Arrow Keys and Tabbing for WM5 using .NET CF 2.0

[mmobile]

I am writing test applications with VS 2005 for the WM5 and have a questions
about the tabbing behavior related to the arrow keys.

When I have a MFC Smart Device application, using the arrow keys take the
focus to the
next control just as if a user tabbed.

(Note: I have the WM5 SDK Installed)
But when I have a .NET CF 2.0 application, the arrows keys don't take the
user to the next control. The controls have the Tab Stop and Tab Index
properties set properly. Is there something special needed to have the
arrow keys behave like the user is tabbing? Shouldn't this have been
automatic like the managed code's controls?

 

[Daniel Moth]

I just tried a form with 4 buttons on my jasjar and I can navigate to them
with both arrows or tabs. Can you post a small repro of the behaviour you
are observing on a physical device (not emulator)?

Cheers
Daniel

 

[mmobile]

I agree the buttons work but try a Form with Text Controls in them as well.
It will not work like a C++ app.

 

[Daniel Moth]

I don't have time to try that now but I'll take your word for it. I would
hope the left/right arrows moved the cursor in the textbox. I would also
hope that the up/down arrows had no effect unless it is a multiline textbox.
If native apps don't give you that out of the box, that is where I would
start complaining.

Cheers
Daniel

 

[mmobile]

Yes the left/right arrows moved the cursor in the textbox. The up/down
arrows had no effect because I am not using multi-line textboxes. It just
seems strange that .NET CF 2.0 would not support the tabbing behavior with
the directional keys.

 

[Guest]

I was experiencing the same issue and ran across a good explanation of this
behavior. The LinkLabel, Button, CheckBox and Radio buttons all automatically
navigate to the next control when using directional keys. The TextBox,
ListBox, ComboBox, NumericUpDown and DateTimePicker support the navigation
pad internally so they will have to be extended to support directional keys.

http://blog.markarteaga.com/content..._Final.htm#_Implementing_One-Handed_Operation