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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.
Writes data directly to the console input buffer.
BOOL WINAPI WriteConsoleInput(
_In_ HANDLE hConsoleInput,
_In_ const INPUT_RECORD *lpBuffer,
_In_ DWORD nLength,
_Out_ LPDWORD lpNumberOfEventsWritten
);
hConsoleInput [in]
A handle to the console input buffer. The handle must have the GENERIC_WRITE access right. For more information, see Console Buffer Security and Access Rights.
lpBuffer [in]
A pointer to an array of INPUT_RECORD structures that contain data to be written to the input buffer.
nLength [in]
The number of input records to be written.
lpNumberOfEventsWritten [out]
A pointer to a variable that receives the number of input records actually written.
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.
WriteConsoleInput places input records into the input buffer behind any pending events in the buffer. The input buffer grows dynamically, if necessary, to hold as many events as are written.
This function uses either Unicode characters or 8-bit characters from the console's current code page. The console's code page defaults initially to the system's OEM code page. To change the console's code page, use the SetConsoleCP or SetConsoleOutputCP functions. Legacy consumers may also use the chcp or mode con cp select= commands, but it is not recommended for new development.
Tip
This API is not recommended and does not have a virtual terminal equivalent. This decision intentionally aligns the Windows platform with other operating systems. This operation is considered the wrong-way verb for this buffer. Applications remoting via cross-platform utilities and transports like SSH may not work as expected if using this API.
| 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 |
| Unicode and ANSI names | WriteConsoleInputW (Unicode) and WriteConsoleInputA (ANSI) |
Documentation
ReadConsole function - Windows Console
Reads character input from the console input buffer and removes it from the buffer.
FlushConsoleInputBuffer function - Windows Console
Flushes the console input buffer. All input records currently in the input buffer are discarded.
WriteConsoleOutput function - Windows Console
Writes character and color attribute data to a specified rectangular block of character cells in a console screen buffer.
Training
Module
Use methods to accept user inputs in Windows PowerShell scripts - Training
This method explains multiple methods for accepting user input in a Windows PowerShell script.