Keep a FORM on top of another FORM

[VBonliner]

How can I force a form to stay in the background of
another form?

Thanks

[CSagan]

This is a how to keep a VB form window always on top, but only of the selected window, not above ALL windows. Instead of SetWindowPos, it uses SetWindowWord. This lets you create a floating toolbar that stays above its app's window without staying on top of ALL windows. Very handy for that professional look.

Declare Sub SetWindowWord Lib "USER32" (ByVal hWnd, ByVal nCmd, ByVal nVal)
Const SWW_hParent = (-8)

Form_Load of the form that you want to keep on top. Set it about form1.

Sub Form_Load ()
SetWindowWord hWnd, SWW_hParent, form1.hWnd
End Sub

Form_Unload of the from you want to keep on top this is for cleaning up.

Sub Form_Unload (Cancel As Integer)
SetWindowWord hWnd, SWW_hParent, 0
End Sub

[Gen-X]

Not sure exactly what you are after here...

Are you wanting to make FORM1 always infront of FORM2?

Or do you want to make FORM2 always behind FORM1?

Believe it or not there is a subtle difference

If its the former then you can use the SetWindowPOS function to make FORM1 the topmost form which places it ontop of any other forms you currently have accept Msgboxes

You could also modal a form.

Form1.Show vbModal

This will keep the form on top of every other form, and also disable all forms behind it allowing access only to the form on top.

[HeSaidJoe]

ZOrder Method
      

Places a specified MDIForm, Form, or control at the front or back of the z-order within its graphical level. Doesn't supportnamed arguments.

Syntax

object.ZOrder position

The ZOrder method syntax has these parts:

Part Description 
object Optional. Anobject expression that evaluates to an object in the Applies To list. If object is omitted, the form with thefocus is assumed to be object. 
Position  Optional. Integer indicating the position of object relative to other instances of the same object. If position is 0 or omitted, object is positioned at the front of the z-order. If position is 1, object is positioned at the back of the z-order. 


Remarks

The z-order of objects can be set atdesign time by choosing the Bring To Front or Send To Back menu command from the Edit menu.

Within an MDIForm object, ZOrder sendsMDI child forms to either the front or the back of the MDI client area, depending on the value of position. For an MDIForm or Form object, ZOrder sends the form to either the front or the back of the screen, depending on the value of position. As a result, forms can be displayed in front of or behind other running applications.

Three graphical layers are associated with forms andcontainers. The back layer is the drawing space where the results of the graphics methods are displayed. Next is the middle layer where graphical objects and Label controls are displayed. The front layer is where all nongraphical controls like CommandButton, CheckBox, or ListBox are displayed. Anything contained in a layer closer to the front covers anything contained in the layer(s) behind it. ZOrder arranges objects only within the layer where the object is displayed.

[VBonliner]

That's very cool and efficient Mr. Gates. You
are a PRO.

The ZOrder method, as HeSaidJoe gave, is also good.

Here is an example of how to use it:

Private Sub Command1_Click()
'Form1's Command Button:
Form1.ZOrder vbSendToBack
Form2.ZOrder vbBringToFront
End Sub

Private Sub Command1_Click()
'Form2's Command Button:
Form1.ZOrder vbBringToFront
Form2.ZOrder vbSendToBack
End Sub