KeyDown event doesnt work

Question

I would need that (on a WinForm) if the key A is pressed, an event is triggered. I got this code from the MSDN site:

private void Form1_KeyDown(object sender, KeyEventArgs e)
{
     if (e.KeyCode != Keys.A)
     {
          MessageBox.Show("Key 'a' was pressed.");
     }
}

The problem is that this code doesn't work for me, there is no error message, but if I am on the form and press the key A there is no event triggered. I tried to use breakpoints, but it never enters the if.

What is the problem here?

Well, for one, you have `!=`, which means is looking for a key that's *not* `Keys.A`. Also, you probably still have to add this function to the form's keydown event (you can use the designer). — nanny, Nov 19 '15 at 14:07

tezzo · Accepted Answer · 2015-11-19T14:08:52.140

2

You need to set Form.KeyPreview property to True. This property gets or sets a value indicating whether the form will receive key events before the event is passed to the control that has focus.

Also note that there is a mistake in your code; according to your message you need to verify if e.KeyCode == Keys.A.

edited Nov 19 '15 at 14:08

answered Nov 19 '15 at 14:06

tezzo

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OK, atleast there is SOME form of response. But not if I press the key A. Instead, if i press SPACE the MessageBox is shown. – Ian H. Nov 19 '15 at 14:07
Thats because your if statement says to do that. If `e.KeyCode DOES NOT EQUAL Keys.A`... – KDecker Nov 19 '15 at 14:07
@KDecker Oh my god, I am stupid. Thanks for the response! – Ian H. Nov 19 '15 at 14:08

KeyDown event doesnt work

1 Answers1