XL: OnKey Method Ignored When a Dialog Box Is Being Displayed

ID: Q153316

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition
Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c
Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 5.0, 5.0a

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications, you can use the OnKey method to run a particular macro when a key or key combination is pressed. The OnKey method does not work, however, when a dialog box is being displayed. Dialog boxes, such as message boxes, custom dialog sheets, userforms, and menus cause the OnKey method to ignore the key combination(s) that were set to run the macro.

MORE INFORMATION

This behavior is by design. Dialog boxes are application modal and, therefore, have the application's focus, rendering macros inactive while the dialog boxes are visible.

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q133136
   TITLE     : Using the OnKey Method in a Visual Basic Macro

REFERENCES

Excel 97 or Excel 98 Macintosh Edition

For more information about the OnKey method, from the Visual Basic Editor, click the Office Assistant, type "OnKey method," click Search, and then click to view "OnKey Method."

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar. If the Assistant is not able to answer your query, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q176476
   TITLE     : OFF: Office Assistant Not Answering Visual Basic Questions

Additional query words: 5.00 5.00a 5.00c 7.00 7.00a XL97 8.00 XL98 XL7 XL5

Keywords          : kbprg kbdta kbdtacode PgmOthr KbVBA 
Version           : WINDOWS:5.0,5.0c,7.0,7.0a,97; MACINTOSH:5.0,98
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: December 9, 1998