vb.net get mouse selected control

Question

I'm creating an windows form application. I have to do some actions after some of keyboard shortcuts is pressed. I have this part :

Protected Overrides Function ProcessCmdKey(ByRef msg As Message, keyData As Keys) As Boolean
    If keyData = Keys.Control & Keys.T Then
        'Wait till mouse clicks one of application controls
        'And get selected control information
    Else
        MyBase.ProcessCmdKey(msg, keyData)
    End If
End Function

Also, after this keyboard keys combination is pressed I have to get a control which is selected by mouse click. I am not able to make an event on every main form control (well, even if it would be possible I believe it's a stupid choice).

One of solution I have is Me.ActiveControl but it can't focus on labels and some other controls which can't be focused. So it's perhaps not the right choice.

Another solution which I found is global hooks but I can't understood how to use it. I'm asking your help and advices. If you have sample of global hooks or better solution how to get mouse clicked control share it :) Any help is appreciated, feel free to write your opinion :)

I want in my windows form press ctrl + t keyboard combination then press on control with mouse and get that user selected control. Why I am doing this? Because I need to get any of user selected control on application. — intentarr, Nov 08 '12 at 20:12
Why do you need to select a control in run time? What will you do with it? — Victor Zakharov, Nov 08 '12 at 20:14
Are you trying to [Implement Custom Windows Forms Designer](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/743988/how-to-implement-custom-windows-forms-designer)? — Victor Zakharov, Nov 08 '12 at 20:15
I need to select a control in run time because that I will change it later (well, I will change it some of properties). — intentarr, Nov 08 '12 at 20:19
So you are in fact trying to implement a custom winforms designer. If so, please have a look at the link I posted above. — Victor Zakharov, Nov 08 '12 at 20:20

score 0 · Answer 1 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:04

0

Your current approach is backwards for Windows programming.

The correct approach is to check in the control's click event if Ctrl+T is being pressed and respond accordingly.

Import the Win API 'GetKeyState'
Use 'GetKeyState' to check if the Ctrl Key and the T key are down.

See the PInvoke page for more information.

The correct way to handle a click event for all controls is simply to add a central click event handler for all controls placing your key down logic in that handler.

These are advanced techniques which require more in depth knowledge of WinForms.

edited May 23 '17 at 12:04

Community

1
1

answered Nov 08 '12 at 20:05

Norma L. Ized

16

1

So `PInvoke` is a step forward you think? :) – Victor Zakharov Nov 08 '12 at 20:08

vb.net get mouse selected control

1 Answers1