ShortcutKey from string

Question

I want to provider user with option to set ToolStripMenuItem.ShortcutKeys via configuration file, so I've figured out that I need somehow transform string to Keys.

I've already found how to do that for simple values using Enum.Parse, but it won't recognize formats like:

• Ctrl+i (with space at the end)
• i
• Ctrl+Alt+Esc

Q: Is there any standardized way of parsing stings (Ctrl+i) to Keys?

I'd like to avoid writing my own function that will split text into pieces and then handle each case/special string separately.

Answer 1

The string you see in the Properties window for the ShortcutKeys property is generated by a TypeConverter. You can use that type converter in your own code as well. Like this:

    var txt = "Ctrl+I";
    var cvt = new KeysConverter();
    var key = (Keys)cvt.ConvertFrom(txt);
    System.Diagnostics.Debug.Assert(key == (Keys.Control | Keys.I));

Do beware that I or Ctrl+Alt+Escape are not valid short-cut keys. KeysConverter will not complain, you'll get the exception when you assign the ShortCutKeys property. Wrap both with try/except to catch invalid config data.