C# window application get word from the cursor position from the other application

Question

I have C# window application and I want to get text where the cursor is currently located or text is selected from the other application like notepad, notepad++ or any browser etc.

Answer 1

Did you already have a look at this CodeProject article ? This could be a start even if this is not exactly what you are looking for.

See http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms632604(v=vs.85).aspx.

If it do not solve your issue, have a look at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.automation.textpattern.getselection(v=vs.110).aspx, as suggested in the comments.

Answer 2

Getting the text under the cursor (or from the caret) requires UI Automation and TextPattern support from the application. The problem is that not all applications support this, and the older the application, the less likely it is to have TextPattern support.

Getting selected text is, ironically enough, somewhat easier, although still not 100%. I outlined a solution in this answer. It does involve managing focus and manipulating the clipboard for the most general solution, and it is by no means perfect.

Another option, that involves a ton of work, is to use a mirror driver to capture the screen contents, and then use other technologies (OCR, etc.) to capture the text. I don't really recommend this; it's not supported in Windows 8 and above, but if you absolutely have to have 100% support across applications with the least impact, then it's a possibility. It's a lot of work, though. Definitely not for the squeamish.

Answer 3

This is possible using Accessibility technologies (like screen readers). However, it will require a great deal of troubleshooting:

The answer about MSAA on the following question is where you will need to start.

Best way to get the 'word before the cursor' in any open app's text field

Also, the following question is helpful about implementing it:

How to get the word under the cursor in Windows?

Answer 4

The problem is that you are trying to get data from another application. Unless that application supports a way to provide this to you it will be very difficult.

It would be much easier if the info could be retrieved from within the application, like from within a textbox or rich text control on a form

Answer 5

You can use clipborad to copy or get that text and then transfer it to your desired window.

Answer 6

You can use SendKeys class to demonstrate the keyboard.

For example you can use SendKeys.Send("^C") in your program and then a code to focus on Notepad++ and then SendKeys.Send("^V").

SendKeys.Send("^C");
// code to change active window and focus on Notepad++.
SendKeys.Send("^V");

Answer 7

Thanks for help me.

Still I'm not able to get the text from the caret position. So finally I get the all the text from the active window and fetch my text using Regex.

    private string SelectText(IntPtr hWnd)
    {
        string text = string.Empty;
        Regex regex = new Regex(@"(\d{3}-\w{5,8})");

        if (InputSimulator.IsKeyDown(VirtualKeyCode.SHIFT))
        {
            InputSimulator.SimulateKeyUp(VirtualKeyCode.SHIFT);
        }

        if (InputSimulator.IsKeyDown(VirtualKeyCode.MENU))
        {
            InputSimulator.SimulateKeyUp(VirtualKeyCode.MENU);
        }

        InputSimulator.SimulateModifiedKeyStroke(VirtualKeyCode.CONTROL, VirtualKeyCode.VK_C);
        text = Clipboard.GetText();

        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(text) && regex.IsMatch(text))
        {
            Thread.Sleep(100);
            text.Trim();
            string[] textArr = text.Split(' ');
            text = textArr[textArr.Length - 1];
        }
        else
        {
            InputSimulator.SimulateModifiedKeyStroke(VirtualKeyCode.CONTROL, VirtualKeyCode.VK_A);
            InputSimulator.SimulateModifiedKeyStroke(VirtualKeyCode.CONTROL, VirtualKeyCode.VK_C);
            ClickOnPoint();
            Thread.Sleep(100);
            text = Clipboard.GetText();
            MatchCollection matchCollection = regex.Matches(text);
            if (matchCollection.Count > 0)
            {
                text = matchCollection[0].Value;
            }
            else
            {
                text = string.Empty;
            }
        }

        Clipboard.Clear();
        return text;
    }