How do you do a SendKey for the escape button?

[DAHMB]

I have a form that calls up a report in the form I have several date fields that have date input masks. I have created a cancel button as:

Private Sub btnCancel_Click ()
On Error GoTo Err_btnCancel_C lick

Dim stDocName As String

DoCmd.Close

Exit_btnCancel_ Click:
Exit Sub

Err_btnCancel_C lick:
MsgBox Error.Descripti on
Resume Exit_btnCancel_ Click

End Sub

But if someone has started to enter a date in a date field and did not finish the date you get an error box and you have to press the escape key to clear the form before you can use the cancel button. I would like to have my cancel button clear the form and then close it. I thought I could do a sendkey command but I can't figure out how.

Thanks
Dan

[FishVal]

Hi, Dan.

Try

Me.Undo
 

Using SendKeys() is not reliable.

Regards,
Fish

[DAHMB]

Hi, Dan.

Try

Me.Undo
 

Using SendKeys() is not reliable.

Regards,
Fish

Thankyou for the reply. I entered it as below, but nothing happens when I click Cancel, and I mean nothing, the button won't even get the focus.

Private Sub btnCancel_Click ()
On Error GoTo Err_btnCancel_C lick

Dim stDocName As String

Me.Undo
DoCmd.Close

Exit_btnCancel_ Click:
Exit Sub

Err_btnCancel_C lick:
MsgBox Error.Descripti on
Resume Exit_btnCancel_ Click

End Sub

[FishVal]

Nice.

Try to relink event procedure.

• open the form in design view
• open the button properties window
• goto [Events]->[OnClick]
• select [Event Procedure]
• Click on [...] button

[DAHMB]

Nice.

Try to relink event procedure.

• open the form in design view
• open the button properties window
• goto [Events]->[OnClick]
• select [Event Procedure]
• Click on [...] button

OK I did that and still nothing. However if I hit the escape key and clear the form then the cancel button works. It seem to be just the undo part that is sticking.

[FishVal]

OK I did that and still nothing. However if I hit the escape key and clear the form then the cancel button works. It seem to be just the undo part that is sticking.

First of all make sure the code is running.

• go to VBA window
• toggle breakpoint on the first line of the btnCancel_Click sub (F9)
• click the button
• when code execution stops on the breakpoint run the code stepwise (F8) to the end of the sub, check that Me.Undo command runs
• clear breakpoint (F9)

And a question.
Do you try to undo changes on the form where the button is located or in a subform located on the form?

[DAHMB]

First of all make sure the code is running.

• go to VBA window
• toggle breakpoint on the first line of the btnCancel_Click sub (F9)
• click the button
• when code execution stops on the breakpoint run the code stepwise (F8) to the end of the sub, check that Me.Undo command runs
• clear breakpoint (F9)

And a question.
Do you try to undo changes on the form where the button is located or in a subform located on the form?

OK 1st the button is on the same form as the changes I am try to make are. 2nd I tried the above and if I have any data in the date fields at all it will not work. It won't even leave the first line. It just turns brown and beeps. When I clear the form by hitting escape it will run through fine.

[FishVal]

2nd I tried the above and if I have any data in the date fields at all it will not work. It won't even leave the first line. It just turns brown and beeps.

What does it mean?
It gets brown when you toggle breakpoint. When you hit the button and event handler procedure runs code execution stops on a line breakpoint is toggled on. Here you can run code line-by-line by pressing F8 to check execution results of each code line.
You should take a look at Debugging in VBA tutorial if you feel difficulties with debugging VBA code.

[sierra7]

Hi D

I think that the problem lies with the fact that you are using an Input Template on the field(s) and Access is doing a low-level check before handing back to VBA and will not allow the focus to move to another control if the data input is inaccurate or incomplete. I think that if you use nice little features like the input template then you must play by Access rules and make users press the escape key manually.

I've built a demo form and can replicate your issue. I've tried putting a MsgBox in the Before Update event but Access will not even get there unless the data is compliant. Text0 is a text box with a template

Private Sub Text0_BeforeUpdate(Cancel As Integer)
On Error GoTo Err_Text0_beforeUpdate
 
If Me.Text0 > 1 Then
    MsgBox "Hi"
End If
 
Exit_Text0_BeforeUpdate:
    Exit Sub
 
Err_Text0_beforeUpdate:
    MsgBox err.Number & " - " & err.Description
    Cancel = True
 
    Resume Exit_Text0_BeforeUpdate
 
End Sub

If you the Sendkeys command at line 14 this would cancel the data in Text0 (and I agree with Fish that it is often unreliable) then I would use;

SendKeys "{Esc}{Esc}"

I have fallen into the habit of using two 'escapes' to make sure it works but on this occasion could cancel other inputs which may be correct.

I also know that MS code is not case sensitive but in the past (when grasping at straws!) I've changed {esc} or {ESC} to upper and lower case {Esc}, although this is probably no more effective than crossing your fingers!

However, this is all acedemic because as I said above I don't think this will help you in your present problem but will watch with interest for a more expert diagnosis.

Best of luck

[FishVal]

.............
I think that the problem lies with the fact that you are using an Input Template on the field(s) and Access is doing a low-level check before handing back to VBA and will not allow the focus to move to another control if the data input is inaccurate or incomplete.
..............

Nice catch, Sierra.

Regards,
Fish