Forms and Scanning

[jlgray0127]

I am using a scanner to input into a form. Unfortunately, my barcode contains 35 characters, including spaces, but I only need the first 7 characters.
When we scan, our scanner is programmed to tab after the scan, so I am certain I need a procedure in the "Lost Focus" event. I am just not sure how to write that procedure.

[RuralGuy]

You need to use the BeforeUpdate event of the control with something like:
Me.ControlName = Left(Me.ControlName.Text,7)
...using your ControlName of course.

[jlgray0127]

My Text box is [A1], so how would I word this? Thank you, too, by the way!!!! This is a HUGE help!

[RuralGuy]

Try:
Me.A1 = Left(Me.A1.Text,7)
BTW, it is far more useful to name your controls something descriptive of their content or function. If not for you, then for the poor person that is asked to maintain the system a year later.

[jlgray0127]

I am getting this error:
The expression Before Update you entered as the event property setting produced the following error: Procedure declaration does not match the description of event or procedure having the same name

In the after Update event, I also have

Private Sub A1_AfterUpdate()
If DCount("[Part Numaber]", "ILC Parts List", "[Part Numaber]='" & Me.ActiveControl & "'") > 0 Then
Me.ActiveControl.BackColor = 8454143 'white
Else
Me.ActiveControl.BackColor = 16777215 'Yellow
End If
End Sub

and I believe this is causing it to error out with the before update... Any thoughts?

[RuralGuy]

Change the BeforeUpdate event code to:
Me.A1 = Left(Me.A1,7)
...and the AfterUpdate event should not affect this.

[RuralGuy]

What is the DataType of the field to which the A1 control is bound?

[jlgray0127]

It's Text. My data is alpha numeric.

[RuralGuy]

Good! That is as it should be.

[jlgray0127]

Ugh... still getting the same error...

[RuralGuy]

Change the code to:
MsgBox "[" & Left(Me.A1,7) & "]"
...and see what you get.

[jlgray0127]

Ugh... still not it...
It continues to give me the same error.

[RuralGuy]

Try:
MsgBox "[" & Me.A1 & "]"
...and display the entire string. Does that work?

[jlgray0127]

Entering that, I do get a message box to pop up displaying the text that was input into the field

I MUST HAVE DONE SOMETHING WRONG!!! THE FIRST ONE WORKED WHERE WE DECLARED 7 CHARACTERS!

[RuralGuy]

Does this mean this thread is Solved?