Q153310: How to Select All Text in a Field When It Gets the Focus

Article: Q153310
Product(s): Microsoft Visual Basic for Windows
Version(s): 4.00 | 4.00
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbcode
Last Modified: 11-JAN-2001

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

- Microsoft Visual Basic Standard Edition, 32-bit, for Windows, version 4.0 
- Microsoft Visual Basic Professional Edition, 16-bit, for Windows, version 4.0 
- Microsoft Visual Basic Professional Edition, 32-bit, for Windows, version 4.0 
- Microsoft Visual Basic Enterprise Edition, 16-bit, for Windows, version 4.0 
- Microsoft Visual Basic Enterprise Edition, 32-bit, for Windows, version 4.0 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY
=======

In many cases, it is best to select or highlight the full text of a field when
that field gains the focus. This allows the user to simply begin typing to
replace the original text with new text or to press TAB to leave text as it is,
and move to the next field. This is particularly useful in screens where there
are multiple text boxes bound to a Data control for example.

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

Step by Step Example
--------------------

1. Start a new project in Visual Basic. Form1 is created by default.

2. Place three text boxes on the form named Text1, Text2, and Text3.

3. Add the following code to the form1 code window:

     Option Explicit

     Sub Form_Load()
        Text1_lostfocus
        Text2_lostfocus
        Text3_lostfocus
     End Sub

     Sub SetSelected(ctl As Textbox)
        ctl.SelStart = 0
        ctl.SelLength = Len(ctl.Text)
     End Sub

     Private Sub text1_LostFocus()
         Call SetSelected(text1)
     End Sub

     Private Sub text2_LostFocus()
         Call SetSelected(text2)
     End Sub

     Private Sub text3_LostFocus()
         Call SetSelected(text3)
     End Sub

4. On the Run menu, click Start or press F5. You will notice that as you move to
  each text box, the text is highlighted as opposed to the default behavior of
  the mouse pointer remaining in front of the first letter in] the text box.

REFERENCES
==========

Visual Basic Language Reference, SelLength, SelStart Properties, Pages 842-844

  Q110394 How to Automatically Select or Highlight Text Box Upon Focus

Additional query words: 4.00 vb4win vb4all highlight

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbcode 
Technology        : kbVBSearch kbAudDeveloper kbVB400Search kbVB400 kbVB16bitSearch
Version           : 4.00 | 4.00

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

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.