Excel-like Input Screens (use Contools?)

[Daniel Raymer]

I want to create Excel-like input screens to enter a lot of data. I don't need to exactly look like Excel, but want to input rows and columns of data with nice labels, and when you enter one item, it should jump to the next one. I don't want to have dozens of separate input boxes on the screen that each need to be clicked on to enter data.

A sample of what I'm looking for is at my website - http://www.aircraftdesign.com/desired_input_forms.xls.

I use PB/CC but also have PB/Win, and have Contools/GFX. What is my best option? Thanks.

[Brian Chirgwin]

One solution is to use a grid control. I recommend EGrid32 (www.egrid32.com). There are others SIGrid (can't get to site), My Little Grid (http://www.psoftsol.com/mlg.html).

I use EGrid32. I've looked at others available at the time, but selected this grid and have not needed a different grid.

Another solution is to just use controls, labels, textbox, etc... In the input controls (textbox) events track the keys Tab, Left, Up, Down and Right arrows and SetFocus to the correct control. Since the input form is small, this would be fairly simple. If it were larger I'd a grid control.

[Elias Montoya]

Thank you!

Thank you for the reccomendation Brian!

And just for the record, this task is not problem for
Egrid32 + the Form Designer (it can also be coded manually).

Here is a Screenshot:


And attached, a compiled application with the form embeded,
as well as the CGF form, in case you want to try it Daniel.

It was compiled with Jeffrey's snippet: "Excel navigation", to provide
some excel functionality (Key combinations).

[Elias Montoya]

Oh by the way... i saved the form zoomed in... thats why it looks bigger than original,
if you want it smaller (normal view), zoom out and save.

[John Reinking]

Elias,

While lurking...

...and when you enter one item, it should jump to the next one. I don't want to have dozens of separate input boxes on the screen that each need to be clicked on to enter data.

But, your posted example doesn't meet this criteria. Is there an EGrid32 way of making this part work?

[Michael Mattias]

>> when you enter one item, it should jump to the next one
> Is there an EGrid32 way of making this part work?

Yes. However it depends on how you want to define "enter one item". I defined it as "TAB" and "Shift+TAB" advance/retreat one cell...

Let me see if I can find that EGrid snippet for you... here it is..

 LOCAL pEGN AS EgridNotify PTR


   CASE %WM_NOTIFY      ' Egrid notifications will be sent here.
      pEGN = lparam

      SELECT CASE AS LONG  @pEGN.HDR.idFrom

          CASE %ID_GRID
             SELECT CASE AS LONG @pEGN.HDR.Code
              ' CASE %EGN_MAINCELLLEFTCLIC
              ' CASE %EGN_MAINCELLRIGHTCLIC
               'CASE %EGN_HEADERLEFTCLIC
             CASE %EGN_KEYUP

                 SELECT CASE AS LONG @pEGN.KEY     

                     CASE %VK_TAB
                     ' requires two step because BIT requires VARIABLE name for param #1

                          Shifted = GetKeyState (%VK_SHIFT)
                          Shifted = ISTRUE BIT(Shifted, 31)

                          ' FIXME: this needs to be adusted if we are on first or last column

                          IF ( (ISTRUE Shifted) AND (@pEGN.CELL.X > %COL_MIN)) _
                           OR ((ISFALSE Shifted) AND (@pEGN.Cell.X < %COL_MAX)) THEN

                               PostMEssage @pEGN.HDR.hWndFrom, IIF&(Shifted, %EG_MOVECURSORLEFT, %EG_MOVECURSORRIGHT), %NULL, %NULL
                               'SendMessage @pEGN.HDR.hWndFrom, IIF&(Shifted, %EG_MOVECURSORLEFT, %EG_MOVECURSORRIGHT), %NULL, %NULL
                           ELSE
                               MessageBeep %MB_ICONHAND
                          END IF

MCM

[Leong Alan]

I use EGrid32 in many ways, similar input as yours one.

The price worth more than the product. frequent update and error corrected in time, a lot of samples program. Highly recommended EGrid32 to anyone.

[Elias Montoya]

For a very simple syntax and a straightforward method this will do:

Result& = SendMessage(Hgrid, %EG_SETTABMODE, %EG_MOVERIGHT, 0)

But in this case i would suggest to take Michael's suggestion, as it provides
more flexibility and adapts better to specific needs.

[Daniel Raymer]

Egrid - distribution & other questions

Egrid looks egood. A few more questions:

I need to create grids dynamically - ie., make a new one each time, because the number of rows and columns can be changed by the users. Does the distrubution agreement allow me to distribute the DLL or whatever freely to my customers to permit this?

Also, can I hide the ABC row and 123 column? And, does the grid show up within the existing graphic window or in its own window, or is either possible?

thanks

[Daniel Raymer]

another Egrid question - data entry

I want the active data entry item to automatically advance to the next row when the user presses Enter, and at the end of a column, advance to the first item in the next column. Can this be set up in Egrid?

[Michael Mattias]

See my code above... just pick off VK_ENTER instead of VK_TAB and that is exactly what it does.

Well, no it doesn;'t... if you do "next" (Tab or CR) and you are in the last column it just beeps. So when that happens just do an extra "move down one" command

Without looking at my Egrid32 help file, that's probably a separate EGM_MOVECURSORxxx command. I remember one of my 'suggestions' to Elias was that it was silly to have all those discrete "MOVECURSORxxxx" withe wParam and lparam both unused, and that it would have been a lot cleaner to use but ONE message with options, eg.

  SendMessage hWnd, %EGM_MOVECURSOR, [i]direction, amount[/i]

[Elias Montoya]

I need to create grids dynamically - ie., make a new one each time, because the number of rows and columns can be changed by the users.

No need to recreate the control (if you wanted to do it to create with another size), you can change the size dynamically at run time without losing any contents.

Does the distrubution agreement allow me to distribute the DLL or whatever freely to my customers to permit this?

Yes. Egrid32 can be distributed with your applications freely, following some easy rules. the EULA is in the help file, wich you can download from the Upgrade page in te Egrid32 website.

Also, can I hide the ABC row and 123 column?

Yes.

And, does the grid show up within the existing graphic window or in its own window, or is either possible?

Being a real windows control, Egrid32 requires a host Dialog/Window. Egrid32 also gets it's own control handle.

I want the active data entry item to automatically advance to the next row when the user presses Enter, and at the end of a column, advance to the first item in the next column. Can this be set up in Egrid?

Yes, Michael's code is in the right track, and thats why he added the "FIXME" part, you can add conditional movement there I.E. "IF we are not in the last column THEN move right, ELSE goto first column and move one rown down". I can provide an example for that.

...I remember one of my 'suggestions' to Elias was that it was silly to have all those discrete "MOVECURSORxxxx" withe wParam and lparam both unused, and that it would have been a lot cleaner to use but ONE message with options, eg.

And i remember i agreed with that. Unfortunately many users were already using the comands as they were and i couldnt simply change them. But i just got an idea, i will create 4 new equates, all with negative values, if the EG_MOVECURSOR command gets a positive X value (WPARAM), it will move the grid to specified coordinates, otherwise if will move in the specified direction, the specified number of spaces (LPARAM). This will come in the next update of Egrid32.


Here is an Example that will get you started:

'======================================================================
'        Source code generated with Egrid32 Form designer.
'
'                        www.Egrid32.com
'
' NOTE: To check this code for errors, compile it with PowerBASIC.
'======================================================================

#DIM ALL
#COMPILE EXE "Sample_Application.exe"
#INCLUDE "EG32FORMS.INC"

%EGRID_WINDOW = %WM_USER + 100

GLOBAL HGrid_FORM1_EGRID1 AS DWORD


'=========================================================================================================
'DIALOG PROCEDURE
CALLBACK FUNCTION MAINPROC AS LONG

LOCAL  EGN           AS EGRIDNOTIFY PTR

SELECT CASE CBMSG
 
 CASE %WM_NOTIFY
  EGN = CBLPARAM
  
  SELECT CASE CBWPARAM
   CASE %EGRID_WINDOW
    SELECT CASE @EGN.HDR.CODE
     Case %EGN_KEYDOWN
      'Code from 'CURSOR MOVEMENT' snippet.
      IF @EGN.Key <> %VK_RETURN THEN EXIT FUNCTION
      
      LOCAL NumRows AS LONG
      LOCAL NumCols AS LONG
      
      ' Retrieve the grid size.
      NumRows = SendMessage(@EGN.HDR.hwndFrom, %EG_GETMAXROWS, 0, 0)
      NumCols = SendMessage(@EGN.HDR.hwndFrom, %EG_GETMAXCOLUMNS, 0, 0)
      
      ' Check where we are
      IF @EGN.CELL.X < NumCols then
      
       ' Advance one space right
       SendMessage(@EGN.HDR.hwndFrom, %EG_MOVECURSOR, @EGN.CELL.X+1, @EGN.CELL.Y)
      
       ' Scroll to new cell if needed.
       SendMessage(@EGN.HDR.hwndFrom, %EG_SCROLLXTOCELL, @EGN.CELL.X+1, 0)
       SendMessage(@EGN.HDR.hwndFrom, %EG_SCROLLYTOCELL, 0, @EGN.CELL.Y)
      
      ELSE
       IF @EGN.CELL.Y < NumRows then
      
        'Advance one space Down and go to first column.
        SendMessage(@EGN.HDR.hwndFrom, %EG_MOVECURSOR, 1, @EGN.CELL.Y+1)
      
        ' Scroll to new cell if needed.
        SendMessage(@EGN.HDR.hwndFrom, %EG_SCROLLXTOCELL, 1, 0)
        SendMessage(@EGN.HDR.hwndFrom, %EG_SCROLLYTOCELL, 0, @EGN.CELL.Y+1)
      
       END IF 
      END IF
      
      SendMessage(@EGN.HDR.hwndFrom, %EG_REFRESHALL, 0, 0)
      
      FUNCTION = %TRUE

    END SELECT
  END SELECT
END SELECT
EXIT FUNCTION

END FUNCTION
'=========================================================================================================

'=========================================================================================================
'MAIN PROGRAM ENTRY
FUNCTION PBMAIN AS LONG

REGISTEREGPCLASS("EGRID32")

LOCAL HMAINDLG AS LONG

DIALOG NEW 0, "Egrid32 Generated code",,,500, 300, %WS_CAPTION OR %WS_SYSMENU, 0 TO HMAINDLG

CONTROL ADD "EGRID32", HMAINDLG, %EGRID_WINDOW, "", 0,14, 500, 287, %WS_CLIPCHILDREN OR _
                                                                  %WS_CHILD OR %WS_VISIBLE, _
                                                                  %WS_EX_CLIENTEDGE

CONTROL HANDLE HMAINDLG, %EGRID_WINDOW TO HGrid_FORM1_EGRID1

CALL EG32_LOADFORM(HGrid_FORM1_EGRID1, "EGRID32_FORM", %STD_RESOURCE OR %STD_APPLYPROPERTIES)

DIALOG SHOW MODAL HMAINDLG CALL MAINPROC

END FUNCTION
'=========================================================================================================

And attached the Executable version. What it does is to move the cell focus to the right when Enter is pressed, if the focus is in the last column, it moves one cell down and goes to the first column. Just press Enter to see it in action. It might require some more tweaks to fit your needs exactly.

[John Reinking]

The example still seems a bit unnatural.
Why should there be two (2) <Enter> key strokes needed in order to move to the next cell?
Is this an %EGN_UPKEY notification?

[Michael Mattias]

Elias, I don't think you are using "EGM_MOVECURSOREX."

If you are going to add a new message, using the "EX" suffix would be consistent with what Windows does when it enhances an existing message or function.

MCM

[Elias Montoya]

If you are going to add a new message, using the "EX" suffix would be consistent with what Windows does when it enhances an existing message or function.

You confuse me, you first said Egrid32 had already too many commands,
and now you suggest one more when this one can be enhanced without
breaking compatibility.

Let me explain why, when the EG_MOVECURSOR is used, the X and Y
parameters are expected to be positive numbers, range 1 to X Column, and
1 to Y row. Having 4 equates for Up, Down, Left and Right with negative
numbers, would diferentiate the 2 modalities of the calling convention,
one doesnt interfere with the other, making unnecesary to create another
one, it would just be "upgraded". Old code would still be compatible.

I will still think about it though. You are often right and i dont want to miss.

The example still seems a bit unnatural.
Why should there be two (2) <Enter> key strokes needed in order to move to the next cell?
Is this an %EGN_UPKEY notification?

Its all about tastes John, thats what i said: "It might require some more tweaks to fit your needs exactly."

If i wanted to do it in 1 stroke, i would check the EGN.WPARAM of the
notification UDT, when it is false, no editions are happening when the key is
pressed, when it has a TRUE value (Contains the handle of the edit box
being used for the notification), i would use EG_CLOSEEDITION to close the
edition before using the movement. This requires only one more line of
Code. Example below:

'======================================================================
'        Source code generated with Egrid32 Form designer.
'
'                        www.Egrid32.com
'
' NOTE: To check this code for errors, compile it with PowerBASIC.
'======================================================================

#DIM ALL
#COMPILE EXE "Sample_Application.exe"
#INCLUDE "EG32FORMS.INC"

%EGRID_WINDOW = %WM_USER + 100

GLOBAL HGrid_FORM1_EGRID1 AS DWORD


'=========================================================================================================
'DIALOG PROCEDURE
CALLBACK FUNCTION MAINPROC AS LONG

LOCAL  EGN           AS EGRIDNOTIFY PTR

SELECT CASE CBMSG
 
 CASE %WM_NOTIFY
  EGN = CBLPARAM
  
  SELECT CASE CBWPARAM
   CASE %EGRID_WINDOW
    SELECT CASE @EGN.HDR.CODE
     Case %EGN_KEYDOWN
      'Code from 'CURSOR MOVEMENT' snippet.
      IF @EGN.Key <> %VK_RETURN THEN EXIT FUNCTION
      
      IF @EGN.WPARAM THEN SendMessage(@EGN.HDR.hwndFrom, %EG_CLOSEEDITION, %TRUE, %TRUE)
      
      LOCAL NumRows AS LONG
      LOCAL NumCols AS LONG
      
      ' Retrieve the grid size.
      NumRows = SendMessage(@EGN.HDR.hwndFrom, %EG_GETMAXROWS, 0, 0)
      NumCols = SendMessage(@EGN.HDR.hwndFrom, %EG_GETMAXCOLUMNS, 0, 0)
      
      ' Check where we are
      IF @EGN.CELL.X < NumCols then
      
       ' Advance one space right
       SendMessage(@EGN.HDR.hwndFrom, %EG_MOVECURSOR, @EGN.CELL.X+1, @EGN.CELL.Y)
      
       ' Scroll to new cell if needed.
       SendMessage(@EGN.HDR.hwndFrom, %EG_SCROLLXTOCELL, @EGN.CELL.X+1, 0)
       SendMessage(@EGN.HDR.hwndFrom, %EG_SCROLLYTOCELL, 0, @EGN.CELL.Y)
      
      ELSE
       IF @EGN.CELL.Y < NumRows then
      
        'Advance one space Down and go to first column.
        SendMessage(@EGN.HDR.hwndFrom, %EG_MOVECURSOR, 1, @EGN.CELL.Y+1)
      
        ' Scroll to new cell if needed.
        SendMessage(@EGN.HDR.hwndFrom, %EG_SCROLLXTOCELL, 1, 0)
        SendMessage(@EGN.HDR.hwndFrom, %EG_SCROLLYTOCELL, 0, @EGN.CELL.Y+1)
      
       END IF 
      END IF
      
      SendMessage(@EGN.HDR.hwndFrom, %EG_REFRESHALL, 0, 0)
      
      FUNCTION = %TRUE

    END SELECT
  END SELECT
END SELECT
EXIT FUNCTION

END FUNCTION
'=========================================================================================================

'=========================================================================================================
'MAIN PROGRAM ENTRY
FUNCTION PBMAIN AS LONG

REGISTEREGPCLASS("EGRID32")

LOCAL HMAINDLG AS LONG

DIALOG NEW 0, "Egrid32 Generated code",,,500, 300, %WS_CAPTION OR %WS_SYSMENU, 0 TO HMAINDLG

CONTROL ADD "EGRID32", HMAINDLG, %EGRID_WINDOW, "", 0,14, 500, 287, %WS_CLIPCHILDREN OR _
                                                                  %WS_CHILD OR %WS_VISIBLE, _
                                                                  %WS_EX_CLIENTEDGE

CONTROL HANDLE HMAINDLG, %EGRID_WINDOW TO HGrid_FORM1_EGRID1

CALL EG32_LOADFORM(HGrid_FORM1_EGRID1, "EGRID32_FORM", %STD_RESOURCE OR %STD_APPLYPROPERTIES)

DIALOG SHOW MODAL HMAINDLG CALL MAINPROC

END FUNCTION
'=========================================================================================================

And, Here is the snippet, in case someone wants to play with it.

[Michael Mattias]

The reason I suggest a new message here is because that one new message can REPLACE the other four!

SendMessage hGrid, EGM_MOVECURSOREX , direction, amount

If the user makes amount "1" he can get rid of all the other EGM_MOVECURSORxxxxx messages!

For direction, you could use

%EGM_UP        = &h01
%EGM_DOWN   = &h02
%EGM_LEFT     = &h04
%EGM_RIGHT    = &h08
%EGM_WRAP     = &h100

If you want to go "left with wrap" you do "direction= %EGM_LEFT OR %EGM_WRAP"

Combining bit flags like this should be something with which your users are already familar and comfortable.

What 'wrap' means with different movement commands you'll have to work out, but it's not like you are out of bits you can use to do different things if you need to.

[Elias Montoya]

Just a clarification for lurkers, I was talking about EG_MOVECURSOR,
and michael was thinking i was talking about EG_MOVECURSORxxx functions.

[Michael Mattias]

Just as a clarification for lurkers, now you see why I think there are too many different messages?

Elias sent me private message. I reviewed the help file for Egrid and now 'see the light.'

Silly me had assumed because there were four separate messages to move the cursor in each possible direction, there could not possibly be an "EG_MOVECURSOR" without a direction suffix at the end. But there is!

[Russ Srole]

Elias,

I'm using a listview for a project. Functionally it does what I want, but we have to owner draw the cells different colors for different states and some cells are updated every 33 ms. When I do both of those, the updated cells flicker. I know EGrid can have colored cells, but how does it look if they are updated as often as I'm doing it?

Thanks,
Russ

[Elias Montoya]

Hello Russ.. No flicker at all. Egrid32 uses double layer DC, so you will never see flicker.