Question

I’m having trouble with the following scenario:

• 2 Edit’s
• Type something in Edit1 and press TAB, focus goes to Edit2
• Edit1.OnExit -> show a Form with a message “Processing…” (makes a lengthy validation)

After the form closes, the focus on Edit2 seems to be “crashed”…
– the hole TEXT in Edit2 isn’t selected
– the carret isn’t flashing

Example:

• Create a new form
• Put 2 edits

• Set this as OnExit event in Edit1:

  procedure TForm1.Edit1Exit(Sender: TObject);
  begin
    with TForm.CreateNew(self) do
       try
         Width := 100;
         Height := 50;
         Position := poMainFormCenter;
         show;
         sleep(200);
       finally
         Free;
       end;
  end;
  

• Run the application

• Set focus in the Edit1 and press TAB

I’m using:

• Delphi 7 Enterprise
• Windows 7 x64

Answer 1

I’m not sure precisely what’s going on here, but it looks like the order of processing of messages is a bit messed up. Instead of killing your other form with Free, use Release and the focus will behave as you desire.

Another option is to use ShowModal instead of Show. Normally you show a processing dialog modally because you don’t want the user making modifications to the main form whilst you are processing. If you do that then you can carry on using Free.