Q183518: PRB: Cannot Set TabStops in ListBox Using SendMessage API

Article: Q183518
Product(s): Microsoft Visual Basic for Windows
Version(s): 
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbGrpDSVB
Last Modified: 11-JAN-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Visual Basic Learning Edition for Windows, versions 5.0, 6.0 
- Microsoft Visual Basic Professional Edition for Windows, versions 5.0, 6.0 
- Microsoft Visual Basic Enterprise Edition for Windows, versions 5.0, 6.0 
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SYMPTOMS
========

When you use the SendMessage API and the LB_SETTABSTOPS message to define custom
TabStops within a ListBox control to give the appearance of multiple columns,
there is no effect on a ListBox control whose Style property is set to "1 -
Checkbox."

CAUSE
=====

To set the columns in the ListBox, send the ListBox control a LB_SETTABSTOPS
message along with information to define the TabStops. A list box must be
created with the LBS_USETABSTOPS style to respond to this message. The Visual
Basic ListBox with a style set to "1 - Checkbox" is not created with the
LBS_USETABSTOPS style. Therefore, the LB_SETTABSTOPS message has no effect on
the ListBox control.

RESOLUTION
==========

To set custom TabStops within the standard Visual Basic ListBox control, you
must set the style setting to "0 [ASCII 150] Standard." Alternatives include
using controls provided by third-party vendors, or using the Microsoft Grid or
ListView controls to obtain the look and functionality you desire.

STATUS
======

This behavior is by design.

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

Steps to Reproduce Behavior
---------------------------

1. Create a new Standard EXE project.

2. Add a command button to Form1.

3. Add a ListBox control to Form1.

4. Paste the following code into Form1's code window:

        Option Explicit

        Private Declare Function SendMessage Lib "User32" _
                                 Alias "SendMessageA" _
                                 (ByVal hWnd As Long, _
                                 ByVal wMsg As Long, _
                                 ByVal wParam As Long, _
                                 lParam As Any) As Long
        Private Const LB_SETTABSTOPS = &H192

        Private Sub Command1_Click()
            Dim ListBoxTabs(2) As Long
            Dim result As Long

            'Set the tab stop points.
            ListBoxTabs(1) = 75
            ListBoxTabs(2) = 200

            'Send LB_SETTABSTOPS message to ListBox.
            result = SendMessage(List1.hWnd, LB_SETTABSTOPS, _
                                 UBound(ListBoxTabs) + 1, _
                                 ListBoxTabs(1))

            'Refresh the ListBox control.
            List1.Refresh
        End Sub

        Private Sub Form_Load()
            'Add a few items to the ListBox.
            List1.AddItem "January Sales" & vbTab & _
                          "February Sales" & vbTab & _
                          "March Sales"
            List1.AddItem "50" & vbTab & _
                          "500" & vbTab & _
                          "5000"
        End Sub

5. Save and run the project.

6. Click Command1.

  RESULT: Two TabStops are set in the ListBox control. The first is 75 twips and
  the second is 200 twips.

7. Stop the application.

8. Set the Style property of the ListBox control to "1 [ASCII 150] Checkbox."

9. Repeat steps 5 and 6.

  RESULT: The TabStops do not affect the ListBox control.

Additional query words: list box check box kbVBp500 kbVBp600 kbControl kbWin32SDK kbAPI 
kbVBp kbdsd kbDSupport

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbGrpDSVB 
Technology        : kbVBSearch kbAudDeveloper kbZNotKeyword6 kbZNotKeyword2 kbVB500Search kbVB600Search kbVBA500 kbVBA600 kbVB500 kbVB600
Issue type        : kbprb

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