C# Winform Alter Sent Keystroke

Question

Hi i have a C# winform application with a particular form populated with a number of textboxes. I would like to make it so that by pressing the right arrow key this mimicks the same behaivour as pressing the tab key. Im not really sure how to do this.

I dont want to change the behaivour of the tab key at all, just get the right arrow key to do the same thing whilst on that form.

Can anyone offer any suggestions?

Answer 1

I think this will accomplish what you're asking:

private void form1_KeyDown(object sender, KeyEventArgs e)
{
    if (e.KeyCode == Keys.Right)
    {
        Control activeControl = form1.ActiveControl;
        // may need to check for null activeControl
        form1.SelectNextControl(activeControl, true, true, true, true);
    }
}

Answer 2

You can use the KeyDown event on the form to trap the key stroke then perform whatever action you want. For example:

 private void MyForm_KeyDown(object sender, KeyEventArgs e)
 {
     if(e.KeyCode == Keys.Right)
     {
         this.SelectNextControl(....);
         e.Handled = true;
     }
 }

Don't forget to set the KeyPreview property on the form to True.

Answer 3

You should override the OnKeyUp method in your form to do this...

protected override void OnKeyUp(KeyEventArgs e)
{
    if (e.KeyCode == Keys.Right)
    {
       Control activeControl = this.ActiveControl;

       if(activeControl == null)
       {
            activeControl = this;
       }

       this.SelectNextControl(activeControl, true, true, true, true);
       e.Handled = true;
    }

    base.OnKeyUp(e);
}