.NET Framework - ContextMenuStrip steals focus?

Asked By Ryan Ross

23-Oct-09 10:32 AM

Hello All,

I have a small problem. I have a RichTextBox, which calls a
ContextMenuStrip, when a user types certain text. The problem I am
faced
with is that I cannot return the focus (keyboard input, etc.) to the
RichTextBox, once the ContextMenuStrip opens.

When the ContextMenuStrip opens, I'd like the keyboard input to
continue for
the RichTextBox.

Does anyone know how to accomplish this task?

Thanks,
Ryan

23-Oct-09 11:29 AM

That might make it a bit difficult for a user to select an item from the
menu...


it is not really how menus are supposed to work.

--
Jeff Gaines Dorset UK
640k ought to be enough for anyone.
(Bill Gates, 1981)

23-Oct-09 03:03 PM

Why? Seriously, WHY?


No, nor do I hope it is possible. When a menu appears it should have focus.
If it loses focus it should disappear. That's what menus do. It sounds like
you want a floating toolbox-like window which contains commands. If so, make
one. Do not try to force the square menu into the round hole you are looking
for.

23-Oct-09 08:48 PM

Hmm.

You've used Visual Studio, right? You know how everyone likes Intellisense?
Same idea here. Intellisense is nothing more than a ContextMenuStrip (or
something akin to it), which pops up when you are typing in a text editor
(well, IDE, but you understand what I am getting at here). In short, I am
attempting to replicate some Intellisense functionality for an application
I am developing.

You can continue typing in the text editor even when the ContextMenuStrip is
open. Perhaps I am misusing the word focus here, but I believe I have now
conveyed what I am after.

Thanks,
Ryan

BTW, does this newsgroup allow posting of images (screenshots?). I tried to
send a post with a screenshot earlier, and it has not appeared...

23-Oct-09 09:42 PM

it is not a menu; it is a specialized control that kind of looks like a menu.
Look at it closer: it really looks a lot more like a floating combo box (the
dropdown portion only, not the stuff at the top). Since the little sucker is
really sensitive to focus changes I cannot use Spy++ to tell what it really
is, but I can assure you it is not a menu. And if you have ever seen VB's
version of it it even has tabs at the bottom. Totally custom control.


it is generally considered rude to post a binary to a group that does not have
post. The next best thing is to put it on the Web somewhere and put a link
to it in your post.

24-Oct-09 04:44 AM

On 24/10/2009 in message


OK, understood now :-)

The Code Project is a good place to look, for example:
http://www.codeproject.com/KB/edit/codetextbox.aspx

There are other examples there as well if you search their site.

--
Jeff Gaines Dorset UK
That's an amazing invention but who would ever want to use one of them?
(President Hayes speaking to Alexander Graham Bell on the invention of the
telephone)

25-Oct-09 12:05 PM

Thank You ever so much. You are a life saver.

Regards,
Ryan

25-Oct-09 12:07 PM

Thank You for your assistance.

-Ryan