Press on arrow keys without focusing on any control

Question

I have a windows form that has bunch of controls. Whenever any key is clicked, like arrow keys, I want to raise an event. The problem isn't in code, the problem is that the controls have a tab index so anytime I click on arrow keys the cursor just moves to another control and that's what I don't want.

capture the event in the form itself and set KeyPreview to false. — Federico Berasategui, Jan 25 '13 at 21:41
@AppDeveloper That's what I meant. I have not used dinosaur winforms in a loong while. — Federico Berasategui, Jan 25 '13 at 21:43
Thanks everybody for the great help, i fixed it because of your suggestions and solutions. — R.Vector, Jan 25 '13 at 22:21

devHead · Answer 1 · 2013-01-25T21:50:56.937

2

Attach each controls KeyDown event to the same handler:

 Control.KeyDown+=new KeyEventHandler(Control_KeyDown);

 private void Control_KeyDown(object sender, KeyEventArgs e)
 {
        //trap here and handle
        if(e.KeyCode == Keys.Left || e.KeyCode == Keys.Right || e.KeyCode == Keys.Up || e.KeyCode == Keys.Down)
            e.Handled = true;
 }

edited Jan 25 '13 at 21:50

answered Jan 25 '13 at 21:42

devHead

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this will completely seize the function of Arrow Keys, imagine you are one a TextBox control and the Arrow are not working to change cursor position within TextBox – Parimal Raj Jan 25 '13 at 22:05
Agreed, there would need to be a procedure that tested for an edit control and handle accordingly… – devHead Jan 26 '13 at 01:43

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 25 '13 at 21:43

2

You have to be sure that there isn't any active control on the current form. Put this code in Form.cs

this.ActiveControl = null;

answered Jan 25 '13 at 21:43

Nick

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That piece of code solved the whole issue, of course i had to add this.KeyPreview = true; – R.Vector Jan 25 '13 at 22:12
I had the same problem a year ago :) – Nick Jan 25 '13 at 22:39

Parimal Raj · Answer 3 · 2013-01-25T22:01:55.457

2

After some testing i found out

    protected override bool ProcessDialogKey(Keys keyData)
    {
        return false;
    }

This will cause the arrow keys (and tab) to be delivered as normal KeyDown events. This will also cause the normal dialogue key functionality (For e.g. Tab & Arrow keys) to stop, but still get the KeyDown event

edited Jan 25 '13 at 22:01

answered Jan 25 '13 at 21:45

Parimal Raj

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Press on arrow keys without focusing on any control

3 Answers3