Virtual Key Codes

Windows defines special constants for each key the user can press. The virtual-key codes identify various virtual keys. These constants can then be used to refer to the keystroke when using Delphi and Windows API calls or in an OnKeyUp or OnKeyDown event handler. Virtual keys mainly consist of actual keyboard keys, but also include "virtual" elements such as the three mouse buttons. Delphi defines all constants for Windows virtual key codes in the Windows unit.

Here are some of the Delphi articles that deal with the keyboard and VK codes:
· Keyboard Symphony
Delphi For Beginners: Get familiar with the OnKeyDown, OnKeyUp, and onKeyPress event procedures to respond to various key actions or handle and process ASCII characters along with other special purpose keys.
· How to Translate a Virtual Key Code to a Character
Windows defines special constants for each key the user can press. The virtual-key codes identify various virtual keys. In Delphi, the OnKeyDown and OnKeyUp events provide the lowest level of keyboard response. To use OnKeyDown or OnKeyUp to test for keys the user presses, you must use Virtual key codes to get the key pressed. Here's how to translate the virtual key code to the corresponding Windows character.
· Touch Me - I'm Untouchable
Intercepting keyboard input for controls that cannot receive the input focus. Working with keyboard hooks from Delphi.
· ENTERing TAB
Using the Enter key like a Tab key with Delphi controls.
· Abort a Loop by Pressing a Key
Use the VK_ESCAPE to abort a (for) loop.
· Use Arrow Keys to Move Between Controls
The UP and DOWN arrow keys are virtually useless in edit controls. So why not use them for navigating between fields.
· Shift, Ctrl, Alt Key Checking
Using virtual key codes to check the key state.
· Simulating keystrokes from code
A handy function to simulate the pressing of keyboard keys.

The following table shows the symbolic constant names, hexadecimal values, and keyboard equivalents for the virtual-key codes used by Windows. Some Windows 2000 and OEM specific constants are missing, the entire list is available from Microsoft. The codes are listed in numerical order.

Symbolic constant name	Value (hexadecimal)	Keyboard (or mouse) equivalent
VK_LBUTTON	01	Left mouse button
VK_RBUTTON	02	Right mouse button
VK_CANCEL	03	Control-break processing
VK_MBUTTON	04	Middle mouse button (three-button mouse)
VK_BACK	08	BACKSPACE key
VK_TAB	09	TAB key
VK_CLEAR	0C	CLEAR key
VK_RETURN	0D	ENTER key
VK_SHIFT	10	SHIFT key
VK_CONTROL	11	CTRL key
VK_MENU	12	ALT key
VK_PAUSE	13	PAUSE key
VK_CAPITAL	14	CAPS LOCK key
VK_ESCAPE	1B	ESC key
VK_SPACE	20	SPACEBAR
VK_PRIOR	21	PAGE UP key
VK_NEXT	22	PAGE DOWN key
VK_END	23	END key
VK_HOME	24	HOME key
VK_LEFT	25	LEFT ARROW key
VK_UP	26	UP ARROW key
VK_RIGHT	27	RIGHT ARROW key
VK_DOWN	28	DOWN ARROW key
VK_SELECT	29	SELECT key
VK_PRINT	2A	PRINT key
VK_EXECUTE	2B	EXECUTE key
VK_SNAPSHOT	2C	PRINT SCREEN key
VK_INSERT	2D	INS key
VK_DELETE	2E	DEL key
VK_HELP	2F	HELP key
	30	0 key
	31	1 key
	32	2 key
	33	3 key
	34	4 key
	35	5 key
	36	6 key
	37	7 key
	38	8 key
	39	9 key
	41	A key
	42	B key
	43	C key
	44	D key
	45	E key
	46	F key
	47	G key
	48	H key
	49	I key
	4A	J key
	4B	K key
	4C	L key
	4D	M key
	4E	N key
	4F	O key
	50	P key
	51	Q key
	52	R key
	53	S key
	54	T key
	55	U key
	56	V key
	57	W key
	58	X key
	59	Y key
	5A	Z key
VK_NUMPAD0	60	Numeric keypad 0 key
VK_NUMPAD1	61	Numeric keypad 1 key
VK_NUMPAD2	62	Numeric keypad 2 key
VK_NUMPAD3	63	Numeric keypad 3 key
VK_NUMPAD4	64	Numeric keypad 4 key
VK_NUMPAD5	65	Numeric keypad 5 key
VK_NUMPAD6	66	Numeric keypad 6 key
VK_NUMPAD7	67	Numeric keypad 7 key
VK_NUMPAD8	68	Numeric keypad 8 key
VK_NUMPAD9	69	Numeric keypad 9 key
VK_SEPARATOR	6C	Separator key
VK_SUBTRACT	6D	Subtract key
VK_DECIMAL	6E	Decimal key
VK_DIVIDE	6F	Divide key
VK_F1	70	F1 key
VK_F2	71	F2 key
VK_F3	72	F3 key
VK_F4	73	F4 key
VK_F5	74	F5 key
VK_F6	75	F6 key
VK_F7	76	F7 key
VK_F8	77	F8 key
VK_F9	78	F9 key
VK_F10	79	F10 key
VK_F11	7A	F11 key
VK_F12	7B	F12 key
VK_F13	7C	F13 key
VK_F14	7D	F14 key
VK_F15	7E	F15 key
VK_F16	7F	F16 key
VK_F17	80H	F17 key
VK_F18	81H	F18 key
VK_F19	82H	F19 key
VK_F20	83H	F20 key
VK_F21	84H	F21 key
VK_F22	85H	F22 key
VK_F23	86H	F23 key
VK_F24	87H	F24 key
VK_NUMLOCK	90	NUM LOCK key
VK_SCROLL	91	SCROLL LOCK key
VK_LSHIFT	A0	Left SHIFT key
VK_RSHIFT	A1	Right SHIFT key
VK_LCONTROL	A2	Left CONTROL key
VK_RCONTROL	A3	Right CONTROL key
VK_LMENU	A4	Left MENU key
VK_RMENU	A5	Right MENU key
VK_PLAY	FA	Play key
VK_ZOOM	FB	Zoom key