Trap Keypress or Keydown on database start

[davidwv]

I'd like to be able to determine, in a module, if the user is pressing a certain key (doesn't matter which, can be normal key or shift/ctrl/alt or combo). I need to make this determination before anything else happens. I figured I'd have an Autoexec macro run my module, but from there I can't figure out where to go next.

It seems that all keyboard event routines/methods are tied to an object (form or control). Am I going to have to pull something in from a Windows DLL?

Thanks in advance!
-dave

 

[Ed2020]

Have a look at the AutoKeys macro in help.

I wouldn't usually recommend using macros for *anything*, but this is the only way I have found to trap key strokes without tying it to a form.

HTH,

Ed Metcalfe.

Please do not feed the trolls.....

 

[davidwv]

Thanks for the tip. I agree with the "anti-macro" sentiment, btw.

Before I got your tip, I "engineered" another solution. It wasn't clear in my question, although it was hinted at in the "subject", but I wanted to detect if the user was holding down a key during database startup (in my case, the Ctrl key seems to work best).

I created a new "start up" form (just an empty form with a bitmap for a backgroud -- sort of like a splash screen) called from the AutoExec macro. The form has these properties:

KeyPreview=True

OnKeydown:
If Key = 17 (ctrl key) then
<do whatever is required if user is holding ctrl key>
<open &quot;real&quot; startup form and close this one>
End If

TimeInterval:1000

OnTimer:
<do whatever is required if user is NOT holding ctrl key>
<open &quot;real&quot; startup form and close this one>

Seems to work OK. Some key combos are not good (like Shift, because that's Access' signal to bypass the autoexec macro).

Thanks again for your tip. I had totally forgotten (on purpose?) about AutoKeys.

-dave
<insert catchy slogan here>