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.NET Development
.NET Framework 3.5
Control Class
Control Methods
 Focus Method

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This page is specific to
Microsoft Visual Studio 2008/.NET Framework 3.5

Other versions are also available for the following:
.NET Framework Class Library
Control..::.Focus Method

Sets input focus to the control.

Namespace:  System.Windows.Forms
Assembly:  System.Windows.Forms (in System.Windows.Forms.dll)
Visual Basic (Declaration)
Public Function Focus As Boolean
Visual Basic (Usage)
Dim instance As Control
Dim returnValue As Boolean

returnValue = instance.Focus()
C#
public bool Focus()
Visual C++
public:
bool Focus()
JScript
public function Focus() : boolean

Return Value

Type: System..::.Boolean
true if the input focus request was successful; otherwise, false.

The Focus method returns true if the control successfully received input focus. The control can have the input focus while not displaying any visual cues of having the focus. This behavior is primarily observed by the nonselectable controls listed below, or any controls derived from them.

A control can be selected and receive input focus if all the following are true: the Selectable value of ControlStyles is set to true, it is contained in another control, and all its parent controls are both visible and enabled.

The Windows Forms controls in the following list are not selectable. Controls derived from these controls are also not selectable.

NoteNote:

Focus is a low-level method intended primarily for custom control authors. Instead, application programmers should use the Select method or the ActiveControl property for child controls, or the Activate method for forms.

The following code example sets focus to the specified Control, if it can receive focus.

Visual Basic
Public Sub ControlSetFocus(control As Control)
   ' Set focus to the control, if it can receive focus.
   If control.CanFocus Then
      control.Focus()
   End If
End Sub

C#
public void ControlSetFocus(Control control)
{
   // Set focus to the control, if it can receive focus.
   if(control.CanFocus)
   {
      control.Focus();
   }
}

Visual C++
public:
   void ControlSetFocus( Control^ control )
   {

      // Set focus to the control, if it can receive focus.
      if ( control->CanFocus )
      {
         control->Focus();
      }
   }

Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP SP2, Windows XP Media Center Edition, Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, Windows XP Starter Edition, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2000 SP4, Windows Millennium Edition, Windows 98, Windows CE, Windows Mobile for Smartphone, Windows Mobile for Pocket PC

The .NET Framework and .NET Compact Framework do not support all versions of every platform. For a list of the supported versions, see .NET Framework System Requirements.

.NET Framework

Supported in: 3.5, 3.0, 2.0, 1.1, 1.0

.NET Compact Framework

Supported in: 3.5, 2.0, 1.0
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Under "See Also", add Control.GotFocus member.      ToolmakerSteve   |   Edit   |   Show History
I was wondering how to tell when Focus occurred; the answer is GotFocus, so that would be a good addition to the "See Also" list.
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