DOCUMENT:Q276287 11-NOV-2000 [foxpro] TITLE :PRB: SET FORMAT File Scrolls to End of Table in Visual FoxPro PRODUCT :Microsoft FoxPro PROD/VER::5.0,5.0a,6.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbvfp500 kbvfp500a kbvfp600 kbXBase kbGrpDSFox kbDSupport kbCodeSnippet ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0a, 6.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== Visual FoxPro offers a level of backward compatibility with files from Dbase. In some cases, you might find that Dbase Format (.fmt) files behave erratically by scrolling to the end the table, as if the Page Down key is being pressed. CAUSE ===== Visual FoxPro uses Event Model rather than Foundation READ. RESOLUTION ========== There are two recommended workarounds: - The first method is to recreate the format files as native Visual FoxPro forms. - The second method requires modifications to the format files. The following code is generated when you create a format file in Dbase, and it varies depending on how the format file was originally designed. To demonstrate this workaround, perform the following steps: 1. Paste the following code into a program or text file, and save it as Empform.fmt: *-- Format file initialization code -------------------------------------------- IF SET("TALK")="ON" SET TALK OFF lc_talk="ON" ELSE lc_talk="OFF" ENDIF *-- This form was created in EGA25 mode SET DISPLAY TO EGA25 lc_status=SET("STATUS") *-- SET STATUS was ON when you went into the Forms Designer. IF lc_status = "OFF" SET STATUS ON ENDIF *-- @ SAY GETS Processing. -------------------------- *!* MODIFICATION (1 of 2) *!* Set a procedure call to assign keys *!* functionality to the PageUp, PageDown and Escape Keys. SET PROCEDURE TO SetKey KeyInit() &&Initializes the keys *!* *-- Format Page: 1 @ 1,0 SAY "EMP_ID" @ 1,12 GET emp_id PICTURE "XXXXXX" @ 2,0 SAY "LAST_NAME" @ 2,12 GET lname PICTURE "XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX" @ 3,0 SAY "FIRST_NAME" @ 3,12 GET fname PICTURE "XXXXXXXXXX" @ 6,0 SAY "HIRE_DATE" @ 6,12 GET hire_date *-- Format file exit code --------------------------- *!* MODIFICATION (2 of 2) *!* Establish the READ command to loop around the fields. READ CYCLE *!* *-- SET STATUS was ON when you went into the Forms Designer. IF lc_status = "OFF" && Entered form with status off SET STATUS OFF && Turn STATUS "OFF" on the way out ENDIF IF lc_talk="ON" SET TALK ON ENDIF RELEASE lc_talk,lc_fields,lc_status *-- EOP: EMPFORM.FMT 2. Paste the following code into a program or text file, and save it as Setkey.prg: FUNCTION KeyInit ON KEY LABEL PgUp PageUp() ON KEY LABEL PgDn PageDown() ON KEY LABEL Esc EscFunc() ENDFUNC FUNCTION PageUp IF !BOF() SKIP -1 SHOW GETS ELSE GO TOP ENDIF ENDFUNC FUNCTION PageDown SKIP IF EOF() GO BOTTOM ENDIF SHOW GETS ENDFUNC FUNCTION EscFunc ON KEY LABEL PgUp ON KEY LABEL PgDn ON KEY LABEL Esc SET STATUS BAR ON CLEAR CANCEL ENDFUNC 3. Paste this code into a program or text file, and save it as Main.prg: *!* Creates a sample table CREATE TABLE emp_table (emp_id c(9),fname c(20),lname c(30),hire_date T(8)) *!* Inserts sample records. INSERT INTO emp_table (emp_id,fname,lname,hire_date); VALUES ('234234325','George','Washington',{^2000/07/01 12:35pm}) INSERT INTO emp_table (emp_id,fname,lname,hire_date); VALUES ('456432734','Albert','Einstein',{^2000/08/23 4:40pm}) INSERT INTO emp_table (emp_id, fname,lname,hire_date); VALUES ('566753444','Amelia','Earhart',{^2000/10/15 8:00am}) GO TOP *!* Executes the Format File instead of using the SET FORMAT command. DO empform.fmt &&Calls the Format File USE 4. Run the program from Visual FoxPro by typing DO MAIN from the Command window and pressing ENTER. This workaround basically traps for keys like PageUp, PageDown and Escape keys, and assigns specific actions that are defined in Setkey.prg. It uses a READ CYCLE to prevent the records from scrolling abnormally. MORE INFORMATION ================ Steps to Reproduce Behavior --------------------------- 1. Start Visual FoxPro. 2. Change directory to where your format (.fmt) file is located. 3. Type the following lines and press ENTER after each one: USE EMP_table SET FORMAT TO empform.fmt EDIT 4. Note the behavior at this point. (c) Microsoft Corporation 2000, All Rights Reserved. Contributions by Reinaldo Torrales, Microsoft Corporation. REFERENCES ========== For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Q162683 BUG: BROWSE FORMAT May Cause Blank Browse Window Additional query words: ====================================================================== Keywords : kbvfp500 kbvfp500a kbvfp600 kbXBase kbGrpDSFox kbDSupport kbCodeSnippet Technology : kbVFPsearch kbAudDeveloper kbVFP500 kbVFP600 kbVFP500a Version : :5.0,5.0a,6.0 Issue type : kbprb ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2000.