Using Special Keys in Selenium IDE – Part 2

In part 1, we saw how to use the special keys in the sendKeys command in Selenium IDE starting in v2.3.0. Selenium IDE v2.4.0 shortened some key names. This post serves as a quick reference and provides the full list of all supported special keys and some notes. If there are two options given, you can use either one of them.

Using the Special Keys

The special keys are implemented as stored variables. You use them similar to the way you use the special keys. i.e. enclose them in ${}, e.g.:

${KEY_ENTER}

If you want to use more than one special keys, each needs to be enclosed in ${}, e.g.:

${KEY_LEFT}${KEY_BKSP}

You can mix and match regular text and special keys as you like. e.g.:

Everybody loves chese${KEY_LEFT}${KEY_LEFT}e

Keep in mind that you should not create stored variables with the same names as special keys in your tests. It is recommended that you do not create any stored variables that begin with the KEY_ prefix.

Using the Modifier Keys

The first occurance of a modifier key presses them and the second one releases it. If a modifier key is used more than twice, then, it is easier to think that the odd times are presses and the even times are releases. All modifier keys are released at the end of the sendKeys command and will not affect the subsequent sendKeys command.

Supported Modifier Keys

• KEY_ALT
• KEY_CONTROL / KEY_CTRL
• KEY_META / KEY_COMMAND
• KEY_SHIFT

Supported Common Keys

• KEY_BKSP / KEY_BACKSPACE
• KEY_DEL / KEY_DELETE
• KEY_ENTER
• KEY_EQUALS
• KEY_ESC / KEY_ESCAPE
• KEY_INS / KEY_INSERT
• KEY_PAUSE
• KEY_SEMICOLON
• KEY_SPACE
• KEY_TAB

Supported Navigation Keys

• KEY_LEFT
• KEY_UP
• KEY_RIGHT
• KEY_DOWN
• KEY_PGUP / KEY_PAGE_UP
• KEY_PGDN / KEY_PAGE_DOWN
• KEY_END
• KEY_HOME

Supported Number Pad Keys

• KEY_NUMPAD0 / KEY_N0
• KEY_NUMPAD1 / KEY_N1
• KEY_NUMPAD2 / KEY_N2
• KEY_NUMPAD3 / KEY_N3
• KEY_NUMPAD4 / KEY_N4
• KEY_NUMPAD5 / KEY_N5
• KEY_NUMPAD6 / KEY_N6
• KEY_NUMPAD7 / KEY_N7
• KEY_NUMPAD8 / KEY_N8
• KEY_NUMPAD9 / KEY_N9
• KEY_ADD / KEY_NUM_PLUS
• KEY_DECIMAL/ KEY_NUM_PERIOD
• KEY_DIVIDE/ KEY_NUM_DIVISION
• KEY_MULTIPLY/ KEY_NUM_MULTIPLY
• KEY_SEPARATOR/ KEY_SEP
• KEY_SUBTRACT/ KEY_NUM_MINUS

Supported Function Keys

• KEY_F1
• KEY_F2
• KEY_F3
• KEY_F4
• KEY_F5
• KEY_F6
• KEY_F7
• KEY_F8
• KEY_F9
• KEY_F10
• KEY_F11
• KEY_F12

The Future of Special Keys

While I think that this feature is done, I have a couple of more ideas that may make it even better. The first idea is to introduce shorter forms for commonly used keys. The second idea is to provide a way to specify the number of times to press a key. Without any feedback of how many people actually use this, it will be difficult to prioritise these improvements. So, leave a comment, send me a tweet, get in touch!