Is it possible to sendkeys / Post Message directly to a HtmlElement rather than to a webbrowser control?

Question

I would like to send keys to a c# web browser control element directly, not just the window with the correct focus.

Right now I am able to send a key using PostMessage and documentHandle and focus like this

i.e. Pseudo Code

HtmlElement el = getelement();
el.Focus();
IntPtr docptr = browser.Handle;
PostMessage(docptr,WM_KEYDOWN,1,0);
.... KEYCHAR, KEYUP..

I was wondering if anyone knows of any way to be able to do this in a background, so that the focus is not on the element. Basically is there a way to get a IntPtr to the HtmlElement itself, than use that instead in the PostMessage or SendKeys API rather than the browser handle/ptr.

Answer 1

This is the wrong way to go.

You can use the HtmlElement API to manipulate the element directly.

For precise instructions, please tell us what you're trying to do.

Answer 2

Have a look at things like WaitN and Selenium.

IE also has a good programming interface to control the browser.

But there are downsides...

I'm currently working on a program that uses image recognition and control of the mouse/keys to control a browser as I can only really do what I want with the visual representation.

However that will dominate the computer and need full control. Unless you run it in a virtual machine.

Answer 3

You can't. Those are windowless controls, mouse/keyboard messages are handled by their parent window, and the parent only relay message for the active control.