To set up the joystick device for data retrieval, first call the IDirectInputDevice8::SetDataFormat method with the c_dfDIJoystick or the c_dfDIJoystick2 global variable as the parameter value. (See Device Data Formats.)

Because some device drivers do not notify Microsoft® DirectInput® of changes in state until explicitly asked to do so, you should always call the IDirectInputDevice8::Poll method before attempting to retrieve data from the joystick. For more information, see Polling and Event Notification.