getAscii (Key.getAscii method)

public static getAscii() : Number

Returns the ASCII code of the last key pressed or released. The ASCII values returned are English keyboard values. For example, if you press Shift+2, Key.getAscii() returns @ on a Japanese keyboard, which is the same as it does on an English keyboard.

A Flash application can only monitor keyboard events that occur within its focus. A Flash application cannot detect keyboard events in another application.

Availability: ActionScript 1.0; Flash Player 5

Returns

Number - The ASCII value of the last key pressed. This method returns 0 if no key was pressed or released, or if the key code is not accessible for security reasons.

Example

The following example calls the getAscii() method any time a key is pressed. The example creates a listener object named keyListener and defines a function that responds to the onKeyDown event by calling Key.getAscii().The keyListener object is then registered to the Key object, which broadcasts the onKeyDown message whenever a key is pressed while the SWF file plays.

var keyListener:Object = new Object();
keyListener.onKeyDown = function() {
    trace("The ASCII code for the last key typed is: "+Key.getAscii());
};
Key.addListener(keyListener);

When you use this example, be sure to select Control > Disable Keyboard Shortcuts in the test environment.

The following example adds a call to Key.getAscii() to show how the two methods differ. The main difference is that Key.getAscii() differentiates between uppercase and lowercase letters, and Key.getCode() does not.

var keyListener:Object = new Object();
keyListener.onKeyDown = function() {
    trace("For the last key typed:");
    trace("\tThe Key code is: "+Key.getCode());
    trace("\tThe ASCII value is: "+Key.getAscii());
    trace("");
};
Key.addListener(keyListener);

When you use this example, be sure to select Control > Disable Keyboard Shortcuts in the test environment.

getAscii (Key.getAscii method)

Returns

Example

See also