UI Actions › Actions › Simulate Typing
Simulates typing text on the keyboard.
Parameters
Section titled “Parameters”Keystrokes target
Section titled “Keystrokes target”Selecting "frontmost app" will send them to the app currently in the foreground (default).
Select "macOS (system-wide)" to let macOS find the right destination for the keystrokes.
Select a specific app if you want to send the keystrokes to that particular app.
What's the difference between frontmost app and system-wide? For example, if you try to open Spotlight search with ⌘Space but target the frontmost app, and that app also uses that key combination for one of its own features, you might end up triggering that feature instead of Spotlight. So if you want to send a keystroke and let macOS decide on the intended recipient, use the destination "macOS (system-wide)".
Type: An app from a pre-defined list of available apps
Keys or text
Section titled “Keys or text”This input is typed character by character, by simulating keystrokes.
Type: Text
Modifiers toggle
Section titled “Modifiers toggle”Enable or disable modifiers (like Cmd, Opt, etc.)
Options:
- with modifiers
- without modifiers
Cmd modifier
Section titled “Cmd modifier”Simulates holding down the ⌘ key, i.e. Command. Ignored unless modifiers are enabled.
Type: Boolean (YES/NO)
Ctrl modifier
Section titled “Ctrl modifier”Simulates holding down the ⌃ key, i.e. Control. Ignored unless modifiers are enabled.
Type: Boolean (YES/NO)
Opt modifier
Section titled “Opt modifier”Simulates holding down the ⌥ key, i.e. Option. Ignored unless modifiers are enabled.
Type: Boolean (YES/NO)
Shift modifier
Section titled “Shift modifier”Simulates holding down the ⇧ key, i.e. Shift. Ignored unless modifiers are enabled.
Type: Boolean (YES/NO)
Delay between keystrokes
Section titled “Delay between keystrokes”This adds a pause in between key presses.
Options:
- no pause
- 0.01 secs
- 0.02 secs
- 0.05 secs
- 0.10 secs
- 0.15 secs
- 0.20 secs
- 0.30 secs
- 0.40 secs
Skip confirmation on long input text
Section titled “Skip confirmation on long input text”With modifiers enabled, if you enter more than 5 characters, the action will ask you if you're sure before it executes to prevent mishaps like calling more than 5 keyboard shortcuts in a row.
Activate this checkbox to suppress the confirmation dialog. #EnableFootGunMode
Type: Boolean (YES/NO)
Related Links
Section titled “Related Links”- Search the UI Actions community forum for "Simulate Typing"