ComboBox keyboard recognition?

[Strahimir Antoljak]

Could anyone help me with the following:

Is there a quick, or at least known way to
force a ComboBox, having DropDownStyle=
DropDownList, to recognize keyboard input
and perform Item selection based on that.

To be more specific: I have a list of 150 items
(all 7-digit numeric values) represented in
the combobox, and they are sorted. Instead
of scrolling to the specific item, I'd like to
be able to start typing on the keyboard and
have combobox recognize what I am typing,
and based on that, the selected value gets
changed. As I am progressing with the keyboard
input, the selection gets narrowed down.
Say I have to find number 1455601, and start
typing '1' on the keyboard, and first Item that starts
with '1' gets selected, then I type in '4', the second
digit, and then first item starting with '14' in the
combobox list gets selected, and I type in '5'
and selected item is first value starting with '145'
and so forth.

This behavior is very similar to Windows Explorer
(at least in WinXP) when there is a large number
of folders, and instead of scrolling up and down
the browser, typing in first few letters/numbers
of the folder, the sought folder gets selected.

Thanks in advance,

Strah

[Jorge]

Hello Strah
You can use something like it but it will only find one
character...

Private Sub ComboBox1_KeyDo wn(ByVal sender As Object,
ByVal e As System.Windows. Forms.KeyEventA rgs) Handles
ComboBox1.KeyDo wn
Me.ComboBox1.Fi ndString(e.KeyV alue.ToString)
End Sub
Kind Regards
Jorge

-----Original Message-----
Could anyone help me with the following:

Is there a quick, or at least known way to
force a ComboBox, having DropDownStyle=
DropDownList , to recognize keyboard input
and perform Item selection based on that.

To be more specific: I have a list of 150 items
(all 7-digit numeric values) represented in
the combobox, and they are sorted. Instead
of scrolling to the specific item, I'd like to
be able to start typing on the keyboard and
have combobox recognize what I am typing,
and based on that, the selected value gets
changed. As I am progressing with the keyboard
input, the selection gets narrowed down.
Say I have to find number 1455601, and start
typing '1' on the keyboard, and first Item that starts
with '1' gets selected, then I type in '4', the second
digit, and then first item starting with '14' in the
combobox list gets selected, and I type in '5'
and selected item is first value starting with '145'
and so forth.

This behavior is very similar to Windows Explorer
(at least in WinXP) when there is a large number
of folders, and instead of scrolling up and down
the browser, typing in first few letters/numbers
of the folder, the sought folder gets selected.

Thanks in advance,

Strah

.

[One Handed Man [ OHM# ]]

Well, the OP can already do that because when the Style is set to dropdown
list, the first character is searchable, but subsequent characters are not.

Regards - OHM
Jorge wrote:

Hello Strah
You can use something like it but it will only find one
character...

Private Sub ComboBox1_KeyDo wn(ByVal sender As Object,
ByVal e As System.Windows. Forms.KeyEventA rgs) Handles
ComboBox1.KeyDo wn
Me.ComboBox1.Fi ndString(e.KeyV alue.ToString)
End Sub
Kind Regards
Jorge

-----Original Message-----
Could anyone help me with the following:

Is there a quick, or at least known way to
force a ComboBox, having DropDownStyle=
DropDownList, to recognize keyboard input
and perform Item selection based on that.

To be more specific: I have a list of 150 items
(all 7-digit numeric values) represented in
the combobox, and they are sorted. Instead
of scrolling to the specific item, I'd like to
be able to start typing on the keyboard and
have combobox recognize what I am typing,
and based on that, the selected value gets
changed. As I am progressing with the keyboard
input, the selection gets narrowed down.
Say I have to find number 1455601, and start
typing '1' on the keyboard, and first Item that starts
with '1' gets selected, then I type in '4', the second
digit, and then first item starting with '14' in the
combobox list gets selected, and I type in '5'
and selected item is first value starting with '145'
and so forth.

This behavior is very similar to Windows Explorer
(at least in WinXP) when there is a large number
of folders, and instead of scrolling up and down
the browser, typing in first few letters/numbers
of the folder, the sought folder gets selected.

Thanks in advance,

Strah

.

--
Best Regards - OHM

O_H_M{at}BTInte rnet{dot}com

[Strahimir Antoljak]

Jorge,

thanks, but this is actually default behavior
of the ComboBox, so no code required.

I was going to use KeyDown event to
achieve what I need, but before starting
I wanted to double check if there was
something like that already available, just
to avoid re-inventing a wheel.

However, I was not aware of
ComboBox's FindString Method
which I will be using to build a
string of KeyValues provided by
the user.

Thanks again and Happy New Year,

Strah
--
Strah @ Langan

"Jorge" <an*******@disc ussions.microso ft.com> wrote in message
news:00******** *************** *****@phx.gbl.. .

Hello Strah
You can use something like it but it will only find one
character...

Private Sub ComboBox1_KeyDo wn(ByVal sender As Object,
ByVal e As System.Windows. Forms.KeyEventA rgs) Handles
ComboBox1.KeyDo wn
Me.ComboBox1.Fi ndString(e.KeyV alue.ToString)
End Sub
Kind Regards
Jorge

-----Original Message-----
Could anyone help me with the following:

Is there a quick, or at least known way to
force a ComboBox, having DropDownStyle=
DropDownList , to recognize keyboard input
and perform Item selection based on that.

To be more specific: I have a list of 150 items
(all 7-digit numeric values) represented in
the combobox, and they are sorted. Instead
of scrolling to the specific item, I'd like to
be able to start typing on the keyboard and
have combobox recognize what I am typing,
and based on that, the selected value gets
changed. As I am progressing with the keyboard
input, the selection gets narrowed down.
Say I have to find number 1455601, and start
typing '1' on the keyboard, and first Item that starts
with '1' gets selected, then I type in '4', the second
digit, and then first item starting with '14' in the
combobox list gets selected, and I type in '5'
and selected item is first value starting with '145'
and so forth.

This behavior is very similar to Windows Explorer
(at least in WinXP) when there is a large number
of folders, and instead of scrolling up and down
the browser, typing in first few letters/numbers
of the folder, the sought folder gets selected.

Thanks in advance,

Strah

.

[Sueffel]

If you go to my site in about an hour, http://www.tiberiansun.us/Projects, I
have a control there that does a pattern match on what you typed in, so as
you type, things get eliminated. It's a new implementation of my old
AutoCombeX for VB6.

HTH
Sueffel
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.556 / Virus Database: 348 - Release Date: 12/26/2003

[Strahimir Antoljak]

Hi Sueffel,

thanks for your help, I appreciate it a lot.
I am not sure I would change entire control
for something like that, I was just looking
for a possible property, or piece of code.
Now, that it seems that what I am looking
for is not that common, I will spend some
time to develop it myself.

Thanks,

--
Strah
"Sueffel" <so*****@somewh ere.com> wrote in message
news:eU******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP11.phx.gbl...

If you go to my site in about an hour, http://www.tiberiansun.us/Projects, I have a control there that does a pattern match on what you typed in, so as
you type, things get eliminated. It's a new implementation of my old
AutoCombeX for VB6.

HTH
Sueffel
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.556 / Virus Database: 348 - Release Date: 12/26/2003

[Strahimir Antoljak]

never mind, I've got it. thanks

--
Strah @ Langan

"Strahimir Antoljak" <st***@netzero. net> wrote in message
news:e3******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP09.phx.gbl...

Could anyone help me with the following:

Is there a quick, or at least known way to
force a ComboBox, having DropDownStyle=
DropDownList, to recognize keyboard input
and perform Item selection based on that.

To be more specific: I have a list of 150 items
(all 7-digit numeric values) represented in
the combobox, and they are sorted. Instead
of scrolling to the specific item, I'd like to
be able to start typing on the keyboard and
have combobox recognize what I am typing,
and based on that, the selected value gets
changed. As I am progressing with the keyboard
input, the selection gets narrowed down.
Say I have to find number 1455601, and start
typing '1' on the keyboard, and first Item that starts
with '1' gets selected, then I type in '4', the second
digit, and then first item starting with '14' in the
combobox list gets selected, and I type in '5'
and selected item is first value starting with '145'
and so forth.

This behavior is very similar to Windows Explorer
(at least in WinXP) when there is a large number
of folders, and instead of scrolling up and down
the browser, typing in first few letters/numbers
of the folder, the sought folder gets selected.

Thanks in advance,

Strah

[One Handed Man [ OHM# ]]

OK, then let us have it too.

OHM
Strahimir Antoljak wrote:

never mind, I've got it. thanks
"Strahimir Antoljak" <st***@netzero. net> wrote in message
news:e3******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP09.phx.gbl...

Could anyone help me with the following:

Is there a quick, or at least known way to
force a ComboBox, having DropDownStyle=
DropDownList, to recognize keyboard input
and perform Item selection based on that.

To be more specific: I have a list of 150 items
(all 7-digit numeric values) represented in
the combobox, and they are sorted. Instead
of scrolling to the specific item, I'd like to
be able to start typing on the keyboard and
have combobox recognize what I am typing,
and based on that, the selected value gets
changed. As I am progressing with the keyboard
input, the selection gets narrowed down.
Say I have to find number 1455601, and start
typing '1' on the keyboard, and first Item that starts
with '1' gets selected, then I type in '4', the second
digit, and then first item starting with '14' in the
combobox list gets selected, and I type in '5'
and selected item is first value starting with '145'
and so forth.

This behavior is very similar to Windows Explorer
(at least in WinXP) when there is a large number
of folders, and instead of scrolling up and down
the browser, typing in first few letters/numbers
of the folder, the sought folder gets selected.

Thanks in advance,

Strah

--
Best Regards - OHM

O_H_M{at}BTInte rnet{dot}com

[Strahimir Antoljak]

This solution will 'remember' your keys
typed sequence for 1200 milliseconds
(1.2 secs) and then it will start over (that
is similar to WinExplorer).

If you want the procedure to remember it
for some other timespan, change:
Now.AddMillisec onds(1200)
to
Now.AddMillisec onds(iOtherValu e)

Thanks,

Strah

Private Sub ComboBox1_KeyPr ess(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As
System.Windows. Forms.KeyPressE ventArgs) Handles ComboBox1.KeyPr ess

Static sFindString As String = ""
Static HoldForFewSecs As DateTime = "1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM"

If HoldForFewSecs = "1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM" Then HoldForFewSecs =
Now.AddMillisec onds(1200)

Dim index As Integer
If Now < HoldForFewSecs Then
sFindString &= e.KeyChar.ToStr ing
index = Me.ComboBox1.Fi ndString(sFindS tring)
ComboBox1.Selec tedIndex = index
Else
sFindString = e.KeyChar.ToStr ing
index = Me.ComboBox1.Fi ndString(sFindS tring)
ComboBox1.Selec tedIndex = index
HoldForFewSecs = "1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM"
End If

End Sub
--
Strah
"One Handed Man [ OHM# ]" <O_H_M{at}BTInt ernet{dot}com> wrote in message
news:ud******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP10.phx.gbl...

OK, then let us have it too.

OHM
Strahimir Antoljak wrote:

never mind, I've got it. thanks
"Strahimir Antoljak" <st***@netzero. net> wrote in message
news:e3******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP09.phx.gbl...

Could anyone help me with the following:

Is there a quick, or at least known way to
force a ComboBox, having DropDownStyle=
DropDownList, to recognize keyboard input
and perform Item selection based on that.

To be more specific: I have a list of 150 items
(all 7-digit numeric values) represented in
the combobox, and they are sorted. Instead
of scrolling to the specific item, I'd like to
be able to start typing on the keyboard and
have combobox recognize what I am typing,
and based on that, the selected value gets
changed. As I am progressing with the keyboard
input, the selection gets narrowed down.
Say I have to find number 1455601, and start
typing '1' on the keyboard, and first Item that starts
with '1' gets selected, then I type in '4', the second
digit, and then first item starting with '14' in the
combobox list gets selected, and I type in '5'
and selected item is first value starting with '145'
and so forth.

This behavior is very similar to Windows Explorer
(at least in WinXP) when there is a large number
of folders, and instead of scrolling up and down
the browser, typing in first few letters/numbers
of the folder, the sought folder gets selected.

Thanks in advance,

Strah

--
Best Regards - OHM

O_H_M{at}BTInte rnet{dot}com

[One Handed Man [ OHM# ]]

Thanx.

OHM

Strahimir Antoljak wrote:

This solution will 'remember' your keys
typed sequence for 1200 milliseconds
(1.2 secs) and then it will start over (that
is similar to WinExplorer).

If you want the procedure to remember it
for some other timespan, change:
Now.AddMillisec onds(1200)
to
Now.AddMillisec onds(iOtherValu e)

Thanks,

Strah

Private Sub ComboBox1_KeyPr ess(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As
System.Windows. Forms.KeyPressE ventArgs) Handles ComboBox1.KeyPr ess

Static sFindString As String = ""
Static HoldForFewSecs As DateTime = "1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM"

If HoldForFewSecs = "1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM" Then
HoldForFewSecs = Now.AddMillisec onds(1200)

Dim index As Integer
If Now < HoldForFewSecs Then
sFindString &= e.KeyChar.ToStr ing
index = Me.ComboBox1.Fi ndString(sFindS tring)
ComboBox1.Selec tedIndex = index
Else
sFindString = e.KeyChar.ToStr ing
index = Me.ComboBox1.Fi ndString(sFindS tring)
ComboBox1.Selec tedIndex = index
HoldForFewSecs = "1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM"
End If

End Sub

"One Handed Man [ OHM# ]" <O_H_M{at}BTInt ernet{dot}com> wrote in
message news:ud******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP10.phx.gbl...

OK, then let us have it too.

OHM
Strahimir Antoljak wrote:

never mind, I've got it. thanks
"Strahimir Antoljak" <st***@netzero. net> wrote in message
news:e3******** ******@TK2MSFTN GP09.phx.gbl...
Could anyone help me with the following:

Is there a quick, or at least known way to
force a ComboBox, having DropDownStyle=
DropDownList, to recognize keyboard input
and perform Item selection based on that.

To be more specific: I have a list of 150 items
(all 7-digit numeric values) represented in
the combobox, and they are sorted. Instead
of scrolling to the specific item, I'd like to
be able to start typing on the keyboard and
have combobox recognize what I am typing,
and based on that, the selected value gets
changed. As I am progressing with the keyboard
input, the selection gets narrowed down.
Say I have to find number 1455601, and start
typing '1' on the keyboard, and first Item that starts
with '1' gets selected, then I type in '4', the second
digit, and then first item starting with '14' in the
combobox list gets selected, and I type in '5'
and selected item is first value starting with '145'
and so forth.

This behavior is very similar to Windows Explorer
(at least in WinXP) when there is a large number
of folders, and instead of scrolling up and down
the browser, typing in first few letters/numbers
of the folder, the sought folder gets selected.

Thanks in advance,

Strah

--
Best Regards - OHM

O_H_M{at}BTInte rnet{dot}com

--
Best Regards - OHM

O_H_M{at}BTInte rnet{dot}com