"Peter Newman" wrote:

> the data input app im writing has some 30 + input fields and i want to be
> able to format them.
>
> I know i can use the .validate on each textbox and format the 'string' 
> however  this require loads of repetitive codeing.  Is there a way possible
> to globally format the textboxes both on  the .validate function, as well as
> when the enter key is pressed.
>
> Any suggestions or examples wouldbe very usefull, as i have a loads of these
> data forms to create .. all requiring formatting
>
>
> as a cheeky footnote before every one shouts  'Character Casing'  i am using
> the vbProperCase.  I have this public fubction,  but it strill requites a
> huge amount od screen handling code. 
>
>    Public Function FormatString(ByVal StringtoFormat As String, ByVal
> TypeofFormat As Integer) As String
>         Try
>             Select Case TypeofFormat
>                 Case ProperCase
>                     FormatString = StrConv(StringtoFormat,
> VbStrConv.ProperCase)
>                 Case LowerCasing
>                 Case UpperCasing
>             End Select
>         Catch NoFormat As Exception
>             MsgBox("Unable to format String. Please contatc your systems
> administrator", MsgBoxStyle.Exclamation, " Formatting")
>             FormatString = StringtoFormat
>         End Try
>     End Function
>
> Thank you in advance

"tesla***@hotmail.com" wrote:

> Dennis wrote:
> > You can have one validate handler for all text boxes assuming that the
> > formatting is the same for each text box, this should work, i.e.,
> >
> > Private sub handes_Validating (ByVal source as object, ByVal e as eventargs) _
> > handles txtbox1.validating, txtbox2.validating, ....., txtbox30.validating
> >     Dim tx as TextBox =  DirectCast(source,Textbox)
> >     tx.text = myformatter(tx.text)
> > End Suib
> > --
> > Dennis in Houston
>
> Technically correct, but since Peter seems to strongly dislike
> repetitive labor, I'm guessing he'll dislike having to type the
> "txtbox1.validating, txtbox2.validating, ....., txtbox30.validating"
> part for each form.  And remembering to keep it up-to-date whenever he
> adds new textboxes.
>
> Peter, the best way is probably to create your own UserControl that
> Inherits System.Windows.Forms.TextBox, adds a custom property for your
> TextFormat, and automatically catches the Validating event of its base
> class and applies the correct formatting.  And whatever other
> extensions you need to make the perfect TextBox.
>
> If you don't understand what I just said, or if that's just not an
> option, here's another way which is a bit of a hack by comparison, but
> will do the trick.  The idea is to use the Tag property of the textbox
> to select the format, and attach your own validator to every textbox on
> a form that has a non-empty tag, with just one line of code per form:
>
> 1) Include this in the Load event of every Form you want to apply
> special TextBox formatting to:
>
>   AddMyValidator(Me)
>
> 2) Include this in a module:
>
>   Sub AddMyValidator(ByVal frm As Object)
>     ' Attaches our custom validator to every textbox on a form that
>     ' has something in the Tag.
>     Dim tb As TextBox
>     For Each ctl As Object In frm.Controls
>       If ctl.GetType.ToString = "System.Windows.Forms.TextBox" Then
>         tb = DirectCast(ctl, TextBox)
>         If tb.Tag <> "" Then AddHandler tb.Validating, AddressOf
> MyValidator
>       End If
>     Next
>   End Sub
>
>   Sub MyValidator(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As
> System.ComponentModel.CancelEventArgs)
>     ' Custom textbox validator.
>     Dim tb As TextBox = DirectCast(sender, TextBox)
>     Select Case tb.Tag
>       Case "Lower" : tb.Text = Strings.LCase(tb.Text)
>       Case "Upper" : tb.Text = Strings.UCase(tb.Text)
>       Case "Proper" ' etc
>     End Select
>   End Sub
>
> 3) Now set the Tag of the textboxes to the format you want, which can
> be done easily and to multiple textboxes at a time.
>
>