Object won't take focus after AfterUpdate

**MPT** · 12-23-2008, 03:25 AM

please see attached my GUI. I'm using Excel 2003 and VBA 6.5.

The numbers in the GUI picture show tabindex. cmdSave and cmdUndo are disabled objects unless you click cmdEdit.

1) I read a bar code into txtBarcode. Bar code reader adds an [ENTER] after the input so focus will move to the next field (cmdEdit). But:

2) In txtBarcode's afterupdate event I have a routine that checks excel table for matching bar code. If a match is found, identified computer's location and user information are displayed. OK, match found, info displayed, leave txtBarcode.

3) then automatically I would want the txtBarcode to get the focus again so another barcode could be read without the need for user to use the mouse or tab to jump back into the barcode field.

Goal: I want txtBarcode to get the focus back when txtBarcode_afterupdate is run.

Problem: No matter how I try, the focus keeps shifting to the next object in tab index order.

Sort of solution 1: If a dedicate a command button to set focus on txtBarcode, it works. But I would like it to be automated. Problem with "sort of solution 1": If I would call the "cmdSetFocus" or whatever from txtBarcode_afterupdate, it won't work. Focus shifts to cmdEdit.

Sort of solution 2: If I edit cmdEdit_enter() like this: "txtBarcode.setfocus" then focus will shift to txtBarcode because there are only 2 objects that can get focus, txtBarcode and cmdEdit. But in this case I cannot click cmdEdit, because it instantaneously transfers focus to txtBarcode.

I think the problem is about how focus shifts concerning different events, but it has not been easy to figure this out.

I apologize beforehand that since I (and hopefully most of you) have a Christmas holiday, I won't be online during 12/26 - 1/18. Your tips will still be greatly appreciated.

Please Login or Register  to view this content.

**broro183** · 12-23-2008, 04:15 AM

hi,
Sorry, this may not be much of an answer but could point you in the right direction - I've had this hiccup before but I can't remember exactly how I overcame it...

I think it involved putting a Label immediately "before" the txtBarcode (in terms of VBE - View - Tab Order), setting the Label up so that it couldn't accept focus, & then using Label.setfocus with the effect of the focus moving back to the txtbarcode field - I think!

Hth
Rob

**MPT** · 12-23-2008, 07:35 AM

Rob, believe it or not, you gave me a nudge to the right direction! I managed to solve this problem.

1) I set tabstop = false for cmdEdit but left it enabled. So you only could activate it with a mouseclick, but not by tab press.

2) Then I added a cmdTemp (tabIndex 1) right next to txtBarcode (tabIndex 0).

3) Now, what happens is this:
- Text is entered to txtBarcode. ENTER is inputed.
- Only option is to move to the object with the next tabindex = cmdTemp.
- Since cmdEdit has tabstop = false, focus cannot escape to that object.
- And cmdTemp_enter says: "txtBarcode.setfocus". Voila! focus switches back to the only other available object in the form - in txtBarcode.
- And cmdEdit is still clickable by mouse if needed.

Thanks for loaning your brains on this one.

- Mikael