DataLoad User Guide

By default,data is sent as keystrokes when it is prefixed with a backslash - \
Non-printing characters are represented by special codes that must be enclosed in braces - {}
Send keys multiple times by including the number with the key(s)

Sending Keystrokes

If the content of a spreadsheet cell is not a command it will be sent to the target application as keystrokes or copied to the target application "as is" using the Windows copy and paste functionality. DataLoad decides whether to use keystrokes or copy/paste based on whether the cell's data starts with a \ (backslash). By default, a backslash causes DataLoad to use keystrokes but this can be changed (so that a backslash means to use copy/paste) in the Options window.

Keystrokes must sometimes be sent to the application, e.g. for navigation, to use non-printing characters or to send data to fields that do not accept pasted data. The entire keyboard's printing and non-printing (e.g. Alt or function keys) characters may be sent to the active window as if they were typed at the keyboard. Cell data prefixed with a backslash, '\', will be sent as keystrokes. In the following example everything after the '\' will be sent as key presses:

\Send this as keystrokes

Where the actual data to be sent starts with a backslash it can be sent as-is by prefixing the data with another backslash. In the following example DataLoad will paste everything after the first backslash in to the target application:

\\Send this as data

When DataLoad presses a key it also presses any other key(s) which must be pressed to send the specified character. For example, if Caps Lock is not turned on and an uppercase letter is being sent then the shift key is automatically pressed.

Non-printing characters can also be sent by DataLoad. To use any combination of the Shift, Control, Alt and right Alt keys the following codes should be used:  

These codes toggle the key in question, that is either presses or lifts the key and leaves the key in that state. Each key is initially in the "up" position and when one of those codes is used the desired key is depressed. When the code is used again the key is lifted, and so on. If any key is down after the DataLoad cell has been processed the key is lifted. The following are examples of how these codes may be used:  

To send the +, ^, % or & keys as-is these characters must be enclosed in braces {}. For example, to send '2 +2=4' the following should be entered in the DataLoad cell:

\{2+2=4}

To send a key or a number of keys multiple times, use the following syntax:

\{key(s) number}

There must be a space between the key(s) and number. For example, {d 10} means press d 10 times, while {Data 5} sends the keys 'Data' 5 times. The non-printing characters described below can also be sent multiple times in this way.

The keys on the numeric keypad can be specified with the NUMPAD command. That must be used within braces - {} - and causes DataLoad to use keys on the numeric keypad rather than the same key elsewhere on the keyboard. This applies for keys such as Enter and the number keys which are found both in the numeric keypad and elsewhere on the keyboard. To press keys on the numeric keypad use the following syntax:

\{NUMPAD keys_to_press}

For example, to send the numeric keypad's enter key use the following:

\{NUMPAD ENTER}

Codes exist to send characters that aren't displayed when you press a key, e.g. the arrow keys. These codes must be enclosed in braces and the full list of codes is shown below.

1 - Added in DataLoad V4.3.6.0
2 - Added in DataLoad V4.3.7.0
3 - Added in V5.0.0.0
4 - Support for F13 to F24 added in V5.0.0.0