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.

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.

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

Editing

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

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

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

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 /

Examples

Single Key

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

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`

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).