How to bypass 'ALT' key behavior in Outlook Express?

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How to bypass 'ALT' key behavior in Outlook Express?
ALT key prevents input of some characters 
Tanguy COADOUR




Posts: 18
 Joined: 2010-01-08
Hello,

I did a AddinExpress plugin for Outlook Express.
It has a forms manager. This form contains a texbox.

Each time I want to enter the '@' character pressing ALT (right) + '0',
the textbox looses the focus and the character is not added -> I can see that ALT key interract with the Oulook Express Menu bar (File, Edit...) : it displays the menu with its shorcut character.

I found in the forum how to disable Oulook shortcuts but how can I disable this ALT key in Outlook Express?
Or is there an other way for me to be able to enter this character in my form textbox?

Thanks!

Tanguy
Posted 31 Jan, 2010 16:12:17 Top
Andrei Smolin


Add-in Express team


Posts: 18830
 Joined: 2006-05-11
Hello Tanguy,

There's a problem with OE: if we handle Alt, you are not able to access the OE main menu; otherwise you see the issue with the Alt key. Can you use the key that has "2" and "@" on it?


Andrei Smolin
Add-in Express Team Leader
Posted 01 Feb, 2010 08:56:04 Top
Tanguy COADOUR




Posts: 18
 Joined: 2010-01-08
Hello Andrei.

I didn't catch what you mean by "Can you use the key that has "2" and "@" on it?". On my french keyboard '@' is associated with the 'ALT Gr' +'0' keys

Well... If the drawback is that OE main menu can't be accessed by shortcuts in my addin, but allow me to use ALT + 0 for my '@' character, it would be a compromise I could accept! But the question is...how to do that?

Thanks
Posted 01 Feb, 2010 11:57:43 Top
Andrei Smolin


Add-in Express team


Posts: 18830
 Joined: 2006-05-11
Hello Tanguy,

I'm afraid there's no such way. I tried using the On-screen Keyboard in windows XP with the same result.

I've just sent you an e-mail asking about the license key(s) you are using. Please check your Inbox.


Andrei Smolin
Add-in Express Team Leader
Posted 02 Feb, 2010 07:54:36 Top
Tanguy COADOUR




Posts: 18
 Joined: 2010-01-08
Damned...

:o :(

(I sent you the keys)
Posted 02 Feb, 2010 11:13:54 Top
Andrei Smolin


Add-in Express team


Posts: 18830
 Joined: 2006-05-11
Hello Tanguy,

Thank you for sending me the keys. We are trying to solve this issue. Hopefully, tomorrow I will be able to tell you if we have managed to find a way.


Andrei Smolin
Add-in Express Team Leader
Posted 03 Feb, 2010 10:12:51 Top
Tanguy COADOUR




Posts: 18
 Joined: 2010-01-08
Hello Andrei,

Do you have some news?

I tried a solution inspired from what is explained here (http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/forums/en-US/winforms/thread/096540f4-4ad4-4d24-ae12-cfb3e1b246f3/) but even catching WM_KEYDOWN, WM_KEYUP, WM_HOTKEY, WM_CHAR messages, ALT is still doing the unwanted behavior (but user input is disabled doing this)

Tanguy
Posted 07 Feb, 2010 15:40:30 Top
Andrei Smolin


Add-in Express team


Posts: 18830
 Joined: 2006-05-11
Hello Tanguy,

If there are no principal problems (we don't expect any), we will have a solution soon, probably even today. I'll send you an e-mail when we've got it.


Andrei Smolin
Add-in Express Team Leader
Posted 08 Feb, 2010 05:38:45 Top
Tanguy COADOUR




Posts: 18
 Joined: 2010-01-08
Great! I'm waiting for your email!
Posted 08 Feb, 2010 05:56:46 Top
Andrei Smolin


Add-in Express team


Posts: 18830
 Joined: 2006-05-11
Hi Tanguy,

Alas, we've run into real problem with that code. It appeared that we will be unable to fix it earlier than May or even June. I understand your situation but we cannot do just anything at the moment. I'm really sorry.


Andrei Smolin
Add-in Express Team Leader
Posted 08 Feb, 2010 12:37:40 Top