Length of Input String (VB6)

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Hi

I would like to count the number of string characters entered in a textbox and make sure that the user enters at least 4.

Appreciate that this is very basic. I don’t know what is worse. The embarrassment that I’m having to ask this question, or the frustration that I can’t get my code to work!

Many thanks

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You can use the LostFocus event of the text box, and the Len function:

Private Sub Text1_LostFocus()
If Len(Text1) < 4 Then
Me.Text1.SetFocus
End If
End Sub

where Text1 is the name of the text box. If you want to allow the user to clear the text box, change

If Len(Text1) 0 And Len(Text1) < 4 Then

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Another approach I’ve seen is to keep the action buttons disabled unless and until there are at least 4 characters in a field. This is done, I believe, bu using a .Change event; if there is no such event, it might be done by watching the keyboard (e.g., keydown/keyup type events). This seems like tricky code to write; it might already be “out there” for study and downlaoding on VB boards. That’s a big advantage of working with an “old” language like VB.

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Use the Validate event of the textbox to count the length of the string and put up a message if it’s too short and set Cancel = True to keep them in the textbox. Validate is similar to BeforeUpdate in Access. It happens before the control actually loses focus and it has a cancel argument .

Private Sub Text1_Validate(Cancel As Boolean)

Dim intLen As Integer

intLen = Len(Text1.Text)
If intLen < 4 Then
Cancel = True
MsgBox "You must enter at least 4 characters."
End If

End Sub

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Hi

Apologies for the delay in replying. And for all your suggestions. Unfortunately, I am still having difficulties. This is what I am actually trying to achieve:

I want a user to enter a minimum of 4 characters in a string which is to contain the values A-Z ^(hat) – (hypen) only. If an incorrect character is input I would like it removed but leave the rest of the string intact. Oh and also display a message box to say what is going on if validation fails.

At present I am trying to do this using two Event Procedures: Hans V’s LostFocus Event along with the KeyPress Select Case validation he has given me on a previous occasion

Private Sub txtInput_KeyPress(KeyAscii As Integer)
Select Case KeyAscii
Case 45, 65 To 90, 94
‘ allowed
Case Else
‘ not allowed
KeyAscii = 0
End Select
End Sub

Adding MsgBoxes and attempting to use a RIGHT function to remove the last character in the String in my text box at various points in the code. I cannot get this all to work together properly.

I suppose it would have made more sense to ask for exactly what I wanted from the word go. However I really do try to work these things out for myself before screaming for help.

Thanks

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Using code for the KeyPress event and the LostFocus event should do what you want. Why are you trying to remove the last character? The KeyPress event should prevent the user from ever entering a wrong character.

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Hi

Excellent question… I think I’ve managed to confuse myself somewhere along the line. Still good news. It now works fine.

Thanks for your patience.

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The thread Limiting textbox input (VBA Office 2000) might provide some useful ideas too.

Alan

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