Capturing 'enter' key in combo box

**Robert602** · 11-05-2002

This is a question I probably should know the answer to, having been programming in MFC for nearly a year now, but so far I've managed to avoid it. Is there any way to capture the enter key in the edit box part of a dropdown box without setting up a message loop (so far I process messages using MFC's automatic OnBtnPress() etc.) and without subclassing the combo box. Also how do I send a message to a window to emulate a key being pressed (specifically the 'down' cursor key), and does anyone know a good reference for WM_ messages for individual keys (I've looked on google, and MSDN).

If anyone could enlighten me on any of these questions it would really help a few things I need to do, thanks.

-edit-
100th post!

**Sebastiani** · 11-05-2002

1) "no". You either have to subclass it or fiddle with message loops.

2) SendMessage(HWND, UINT, WPARAM, LPARAM), ie: SendMessage(hEdit, WM_LBUTTONDOWN, 0, 0);

3) The VK_ codes are all in your winuser.h header.

Also, you should download the Win32 searchable reference ".hlp" file, as you will find it invaluable in your quest for knowledge. Download it here.

**Robert602** · 11-15-2002

Thanks for the help, I've managed to capture the VK_RETURN message in PreTranslateMessage() by subclassing a combo box. My problem is in writing the code to let this return be picked up by an OnSelChange function. I think this would be achieved by using SendMessage to send WM_SELCHANGE from the combo box to its parent, is this correct, or do I send the message to the main window of my app?

**Robert602** · 11-16-2002

Thought I was getting somewhere, but I still cant get it to work. Learnt a lot about windows messaging and related functions for this, and I cant understand why the following code isnt triggering CCombosParent::OnSelChangeCombo();:

Code:

BOOL CEntCombo::PreTranslateMessage(MSG* pMsg)
{
	if(pMsg->message == WM_KEYDOWN && pMsg->wParam ==VK_RETURN) {
		switch(pMsg->wParam)
		{
		case VK_RETURN:
			GetParent()->SendMessage(WM_COMMAND, 
						CBN_SELCHANGE, 
						(LPARAM)this->m_hWnd);
			break;
		default:
			CComboBox::PreTranslateMessage(pMsg);
		}

	}
	else{
	return CComboBox::PreTranslateMessage(pMsg);
	}
}

Any help greatly appreciated

**Ken Fitlike** · 11-16-2002

To synthesise a WM_COMMAND message you need to set the correct paramaters; ie from msdn:

Code:

LRESULT CALLBACK WindowProc(
                            HWND hwnd,       // handle to window
                            WM_COMMAND,      // the message to send
                            WPARAM wParam,   // notification code and id
                            LPARAM lParam);  // handle to control (HWND)

So to send your message, try:

Code:

GetParent()->SendMessage(WM_COMMAND, 
                         MAKEWPARAM(nID,CBN_SELCHANGE), 
                         (LPARAM)m_hWnd);

where nID is the resource identifier of your control.

Hope that helps.

edit: formatting

**Sebastiani** · 11-17-2002

Well, I believe the VK_ code is going to be in the LOWORD of the WPARAM:

Code:

BOOL CEntCombo::PreTranslateMessage(MSG* pMsg)
{
 if(pMsg->message != WM_KEYDOWN 
    && LOWORD(pMsg->wParam) != VK_RETURN)
  return CComboBox::PreTranslateMessage(pMsg);

 GetParent()->
  SendMessage(
   WM_COMMAND, 
   MAKEWPARAM(/*??*/,CBN_SELCHANGE), 
   (LPARAM)m_hWnd);

 return TRUE;
}

**Robert602** · 11-17-2002

Thanks again, it's all working now. I took
WPARAM wParam, // combo box identifier, CBN_SELCHANGE
on MSDN to mean that the wParam should be the message identifier specific to the combo box, eg CBN_SELCHANGE. Just misunderstood it.

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