DISABLE.INPUT Disables ON.KEY Command in Excel

SUMMARY

The DISABLE.INPUT macro command functions differently in Microsoft Excel 3.0 for Windows than it does in Excel versions 2.x. The difference occurs when the ON.KEY command is executed following the DISABLE.INPUT command.

MORE INFORMATION

The DISABLE.INPUT blocks all input from the keyboard and mouse to Excel. The ON.KEY command runs a specified macro when a particular key or key combination is pressed. If a DISABLE.INPUT(TRUE) command is followed by an ON.KEY command in Excel 2.x, the ON.KEY command functions properly. In Excel 3.0, the ON.KEY command is ignored.

Example

1. Enter the following data into a macro sheet:

         A1:  Main_Macro
         A2:  =ERROR(0)
         A3:  =ECHO(1)
         A4:  =DISABLE.INPUT(1)
         A5:  =ON.KEY("{RIGHT}","Macro1.xlm!Test")
         A6:  =RETURN()
         A7:
         A8:  Test
         A9:  =DISABLE.INPUT(0)
         A10: =RETURN()
   

2. In Excel 2.x, run Main_Macro. You will now be unable to type anything at the keyboard or select anything with your mouse.

3. Press the RIGHT ARROW key.

   Note that pressing the RIGHT ARROW key returns control of the keyboard and mouse.

4. Follow steps 2 and 3 in Excel 3.0.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Excel Function Reference," version 3.0, pages 58, 165

"Microsoft Excel Functions and Macros," version 2.x, pages 271, 321