Display multiple scrolling messages

[GaryElwood]

Problem: I want to be able to scroll multiple messages across the top of a form. I have a table (tbl_Messages) with a field called (Message). The table has multiple records. I want to start with the first record, scroll it across the screen and then move to the next message, scroll and continue through all messages in the table. I can get the first message to work but can’t move to the next record?


My message starts at (message.left=700) and should end and load the next message when (message.left>14400)
TimerInterval=45
Thanks for your assistance,
Gary

[Dal Jeanis]

You didn't describe what, exactly, it is doing, and you didn't post the code that you used to try to reload the message.

My guess is that you maybe didn't set up the query on the message to wait around, open, until your timer ran out, then read the next one. So it may be reading and loading the same message over and over again.

I'm going to assume you're using a label called lblScroll and are changing its .Left property every time your timer ticks.

Here's how I'd set it up so that you don't have to keep a query recordset sitting around for no good reason.

1) Create a hidden listbox lstMsg.
Set lstMsg.Visible = No and .Enabled = no.
Set lstMsg.[Row Source] = "Select [Message] from [tbl_Messages]"
(This assumes that you want all the Message records, in any order. If not, then you should add whatever limits and ORDER BY you want on the messages)

2) Create a hidden text box txtMsgno.
Set txtMsgNo.Visible = No and txtMsgNo.Enabled = no.
Set txtMsgNo.[Default Value] = 0

3) Whenever your timer says to change the message,

   ' calculate next message number
   txtMsgNo = txtMsgNo + 1
   if txtMsgNo > lstMsg.   then
      txtMsgNo = 0
   end if 
 
   ' set next message caption
   lblScroll.Caption = lstMsg.Control(txtMsgNo)   

   'set label back to the middle
   lblScroll.Left = 700

[ssanfu]

I haven't tried or even thought about doing this, but off hand, I can think of two methods that might work.

Possible solutions:
1) Since the messages are stored in a table, open a recordset on that table. Loop through the records, concatenating in a string variable. Then display as you are doing now. You could use leader dots (......) to separate the messages.

2) You have to be able to read the message from the table, soooo, use a recordset instead of the table. Loop through the recordset, pausing until message.left>14400.

I know this is very general, but I don't know what code you are using..

[GaryElwood]

Dal....
Thanks for your assistance.... But i'm still having a problem. I'm getting a "Type mismatch" error on "MessageBoard.Caption = lstMsg(txtMsgno)"

'Me.MessageBoard.Caption = lstMsg(txtMsgno)
If (MessageBoard.Left < 14400) Then
MessageBoard.Left = MessageBoard.Left + 40
Else
' calculate next message number
txtMsgno = txtMsgno + 1
If (Me.txtMsgno > lstMsg) Then
txtMsgno = 0
End If

' set next message caption
MessageBoard.Caption = lstMsg(txtMsgno)

'set label back to the middle
MessageBoard.Left = 700
End If

[Dal Jeanis]

1) how many columns did you load the listbox with?

for one column, use

MessageBoard.Caption = lstMsg.Control(txtMsgno)

for two columns, to get the second one use

MessageBoard.Caption = lstMsg.Control(txtMsgno,1)


2) I forgot to research the name of the listbox's count variable. I had left a period after listMsg. to remind myself to look it up. Change the test to ...

If (Me.txtMsgno > lstMsg.ListCount ) Then

[GaryElwood]

I really appreciate all your help...but.... I still can not get it to work.
I have the following code in the on Timer event:

(I don't understand the "MessageBoard.Caption = lstMsg.Control(txtMsgno)" What is the .Control doing?)
I still get type mismatch when i run this...

Me.MessageBoard.Caption = lstMsg(txtMsgno)
If (MessageBoard.Left < 14400) Then
MessageBoard.Left = MessageBoard.Left + 40
Else
' calculate next message number
txtMsgno = txtMsgno + 1
If (Me.txtMsgno > lstMsg.ListCount) Then
txtMsgno = 0
End If
' set next message caption
MessageBoard.Caption = lstMsg(txtMsgno)
'set label back to starting point
MessageBoard.Left = 700
End If

[Dal Jeanis]

Sorry, not "Control", but "Column". My hands typed the wrong "Co" word.

[GaryElwood]

Still can not get this to work....
I don't understand:
' set next message caption
MessageBoard.Caption = lstMsg(txtMsgno)

How does changing the column number move to the next record?

[Dal Jeanis]

Man, on this thread I ought to change my title to "incompetent performer". I really need to slow down my typing and doublecheck everything after I make my first mistake.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/libr...ffice.14).aspx

Column is a two-dimension property, the first dimension is column, and the second dimension is row. You want the first column (your message) for each row.

So, try this:

MessageBoard.Caption = lstMsg.Column(0,txtMsgno)

[GaryElwood]

Thanks Dal for all the help!
It now works!!!!

[Dal Jeanis]

Awesome! Please mark thread "solved". Top of page, under Thread Tools.