Using a textbox to calculate like an excel cell

[mwheads]

Hi Everyone

I would like to be able to use an unbound textbox to do a calcuation exactly the same way as an excel cell, before it is posted it to a bound textbox on a form. Is there a way?
I.e. I would like to enter "=50+100-20+600" and it to calculate that string as excel would.
PS. if I don't have to use an "=" it would be even better.

Thanks
Paul
South Africa

 

[sillysod]

the method that springs to mind is to use a text box, a list box and a 2 cmd buttons

in the text box the user inputs the first digit eg 5

then clicks a cmd button for add, the number five is then added as a line in the list box, also the number five is stored in a variable (called varSum)


then the user types the next part of the sum, eg + 6, this is added to another line on the text box and then in vba we put

'add the user input to the formula
varSum = varSum + txtSum.text


'set focus back to text box
textSum.setfocus

'clear text box ready for input
txtSum.text = ""

(NB a + and a + always make a + and a + and a - always make a -, so the + isnt going to affect your equation)

Now make use of a case select function, whereby if the user puts = in the text box then txtSum.text = varSum and the list box adds a line of ______ and then a line with the answer or something.

the second cmd button is used as a clear key. ie it clears the text box and list box and the variable.



Thats not a very detailed explanation and assumes you have some knowledge of VB, if you need more help then please ask

 

[PHV]

Take a look at the Eval function, in the AfterUpdate event procedure of TextBox1:
myCalc = Eval(Me!TextBox1.Text)

Hope This Help, PH.
Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at FAQ219-2884

 

[mwheads]

Thanks PHV and SillySod, both work well, and both have been implemented. Thanks for the extra knowledge and expertise,
Paul