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KEY Statement (Assignment) Details
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KEY {key%, stringexpression$ | LIST | ON | OFF}
Usage Notes
■ References to the KEY LIST or KEY ON statement are not allowed when
forms are showing and cause Visual Basic to generate an error. Use the
HIDE method to hide any visible forms or controls before executing
either of these statements. See: ◄HIDE Method►
■ Use the KEY statement to designate special "soft-key" functions - that
is, strings that are returned when function keys are pressed.
■ Assigning a null string to a soft key disables the function key as
a soft key.
■ If stringexpression$ is longer than 15 characters, the extra
characters are ignored.
■ If the function-key number is not in the correct range, Visual Basic
generates the error message, "Illegal function call," and the previous
key string expression is retained.
■ You can display soft keys with the KEY ON, KEY OFF, and KEY LIST
statements:
Statement Action
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KEY ON Displays the first five to six characters of the
soft-key string values on the bottom line of the
screen.
KEY OFF Erases the soft-key display from the bottom line,
making that line available for program use. It does
not disable the function keys.
KEY LIST Displays all soft-key values on the screen, with all
15 characters of each key displayed.
■ If a soft key is pressed, the effect is the same as if the user typed
the string associated with the soft key.
■ INPUT$, INPUT, and INKEY$ all can be used to read the string produced
by pressing the soft key.