AppleScript keystroke ignoring numbers A very simple AppleScript like this:

tell application "System Events"
    keystroke "abc 123"
end tell


results in just “abc” being typed. Online resources suggest this should not be the case. Adding a delay between keystrokes didn't help.

What might be causing this or how can I determine what might be causing this?

Small side question: in AppleScript terminology, what is keystroke? A function, command, something else?
Have a look at https://stackoverflow.com/questions/18136567/applescript-keystroke-not-behaving-as-expected  &amp; the list of ANSI codes at 
How do I automate a key press in AppleScript?

It appears you're not the only one with the issue. One solution on there was to use the key code instead...

tell application "System Events"
    key code {18} using {command down}


It may depend on what app you're trying to send the keystrokes to - I just tested with an already-open blank document in Text Edit using 

tell application "TextEdit" to activate
tell application "System Events"
    keystroke "abc 123"
end tell


&amp; it worked as expected.

A keystroke is the scripted equivalent of actually pressing that/those keys[s]

How about...

tell application "TextEdit" to activate
tell application "System Events"
    keystroke "abc"
    keystroke space
    keystroke "123"
end tell