Forcing unbound text box to save it's value

[DDS]

I have a popup form which allows a user to enter a new customer.
I have designed this form so that the user is entering values in various unbound text boxes first.
VBA code in the 'Save' command button's Click event transfers the values into corresponding bound fields.
I have found this method skirts of a lot of issues involved with entering the data straight into bound fields.


I thought the above info was contextually necessary for my query:

I am trying to add a search capability on the double-click event of the first unbound text box 'CustomerEntry' (where the customer's name is entered)
I had a command button for this function positioned next to the text box (working successfully) but I'm trying to de-clutter the form.
The idea for the search is that the user can easily access details like phone number and address etc to enter into the succeeding fields.

My issue is that unless I click out of the unbound 'CustomerEntry' text box and then click back into it my code has not recognised the value that has just been entered into this field.
So when data is first entered it still behaves as if the value is null. If the value has been changed (text deleted and new text typed) the search is carried out on the previous text that was 'saved'.
Remembering that the current record has not yet been 'dirtied' (nor do I want it to be in case the user decides to cancel).

Is there a way to 'save' the value of this unbound text box so my code recognises the value that was just entered without having to click out of the field first? Remembering I want to keep the current record as a new record.

I have tried setting focus to a different text box then back into it using VBA but this doesn't seem to have the same effect as doing this with mouse clicks.

My code:

Private Sub CustomerEntry_DblClick(Cancel As Integer)


    Dim strSearchBase As String
    Dim strSearchItem As String
   
    strSearchBase = "https://www.google.com.au/search?q="
    strSearchItem = Me.CustomerEntry & ""
   
    Me.TypeEntry.SetFocus 
    Me.CustomerEntry.SetFocus  ' my unsuccessful attempt at forcing the value of Me.CustomerEntry to be saved


    If Len(strSearchItem) > 0 Then
        Application.FollowHyperlink strSearchBase & strSearchItem
    Else
        DoCmd.Beep
        MsgBox "Enter the customer name you wish to search for.", , "No Customer Entered"
    End If
    
End Sub

[Bob Fitz]

Can you post a copy of the db for us to play with

[DDS]

It's over 15 MB and I think that is stopping me from uploading it.
Would you like me to strip a copy of it down to the relevant form and table and upload that?

[Bob Fitz]

Just need something with a few dummy records to illustrate your problem
Make it a zip file will help

[DDS]

Ok stripped down database is attached Bob, (was still too large zipped).

Alt + H while Menu is active should display the ribbon etc if you need it, (and just 'H' to hide it all again).

I've just left a button to the culprit form on the main menu.

When you open it, type a value into the 'Customer' field and then without taking the focus away from that field try double clicking it.
However if you type a value into it then click off it then double click it, the search carries out as expected.
Same applies if you have text already in it but change the text, the search is carried out on the previous text unless you click off the field first.

[davegri]

There's an invisible "Google Customer" button on the form. Why not make that visible and then copy the code from the double click event on the search box to the on_click event for the command button?
That's much more intuitive for the user anyway.

Read your Original post again, saw that you are trying to de-clutter.
So do this with new strSearchArg:

Private Sub CustomerEntry_DblClick(Cancel As Integer)


    Dim strSearchBase As String
    Dim strSearchItem As String
    Dim strSearchArg As String
    strSearchBase = "https://www.google.com.au/search?q="
    strSearchItem = Me.CustomerEntry & ""
   
    Me.TypeEntry.SetFocus
    Me.CustomerEntry.SetFocus
    strSearchArg = CustomerEntry.Value
    If Len(strSearchArg) > 0 Then
        Application.FollowHyperlink strSearchBase & strSearchArg
    Else
        DoCmd.Beep
        MsgBox "Enter the customer name you wish to search for.", , "No Customer Entered"
    End If
    
End Sub

BTW, suggest adding OPTION EXPLICIT at top of all code modules.

[DDS]

Thanks I'll give that a try tomorrow.

[DDS]

Thanks Dave,
Your suggested code made me realise what the problem was.
I needed to assign the strSearchItem value after taking the focus away and back again.

This code now works as expected:

Private Sub CustomerEntry_DblClick(Cancel As Integer)


    Dim strSearchBase As String
    Dim strSearchItem As String
   
    strSearchBase = "https://www.google.com.au/search?q="
    
    Me.TypeEntry.SetFocus
    Me.CustomerEntry.SetFocus
    strSearchItem = Me.CustomerEntry & ""
    If Len(strSearchItem) > 0 Then
        Application.FollowHyperlink strSearchBase & strSearchItem
    Else
        DoCmd.Beep
        MsgBox "Enter the customer name you wish to search for.", , "No Customer Entered"
    End If
    
End Sub

[davegri]

Good job. Glad it's working for you. Good luck with the rest of your project.