How can I send text when the window is minimized?

Question

I have tried using python libraries: pyautogui + pwinauto. But to no avail. Once the window is minimized the text is no longer send.

code snippet:

import pyautogui
import time
pyautogui.hotkey('win')
time.sleep(1)
pyautogui.typewrite('notepad')
pyautogui.hotkey('enter')
time.sleep(2)
pyautogui.typewrite('test aaaaaaaaaaaaaa bbbbbbbbbbbb cccccccccc ')

According to the [pyautogui docs](https://pyautogui.readthedocs.org/en/latest/cheatsheet.html#keyboard-functions) you can't do this: "Key presses go to wherever the keyboard cursor is at function-calling time." — Steven Rumbalski, Oct 08 '15 at 15:33
The answer looks correct and still not accepted. Sorry to remind about such old thread. Just updated the answer for latest pywinauto version. — Vasily Ryabov, Jan 20 '19 at 22:01

Vasily Ryabov · Answer 1 · 2019-01-20T22:00:06.750

pywinauto can send text to a minimized window.

from pywinauto import Application
app = Application(backend="win32").start('notepad.exe')
app.UntitledNotepad.minimize()
app.UntitledNotepad.Edit.set_text('some text\nsecond line')

type_keys() method requires a control to be in focus. But set_text sends WM_SETTEXT message by window handle, so focus is not required.

Another example of script dealing with minimized window: Python - Control window with pywinauto while the window is minimized or hidden

How can I send text when the window is minimized?

1 Answers1