paste to microsoft word using applescript

Question

I'm trying to make a simple applescript which doesn the following:

Switch to Microsoft Word type * press paste (command v) press return

I came up with this but it won't work... Any ideas why??

tell application "System Events"
    tell application process "Microsoft Word" to activate
        keycode(42)
        keycode(118)
        keycode(3)
    end tell
end tell

Answer 1

your using key code in the wrong manner and your tell blocks are not correct try this

tell application "Microsoft Word"
    activate
    tell application "System Events"
        tell application process "Microsoft Word"
            key code 42
            key code 118
            key code 3
        end tell
    end tell
end tell

Answer 2

In general your code is easier to write and much more readable if you use text wherever possible rather than keycodes.

tell application "Microsoft Word"
    activate
end tell

tell application "System Events"
    tell application process "Microsoft Word"
        keystroke "*"
        keystroke "v" using command down
        keystroke return
    end tell
end tell