How to capture shortcut keys in Visual Studio .NET (839201)
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Visual Studio, Enterprise Edition 6.0
INTRODUCTIONThis article describes how to capture keyboard events in the
Form object by using Microsoft Visual Studio .NET. The sample function
demonstrates how to confirm that a user has entered a keyboard
shortcut. back to the topRequirementsThis
article assumes that you are familiar with the following topics:
- Microsoft .NET events
- Microsoft .NET forms
- Microsoft .NET controls
The following examples show how to use Visual Studio .NET to
confirm that the ALT key and the F key are pressed at the same time. This
example also switches the KeyPreview property to show the object that is capturing the KeyDown event. Note When the KeyPreview property is set to True, the form captures the KeyDown event before the control receives the KeyDown event. back to the
topMicrosoft Visual Basic .NETTo verify that the ALT key and the F key are pressed at the same
time, follow these steps:
- Open Visual Studio .NET.
- Create a new Visual Basic Windows Application
project.
- Add a text box to the form.
- In the form, type the following code:
Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
' When the form loads, the KeyPreview property is set to True.
' This lets the form capture keyboard events before
' any other element in the form.
Me.KeyPreview = True
End Sub
Private Sub Form1_KeyDown(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.KeyEventArgs) Handles MyBase.KeyDown
If e.Alt And e.KeyCode.ToString = "F" Then
' When the user presses both the 'ALT' key and 'F' key,
' KeyPreview is set to False, and a message appears.
' This message is only displayed when KeyPreview is set to True.
Me.KeyPreview = False
MsgBox("KeyPreview is True, and this is from the FORM.")
End If
End Sub
Private Sub TextBox1_KeyDown(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.KeyEventArgs) Handles TextBox1.KeyDown
If e.Alt And e.KeyCode.ToString = "F" Then
' When the user presses both the 'Alt key and the 'F' key,
' KeyPreview is set to True, and a message appears.
' This message is only displayed when KeyPreview is set to False.
Me.KeyPreview = True
MsgBox("KeyPreview is False, and this is from the CONTROL")
End If
End Sub
back to the topMicrosoft Visual C# .NETTo verify that the ALT key and the F key are pressed at the same
time, follow these steps:
- Open Visual Studio .NET.
- Create a new Visual C# Windows Application
project.
- Add a text box to the form.
- In the form, type the following code:
private void Form1_Load(object sender, System.EventArgs e)
{
// Set these when the form loads:
// Have the form capture keyboard events first.
this.KeyPreview = true;
// Assign the event handler to the form.
this.KeyDown += new System.Windows.Forms.KeyEventHandler(this.Form1_KeyDown);
// Assign the event handler to the text box.
this.textBox1.KeyDown += new System.Windows.Forms.KeyEventHandler(this.textBox1_KeyDown);
}
private void Form1_KeyDown(object sender, KeyEventArgs e)
{
if (e.Alt && e.KeyCode.ToString() == "F")
{
// When the user presses both the 'Alt' key and 'F' key,
// KeyPreview is set to False, and a message appears.
// This message is only displayed when KeyPreview is set to True.
this.KeyPreview = false;
MessageBox.Show("KeyPreview is True, and this is from the FORM.");
}
}
private void textBox1_KeyDown(object sender, KeyEventArgs e)
{
if (e.Alt && e.KeyCode.ToString() == "F")
{
// When the user presses both the 'Alt' key and 'F' key,
// KeyPreview is set to False, and a message appears.
// This message is only displayed when KeyPreview is set to False.
this.KeyPreview = true;
MessageBox.Show("KeyPreview is False, and this is from the CONTROL.");
}
} back to
the topMicrosoft Visual C++ .NETTo verify that the ALT key and the F key are pressed at the same
time, follow these steps:
- Open Visual Studio .NET.
- Create a new Visual C++ Windows Forms Application
project.
- Add two text boxes to the form.
- In the form, type the following code:
private: System::Void Form1_Load(System::Object * sender, System::EventArgs * e)
{
// Set these when the form loads:
// Have the form capture keyboard events first.
this->KeyPreview = true;
// Assign the event handler to the form.
this->KeyDown += new System::Windows::Forms::KeyEventHandler(this, FormKeyDown);
// Assign the event handler to the text box.
this->textBox1->KeyDown += new System::Windows::Forms::KeyEventHandler(this, TextBoxKeyDown);
}
private: System::Void FormKeyDown(System::Object * sender, System::Windows::Forms::KeyEventArgs * e)
{
if(e->Alt && e->KeyCode == System::Windows::Forms::Keys::F){
// When the user presses both the 'Alt' key and 'F' key,
// KeyPreview is set to False, and a message appears.
// This message is only displayed when KeyPreview is set to True.
this->KeyPreview = false;
MessageBox::Show(this,"KeyPreview is True, and this came from the FORM");
}
}
private: System::Void TextBoxKeyDown(System::Object * sender, System::Windows::Forms::KeyEventArgs * e)
{
if(e->Alt && e->KeyCode == System::Windows::Forms::Keys::F){
// When the user presses both the 'Alt' key and 'F' key,
// KeyPreview is set to True, and a message appears.
// This message is only displayed when KeyPreview is set to False.
this->KeyPreview = true;
MessageBox::Show(this,"KeyPreview is False, and this came from the CONTROL");
}
}
Microsoft
provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either
expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of
merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that
you are familiar with the programming language that is being demonstrated and
the tools that are used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support
professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but
they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct
procedures to meet your specific requirements. If you have limited programming
experience, you may want to contact a Microsoft Certified Partner or the
Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information
about Microsoft Certified Partners, visit the following Microsoft Web site: For additional information about the support options available
from Microsoft, visit the following Microsoft Web site: back to the topREFERENCESFor more information about the KeyPreview property, visit the following Microsoft Web site: For more information about keyboard input terms, visit the
following Microsoft Web site: back to the top
Modification Type: | Major | Last Reviewed: | 12/15/2005 |
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Keywords: | kbHook kbEvent kbWindowsForms kbhowto KB839201 kbAudDeveloper |
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©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
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