JOSF – Special Keys

Special Keys allow you to simulate keyboard input in test steps such as Send Keys or Type.
They can be used to press navigation keys, function keys, modifier keys, or combinations exactly as if the user pressed them on a real keyboard.

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How to Enter a Special Key

• Always type the key name literally in uppercase (case-insensitive).
  Example: ENTER, TAB, ESCAPE.
• Do not use the Selenium/WebDriver Unicode codes (e.g., \ue007).
  These codes will fail in JOSF with an “Invalid special keys” error.
• You can send a sequence of keys by using the other type text action:
  Example: HELLO, ENTER.

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Valid Key Names

Navigation

Key Name	Aliases	Function
TAB	—	Move focus to next field
ARROW_UP	UP	Move up
ARROW_DOWN	DOWN	Move down
ARROW_LEFT	LEFT	Move left
ARROW_RIGHT	RIGHT	Move right
PAGE_UP	—	Scroll up a page
PAGE_DOWN	—	Scroll down a page
HOME	—	Jump to start
END	—	Jump to end

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Editing

Key Name	Aliases	Function
BACK_SPACE	—	Delete character before
DELETE	—	Delete character after
INSERT	—	Toggle insert/overwrite
CLEAR	—	Clear the field

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Confirmation & Control

Key Name	Aliases	Function
ENTER	—	Confirm / submit
RETURN	—	Same as Enter
ESCAPE	—	Cancel or close
CANCEL	—	Cancel action
HELP	—	Show help
SPACE	—	Space character / toggle checkbox

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Modifier Keys

Key Name	Function
SHIFT	Shift modifier
LEFT_SHIFT	Shift modifier
CONTROL	Control modifier
LEFT_CONTROL	Control modifier
ALT	Alt modifier
LEFT_CONTROL	Alt modifier
META	Command/Windows key

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Function Keys

Key Name	Function
F1 … F12	Function keys 1 to 12
NUMPAD0 … NUMPAD9	Numpad keys 0 to 9
MULTIPLY	Insert *
ADD	Insert +
SEPARATOR	Insert file separator key(// e.g.)
SUBTRACT	Insert –
DECIMAL	Insert . or , (depending on machine settings)
SEMICOLON	Insert ;
EQUALS	Insert =
DEVIDE	Insert /

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Examples

Single Key

Action	Input in JOSF
Press Enter	ENTER
Move focus forward	TAB
Press Escape	ESCAPE

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Common Mistakes

Mistake	Why it fails	Correct approach
\ue007	Selenium/WebDriver code, not accepted in JOSF	ENTER
"ENTER" (with quotes)	Quotes are treated as literal characters	ENTER
enterr (typo)	Not a valid key	ENTER

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Error Messages

• Invalid special keys found – This happens when:
  • The key name is not in the valid list.
  • A Selenium Unicode code was used instead of a literal name.

What to do: Use the written key name (e.g., ENTER, TAB, ESCAPE).