Open 'always on top' Form in MS Word using VBA script?

[buradd]

Hey,

I have this problem with this vba script in MS word that I use in the office. A button calls for a Form to be loaded, and sometimes the form gets hidden behind the MS word window, and the only way to get to it, is to hit alt-f4 to close that form, and restart word, because of some code i guess that sets the focus to that form and disables the other functions of word like minimize and exit, until that form is unloaded.

What code can i put in the initialize section of the form to make it come up as always on top? I really hope you can help, I've been tryin different things but can't seem to get it.

Thanks,

Brad

[Hack]

Welcome to DevX

Have you tried showing it Modal?

[buradd]

it is in modal mode

[Hack]

I've never been able to get anything on top of a modal form that I've shown. In fact, I seldom can even click anywhere else.

What code are you using to show the form modal?

[buradd]

Sub ShowCreateNewDoc()
    CreateNewDoc.Show
End Sub

Private Sub UserForm_Activate()
    InitializeFormElements
    'OrderNumberBox.Enabled = True
    'OrderNumberBox.SetFocus
End Sub

Private Sub InitializeFormElements()
    DocTypeCombo_Change ' To update any field enablements.
    ContinueButton.Enabled = False
    RetrieveButton.Enabled = False
    DocumentTypeLabel.Enabled = False
    DocTypeCombo.Enabled = False
    SubTypeLabel.Enabled = False
    SubTypeCombo.Enabled = False
    GuaranteeLabel.Enabled = False
    GuaranteeBox.Enabled = False
    SignatureLabel.Enabled = False
    SignatureCombo.Enabled = False
    LimitedEndorsementCheckBox.Enabled = False
    InclTSGSummarySheetCheckBox.Enabled = False
    ClientNameText.Caption = ""
    ClientRefText.Caption = ""
    OrderTypeText.Caption = ""
    BorrowerText.Caption = ""
    StateText.Caption = ""
    CountyText.Caption = ""
    TitleEntityText.Caption = ""
    JacketText.Caption = ""
    OrderNumberBox.Enabled = True
    OrderNumberBox.SetFocus
End Sub

Private Sub UserForm_Initialize()
    Dim SysDate As Date
    
    SysDate = Date
    YearStr = Format(SysDate, "yyyy")
    MonthStr = Format(SysDate, "mm")
    DateDir = MonthStr & "-" & YearStr & "\"
    
    ReadDefaultSelections
    LoadDocTypeComboBox
     OrderNumberBox.Enabled = True
    OrderNumberBox.SetFocus
End Sub

Once again, the problem is that only once in a while, when trying to pull up the 'create new doc' form, the form loads behind the MS Word window, and all other functions are disabled until that form is closed (manually using alt-f4 as there is no other way to see the forms exit/cancel buttons)

If it helps, I use dual monitors in this office. I first thought it may be something to do with that. I was able to make a string that minimized the ms word window upon createnewdoc.show and maximize upon the initialize form stage, but this created an error where some people in the office using an excel spreadsheet and using a custom filter option, the excel window would minimize itself and is a nuissance.

I really hope there is a way to make this userform load always on top, and if it happens to get stuck behind the msword, i need some way that I can get it to the front of the window without hitting alt-f4 and restarting MS word.

Thanks,

Brad

[Hack]

This

Sub ShowCreateNewDoc()
    CreateNewDoc.Show
End Sub

is not showing a form modal. That is showing a form normal.

This is showing a form modal...try it.

Sub ShowCreateNewDoc()
    CreateNewDoc.Show vbModal
End Sub

[buradd]

the problem still happens once in a while. the ms word window just wants to hide my forms sometimes i wish there was a string of code i could put, to refresh the form or something to make it appear on top of the ms word window if it gets hidden behind it

[Hack]

I would say that from all the time to once in a while is progress.

Lets try another approach using a Windows API

Option Explicit

Private Declare Function SetWindowPos Lib "user32" (ByVal hwnd As Long, _
   ByVal hWndInsertAfter As Long, _
   ByVal x As Long, _
   ByVal y As Long, _
   ByVal cx As Long, _
   ByVal cy As Long, _
   ByVal wFlags As Long) _
   As Long

Private Declare Function FindWindow Lib "user32" Alias "FindWindowA" _
(ByVal lpClassName As String, _
ByVal lpWindowName As String) _
As Long

Private Sub UserForm_Activate()
Dim hwnd As Long
hwnd = FindWindow("OpusApp", vbNullString) 'the class name for MS Word is "OpusApp"
Call SetWindowPos(hwnd, -1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 3)
End Sub

[buradd]

thanks, i will input the code tomorrow morning when i get back to the office..

i appreciate the support

[buradd]

i think this works, it definately calls focus to the form, but it nulls my textbox.setfocus string. the window appears in front of ms word, but out of focus (need to manually click the text box to start typing)

ive tried putting setfocus in mutiple strings to figure out how to work it, any tips?

[Hack]

I see what you mean.

I moved the code from UserForm_Activate to UserForm_Initialize() and that seem to fix the problem.

Give that a try and let me know.

[buradd]

got promoted to QC Manager..

currently no time to dabble in this little side project.. but i see you have fixed the problem, i appreciate it alot!

I.T. should be happy when i get a chance to upload to the server

thank you !

[Hack]

got promoted to QC Manager..

Congratulations!