---
title: Send Non-Printable Keys in BrightAuthor Classic
slug: legacy-docs/send-non-printable-keys-in-brightauthor-classic
docTags: 
createdAt: 2025-03-11T06:58:11.202Z
---

# Serial Port

Non-printable keys (e.g., function keys, ENTER, CTRL, ALT, ESC) can be sent via the player's serial port. Refer to the directions below for BrightAuthor Classic.

Use the **Send -- Serial byte** command to send the **decimal** value of the non printing character. For example, if you need to send the serial string **ESC A** to turn on your display:

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Create an Interactive presentation (see [Interactive Presentations](docId\:zWHMgcsguPuUbCs9Q7oc7) for details).
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Open the media state or event where you want to send the command.
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Select the **Advanced** tab.
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Use **Add Command** to add these two commands:

- Set the first command to a **Send -- Serial byte**.  Enter "27", which is the decimal value for ESC.
- Set the second command to **Send -- Serial string (no EOL)**. Enter the letter "A".
- **Port** should be set to 0 for most standard serial devices.
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![Screenshot 2024-06-05 at 9.36.39 AM.png](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/511c8QBH-VHiwWnyzIwUb/V_ooqDGQMx3MUxVZ8aTob_screenshot-2024-06-05-at-93639-am.png)

# Keyboards

BrightSign players can accept input from non-printing characters on a keyboard. For example, to have the space bar trigger an event, you would enter "\<sp>" as the input value for the Keyboard event in your BrightAuthor project. 

To do this:

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Select the code in the chart below that corresponds to the keyboard character you need.
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Add a [Keyboard Input](docId\:tEGKuc4K_ULo4xyKhPBUH) event and enter the code in the **Specify keyboard input field**.&#x20;
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## Codes

| Key         | Code  | Key               | Code   |
| ----------- | ----- | ----------------- | ------ |
| Space       | \<sp> | F1                | \<f1>  |
| Left arrow  | \<la> | F2                | \<f2>  |
| Right arrow | \<ra> | F3                | \<f3>  |
| Up arrow    | \<ua> | F4                | \<f4>  |
| Down arrow  | \<da> | F5                | \<f5>  |
| Return      | \<rn> | F6                | \<f6>  |
| Enter       | \<en> | F7                | \<f7>  |
| Escape      | \<es> | F8                | \<f8>  |
| Page Up     | \<pu> | F9                | \<f9>  |
| Page Down   | \<pd> | F10               | \<f10> |
| Backspace   | \<bs> | F11               | \<f11> |
| Tab         | \<tb> | F12               | \<f12> |
| Insert      | \<in> | F13 (prnt scrn)   | \<f13> |
| Del         | \<de> | F14 (Scrl Lck)    | \<f14> |
| Home        | \<ho> | F15 (Pause-Break) | \<f15> |
| End         | \<ed> |                   |        |