Q142384: HOWTO: How to Create Accelerators for CPropertyPages

Article: Q142384
Product(s): Microsoft C Compiler
Version(s): winnt:2.0,2.1,2.2,4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbcode kbMFC KbUIDesign kbVC400 kbVC410 kbVC410fix kbGrpDSMFCATL kbNoUpdate
Last Modified: 06-MAY-2001

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- The Microsoft Foundation Classes (MFC), used with:
   - Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Editions, versions 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 4.0 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY
=======

By default, the only keystrokes that will allow you to navigate between
CPropertyPages in a CPropertySheet are the CTRL+TAB and SHIFT+CTRL+TAB keys. It
may be desirable to have assigned keys that jump you directly to a particular
page. Although the CPropertySheet object doesn't contain this functionality by
default, you can add it by overriding the CPropertySheet::PreTranslateMessage()
function to check for the desired keystroke.

In the case of ALT key combinations, check for WM_SYSKEYDOWN messages.
OnSysKeyDown cannot be used because the messages will be handled by
::IsDialogMessage before getting to the message handler.

Mnemonics are not possible in versions of the Microsoft Foundation Classes (MFC)
prior to 4.0 because these earlier versions of MFC creates and drew the tabs
using their own techniques. The code uses TextOut() instead of DrawText() to
display text on a tab. TextOut() doesn't interpret the mnemonic-prefix character
(&) as a directive to underscore the character that follows, so you cannot
use this method to designate accelerator keys.

MFC 4.0, which comes with Visual C++ 4.0, uses the Windows 95 Tab control. This
control properly draws mnemonics on the tabs. All you need to do is add the
mnemonic-prefix character (&) to the tab text in the caption field of your
dialog resource.

MORE INFORMATION
================

The following sample code shows how to override the PreTranslateMessage()
function to check for keystrokes. Use ClassWizard to override the
PreTranslateMessage() for a CPropertySheet derived class.

Sample Code
-----------

  /* compile options needed: default
  */ 

  BOOL CMyProp::PreTranslateMessage(MSG* pMsg)
  {
      if (pMsg->message == WM_SYSKEYDOWN)
      {
          switch (pMsg->wParam)
          {
              case 'S' :
                  SetActivePage(0);
                  break;

              case 'C' :
                  SetActivePage(1);
                  break;

              // ... case statements for each key being trapped

              default :  // unhandled keystroke
                  return CPropertySheet::PreTranslateMessage(pMsg);
                  break;
          }

          return TRUE;  // msg is processed
      }
      return CPropertySheet::PreTranslateMessage(pMsg);
  }

Additional query words: 2.00 2.10 2.20 4.00

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbcode kbMFC KbUIDesign kbVC400 kbVC410 kbVC410fix kbGrpDSMFCATL kbNoUpdate 
Technology        : kbAudDeveloper kbMFC
Version           : winnt:2.0,2.1,2.2,4.0
Issue type        : kbhowto

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986-2002.