[RESOLVED] Form in a form

[re_turner_jr]

I need to have a maximized form with another form visible inside the first, it needs to be enabled, and 'on top' of the first.

I have tried by setting visible = true, enabled = true on both forms, however the maximized form is always on top thus hiding the other.

Is there any way to accomplish this.

Thank You
RT

[Paul M]

Look into MDI forms

[Hack]

Or using the SetParent API.

[re_turner_jr]

Or using the SetParent API.

How am I to do this?

[Ellis Dee]

You could make it AlwaysOnTop, but I think Hack's SetParent suggestion is the better way to go. It's nice and easy:

Private Declare Function SetParent Lib "user32" (ByVal hWndChild As Long, ByVal hWndNewParent As Long) As Long

SetParent frmChild.hWnd, frmParent.hWnd

Be sure to manually unload the child form in the parent form's unload event. (And set it to Nothing for good measure.)

[Paul M]

Is it a must to use the SetParent API? Because i try to stay away from it. I don't see why it is really needed with MDI forms could someone please explain?

Thanks HL

[Ellis Dee]

Any particular reason you don't like the SetParent API?

[Al42]

Any reason to not just set the form you want on top to OnTop?

[Paul M]

No i stay away from it when dealing with MDI forms, thats all.

[re_turner_jr]

You could make it AlwaysOnTop, but I think Hack's SetParent suggestion is the better way to go. It's nice and easy:

Private Declare Function SetParent Lib "user32" (ByVal hWndChild As Long, ByVal hWndNewParent As Long) As Long 
SetParent frmChild.hWnd, frmParent.hWnd

Be sure to manually unload the child form in the parent form's unload event. (And set it to Nothing for good measure.)

What are the variables (hWndChild, hWndNewParent) ? How do I use this function?

[Hack]

Is it a must to use the SetParent API? Because i try to stay away from it. I don't see why it is really needed with MDI forms could someone please explain?

It isn't needed with an MDI project, but the OP's question did not mention MDI.

What are the variables (hWndChild, hWndNewParent) ? How do I use this function?

Those aren't functions, they are parameters. The first is the handle of the window to be moved, and the second is the handle of the window it will be moved to.

[Ellis Dee]

What are the variables (hWndChild, hWndNewParent) ? How do I use this function?

They are the HWnd properties of the parent and child forms. I already gave you an example, which you quoted. Here's another:

SetParent [name of child form].hWnd, [name of parent form].hWnd

[Hack]

When I've used this, I always found putting form directly into another form to look a little awarkward, so I always put the second form in a Frame on the first form.

It just looks nicer. In this case, you would use the Frame's hWnd.

[Ellis Dee]

I kinda like the form within a form results because the user can then move the child form around the parent form to wherever they want. But if you need the child form to always be in the same place, then yeah, the frame idea is probably good.

Though I think there's a Moveable property you could set to False.

[RobDog888]

Using the MDI approach is the proper way to do what you want. Using the SetParent API also creates other display issues like if you want to display the child form in a particular position then you need more APIs to position the form. Also, it will still retain its titlebar which the user can use to close the child form but that may then create a display issue or switching child forms issues. The MDI forms take care of allot of this form you.