Simulating a Keypress Event from Javascript Console

Question

I want to simulate a Keypress event using the Javascript Console. I see lots of answers using an input element. I don't want to use an input element. I just want to paste some code into the Javascript console and have a keypress event simulated(specifically the back space button).

Answers using jQuery are welcome.

Solution

jQuery has a .keypress method accepting no arguments that simulates a keypress.

$("#target").keypress();

Will trigger a keypress on #target

If you'd like to also select which key was pressed, you can use .trigger. This example is from the docs:

var e = $.Event("keydown", { keyCode: 8}); //"keydown" if that's what you're doing
$("body").trigger(e);

The key code 8 is the key code for backspace in JavaScript.

Let me know how that works for you :)

Comments

[Philip Kirkbride]

Can you format it so that nothing has to be clicked? I want an easy way to check if different devices have it enabled by pasting the code into console while device is in debug mode.

[Benjamin Gruenbaum]

Nothing has to be clicked in this answer. You can just put $("#target").keypress(); in your console (presumably, in the end of your pasted code) and it'll trigger a keypress event

[Philip Kirkbride]

I don't understand what key is being pressed int he example? Don't you need to pass through a number for the specific key?

[Benjamin Gruenbaum]

This triggers a general keypress, I can edit the answer to let you choose which key was being pressed if you'd like.

[Philip Kirkbride]

Yes thanks could you edit it to specifically simulate the backbutton being pressed? So I could paste it into the console and simulate someone having hit back space? I know the keycode is 8

[Philip Kirkbride]

Thanks again I've made a fiddle which I hoped would alert "8" when your code ran. Could you edit it and add to the answer. jsfiddle.net/taj8H/3

[Benjamin Gruenbaum]

@PhilipK this is because you are attaching an event to keyup and not keydown, see jsfiddle.net/EWqfJ (or you can change both to keyup)