How to use multiple modifier keys in C#

Question

I am using a keydown event to detect keys pressed and have several key combinations for various operations.

if (e.KeyCode == Keys.C && e.Modifiers == Keys.Control && e.Modifiers == Keys.Shift)
{
    //Do work
}
else if (e.KeyCode == Keys.V && e.Modifiers == Keys.Control)
{
    //Paste
}

For some reason the key combination in which I hit Ctrl + Shift + C is not working. I have re ordered them, and placed it at the top thinking it might be interference from the Ctrl + C, and even removed the Ctrl + C to see if it was causing a problem. It still does not work. I know it's probably something very simple, but can't quite grasp what it is. All of my 1 modifier + 1 key combination's work fine, as soon as I add a second modifier is when it no longer works.

score 48 · Accepted Answer · answered Sep 16 '09 at 19:04

48

if (e.KeyCode == Keys.C && e.Modifiers == (Keys.Control | Keys.Shift))
{
    //Do work
}
else if (e.KeyCode == Keys.V && e.Modifiers == Keys.Control)
{
    //Paste
}

answered Sep 16 '09 at 19:04

Rom

4,129
23
18

i used the exact same code, holding down cntrl and shift, but the if never gets fired. Is there something i am possibly doing wrong in the real life execution? – A.bakker Aug 17 '23 at 09:44
@A.bakker, this is real life code that is verified works. To debug your case, I'd suggest creating a `if (e.KeyCode == Keys.C) {` condition and placing a breakpoint there. Once the breakpoint is hit, inspect the value of `e.Modifiers` and adjust your code accordingly – Rom Aug 18 '23 at 08:10

score 9 · Answer 2 · edited Oct 31 '12 at 19:16

9

Have you tried e.Modifiers == (Keys.Control | Keys.Shift)?

edited Oct 31 '12 at 19:16

McGarnagle

101,349
31
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260

answered Sep 16 '09 at 19:04

Chris J

2,160
4
16
23

score 6 · Answer 3 · edited Sep 11 '11 at 10:40

6

If you want to allow Ctrl and Shift then use the bitwise OR (as Keys is a Flags enum)

if (e.KeyCode == Keys.C && e.Modifiers == (Keys.Control | Keys.Shift))
{
    //Do work (if Ctrl-Shift-C is pressed, but not if Alt is pressed as well)
}
else if (e.KeyCode == Keys.V && e.Modifiers == Keys.Control)
{
    //Paste (if Ctrl is only modifier pressed)
}

This will fail if Alt is pressed as well

edited Sep 11 '11 at 10:40

Jasper

2,166
4
30
50

answered Sep 16 '09 at 19:07

JDunkerley

12,355
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45

score 2 · Answer 4 · edited Sep 11 '11 at 10:41

2

Another way would be to add an invisible menu item, assign the Ctrl + Shift + C shortcut to it, and handle the event there.

edited Sep 11 '11 at 10:41

Jasper

2,166
4
30
50

answered Sep 16 '09 at 19:08

Druid

6,423
4
41
56

score 2 · Answer 5 · answered Oct 20 '14 at 13:23

2

      if ((Keyboard.Modifiers & ModifierKeys.Shift | ModifierKeys.Control) > 0)
          Debugger.Launch();

answered Oct 20 '14 at 13:23

Stephane Ehret

340
2
9

Chris · Answer 6 · 2014-11-18T19:21:49.927

1

This is what I did for a Ctrl+Z Undo and Ctrl+Shift+Z Redo operation and it worked.

  Private Sub Form_Main_KeyDown(sender As Object, e As KeyEventArgs) Handles Me.KeyDown
    Select Case e.KeyCode
      Case Keys.Add
        diagramView.ZoomIn()
      Case Keys.Subtract
        diagramView.ZoomOut()
      Case Keys.Z
        If e.Modifiers = Keys.Control + Keys.Shift Then
          diagram.UndoManager.Redo()
        ElseIf e.Modifiers = Keys.Control Then
          diagram.UndoManager.Undo()
        End If
    End Select
  End Sub

edited Nov 18 '14 at 19:21

answered Oct 08 '14 at 21:35

Chris

33
8

The question has a C# tag. This is not C# code. – Preza8 Mar 17 '21 at 00:32

score 0 · Answer 7 · answered Sep 16 '09 at 19:04

0

Try this. Should behave the way you want it to, and it's a little simpler.

 if (e.Control)
 {
    if (e.Shift && e.KeyCode == Keys.C)
    {
       //Do work
    }
    else if (e.KeyCode == Keys.V)
    {
       //Paste
    }
 }

answered Sep 16 '09 at 19:04

Donut

110,061
20
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146

score 0 · Answer 8 · answered Sep 28 '17 at 11:08

Seeing as no one else mentions them, i'm just going to leave the suggestion to use KeyEventArgs.KeyData:

if (e.KeyData == (Keys.C | Keys.Control | Keys.Shift)
{
  //do stuff
  //potentially use e.Handled = true
}
if (e.KeyData == (Keys.V | Keys.Control)
{
  //do other stuff
  //potentially use e.Handled = true
}

This should only act on specific key combinations, though the order of the modifiers don't seem to matter, the first one is always the last pressed key.

And e.Handled = true should stop it, though i don't know the specific mechanics behind it.

score 0 · Answer 9 · answered Feb 10 '23 at 16:36

Another approach more suitable if you have more cases, and easier to read is:

private void Form_KeyDown(object sender, KeyEventArgs e)
{
    Action action = e.KeyData switch
    {
      (Keys.Control | Keys.Shift | Keys.C) => DoWork,
      (Keys.Control | Keys.V) => Paste,
      _ => null
    };
    action?.Invoke();
}
private void DoWork() 
{ // do work }
private void Paste() 
{ // paste }

How to use multiple modifier keys in C#

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