Problem with tabbing and option buttons

[Edward]

I have a data entry form that allows the user to navigate around
entirely using the keyboard. However, it contains various option
button controls which are in the tab order. Whenever they are "hit"
in the tab order, they are immediately "pressed" (e.g. they go from
Unchecked to Checked) Is there any way of suppressing this action
while still keeping them in the tab order?

TIA

Edward
--
The reading group's reading group:
http://www.bookgroup.org.uk

[Raoul Watson]

"Edward" <te********@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:25**************************@posting.google.c om...

I have a data entry form that allows the user to navigate around
entirely using the keyboard. However, it contains various option
button controls which are in the tab order. Whenever they are "hit"
in the tab order, they are immediately "pressed" (e.g. they go from
Unchecked to Checked) Is there any way of suppressing this action
while still keeping them in the tab order?

First of all, you should grou your option buttons using a frame. This way,
you don't have to do any coding to ensure that only one option button is
selected.

The grouped option button behaves correctly as per the standard user
interface. As you enter, the first option (radio) button is selected. Within
the group you would use the up and down arrow keys to move the selection and
the mark. Then use TAB to move out of the group. This need to be done
because you cannot leave a group of option button with nothing selected. The
way you want to do it it would make it possible (which would violate user
interface). If you want to allow none or all, you should use check boxes.

[Edward]

"Raoul Watson" <Wa*****@IntelligenCIA.com> wrote in message news:<eB*****************@nwrddc02.gnilink.net>...

"Edward" <te********@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:25**************************@posting.google.c om...

I have a data entry form that allows the user to navigate around
entirely using the keyboard. However, it contains various option
button controls which are in the tab order. Whenever they are "hit"
in the tab order, they are immediately "pressed" (e.g. they go from
Unchecked to Checked) Is there any way of suppressing this action
while still keeping them in the tab order?

First of all, you should grou your option buttons using a frame. This way,
you don't have to do any coding to ensure that only one option button is
selected.

The grouped option button behaves correctly as per the standard user
interface. As you enter, the first option (radio) button is selected. Within
the group you would use the up and down arrow keys to move the selection and
the mark. Then use TAB to move out of the group. This need to be done
because you cannot leave a group of option button with nothing selected. The
way you want to do it it would make it possible (which would violate user
interface). If you want to allow none or all, you should use check boxes.

Thanks for this. The form is by now far too complex to be reworked in
the way that you suggest. However, within the terms of reference of
my application, you are wrong when you suggest that "If you want to
allow none or all, you should use check boxes". My application is
designed to capture survey data, and no entry is marked down as no
answer. Although I suppose I could add an extra option button for
just that contingency, though we are seriously running out of screen
real estate.

Edward
--
The reading group's reading group:
http://www.bookgroup.org.uk

[J French]

On 1 Nov 2003 08:30:44 -0800, te********@hotmail.com (Edward) wrote:
<snip>

Thanks for this. The form is by now far too complex to be reworked in
the way that you suggest.
In that case it is about time you ripped the App apart and rebuilt it
However, within the terms of reference of
my application, you are wrong when you suggest that "If you want to
allow none or all, you should use check boxes".
Actually, I think he is right
- your problem is the peculiar behaviour of 'grouped' option buttons
- check boxes do not behave in that perverse manner

- however personally I would use a UserControl ...
My application is
designed to capture survey data, and no entry is marked down as no
answer. Although I suppose I could add an extra option button for
just that contingency, though we are seriously running out of screen
real estate.

The 'no answer' bit is not relevant to your problem
- and I don't think Raoul was suggesting that it would help
- that is just an explanation of the perverse behaviour of grouped
option buttons (and frankly I don't think it is quite correct - it is
actually down to the Arrow keys - and sadly windows nicks them before
the KeyDown event )

If you are running out of 'screen real estate' then you need to have a
major re-think

Also, if you want to add a question, and you have to touch the source
code, you are skating on thin ice.

Your Form should contain just one Control Array of the very
peculiar/specific input types that you have created
- ideally driven from a parameter file

Look into UserControls, and have a look at some of the more
interesting Windows APIs - DrawFrameControl comes to mind