Using the SendKeys Function in Microsoft Access; the King of "Good Enough Sometimes" Functions.

In this Microsoft Access tutorial, I will teach you about the SendKeys function. You can use it to make your VBA code act just like someone is typing at the keyboard. It has pros and cons. We'll address some of those in this video, and I'll show you a few examples. I'll explain when you could use it, and when you shouldn't use it.
LEARN MORE:
599cd.com/Send...
PRE-REQUISITE:
Intro to VBA: 599cd.com/Intr...
RECOMMENDED COURSES:
Access Developer 1: 599cd.com/ACD1
LINKS:
Evil Access Stuff: 599cd.com/Evil...
MS SendKeys Reference: tinyurl.com/y5...
Caps Lock On Off: 599cd.com/Caps...
Value From a Form: 599cd.com/Form...
SQL with Access: 599cd.com/SQLw...
Using Recordsets: 599cd.com/Reco...
Caps Lock On Off: 599cd.com/Caps...
Fill In PDF Form: 599cd.com/FillI...
Text File I/O: 599cd.com/ACD30
NITPICK:
Yes, yes, I know. SendKeys is technically not a function. It doesn't return a value. It is a statement or procedure.
BECOME A MEMBER:
KZbin: / @599cd
or My Site: 599cd.com/THMe...
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
FREE Access Beginner Level 1: 599cd.com/Free1
$1 Access Level 2: 599cd.com/1Dollar
Donate to my Tip Jar: 599cd.com/TipJar
Get on my Mailing List: 599cd.com/YTML
Contact Me: 599cd.com/Contact
TechHelp: 599cd.com/Tech...
Consulting Help: 599cd.com/DevNet
Twitter: / learningaccess
en.wikipedia.o...
products.offic...
microsoft.com/...
KEYWORDS
access 2016, access 2019, access 2021, access 365, microsoft access, ms access, ms access tutorial, #msaccess, #microsoftaccess, #help, #howto, #tutorial, #learn, #lesson, #training, #database, #fasttips, Using the SendKeys Method, What are SendKeys in VBA, send keystrokes anywhere, sendkeys to another application, sendkeys not working, automate
QUESTIONS:
Please feel free to post your questions or comments below. Thanks.

[@tajuddinidrisi6610]

I never used SendKeys function, but you explained it in better way

[@599CD]

Yeah... I almost never use it.

[@user-dz8uv8ks4h]

Hi Richard! I use sendkeys for a long time but only in one case, which is to send one or more whatsapp messages to my clients. I use whatsapp desktop and most of the time it runs perfectly. The problem is, that sometimes the focus is (for some unknown reason) is going to the "NEW CONVERSATION" Button instead of beeing in the whatsapp text field and therefore, the "{ENTER}" key does not sending the message... I tryed everything to fix it with no luck... Is there any way to force the whatsapp text field to take the focus? Thanks so much in advanced!

[@gonefishing2006]

What is the better other option - and a link to your video on it members or not Again.... I'm really close to pulling that trigger because SendKeys is so iffy for me.

[@599CD]

There's always a better option than SendKeys LOL. I don't remember which option you're talking about since it's been a long time since I recorded this video, so you'll have to give me some more information.

[@Jojosmith342]

Hi Richard, it does not show the key on mine. Is it because of the older Access version of 2016? I could not finish my question last night as youtube did not work. Sendkey does work on part note pad. Thanks Richard for your super quick reply. You're SUPER !

[@599CD]

SendKeys hasn't changed since the earliest versions of Access

[@donaldshroyer8633]

I use Sendkeys to enter a field value equal to the last value entered (Ctrl apostrophe). What is the better way to do that?

[@599CD]

Anything but SendKeys. :) Maybe a DLookup / DMax? Depends on what you've got going on.

[@donaldshroyer8633]

@@599CD I have some VBA code where I want to enter into the current field whatever was last typed in for that field. I know how to do that once I've typed the first entry, but I used Sendkeys to eliminate typing the field at all.

[@RockasKane]

In your "Evil Access Stuff" you advise to remove layout. Is there a reason to do it?

[@599CD]

I just don't like it. It's klunky. Doesn't work right half the time. Early versions were super buggy and gave me a bad taste in my mouth.

[@RockasKane]

@@599CD oh ok. Not that I use it a lot but sometimes I do and I was wondering if I could get myself in trouble 😵‍💫

[@ssdusd]

Ho can I make Shell to open "Snip & Sketch"?

[@599CD]

Find out what it's EXE file is. I don't know offhand.

[@Paulheuer1]

Ijust want to talk to same obu