How to: Create a Numeric Text Box
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You can create a custom control derived from TextBox so that it accepts only numeric input. This example defines the NumericTextBox class and shows how to place it on the form.
This example checks the current character whenever a key is pressed. Another way to implement a numeric text box is to use pattern matching to verify the entire input string. For more information, see IsMatch.
To derive a class from TextBox
Add the NumericTextBox class to your project.
Public Class NumericTextBox Inherits TextBox Private SpaceOK As Boolean = False ' Restricts the entry of characters to digits (including hex), ' the negative sign, the e decimal point, and editing keystrokes (backspace). Protected Overrides Sub OnKeyPress(ByVal e As KeyPressEventArgs) MyBase.OnKeyPress(e) Dim numberFormatInfo As NumberFormatInfo = System.Globalization.CultureInfo.CurrentCulture.NumberFormat Dim decimalSeparator As String = numberFormatInfo.NumberDecimalSeparator Dim groupSeparator As String = numberFormatInfo.NumberGroupSeparator Dim negativeSign As String = numberFormatInfo.NegativeSign Dim keyInput As String = e.KeyChar.ToString() If [Char].IsDigit(e.KeyChar) Then ' Digits are OK ElseIf keyInput.Equals(decimalSeparator) OrElse keyInput.Equals(groupSeparator) OrElse keyInput.Equals(negativeSign) Then ' Decimal separator is OK ElseIf e.KeyChar = vbBack Then ' Backspace key is OK ' else if ((ModifierKeys & (Keys.Control | Keys.Alt)) != 0) ' { ' // Let the edit control handle control and alt key combinations ' } ElseIf Me.SpaceOK AndAlso e.KeyChar = " "c Then Else ' Consume this invalid key and beep. e.Handled = True End If End Sub Public ReadOnly Property IntValue() As Integer Get Return Int32.Parse(Me.Text) End Get End Property Public ReadOnly Property DecimalValue() As Decimal Get Return [Decimal].Parse(Me.Text) End Get End Property Public Property AllowSpace() As Boolean Get Return Me.SpaceOK End Get Set(ByVal value As Boolean) Me.SpaceOK = value End Set End Property End Class
public class NumericTextBox : TextBox { bool allowSpace = false; // Restricts the entry of characters to digits (including hex), the negative sign, // the decimal point, and editing keystrokes (backspace). protected override void OnKeyPress(KeyPressEventArgs e) { base.OnKeyPress(e); NumberFormatInfo numberFormatInfo = System.Globalization.CultureInfo.CurrentCulture.NumberFormat; string decimalSeparator = numberFormatInfo.NumberDecimalSeparator; string groupSeparator = numberFormatInfo.NumberGroupSeparator; string negativeSign = numberFormatInfo.NegativeSign; string keyInput = e.KeyChar.ToString(); if (Char.IsDigit(e.KeyChar)) { // Digits are OK } else if (keyInput.Equals(decimalSeparator) || keyInput.Equals(groupSeparator) || keyInput.Equals(negativeSign)) { // Decimal separator is OK } else if (e.KeyChar == '\b') { // Backspace key is OK } // else if ((ModifierKeys & (Keys.Control | Keys.Alt)) != 0) // { // // Let the edit control handle control and alt key combinations // } else if (this.allowSpace && e.KeyChar == ' ') { } else { // Consume this invalid key and beep e.Handled = true; // MessageBeep(); } } public int IntValue { get { return Int32.Parse(this.Text); } } public decimal DecimalValue { get { return Decimal.Parse(this.Text); } } public bool AllowSpace { set { this.allowSpace = value; } get { return this.allowSpace; } } }
To add the NumericTextBox control to the form
Add the following code to the form's constructor or Load event.
' Create an instance of NumericTextBox. Dim NumericTextBox1 As NumericTextBox = New NumericTextBox() NumericTextBox1.Parent = Me ' Draw the bounds of the NumericTextBox. NumericTextBox1.Bounds = New Rectangle(5, 5, 150, 100)
// Create an instance of NumericTextBox. NumericTextBox numericTextBox1 = new NumericTextBox(); numericTextBox1.Parent = this; //Draw the bounds of the NumericTextBox. numericTextBox1.Bounds = new Rectangle(5, 5, 150, 100);
Add an InputPanel component to your form for user input into the NumericTextBox. For a Smartphone application, you can specify a numeric InputMode.
Compiling the Code
This example requires references to the following namespaces:
See Also
Tasks
How to: Set Smartphone Input Modes
How to: Use the InputPanel Component