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SetConsoleCursorPosition function

  • Article
  • 02/12/2021

Important

This document describes console platform functionality that is no longer a part of our ecosystem roadmap. We do not recommend using this content in new products, but we will continue to support existing usages for the indefinite future. Our preferred modern solution focuses on virtual terminal sequences for maximum compatibility in cross-platform scenarios. You can find more information about this design decision in our classic console vs. virtual terminal document.

Sets the cursor position in the specified console screen buffer.

Syntax

BOOL WINAPI SetConsoleCursorPosition(
  _In_ HANDLE hConsoleOutput,
  _In_ COORD  dwCursorPosition
);

Parameters

hConsoleOutput [in]
A handle to the console screen buffer. The handle must have the GENERIC_READ access right. For more information, see Console Buffer Security and Access Rights.

dwCursorPosition [in]
A COORD structure that specifies the new cursor position, in characters. The coordinates are the column and row of a screen buffer character cell. The coordinates must be within the boundaries of the console screen buffer.

Return value

If the function succeeds, the return value is nonzero.

If the function fails, the return value is zero. To get extended error information, call GetLastError.

Remarks

The cursor position determines where characters written by the WriteFile or WriteConsole function, or echoed by the ReadFile or ReadConsole function, are displayed. To determine the current position of the cursor, use the GetConsoleScreenBufferInfo function.

If the new cursor position is not within the boundaries of the console screen buffer's window, the window origin changes to make the cursor visible.

Tip

This API has a virtual terminal equivalent in the simple cursor positioning and cursor positioning sections. Use of the newline, carriage return, backspace, and tab control sequences can also assist with cursor positioning.

Examples

For an example, see Using the High-Level Input and Output Functions.

Requirements

   
Minimum supported client Windows 2000 Professional [desktop apps only]
Minimum supported server Windows 2000 Server [desktop apps only]
Header ConsoleApi2.h (via WinCon.h, include Windows.h)
Library Kernel32.lib
DLL Kernel32.dll

See also

Console Functions

Console Screen Buffers

GetConsoleCursorInfo

GetConsoleScreenBufferInfo

ReadConsole

ReadFile

SetConsoleCursorInfo

WriteConsole

WriteFile

Additional resources

Documentation