ACC1x: Sample Function to Make ENTER Add Lines in a Text Box

• Microsoft Access versions 1.0, 1.1

SUMMARY

Text boxes in Microsoft Access do not support using the ENTER key to add lines within a field. When ENTER is pressed in a text box, the next field or control is selected. This article describes a sample function that you can use to modify the action that results when you press ENTER so that a line is added to the current field instead of selecting the next field.

NOTE: Microsoft Access 2.0 introduces the new EnterKeyBehavior property which can be set to "New Line in Field."

MORE INFORMATION

The following sample function changes the behavior of the ENTER key in text boxes to allow adding lines instead of selecting a different field or control. This code should be attached to the BeforeUpdate event of the text box:

In the Declarations section of a module, enter the following:

   Option Explicit
   Declare Function GetKeyState% Lib "user.exe" (ByVal nKey%)
   Const VK_RETURN = &HD

   Function MakeEnterWork()
      If GetKeyState(VK_RETURN) < 0 Then
         DoCmd CancelEvent
         SendKeys "^{ENTER}"
      End If
   End Function