devxlogo

Communication Between Forms

Communication Between Forms

Question:
I have two forms. There is a combo box on Form1 and a list box on Form2. Form1 has functions to add and delete names from the combo box. Form2 just needs to show the updated names in its list box when called to do so.

I want to know if there is a way to update the combo box(Form1) and have those changes also represented in the listbox (Form2)?

Answer:
The quickest way to signal one form to do something from another form is to create an invisible text box on the form to be signalled. Whenever you want that form to do something, put a piece of text in that text box (tbBox.Text = “blah”) At that time, the text box’s Change event will fire, and you can respond to the message. It has been used successfully with MDI frames so that the menus work easily. In your case, whenever the list box should update, just put a piece of text into the box and the form will respond to that event. One thing to make sure you do is that after you process the text in the textbox, clear it. (Set it to “”) Otherwise, if you do the same thing again, no change event will register.

devxblackblue

About Our Editorial Process

At DevX, we’re dedicated to tech entrepreneurship. Our team closely follows industry shifts, new products, AI breakthroughs, technology trends, and funding announcements. Articles undergo thorough editing to ensure accuracy and clarity, reflecting DevX’s style and supporting entrepreneurs in the tech sphere.

See our full editorial policy.

About Our Journalist