Member Avatar for zawpai

Hi all,

I would like to ask one question. Can I know where the focus is in a main Form? Eg: there will have some buttons, text boxes and labels. How to check the focus?

Please give me some ideals.

Thanks,
zawpai

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  • 9 Replies
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  • Latest Post Latest Post by zawpai

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Generated

Short answer: use the form's ActiveControl to find which control currently has focus, and enable the form to receive key events with KeyPreview = True. and were right that TabIndex controls tab order, but it does not tell you which control has focus at runtime. pointed toward ActiveControl — that is the correct direction.

Common reasons the sample posted by didn't behave as expected:

  • The form won't see key events for child controls unless KeyPreview is True.
  • TabIndex is static; it does not change to indicate focus.
  • KeyDown uses virtual key codes; character checks are simpler in KeyPress where you can use Asc("1").

A simple, robust pattern in VB6 is: set KeyPreview = True, handle Form_KeyPress to detect the character, use Me.ActiveControl and TypeOf ... Is TextBox to confirm focus, and use a short Timer to distinguish a single tap from a continuous hold. Example (adapt names to your form):

' put a Timer (Name = tmrHold) on the form, Interval = 300 (ms) and disabled

Private pressedOnce As Boolean

Private Sub Form_Load()
    Me.KeyPreview = True
End Sub

Private Sub Form_KeyPress(KeyAscii As Integer)
    If KeyAscii = Asc("1") Then
        If Not (Me.ActiveControl Is Nothing) _
           And TypeOf Me.ActiveControl Is TextBox Then

            If pressedOnce Then
                KeyAscii = 0                      ' swallow repeated char
                Dim tb As TextBox
                Set tb = Me.ActiveControl
                tb.Text = ""                      ' clear
                btnAction.SetFocus                ' move focus (use your button)
                pressedOnce = False
                tmrHold.Enabled = False
            Else
                pressedOnce = True
                tmrHold.Enabled = True            ' will reset pressedOnce
            End If
        End If
    End If
End Sub

Private Sub tmrHold_Timer()
    pressedOnce = False
    tmrHold.Enabled = False
End Sub

Extra tips: always check If Me.ActiveControl Is Nothing before using it; use TypeOf to avoid treating non-text controls the same; test with numpad keys and use KeyDown with vbKey... constants if you need virtual-key behavior.

Recommended Answers

All 9 Replies

Member Avatar for ryan_vietnow

Look at the tab index property of them at the properties window,ok?

Member Avatar for Jx_Man

as ryan said look in controls propeties, the minor one of tab index value will get focus.
ie : text1 - tabIndex = 0 -> this control will get focus
text2 - tabIndex = 1 -> focus after text1
....
or see where the cursor flicker when it run.

Member Avatar for zawpai

Hi ryan & Jx,

I know one of the control properties have tabIndex, I think that is mostly used or control when we press 'Tab' key, isn't it?

Eg: I have two text boxes and command buttons. When I click text1, I want to know that is text1. After that, I will key '1' key in text1 if i press one time. If I press continuously '1' key, I will not show the text in text1 and then do the focus on button1.

My question will confuse to you. I will show my sample code.

Dim PressingCounter As Integer 'Detect

Private Sub Form_KeyDown(KeyCode As Integer, Shift As Integer)
If (KeyCode = 97) Then
If (Text1.TabIndex = 0) And (PressingCounter > 0) Then
Text1.Text = ""
Command1.SetFocus
PressingCounter = 0
Exit Sub
ElseIf (Text2.TabIndex = 1) And (PressingCounter > 0) Then
Text2.Text = ""
Command2.SetFocus
PressingCounter = 0
Exit Sub
End If
PressingCounter = PressingCounter + 1
End If
End Sub

Private Sub Form_KeyUp(KeyCode As Integer, Shift As Integer)
If (KeyCode = 97) Then
PressingCounter = 0
End If
End Sub

But, I can't sense text2. I think my program is something wrong. Please check it for me.

Thanks,
zawpai

Member Avatar for zawpai

Hi all,

Actually, my program will have many text boxes. That why I want to know where the focus.
If the focus is in text box, my program will need to check whether pressing key is one time or continuous. I will do the other tax while pressing the key continuously and the key in value will not put in text box.

How should I solve that problem.

Best regards,
zawpai

Member Avatar for ryan_vietnow

try removing the Exit Sub

Member Avatar for Mbt925

below code Return Active control name in "Form1" :

Form1.ActiveControl.Name
Member Avatar for zawpai

Hi,

ryan.. Although I remove 'Exit Sub', still can't get the answer that i want. Have you done the test run with my sample code?

Mbt925.. I try to write with 'Form1.ActiveControl.Name', but I get an error. Can you show me some sample code? Because I don't know how to use it.

Thanks,
zawpai

Member Avatar for Mbt925

See this sample:

ActiveControlName.zip (1.67 KB)
Member Avatar for zawpai

Hi Mbt925,

I have already tested your program. Now, I understand about 'AcitveControl.Name'.

Thanks,
zawpai

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