How do I send a key multiple times in Autohotkey?

Question

I want to write an AutoHotkey script which presses a key X number of times. For example, here's a script which presses Tab 10 times.

Send, {Tab}{Tab}{Tab}{Tab}{Tab}{Tab}{Tab}{Tab}{Tab}{Tab} 

While the above solution works, it's a bit unwieldy.

Is there a better solution for sending a key multiple times?

Answer 1

Try using Send {Tab 10}

Repeating or Holding Down a Key

To repeat a keystroke: Enclose in braces the name of the key followed by the number of times to repeat it. For example:

Send {DEL 4}   ; Presses the Delete key 4 times. Send {S 30}    ; Sends 30 uppercase S characters. Send +{TAB 4}  ; Presses Shift-Tab 4 times. 

Source: AutoHotkey - Send / SendRaw / SendInput / SendPlay / SendEvent: Send Keys & Clicks

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This also works with ControlSend and ControlSendRaw

ControlSend, Edit1, {Enter 5}, Untitled - Notepad 

Answer 2

If you want the repeat in a loop, let's say every 3 seconds:

#a::   ; Win+a Loop, 10 {     SendInput {Tab}     Sleep, 3000 }