PMFJI-


>>1. when you say "every control's gotfocus sets a self reference to >>thisform.lastcontrol". i am saying whatever.lastcontrol = >>"whatever.txtlastname". is there a easier way to set a self reference than >>typing the name in for each control?

>In the base class of every control, put something like this in the gotfocus:
>THISFORM.LastControl = THIS

>This gives the form an object reference, and not just a control name. This is >why it is important to set the form property to .NULL. in the form.destroy, >because if there the form holds outstanding object references, it will not >release.

>>2. when the client clicks on toolbar.cmdsave, and i setfocus, yes the valid is >>fired, and the messagebox comes up if an error is found. but how can i in >>otoolbar.cmdsave know that? i do not want to continue with the save if an >>error was found. know i can set a global variable, but is there a better way?

>Whether the toolbar runs the valid, or a special form method runs the valid, you >can return .F. all the way back up to the toolbar button. So if you run the valid >directly, your tb button syntax would be like:

>IF _SCREEN.ActiveForm.LastControl.Valid()
> *button code here
>ENDIF

>and then if you have a special method handle it, then that method returns .T. or >.F.:

>IF _SCREEN.ActiveForm.UpdateControls()
> *button code here
>ENDIF

>Form.UpdateControl()

>RETURN THIS.LastControl.Valid()

>>3. have not decided if i will setfocus at the toolbar or at the page. but either >>way i am having trouble with the setfocus syntax. my lastcontrol currently >>(unless i/you/we come up with a better way) has the "whatever.text1" >>reference. when i try to "this.lastcontrol.setfocs()", or >>"this.&lastcontrol..setfocus()" it doesnot work. can not get the syntax right.

>The syntax you are trying does not work for the reasons I laid out for your first >question. You have to have or get an object reference to set focus to it.

used "this" like you suggested in #1. worked great.

understand that i can call the valid first, evaluate the return code and then call the setfocus as needed.

still having trouble with the syntax of the setfocus/valid. i guess part of my problem (besides being a new vfp programmer) is that i have a toplevelform.pageframe.container. grid structure. each page can have up to 3 containers, depending on the data. only one container is visible per page. each container is logically independant, most of the code is at the container level. so at the grid.column.text.setfocus, when i use "this" it has the value "osdi.omainscr.page6.disb1.disb1grid.column1.text1". osdi is toplevelform, omainscr is pageframe, page6, disb1 is one of 3 containers, disb1grid is grid, .... can not seem to get that into a generic statement that will fire a valid.

thanks - brenda