VBA - How to Set Cursor in a Specific Position in a Textbox?

Question

The title mostly explains what I need. I have a textbox that I continuously examine for data validity using the _keypress procedure. If the user enters ( then I auto-fill it for them by typing the closing parenthesis ). The result is () and the cursor is at the end of the textbox. My question is, how can I push the cursor back one step to put it between the two parenthesis? Thanks,

Edit: Test scenario:

Private Sub txtInput_KeyPress(ByVal KeyAscii As MSForms.ReturnInteger)

    If KeyAscii = Asc("(") Then
        txtInput.value = txtInput.value & "()"
        KeyAscii = 0
    End If

End Sub

Hope this makes it more clear,

Heffernan

Answer 1

Use the SelStart property of the TextBox object:

Me.TextBox1.Value = "()"
Me.TextBox1.SelStart = 1

Note: SelStart=1 means the cursor will be after the first element, i.e. "(". You should hence play with your string to understand what your desired value of SelStart property should be.

Chantellechanter

One more question, is there a way to return the position number where the cursor is? – Heffernan

You will need to make a call to Windows API check support.microsoft.com/kb/152969/en-us?wa=wsignin1.0 – Chop

Do I need that to return the position of the cursor in a textbox? – Heffernan

@Heffernan I guess it's the same property, SelStart. If you write "SelStart = 2" you're setting its value, but if you write pos = SelStart you should be getting its value. – Chantellechanter

Answer 2

Use the SelStart property with Len function

Me.txtInput.SelStart = Len(Me.txtInput.Value)-1

Using this method now you can be sure that it will always set the typing cursor between your parenthesis

Kevenkeverian