---
version: "2026.1.0"
language: "en"
---
# Press Key

The **Press Key** building block presses and **holds** a keyboard key (or key combination) until it is released. This is useful when you need to keep a modifier key pressed during another action, such as holding **CTRL** while dragging the mouse. The block is typically used together with the **Release Key** block.

See the [Press and hold a key lesson](https://www.leapwork.com/services/learning-center/pressing-the-keys) for an example of how this works.

Fully expanded, the **Press key** block shows the following properties:  
![image-20260129-133810.png](https://docs.leapwork.com/__attachments/a_000cd45db1642db3b0c7e5bb2f8fa9b1278f373a8ff60299e7c8b9e593e96591/image-20260129-133810.png?cb=65f1ef34bd494a2e07f06636707c81b2)

## Quick-start

1. Drag **Press Key** onto the canvas.

2. Connect the block in the flow and optionally specify the basic parameters required for this block to operate: **Keys** (use **Capture** ) and, if needed, **Await no movement**.

3. Run the flow when it's ready.

## Building block parameters

Parameters  
* **Block header** : The green input connector triggers the block to start executing and press (and hold) the selected key(s) until released. The green output connector triggers when the key has been pressed. You can rename the block by double-clicking the header text and typing a new title.

* **Keys** : Defines a single key or a combination of keys to press and hold. This value can only be entered by clicking **Capture** .

* **Capture** : Captures a key or key combination into **Keys** . This makes it easier to use special key combinations such as **CTRL+C** or **ENTER** .

* **Await no movement** : Delays the key press until there has been no movement on the screen for a specified period (for example, two seconds). This is useful when waiting for a screen update (such as a page loading). Regardless of this checkbox, the key press occurs after waiting a maximum of **30 seconds** .

* **Await Timeout**: Sets the number of seconds the screen must have seen no movement before the block proceeds.

## Resources

|                                                **Topic**                                                |                                                  **Description**                                                  |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| [Flows FAQ](https://docs.leapwork.com/faq/latest/leapwork-flow-faq/flows-faq.md)                                                 | Common questions about creating, running, and managing flows in Leapwork.                                         |
| [Flows Troubleshooting](https://docs.leapwork.com/troubleshooting/latest/leapwork-flow-troubleshooting/flows-troubleshooting.md) | Guidelines and solutions for identifying and fixing issues that occur when building or running flows in Leapwork. |