrlC(IntPtr hWnd)     {     uint KEYEVENTF_KEYUP = 2;     byte VK_CONTROL = 0x11;     SetForegroundWindow(hWnd);     keybd_event(VK_CONTROL,0,0,0);     keybd_event (0x43, 0, 0, 0 ); //Send the C key (43 is 'C')     keybd_event (0x43, 0, KEYEVENTF_KEYUP, 0);     keybd_event (VK_CONTROL, 0, KEYEVENTF_KEYUP, 0);// 'Left Control Up  } 

Disclaimer: Code by Marcus Peters from here: http://bytes.com/forum/post1029553-5.html
Posted here for your convenience.