Macro code to highlight a field on a Form

users
#1

I'm writing an accounting application and on the data entry Form I use a
macro to automatically fill in fields for regular recurring entries, e.g. a
payment of a Gas or Electricity bill. This speed up the data entry a lot,
as usually the only fields that need changing are the Date and Amount
fields. Then I use the following code to position the cursor in the Amount
field :-

*Sub SetCursor(ThisComponent as Object, ControlName as String)
    Dim oControl AS Object
    Dim oController AS Object
    Dim oControlView AS Object

    oControl = oFormTransHeader.getByName(ControlName)
    oController = oControl.Parent.Parent.Parent.CurrentController
    oControlView = oController.GetControl(oControl)
    oControlView.SetFocus()
End Sub

*This works well, but what I haven't been able to work out is how to
highlight the Amount field so that the user can then type in the new amount
over the top of the existing amount. The user could just type Ctrl + A,
but I'm trying to reduce key strokes to as few as possible.

I've looked for code that would send Ctrl + A to the form, but drew a blank
on that.
I've also xRayed *oControlView*, but there doesn't seem to be any method
there that does highlighting either.

Can anyone point me to a solution?

Thanks,

Noel

#2

Hi :slight_smile:
It might be worth looking into Gnu Cash
http://www.gnucash.org/
It may just need a plug-in / add-on to make it do what you want if it doesn't already. 
Regards from
Tom :slight_smile:

#3

Hi Tom,

Thanks for the suggestion - Gnu Cash looks to be very comprehensive, but I
would think twice about starting all over again on a new platform.

What I neglected to say was that I started writing the accounting system
over 20 years ago as a Paradox application for a large non-profit
organisation, (and I've been tinkering with it ever since!). Currently I am
porting it from Paradox to the H2 SQL database, (rather than Base). As far
as Macros are concerned, it has been a bit like starting all over again
because I have never worked in Java before. But I have the app running
pretty well now, and my latest project is to add more data entry
automation. Hence my query as to how to highlight a field on a Form using
Macro code.

So if anyone knows how to do that, I'd be glad to hear from them.

Thanks,
Noel

#4

Hello,

All you need is the MRI extension.

http://extensions.libreoffice.org/extension-center/mri-uno-object-inspection-tool

Within seconds it can point you to method

http://www.openoffice.org/api/docs/common/ref/com/sun/star/awt/XTextComponent.html#setSelection

The .setSelection(aSelection) method takes a struct specifying the start position and the end position of your text selection.

MRI also generates snippets like this while using it:

Sub Snippet(Optional oInitialTarget As Object)
  Dim oSource As Object
  Dim aSelection As New com.sun.star.awt.Selection

  oSource = oInitialTarget.Source
  aSelection = oSource.getSelection()
End Sub

[Tutorial] Introduction into object inspection with MRI

http://user.services.openoffice.org/en/forum/viewtopic.php?f=74&t=49294

Hope this helps,
A.S.

#5

Marion & Noel ,

If you do some googling, you will find many examples how to handle a "com.sun.star.awt.UnoControlNumericFieldModel" or a "com.sun.star.awt.UnoControlEditFieldModel"

Hope it helps

Fernand

#6

Hi,

*This works well, but what I haven't been able to work out is how to
highlight the Amount field so that the user can then type in the new amount
over the top of the existing amount. The user could just type Ctrl + A,
but I'm trying to reduce key strokes to as few as possible.

The following is for Calc, but the methods for use in Base forms are similar :

http://user.services.openoffice.org/en/forum/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=48984

The following discussion, and possibly others in the same forum if you trawl around a bit, might also help you out :

http://user.services.openoffice.org/en/forum/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=31046

Alex

#7

Hi :slight_smile:
Lol, that does make a big difference.  Continuity is important.  I have just seen too many people start trying to write something new purely because they didn't realise other companies may have similar issues to deal with.  Even trying to re-write accountancy principles to suit themselves, making the finance director's and the accountant's life hell for no reason. 
Regards from
Tom :slight_smile:

#8

Hi,

Many thanks for all the replies.

I'm away for the next few days, so I'll try the suggestions out when I get
back and let you know how I go.

Noel

#9

Hi Andreas,

Thanks very much for pointing me to the .setSelection(aSelection) method.

I've experimented with it and I can get it to work sometimes but not
others. (I think the problem lies within my Form. I have macros that fire
when leaving certain fields and have the effect of moving the cursor
elsewhere from where I am trying to be!)

I'm away for the next week, so I have run out of time. But I'm confident
that I'll now be able to sort it out when I return.

Regarding the MRI extension, I take it that it is similar to the XRay
extension. Is it worth loading both? They seem to do both similar and
different things.

Thanks again,

Noel

#10

Hi :slight_smile:
There is an excellent guide on writing Macros
https://wiki.documentfoundation.org/Documentation/Publications#Programmers
but getting personalised advice from an experienced expert such as Andreas
is even better.

Still it can be useful to have a guide too.
Regards from
Tom :slight_smile:

#11

Hi Tom,

I'm back on deck again now.
Thanks for this URL - I've bookmarked it for future reference.

Noel