Field to stay in focus on app switch

JonAxtell · Post by **JonAxtell** » 22 Jul 2009 09:15

I would like FH to keep the current field in focus when switching between applications. This basically means where ever the cursor is when you switch away from FH, it should keep it's position when you switch back to FH. Currently it's pretty random about where it appears when switching back.

For instance, with the property window docked to the record window and the cursor in the note field of the individual, switching away and back causes the cursor to appear in the record window at the record last selected in that window.

There are many other occasions where the cursor doesn't stay put and due to it's random nature a user is pretty much forced to look for the cursor when they switch to FH rather than depend on it staying put.

This is something that affects anyone who is browsing personal details in one program (say a browser on Ancestry.co.uk) and entering the details into FH as there will be constant switching between the programs.

http://www.fhug.org.uk/wishlist/wldispl ... lwlref=424

ID:3882

PeterR · Post by **PeterR** » 22 Jul 2009 10:08

Well said, Jon. I absolutely agree, and had been thinking of raising this rather annoying issue myself, but I couldn't have put it better. Other applications, e.g., somewhat ironically, Gedcom Census, manage this OK, and I cannot think of a good reason why FH should not. Let us hope that Jane adds this to the Wish List ASAP.

Post by **NickWalker** » 22 Jul 2009 12:33

'somewhat ironically, Gedcom Census' ? Why is it ironic?

ChrisBowyer · Post by **ChrisBowyer** » 23 Jul 2009 06:45

Can I add, it's not just which field, but where in a text box the insertion point is. When copying and pasting from somewhere into (for example) Where Within in the sources pane of the property box it sometimes puts the new text at the beginning instead of at the end after what you entered before. A continual source of irritation.

ChrisBowyer · Post by **ChrisBowyer** » 23 Jul 2009 06:48

PeterR said:
...I cannot think of a good reason why FH should not.

The reason I think (though not a good one) is that FH often uses loss of focus in a field to trigger a validation or update. My feeling is that this should only be done when switching to another field within the application, and not when switching between applications.

JonAxtell · Post by **JonAxtell** » 23 Jul 2009 09:10

Chris, the insertion point issue is also a good point - this also annoys me as well.

Also even if FH validated on loss of focus when switching apps (because it might not be possible to decode the event fully), it should still go back to the same field on return.

PeterR · Post by **PeterR** » 23 Jul 2009 11:16

Yes, Jon, I also agree that Chris has mentioned an important issue. I too am continually having to reset my original insertion point when switching focus back from e.g. Ancestry in IE to FH, and most often within the Where-within-Source or Text-From-Source field. At least the cursor currently has usually jumped no farther away than the beginning of the relevant field.

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