ACC97: Using Tab Key to Insert Tab Character in RichText Control (170141)

SUMMARY

In a RichTextBox control, the default behavior of the TAB key is to move the focus to the next control in the tab order of a form. This article shows you how you can use the TAB key to insert a tab character into a RichTextBox control.

The sample function ctlRichText1_KeyDown() traps for the TAB key in the KeyDown event of the RichTextBox control. It prevents the control from losing focus, and then uses the SelText property of the control to insert the tab.

MORE INFORMATION

Create a new form not based on any table or query in Design view.
On the Insert menu, click ActiveX Control.
In the Insert ActiveX Control dialog box, select Microsoft RichText Control, and then click OK.
Set the control's Name property to ctlRichText1.
Add two text boxes to the form.

On the View menu, click Code. Type the following procedure:

      Private Sub ctlRichText1_KeyDown(KeyCode As Integer, _
            ByVal Shift As Integer)
         Dim rtf As RichTextBox
         Set rtf = Me!ctlRichText1.Object
         If KeyCode = 9 Then  ' TAB key was pressed.
            ' Ignore the TAB key, so focus doesn't
            ' leave the control
            KeyCode = 0
            ' Replace selected text with the tab character
            rtf.SelText = vbTab
         End If
      End Sub

Switch the form to Form view. Note that pressing the TAB key now inserts a tab character in the RichTextBox Control. To exit the RichTextBox control, use your mouse pointer. Note also that the TAB key behaves as it normally does when one of the text boxes has the focus.

REFERENCES

For more information about the methods and properties of the RichTextBox control, open a module in a database containing a form with a RichTextBox control and press F2. In the Object Browser, select RichTextLib from the list of Libraries, and then select RichTextBox from the list of Classes.