How to Make a TextBox Behave...

[Gene Hubert]

How do I make a TextBox behave like the address bar in IE? That is...

If focus is not on the tb, select all text if clicking on the tb or
tabbing into the tb. Clicking again deselects the text and sets the
insertion point to where clicked.

I've tried several options inheriting from TextBox but none work quite
right.

Thanks Much,
Gene H.

[Imran Koradia]

you could do something like this:

Private bJustGotFocus as boolean '(class level boolean variable)

private sub TextBox1_GotFocus(byval sender as object, _
byval e as System.EventArgs) Handles TextBox1.GotFocus
bJustGotFocus = True
end sub

private sub TextBox1_LostFocus(byval sender as object, _
byval e as System.EventArgs) Handles TextBox1.LostFocus
bJustGotFocus = False
end sub

private sub TextBox1_MouseDown(byval sender as object, _
byval e as System.Windows.Forms.MouseEventArgs) _
Handles TextBox1.MouseDown
if bJustGotFocus then
TextBox1.Select(0, TextBox1.TextLength)
bJustGotFocus = false
end if
end sub

should work like the address bar textbox..
hope this helps..
imran.

"Gene Hubert" <gw******@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:7e**************************@posting.google.c om...

How do I make a TextBox behave like the address bar in IE? That is...

If focus is not on the tb, select all text if clicking on the tb or
tabbing into the tb. Clicking again deselects the text and sets the
insertion point to where clicked.

I've tried several options inheriting from TextBox but none work quite
right.

Thanks Much,
Gene H.

[Gene Hubert]

I think this is what you had in mind but it does not work. It handles
the case of clicking into the textbox but does not handle tabbing into
the textbox. I've tried several variations of this before and after
my original post but none worked quite right.

This is such a common UI element that I thought I'd find the answer
right away after searching this group but I don't think it is there.

It seems simple enough. Anyone else want to have a run at it?

Gene H.

==============================
Option Strict On
Option Explicit On

Public Class BaseTextBox
Inherits System.Windows.Forms.TextBox

Private bJustGotFocus as boolean '(class level boolean variable)

private sub TextBox1_GotFocus(byval sender as object, byval e as
System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.GotFocus
bJustGotFocus = True
end sub

private sub TextBox1_LostFocus(byval sender as object, byval e as
System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.LostFocus
bJustGotFocus = False
end sub

private sub TextBox1_MouseDown(byval sender as object, byval e as
System.Windows.Forms.MouseEventArgs) Handles MyBase.MouseDown
if bJustGotFocus then
me.Select(0, me.TextLength)
bJustGotFocus = false
end if
end sub
End Class
==================================
"Imran Koradia" <no****@microsoft.com> wrote in message news:<eZ**************@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl>...

you could do something like this:

Private bJustGotFocus as boolean '(class level boolean variable)

private sub TextBox1_GotFocus(byval sender as object, _
byval e as System.EventArgs) Handles TextBox1.GotFocus
bJustGotFocus = True
end sub

private sub TextBox1_LostFocus(byval sender as object, _
byval e as System.EventArgs) Handles TextBox1.LostFocus
bJustGotFocus = False
end sub

private sub TextBox1_MouseDown(byval sender as object, _
byval e as System.Windows.Forms.MouseEventArgs) _
Handles TextBox1.MouseDown
if bJustGotFocus then
TextBox1.Select(0, TextBox1.TextLength)
bJustGotFocus = false
end if
end sub

should work like the address bar textbox..
hope this helps..
imran.

"Gene Hubert" <gw******@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:7e**************************@posting.google.c om...

How do I make a TextBox behave like the address bar in IE? That is...

If focus is not on the tb, select all text if clicking on the tb or
tabbing into the tb. Clicking again deselects the text and sets the
insertion point to where clicked.

I've tried several options inheriting from TextBox but none work quite
right.

Thanks Much,
Gene H.

[Imran Koradia]

hmmm..I see your point. If you click the first time, it will select the
whole text. the second time you click, it just sets the cursor to that
position. after that, everytime you tab into that textbox using the tab key,
it just shows the cursor and does not select the entire text. so - lets try
this again and this time with 2 booleans :)

Private bHasFocus As Boolean 'class level boolean variable
Private bJustGotFocus As Boolean 'class level boolean variable
Private Sub TextBox1_GotFocus(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles TextBox1.GotFocus
TextBox1.Select(0, TextBox1.TextLength)
bHasFocus = True
End Sub

Private Sub TextBox1_LostFocus(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles TextBox1.LostFocus
bHasFocus = False
bJustGotFocus = False
End Sub

Private Sub TextBox1_MouseDown(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.MouseEventArgs) _
Handles TextBox1.MouseDown
If Not bHasFocus Or Not bJustGotFocus Then
TextBox1.Select(0, TextBox1.TextLength)
bHasFocus = True
bJustGotFocus = True
End If
End Sub

this works on my machine - or atleast i think so :) give it a try and let me
know if it helps..
imran.

"Gene Hubert" <gw******@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:7e**************************@posting.google.c om...

I think this is what you had in mind but it does not work. It handles
the case of clicking into the textbox but does not handle tabbing into
the textbox. I've tried several variations of this before and after
my original post but none worked quite right.

This is such a common UI element that I thought I'd find the answer
right away after searching this group but I don't think it is there.

It seems simple enough. Anyone else want to have a run at it?

Gene H.

==============================
Option Strict On
Option Explicit On

Public Class BaseTextBox
Inherits System.Windows.Forms.TextBox

Private bJustGotFocus as boolean '(class level boolean variable)

private sub TextBox1_GotFocus(byval sender as object, byval e as
System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.GotFocus
bJustGotFocus = True
end sub

private sub TextBox1_LostFocus(byval sender as object, byval e as
System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.LostFocus
bJustGotFocus = False
end sub

private sub TextBox1_MouseDown(byval sender as object, byval e as
System.Windows.Forms.MouseEventArgs) Handles MyBase.MouseDown
if bJustGotFocus then
me.Select(0, me.TextLength)
bJustGotFocus = false
end if
end sub
End Class
==================================
"Imran Koradia" <no****@microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:<eZ**************@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl>...

you could do something like this:

Private bJustGotFocus as boolean '(class level boolean variable)

private sub TextBox1_GotFocus(byval sender as object, _
byval e as System.EventArgs) Handles TextBox1.GotFocus
bJustGotFocus = True
end sub

private sub TextBox1_LostFocus(byval sender as object, _
byval e as System.EventArgs) Handles TextBox1.LostFocus
bJustGotFocus = False
end sub

private sub TextBox1_MouseDown(byval sender as object, _
byval e as System.Windows.Forms.MouseEventArgs) _
Handles TextBox1.MouseDown
if bJustGotFocus then
TextBox1.Select(0, TextBox1.TextLength)
bJustGotFocus = false
end if
end sub

should work like the address bar textbox..
hope this helps..
imran.

"Gene Hubert" <gw******@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:7e**************************@posting.google.c om...

How do I make a TextBox behave like the address bar in IE? That is...

If focus is not on the tb, select all text if clicking on the tb or
tabbing into the tb. Clicking again deselects the text and sets the
insertion point to where clicked.

I've tried several options inheriting from TextBox but none work quite
right.

Thanks Much,
Gene H.

[Gene Hubert]

"Imran Koradia" <no****@microsoft.com> wrote in message news:<OZ**************@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl>...

hmmm..I see your point. If you click the first time, it will select the
whole text. the second time you click, it just sets the cursor to that
position. after that, everytime you tab into that textbox using the tab key,
it just shows the cursor and does not select the entire text. so - lets try
this again and this time with 2 booleans :)

....

Thanks much. It is very close and works the same as some of the
versions that I have tried. The only imperfection is this. Once you
tab into the textbox you have to click two times to get into edit
mode. The first click simply selects all the text a second time.

It seems simple enough but has proven elusive. Maybe one of the
VB.net luminaries will catch this thread and put it to rest.

Gene H.

[Cor Ligthert]

Hi Gene,

Nice chalenge

Can you try this one?

Cor
\\\You need 2 textboxes to test it, to get it out of focus.
Private first As Boolean
Private Sub TextBox1_MouseDown(ByVal sender _
As Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.MouseEventArgs) _
Handles TextBox1.MouseDown
If first Then
Me.TextBox1.SelectAll()
End If
first = False
End Sub
Private Sub TextBox1_LostFocus(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles TextBox1.LostFocus
first = True
End Sub
///

[Gene Hubert]

Thanks Cor.

This handles clicking into the textbox as advertised but the text is
not selected when I tab into it.

Hmmm, I'm thinking that maybe I need to increase the reward for a
correct solution!??? Or maybe contact Mr. Gates directly?

Gene H.

"Cor Ligthert" <no**********@planet.nl> wrote in message news:<OF**************@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl>...

Hi Gene,

Nice chalenge

Can you try this one?

Cor
\\\You need 2 textboxes to test it, to get it out of focus.
Private first As Boolean
Private Sub TextBox1_MouseDown(ByVal sender _
As Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.MouseEventArgs) _
Handles TextBox1.MouseDown
If first Then
Me.TextBox1.SelectAll()
End If
first = False
End Sub
Private Sub TextBox1_LostFocus(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles TextBox1.LostFocus
first = True
End Sub
///

[Cor Ligthert]

Hi Gene,

I did not understand what you was meaning with that tb

Add this class and use this textbox in the code I have sended in the message
before (where is as system.bla bla textbox in your designer code part change
that to Mytextbox on 2 places)

And give it a try, I am curious if this needs more what your wish because I
am not sure of that sentence of the tb of you? I did not fine tune it if it
goes in all circumstances.

I hope this helps?

Cor

\\\
Class MyTextbox
Inherits TextBox
Protected Overrides Function ProcessCmdKey _
(ByRef msg As Message, ByVal keyData As Keys) As Boolean
Const WM_KEYDOWN As Integer = &H100
Const WM_SYSKEYDOWN As Integer = &H104
If ((msg.Msg = WM_KEYDOWN) Or (msg.Msg = WM_SYSKEYDOWN)) _
And keyData = Keys.Tab Then
If SelectionLength <> Text.Length Then
SelectAll()
Else
SelectionLength = 0
End If
End If
End Function
End Class
///

This handles clicking into the textbox as advertised but the text is
not selected when I tab into it.

Hmmm, I'm thinking that maybe I need to increase the reward for a
correct solution!??? Or maybe contact Mr. Gates directly?

Gene H.

[Gene Hubert]

I'll give it a try in the morning Cor and post the outcome here.

Sorry for the misunderstanding of tb. I meant textbox by it. i.e.
"If focus is not on the textbox, select all text if clicking on the
textbox or
tabbing into the textbox. Clicking again deselects the text and sets
the
insertion point to where clicked."

Gene H.

"Cor Ligthert" <no**********@planet.nl> wrote in message news:<#v**************@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl>...

Hi Gene,

I did not understand what you was meaning with that tb

Add this class and use this textbox in the code I have sended in the message
before (where is as system.bla bla textbox in your designer code part change
that to Mytextbox on 2 places)

And give it a try, I am curious if this needs more what your wish because I
am not sure of that sentence of the tb of you? I did not fine tune it if it
goes in all circumstances.

I hope this helps?

Cor

\\\
Class MyTextbox
Inherits TextBox
Protected Overrides Function ProcessCmdKey _
(ByRef msg As Message, ByVal keyData As Keys) As Boolean
Const WM_KEYDOWN As Integer = &H100
Const WM_SYSKEYDOWN As Integer = &H104
If ((msg.Msg = WM_KEYDOWN) Or (msg.Msg = WM_SYSKEYDOWN)) _
And keyData = Keys.Tab Then
If SelectionLength <> Text.Length Then
SelectAll()
Else
SelectionLength = 0
End If
End If
End Function
End Class
///

This handles clicking into the textbox as advertised but the text is
not selected when I tab into it.

Hmmm, I'm thinking that maybe I need to increase the reward for a
correct solution!??? Or maybe contact Mr. Gates directly?

Gene H.

[Gene Hubert]

Well, it is still not acting quite right.

The derived textbox object on the form is AutoSelectTextBox2.

I've got this code on the form:
====================================
Private first As Boolean

Private Sub TextBox1_GotFocus(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As
System.EventArgs) Handles AutoSelectTextBox2.GotFocus
first = True
End Sub

Private Sub TextBox1_MouseDown(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As
System.Windows.Forms.MouseEventArgs) Handles
AutoSelectTextBox2.MouseDown
If first Then
Me.TextBox1.SelectAll()
End If
first = False
End Sub
=====================================

I've got this code for the ancestor:
===============================================
Option Strict On
Option Explicit On

Public Class AutoSelectTextBox
Inherits TextBox

Protected Overrides Function ProcessCmdKey _
(ByRef msg As Message, ByVal keyData As Keys) As Boolean
Const WM_KEYDOWN As Integer = &H100
Const WM_SYSKEYDOWN As Integer = &H104
If ((msg.Msg = WM_KEYDOWN) Or (msg.Msg = WM_SYSKEYDOWN)) And
keyData = Keys.Tab Then
If SelectionLength <> Text.Length Then
SelectAll()
Else
SelectionLength = 0
End If
End If
End Function
End Class
====================================

Is this what you intended?

Gene H.

"Cor Ligthert" <no**********@planet.nl> wrote in message news:<#v**************@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl>...

Hi Gene,

I did not understand what you was meaning with that tb

Add this class and use this textbox in the code I have sended in the message
before (where is as system.bla bla textbox in your designer code part change
that to Mytextbox on 2 places)

And give it a try, I am curious if this needs more what your wish because I
am not sure of that sentence of the tb of you? I did not fine tune it if it
goes in all circumstances.

I hope this helps?

Cor

\\\
Class MyTextbox
Inherits TextBox
Protected Overrides Function ProcessCmdKey _
(ByRef msg As Message, ByVal keyData As Keys) As Boolean
Const WM_KEYDOWN As Integer = &H100
Const WM_SYSKEYDOWN As Integer = &H104
If ((msg.Msg = WM_KEYDOWN) Or (msg.Msg = WM_SYSKEYDOWN)) _
And keyData = Keys.Tab Then
If SelectionLength <> Text.Length Then
SelectAll()
Else
SelectionLength = 0
End If
End If
End Function
End Class
///

This handles clicking into the textbox as advertised but the text is
not selected when I tab into it.

Hmmm, I'm thinking that maybe I need to increase the reward for a
correct solution!??? Or maybe contact Mr. Gates directly?

Gene H.

[Gene Hubert]

There was a typo in the code I posted about an hour ago. Here's the
corrected portion only with the underscores marking the fix...

I've got this code on the form:
====================================
Private first As Boolean

Private Sub TextBox1_MouseDown(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As
System.Windows.Forms.MouseEventArgs) Handles
AutoSelectTextBox2.MouseDown
If first Then
____Me.TextBox1____.SelectAll()
End If
first = False
End Sub
=====================================

It should have been:

I've got this code on the form:
====================================
Private first As Boolean

Private Sub TextBox1_MouseDown(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As
System.Windows.Forms.MouseEventArgs) Handles
AutoSelectTextBox2.MouseDown
If first Then
____AutoSelectTextBox2____.SelectAll()
End If
first = False
End Sub
=====================================

It comes closer to working with the fix but is still not quite there.

[Cor Ligthert]

Hi Gene,

What is it what is not worked as inteded, with this information I and I
think nobody can do something, for me it is working.

Cor

[Gene Hubert]

After tabbing into the textbox, I have to click two times to get into edit mode.

Everything else is ok, I think.

Gene H.

"Cor Ligthert" <no**********@planet.nl> wrote in message news:<eJ**************@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl>...

Hi Gene,

What is it what is not worked as inteded, with this information I and I
think nobody can do something, for me it is working.

Cor