How to read text from text box in external app?

[softwareguy74]

I already have the code which finds a particular application that is running and uses sendkeys to manipulate it and get to a specific screen within the application. Once on this particular screen, there is a textbox that immediately gets the focus and is highlighted. I want to be able to read that text value within code. Any example of how to do this would be appreciated.

[bushmobile]

you'd send a WM_GETTEXT message to the window handle which you'd get with FindWindowEx API if you search the forum for that message or that API then you'll find lots of examples.

[softwareguy74]

I have done a search but can't really find anything for the situation that I have. Basically, I have a situation where I need to read the text out of the second text box on a form, or the text box that currently has the focus. None of the sample code allows you to read the text that is currently in focus or selected.

[Billy Conner]

simple example

Private Sub Form_Load()
 
    Debug.? GetText(Text1.hwnd)
 
End Sub
 
'gets the text of a textbox or a caption of most controls
Public Function GetText(ByVal pHwnd As Long) As String
 
    Dim Buffer As String, TextLength As Long
 
    TextLength = SendMessage(pHwnd, WM_GETTEXTLENGTH, 0&, 0&)
    Buffer = String$(TextLength, 0&)
    Call SendMessage(pHwnd, WM_GETTEXT, TextLength + 1, Buffer)
    GetText = Buffer
 
End Function

[Billy Conner]

now that i read you'r 2nd post, you're wanting your code to read the text from the textbox thats in focus?

[softwareguy74]

now that i read you'r 2nd post, you're wanting your code to read the text from the textbox thats in focus?

Yes, exactly. How can that be done?

[Billy Conner]

i assume your using sendkeys to 'navigate' this app thru its process, is it picking a random textbox on the current form, or how is that working?

you can always use the GetFocus API call to get the current control that has focus.

[rnd me]

if it's selected, can't you simply send a "Ctrl-C" to copy it to the clipboard?