Lingo Dictionary > G-K > key() |  |

key()

Syntax

    the key

Description

Function; indicates the last key that was pressed. This value is the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) value assigned to the key, not the numerical value.

You can use `the key` in handlers that perform certain actions when the user presses specific keys as shortcuts and other forms of interactivity. When used in a primary event handler, the actions you specify are the first to be executed.

Note: The value of the key isn't updated if the user presses a key while Lingo is in a repeat loop.

Use the sample movie Keyboard Lingo to test which characters correspond to different keys on different keyboards.

Example

These statements cause the movie to return to the main menu marker when the user presses the Return key. Because the `keyDownScript` property is set to `checkKey`, the `on prepareMovie` handler makes the `on checkKey` handler the first event handler executed when a key is pressed. The `on checkKey` handler checks whether the Return key is pressed and if it is, navigates to the main menu marker.

    on prepareMovie
    	the keyDownScript = "checkKey"
    end prepareMovie
    on checkKey
    	if the key = RETURN then go to frame "Main Menu"
    end

Example

This `on keyDown` handler checks whether the last key pressed is the Enter key and if it is, then calls the `on addNumbers` handler:

    on keyDown
    	if the key = RETURN then addNumbers
    end keyDown

See also

`commandDown`, `controlDown`, `keyCode()`, `optionDown`