Allow users to insert a TAB into a TextBox but not

Question

I want to have a TextBox which does accept the TAB key (and places a TAB, ASCII 0x09, \t accordingly into the textbox) instead of jumping to the next control. The TextBox has a property AcceptsTab, which I have set to true but this does not give the desired result. It turns out the AcceptsTab property only works then Multiline is set to true as well. However I want to have a one-line TextBox which doesn't accept newlines.

Answer 1

Here's what you do. Create your own class that inherits from TextBox. In the constructor, set multiline to true, and AcceptsTab to true. Then, override WndProc and use this code:

        protected override void WndProc(ref Message m)
        {
            if (m.Msg == (int)0x102 && m.WParam.ToInt32() == 13)
            {
                return;
            }

            base.WndProc(ref m);
        }

This will block the enter key from being accepted and therefore a new line won't be created. Hacky? yes, but it'll work..

EDIT: I'll explain what this code does. Every windows form and control get a windows message when something happens, like paint, key down etc etc... In this case, I'm looking out for a WM_CHAR message (which is 0x102) which is the message that tells the TextBox which key was pressed. If that's the message, and the WParam == 13, then that means Enter was pressed, in which case, return, do nothing. Else, resume as expected. Makes sense?

Answer 2

Sel multilines to true and set the line size to 1. you will get the desired result.