MonthView Control (VB6)

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Hi all. I have a form with about 20 date fields on it. What I am trying to achieve is for the user to be able to click on the date field and a calender similiar to the MonthView Control will popup and the user will select a date from it. When the user tabs out of the field the date will display in the pre-determined format (YYYY-MM-DD). Currently all I have is the MonthView control on the form and it takes up alot of space.
Is this possible to acheive?

Thanks.

Bill

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How ’bout the DTPicker, from “Microsoft Windows Common Controls-2 6.0” AKA MSCOMCT2.OCX? It pops down when the user clicks the drop-down arrow. (You will undoubtedly choose a font that actually fits inside the space you allot to it, unlike my example.)

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jscher2000 – Perfect! Thanks for your help.

Bill

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Oops just one other thing. When I run the form with the DTPicker field on it, the field displays todays date. I want the field to remain blank until it is clicked on. When I go to the Value property and delete the displayed date with the intention of forcing the field to display as blank, I get an error message saying that the field cannot contain a Null value.
Is there anyway to get the field to display as blank until a date is selected? Thanks for your help.

Bill

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Does any of these answers work?

http://forums.devshed.com/archive/52/2003/01/4/49833%5B/url%5D
http://www.wheelmud.org/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1079%5B/url%5D

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Thanks heaps. The following works which I got from your second URL:

Private Sub dpkDepDate1_Change()

If dpkDepDate1.Value “” Then
dpkDepDate1.Format = dtpShortDate
End If

End Sub

Private Sub Form_Load()
‘First, set date to today… then blankout dpkDepDate1
dpkDepDate1.Format = dtpCustom
dpkDepDate1.CustomFormat = ” ‘ ”

End Sub

Just one more thing. I have 10 fields which the code needs to apply named dpkDepDate1 through to dpkDepDate10. Is there anyway I can write one piece code that will apply to all 10 fields instead of writing the same code 10 times?
Thanks as always.

Bill

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Private Sub dpkDepDate1_Change()
HandleDateChange 1
End Sub

Private Sub dpkDepDate2_Change()
HandleDateChange 2
End Sub

‘ etc. for dkpDepDate3_Change through dkpDepDate10)Change

Private Sub HandleDateChange(i As Integer)
If Me.Controls(“dpkDepDate” & i).Value “” Then
Me.Controls(“dpkDepDate” & i).Format = dtpShortDate
End If
End Sub

Private Sub Form_Load()
Dim i As Integer
For i = 1 To 10
‘First, set date to today… then blankout dpkDepDate #i
Me.Controls(“dpkDepDate” & i ).Format = dtpCustom
Me,Controls(“dpkDepDate” & i).CustomFormat = ” ‘ ”
Next i
End Sub

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Hans,
For some reason the following lets the date picker come up but when you click/tab out of it, no date is displayed:

Private Sub Form_Load()
Dim i As Integer
For i = 1 To 10
‘First, set date to today… then blankout dpkDepDate #i
Me.Controls(“dpkDepDate” & i ).Format = dtpCustom
Me,Controls(“dpkDepDate” & i).CustomFormat = ” ‘ ”
Next i
End Sub

Any idea why? I have had a little play with it and can’t work out why.
Thanks for your help.

Bill

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There is a typo in my reply that the Visual Basic Editor should catch: “Me,” instead of “Me.” I just typed the code into the reply, I didn’t copy it from actual code.

The Form_Load part only blanks the Date/Time pickers. Displaying the dates is taken care of in the …_Change events, In my example, they all call HandleDateChange. I just now tried it in an actual form and it works OK.

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Hans,
Got it. Works fine. Thanks heaps for your help.

Bill

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Hans,
I actually have two sets of 10 date fields that use the MonthView Control on the same form. They are dtpDepDate1 through 10 and dtpArrDate1 through 10 respectively. I got the code to work fine when changing dtpDepDate1 – 10 but I cannot change both sets. When I run the form with the code changed I get an Ambigous Name Detected error on the second Form Load Sub.
Any idea where I have gone wrong?
Thanks heaps.

Bill

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There cannot be two procedures of the same name in a module. In particular, there can only be one Form_Load procedure for a given form – otherwise, which one should be executed when the form opens?

You can, however, initialize both sets of date fields in one procedure:

Private Sub Form_Load()
Dim i As Integer
For i = 1 To 10
Me.Controls(“dpkArrDate” & i ).Format = dtpCustom
Me,Controls(“dpkArrDate” & i).CustomFormat = ” ‘ ”
Me.Controls(“dpkDepDate” & i ).Format = dtpCustom
Me,Controls(“dpkDepDate” & i).CustomFormat = ” ‘ ”
Next i
End Sub

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Hans,
Sorry for the late reply but I have been traveling. Since your last post I have had to start again with my app, as I have established that I didn’t plan well enough initially – lesson learnt! Despite having to start again, my original problem remains, however the fields have changed. In review my problem is this.
I have a form with quite a few sets of fields. They are:

dtpArrDate1 through to dtpArrDate10
dtpDepDate1 through to dtpDepDate10
dtpCheckInDate1 through to dtpCheckInDate5
dtpCheckOutDate1 through to dtpCheckOutDate5
dtpCarPickUp1 through to dtpCarPickUp5
dtpCarDropOff1 through to dtpCarDropOff5

The fields are all date picker controls. Currently when the form is loaded the fields display today’s date which is not what I want. I want the fields to display as blank until the user actually selects a date. I have had a few goes at writing code to make this happen but never successfully. I also tried to manipulate the code you supplied so generously previously but the changes I have had to make to the app have made it redundant and my skills are not up to scratch programming wise.
Any ideas for code which will achieve my aim?

Thanks in advance.

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Are you sure that having 40 Date/Time pickers on a form is a good idea?

I would think that adapting the code would be straightforward:

Private Sub Form_Load()
Dim i As Integer
For i = 1 To 10
Me.Controls(“dpkArrDate” & i ).Format = dtpCustom
Me,Controls(“dpkArrDate” & i).CustomFormat = ” ‘ ”
Me.Controls(“dpkDepDate” & i ).Format = dtpCustom
Me,Controls(“dpkDepDate” & i).CustomFormat = ” ‘ ”
Next i
For i = 1 To 5
Me.Controls(“dtpCheckInDate” & i ).Format = dtpCustom
Me.Controls(“dtpCheckInDate” & i ).CustomFormat = ” ‘ ”
Me,Controls(“dtpCheckOutDate” & i).Format = dtpCustom
Me,Controls(“dtpCheckOutDate” & i).CustomFormat = ” ‘ ”
Me.Controls(“dtpCarPickUp” & i ).Format = dtpCustom
Me.Controls(“dtpCarPickUp” & i ).CustomFormat = ” ‘ ”
Me,Controls(“dtpCarDropOff” & i).Format = dtpCustom
Me,Controls(“dtpCarDropOff” & i).CustomFormat = ” ‘ ”
Next i
End Sub

If this doesn’t work, an you explain where you have problems?

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Hans,
I was wondering why you suggest that having 40 date picker fields may not be a good idea? It was the only way I could think of to solve my problem. I short, the aim of my application is for users to be able to send the information of their requested travel bookings to their travel agent. There is a need for at least 10 flight requests and 5 hotel and car bookings.
If there is an easier way I would be greatful of any advice.
I had previously tried to do a similiar thing using a Custom Form in Outlook but users found using Outlook a little difficult (believe it or not!).
Thanks heaps for your time.

Bill

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Bill,

It seems to me that one form with space for 10 flight requests, 5 hotel bookings and 5 car bookings with details for each will be rather cluttered. I haven’t thought deeply about it, but I would probably create a form that presents a non-editable overview of the customer’s bookings, with command buttons that show a popup form for editing an existing booking or adding a new one.

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Hans,
The code you kindly provided works up to a point. It blanks out all the fields as required and allows the date picker to be selected, however when I select the date, the field goes back to being blank. I had a go at solving the problem myself with some limited success.
The code at the end of this message, when added to the code you provided, enables the field to retain the date when it is selected from the date picker field. However it only works for one field (dtpDepDate1).
I don’t really want to write the same code 40 times for the 40 fields that will have to be changed. Is there an easier way of doing this?
On the other issue of why so many fields, I have attached a screen shot which may offer a better explanation than I was able to offer.
Thanks as always.

Bill

Private Sub dtpDepDate1_CloseUp()
FormatDTPicker
End Sub

Private Sub dtpDepDate1_Format(ByVal CallbackField As String, _
FormattedString As String)
If CallbackField = “X” Then
FormattedString = “”
End If
End Sub

Private Sub FormatDTPicker()
With dtpDepDate1
If .Value = vbNull Then
.Format = dtpCustom
.CustomFormat = “X”
Else
.Format = dtpShortDate
End If
End With
End Sub

Private Sub dtpDepDate1_MouseDown(Button As Integer, _
Shift As Integer, X As Single, Y As Single)
With dtpDepDate1
If .Value = vbNull Then
.Value = Now
End If
End With

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Oops, sorry the attachment didn’t make it last time. Another try.

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Hi Bill,

I didn’t know that you had organized your form with a tab control; it looks good, I admit.

About the code: the Date/Time picker is not installed on the PC I’m using at the moment (neither is VB6), so I can’t test code. You should be able to reduce the code for each of the events to one line, calling a generalized routine:

Private Sub dtpDepDate1_CloseUp()
FormatDTPicker 1
End Sub

Private Sub FormatDTPicker(i As Integer)
With Me.Controls(“dtpDepDate”& i)
If .Value = vbNull Then
.Format = dtpCustom
.CustomFormat = “X”
Else
.Format = dtpShortDate
End If
End With
End Sub

Private Sub dtpDepDate1_Format(ByVal CallbackField As String, FormattedString As String)
HandleFormat
End Sub

Private Sub HandleFormat(ByVal CallBackField As String, FormattedString As String)
If CallbackField = “X” Then
FormattedString = “”
End If
End Sub

Private Sub dtpDepDate1_MouseDown(Button As Integer, Shift As Integer, X As Single, Y As Single)
HandleMouseDown 1
End Sub

Private Sub HandleMouseDown(i As Integer)
With Me.Controls(“dtpDepDate” & i)
If .Value = vbNull Then
.Value = Now
End If
End With
End Sub

Another remark: have you tried to use control arrays?

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Hans,
Thanks for that. I am away from my normal PC at the moment so I won’t be able to test your code until tomorrow. I will let you know how I go.
As for control arrays, I must admit I have read a bit about them but have the confidence to use them. Is it in my interests to do so?
Appreciate your help.

Bill

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Bill,

Instead of independent controls dtpDepDate1 to dtpDepDate10, you could have 10 controls all named dtpDepDate, with index 1 through 10. The controls in a control array share event procedures, so you don’t have to write 10 individual routines for each event.

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Hans – Your explanation is much clearer than the books I have been reading. I understand now and will look at it. Thanks heaps.

Bill

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Hi Hans,
I have installed the code and still no go:-( The date picker field works for field dtpDepDate1 as it is supposed to but for the remaining fields the field does not retain the value once selected.
I have taken the liberty of attaching all of the code as it now exists to see if you can see where the problem is. I have looked without success.
Thanks heaps for your time.

Bill

Option Explicit
Private Sub Form_Load()
Dim i As Integer
For i = 1 To 10
Me.Controls(“dtpArrDate” & i).Format = dtpCustom
Me.Controls(“dtpArrDate” & i).CustomFormat = ” ‘ ”
Me.Controls(“dtpDepDate” & i).Format = dtpCustom
Me.Controls(“dtpDepDate” & i).CustomFormat = ” ‘ ”
Next i
For i = 1 To 5
Me.Controls(“dtpCheckInDate” & i).Format = dtpCustom
Me.Controls(“dtpCheckInDate” & i).CustomFormat = ” ‘ ”
Me.Controls(“dtpCheckOutDate” & i).Format = dtpCustom
Me.Controls(“dtpCheckOutDate” & i).CustomFormat = ” ‘ ”
Me.Controls(“dtpCarPickUp” & i).Format = dtpCustom
Me.Controls(“dtpCarPickUp” & i).CustomFormat = ” ‘ ”
Me.Controls(“dtpCarDropOff” & i).Format = dtpCustom
Me.Controls(“dtpCarDropOff” & i).CustomFormat = ” ‘ ”
Next i
End Sub
Private Sub dtpDepDate1_CloseUp()
FormatDTPicker 1
End Sub

Private Sub FormatDTPicker(i As Integer)
With Me.Controls(“dtpDepDate” & i)
If .Value = vbNull Then
.Format = dtpCustom
.CustomFormat = “X”
Else
.Format = dtpShortDate
End If
End With
End Sub

Private Sub dtpDepDate1_Format(ByVal CallBackField As String, FormattedString As String)
HandleFormat
End Sub

Private Sub HandleFormat(ByVal CallBackField As String, FormattedString As String)
If CallBackField = “X” Then
FormattedString = “”
End If
End Sub

Private Sub dtpDepDate1_MouseDown(Button As Integer, Shift As Integer, X As Single, Y As Single)
HandleMouseDown 1
End Sub

Private Sub HandleMouseDown(i As Integer)
With Me.Controls(“dtpDepDate” & i)
If .Value = vbNull Then
.Value = Now
End If
End With
End Sub

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You will have to create on-line event procedures for the others too. You just have

Private Sub dtpDepDate1_CloseUp()
FormatDTPicker 1
End Sub

now, you should also create

Private Sub dtpDepDate2_CloseUp()
FormatDTPicker 2
End Sub

through

Private Sub dtpDepDate10_CloseUp()
FormatDTPicker 10
End Sub

Similarly

Private Sub dtpDepDate2_Format(ByVal CallBackField As String, FormattedString As String)
HandleFormat
End Sub

through

Private Sub dtpDepDate10_Format(ByVal CallBackField As String, FormattedString As String)
HandleFormat
End Sub

and

Private Sub dtpDepDate2_MouseDown(Button As Integer, Shift As Integer, X As Single, Y As Single)
HandleMouseDown 2
End Sub

through

Private Sub dtpDepDate10_MouseDown(Button As Integer, Shift As Integer, X As Single, Y As Single)
HandleMouseDown 10
End Sub

You see that you still need to create event handlers for all controls, but you don’t have to copy multiple lines of code into each, you just call a common routine. If you were to use control arrays, this wouldn’t be necessary. As I wrote, the items in a control array use shared event handlers.

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Hans,
So far, so good. The code works fine for the dtpDepDate fields. I tried to adapt the code for the remaining fields one by one and the code continually stops in the first line of the following code: I get an ambigous name detected message.

Private Sub FormatDTPicker(i As Integer)
With Me.Controls(“dtpArrDate” & i)
If .Value = vbNull Then
.Format = dtpCustom
.CustomFormat = “X”
Else
.Format = dtpShortDate
End If
End With
End Sub

As this thread is getting a little long I have attached the whole code as it currently is as a .txt file to this message.
Thanks heaps.

Bill

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Bill,

You asked the same question in post 269268, so you’ll get the same answer: post 269403.

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Hans – Arh, that makes sense to me now. Thanks.

Bill

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I have a form which emulates the MonthView control. You’re welcome to use it. Instructions for calling its functions are at the top of the code. I usually put a small button next to the textbox which actually calls this form, but you can certainly use a textbox’s click or double-click event to call it. Feel free to try it and e-mail with any questions.

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