Using UP ARROW and DOWN ARROW Keys to Move the Focus

MORE INFORMATION

The information in this article is provided to show that it is possible to trap the UP ARROW and DOWN ARROW keys, however Microsoft does not recommend that you implement it because the UP ARROW and DOWN ARROW keys have standard, predefined behavior on some controls. Microsoft recommends that you use the standard method for using the keyboard to move the focus; that is, use the TAB and SHIFT+TAB keys or use the access keys.

Step-by-Step Example for Moving the Focus Using UP ARROW and DOWN ARROW

1. Start Visual Basic or from the File menu, choose New Project (ALT, F, N) if Visual Basic is already running.
2. Add a Picture box and two Text boxes to Form1.
3. In the Picture1_KeyDown event procedure, add this code:

      Sub Picture1_KeyDown(KeyCode AS INTEGER, Shift AS INTEGER)
         IF KeyCode = 38 Then    '* 38 = up arrow key
            Text2.SetFocus
         Text2.SelStart = 0   '* set the cursor to the start
         END IF
   
         IF KeyCode = 40 Then    '* 40 = down arrow key
            Text1.SetFocus
         Text1.SelStart = 0   '* set the cursor to the start
         END IF
      END SUB
   						

4. In the Text1_KeyDown event procedure, add this code:

      Sub Text1_KeyDown(KeyCode AS INTEGER, Shift AS INTEGER)
         If KeyCode = 38 Then    '* 38 = UP ARROW key
            Picture1.SetFocus
         End If
   
         If KeyCode = 40 Then    '* 40 = DOWN ARROW key
            Text2.SetFocus
            Text2.SelStart = 0   '* set the cursor to the start
         End If
      End Sub
   						

5. In the Text2_KeyDown event procedure, add this code:

      Sub Text2_KeyDown(KeyCode AS INTEGER, Shift AS INTEGER)
         If KeyCode = 38 Then    '* 38 = UP ARROW key
            Text1.SetFocus
            Text1.SelStart = 0   '* set the cursor to the start
         End If
   
         If KeyCode = 40 Then    '* 40 = DOWN ARROW key
            Picture1.SetFocus
         End If
      End Sub
   						

6. Choose Start from the Run menu or press F5 to run the example. Press the UP ARROW or DOWN ARROW key to see the focus move to a different control.

If you use the LEFT ARROW or RIGHT ARROW keys, you can scroll in a Text box, but these keys are ignored in the Picture box in this example.