How to: Set Entry Matching in a Combo Box

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The following example uses the MatchFound and MatchRequired properties to demonstrate additional character matching for ComboBox. The matching verification occurs in the Change event.

In this example, the user specifies whether the text portion of a ComboBox must match one of the listed items in the ComboBox. The user can specify whether matching is required by using a CheckBox and then type into the ComboBox to specify an item from its list.

To use this example, copy this sample code to the Script Editor of a form. To run the code you need to open the form so the Open event will activate. Make sure that the form contains:

  • A ComboBox named ComboBox1 that is bound to the Subject field.

  • A CheckBox named CheckBox1.

Sub CheckBox1_Click() 
 Set ComboBox1 = Item.GetInspector.ModifiedFormPages("P.2").Controls("ComboBox1") 
 Set CheckBox1 = Item.GetInspector.ModifiedFormPages("P.2").Controls("CheckBox1") 
 
 If CheckBox1.Value = True Then 
 ComboBox1.MatchRequired = True 
 MsgBox "To move the focus from the ComboBox, you must match an entry in the list or press ESC." 
 Else 
 ComboBox1.MatchRequired = False 
 MsgBox " To move the focus from the ComboBox, just tab to or click another control. Matching is optional." 
 End If 
End Sub 
 
Sub Item_PropertyChange(byval pname) 
 if pname = "Subject" then 
 Set ComboBox1 = Item.GetInspector.ModifiedFormPages("P.2").Controls("ComboBox1") 
 If ComboBox1.MatchRequired = True Then 
 'MSForms handles this case automatically 
 Else 
 If ComboBox1.MatchFound = True Then 
 MsgBox "Match Found; matching optional." 
 Else 
 MsgBox "Match not Found; matching optional." 
 End If 
 End If 
 end if 
End Sub 
 
Sub Item_Open() 
 Set ComboBox1 = Item.GetInspector.ModifiedFormPages("P.2").Controls("ComboBox1") 
 Set CheckBox1 = Item.GetInspector.ModifiedFormPages("P.2").Controls("CheckBox1") 
 
 For i = 1 To 9 
 ComboBox1.AddItem "Choice " & i 
 Next 
 ComboBox1.AddItem "Chocoholic" 
 
 CheckBox1.Caption = "MatchRequired" 
 CheckBox1.Value = True 
End Sub