Get Focus When Typing in C#

Question

5.00/5 (1 vote)

See more:

I want to activate a search textbox when the user starts to type something (even if the textbox isnt focused right then). I have come as far as setting KeyPreview on the form to true. Then in the KeyDown event handler, I have this:

C#

if(!searchTextBox.Focused)
{
    searchTextBox.Focus();
}

This almost works. The textbox is focused, but the first typed letter is lost. I guess this is because the textbox never really gets the event, since it wasn't focused when it happend. So, do anyone have a clever solution to how I could make this work like it should?

Posted 10-Dec-12 5:43am

Bhimani Hiral

Updated 10-Dec-12 7:05am

fjdiewornncalwe

v2

Add a Solution

Comments

Philippe Mori 10-Dec-12 18:57pm

This is a very, very bad idea as keys like TAB or ALT + underline letter or space bar when a button would have the focus would all be broken.

By doing that, you would mkake your application inconsistant with the rest of the system.

The only think you should do is to put the focus on the text box when the form is displayed or after some commands when it make sense.

2 solutions

Add a Solution

Add your solution here

Treat my content as plain text, not as HTML

Preview 0

…

Existing Members

Sign in to your account

...or Join us

Download, Vote, Comment, Publish.

Your Email
Password
Forgot your password?

Your Email
This email is in use. Do you need your password?
Optional Password

I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Please subscribe me to the CodeProject newsletters

When answering a question please:

Read the question carefully.
Understand that English isn't everyone's first language so be lenient of bad spelling and grammar.
If a question is poorly phrased then either ask for clarification, ignore it, or edit the question and fix the problem. Insults are not welcome.
Don't tell someone to read the manual. Chances are they have and don't get it. Provide an answer or move on to the next question.

Let's work to help developers, not make them feel stupid.

This content, along with any associated source code and files, is licensed under The Code Project Open License (CPOL)

Alan N · Answer 1 · 2012-12-10T08:11:00

One solution to this problem would be to ensure that the textbox never loses focus by installing handlers for the Form Activate event and the TextBox Leave event.

C#

private void MainForm_Activated(object sender, EventArgs e) {
  textBox1.Focus();
}

private void textBox1_Leave(object sender, EventArgs e) {
  textBox1.Focus();
}

The Activated handler will ensure than the textbox is always given focus when the form becomes active and the Leave handler will keep it that way.

Alan.

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov · Answer 2 · 2012-12-10T12:00:00

Solution 2

You cannot; and it makes no sense. "Starts to type", quite formally, means something which happens only if a control is already focused. Why does not make sense? Because for a currently focused control these keyboard events may also mean something.

—SA

Posted 10-Dec-12 12:00pm

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov