How to Pass Variable Values Between Forms?

[Dan Verssen]

I have 2 forms that I need to go back and forth on a regular basis.

I am using Hide/Show to only display one form at a time.

If Form1 puts a value in a variable, then I Hide Form1 and Show Form2, how can I move the value to Form2 so Form2 can display and change it?

Basically, how do I define a sub that runs each time its Form is Shown?

[Clanguage]

Public Class Form1   
    Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click
        Dim form As New Form2
        form.Show()
        Me.Label1.Text = form.Label1.Text
    End Sub
End Class
 
Public Class Form2
    Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click
        Dim form As New Form1
        form.Show()
        Me.Label1.Text = form.Label1.Text
    End Sub
End Class

The forms keep the values of the variables, accessing them is therefore easy. Put 2 forms in a project and paste the code behind each form. You should be able to see what happens to the variables. Note that the forms are not destroyed so that you can create many instances of the forms.
Good luck.

[Dan Verssen]

Thank you! I will give this a try.

Is there a way to pass the information without the need of a button click or other user action?

For example, on Form1 the variable: username="Dan". When I Show Form2, how can I have a label's text show the value of the username variable ("Dan")?

[kadghar]

Thank you! I will give this a try.

Is there a way to pass the information without the need of a button click or other user action?

For example, on Form1 the variable: username="Dan". When I Show Form2, how can I have a label's text show the value of the username variable ("Dan")?

use a variable in a module and make a function to call and a sub to write.
e.g.:

'(in a module)
option explicit
dim Str1 as string
 
sub WriteFn(wStr1 as string) 
  str1 = wstr1
end sub
 
public function ReadFn() as string
  readfn = str1
end function
 
'(in Form1)
sub command1_click()
call writefn(textbox1.text)
end sub
 
'(in Form2)
sub form2_load() 'or initialize, or watever
label1.caption = readfn
end sub

HTH

[Dan Verssen]

I like the idea of writing it to a file.

From what I've seen, the Load contents are only executed the first time a Form is Shown. If I bounce back and forth between Forms, the Load contents do not get executed each time the Form is Shown.

Is there a simple way to have a section of code run each time a Form is shown that does not involve a user action?

[kadghar]

I like the idea of writing it to a file.

From what I've seen, the Load contents are only executed the first time a Form is Shown. If I bounce back and forth between Forms, the Load contents do not get executed each time the Form is Shown.

Is there a simple way to have a section of code run each time a Form is shown that does not involve a user action?

use the Load, or the Initialize sub in the form, that actions are done when the sub is initialized or loaded. (it vary with the version of vb, but you should be able to find which sub fits you)

[Dan Verssen]

The problem I've had with "Load" is it only gets performed the first time the Form is Shown. Each time I re-Show the Form, it isn't performed.

Does Initialize get performed every time a Form is Shown?

[Dan Verssen]

I'm a little confused. I would have thought that running code everytime a Form is Shown would be a casual everyday thing to do.

Yet, everything involved with this seems to be a major hassle.

Any ideas?

[Dan Verssen]

Got It!

I called a friend who is a programmer.

To get code to run each time a Form is Shown, put it inside its "Activate" event.

Many thanks to everyone who replied!