Text Box problem

Question

I should like to enter a few paragraphs(a few lines of text) to a Text Box; each paragraph preceded by a date. How should I best do that?

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KB

Answer 1

Here is one way.  If a Date is needed for the first paragraph then you could add it to the form Load event code (or elsewhere if necessary).  Subsequently, by hitting Enter twice sequentially, a DateStamp will be injected.

Public Class Form1
    ' New Forms application with TextBox1
    ' A new paragraph detected by two CR
    Private Sub TextBox1_KeyUp(sender As Object, e As System.Windows.Forms.KeyEventArgs) Handles TextBox1.KeyUp
        Static feed As Integer
        If e.KeyCode = 13 Then
            feed += 1
        Else
            feed = 0
        End If
        If feed = 2 Then
            Me.TextBox1.Text &= Format(Now, "ddd, dd MMM yyyy") & " - "
            Me.TextBox1.SelectionStart = Me.TextBox1.Text.Length
            feed = 0
        End If
    End Sub
End Class

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Regards Les, Livingston, Scotland

Answer 2

Thank you Les for your prompt answer!

Before trying to understand your suggestions, I would like to clarify myself.

In my program, I have an array, Apar(I,J), I=0 to Napar, J=0 to 3.

Apar(I,0) is a Date, Apar(I,3) is Text.

I would like to enter these paragraphs into a TextBox like this:

1925     aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

             bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb

             ..............................................................................

1950      cccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccc

             .............................................................................

Can you adapt your answer to this?

I am very gratefull for your help!

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KB

Answer 3

You can try something like this.  A new form with TextBox1. Replace all code with this.

' A new form with a textbox
Public Class Form1
    Dim Apar(6, 2) As String
    ' test data
    Dim m() As String = {"Fred", "Harry", "Brian", "Laura", "Mary", "Brenda"}
    Dim n() As String = {"One", "Two", "Three", "Four", "Five", "Six"}
    Private Sub Form1_Load(sender As Object, e As System.EventArgs) Handles Me.Load
        ' fill array with test data
        Dim r As New Random
        For i As Integer = 0 To 6
            Apar(i, 0) = r.Next(112) + 1900
            Apar(i, 1) = m(r.Next(6))
            Apar(i, 2) = n(r.Next(6))
        Next
        FillTextBox()
    End Sub
    Private Sub FillTextBox()
        ' Send data to textbox
        For i As Integer = 0 To Apar.GetUpperBound(0)
            Me.TextBox1.Text &= Apar(i, 0) & vbTab & Apar(i, 1) & vbCrLf
            Me.TextBox1.Text &= vbTab & Apar(i, 2) & vbCrLf
        Next
    End Sub
End Class

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Regards Les, Livingston, Scotland

Answer 4

Thank you Les!

It will take me some time to understand your code! I regret to say that I am one of those who have taken too many shortcuts when learning VB. I will study your answer for some days. After that I may have to ask for explanations.

By the way, I like Scottish Folk Music and have been in Scotland a couple of times; lovely contry!

Thanks again and take good care!

Kurt Blomquist, Linköping, Sweden

  

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KB

Answer 5

Les,

With your help I have been able to get my Text into the TextBox almost as I want it. But if the Text takes up more than one line? I would then like the Text in the TextBox to look like in my example above. The second row of Text under the first row. How can I make that happen?

Hope you have enough patience to help me with this too.

Kurt

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KB

Answer 6

Kurt, have you considered using a control other than a text box?  A DataGridView seems to me to be an ideal solution to your pursuit.  You would place the date in column one and the text in column two.  The cells support multiline text, so your target layout matches perfectly the DGV's methods and properties.

Answer 7

We have reached the stage where you will need to post the code you are currently using before any more progress can be made.

As Clover 1939 says, you may be using a control (textbox) that isn't the best for your purpose.

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Regards Les, Livingston, Scotland

Answer 8

A test example using a DataGridView.  A new BLANK form. Replace ALL default code with code below.

' A new BLANK form. Replace all code with code below.
Public Class Form1
    Dim DGV As New DataGridView
    Dim Apar(6, 2) As String
    ' test data
    Dim m() As String = {"Fred", "Harry", "Brian", "Laura", "Mary", "Brenda"}
    Dim n() As String = {"With your help I have been able to get my Text into the TextBox almost as I want it. But if the Text takes up more than one line?", "I would then like the Text in the TextBox to look like in my example above.", "The second row of Text under the first row. How can I make that happen?", "Hope you have enough patience to help me with this too.", "We have reached the stage where you will need to post the code you are currently using before any more progress can be made.", "As Clover 1939 says, you may be using a control (textbox) that isn't the best for your purpose"}
    Private Sub Form1_Load(sender As Object, e As System.EventArgs) Handles Me.Load
        ' fill array with test data
        Dim r As New Random
        For i As Integer = 0 To 6
            Apar(i, 0) = r.Next(112) + 1900
            Apar(i, 1) = m(r.Next(6))
            Apar(i, 2) = n(r.Next(6))
        Next
        ' create and format a DataGridView
        DGV.RowHeadersVisible = False
        DGV.CellBorderStyle = DataGridViewCellBorderStyle.None
        DGV.Columns.Add("Date", "")
        DGV.Columns.Add("Data", "")
        DGV.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
        DGV.Columns("Date").AutoSizeMode = DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnMode.AllCells
        DGV.Columns("Data").AutoSizeMode = DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnMode.Fill
        DGV.AutoSizeRowsMode = DataGridViewAutoSizeRowsMode.AllCells
        DGV.Columns("Data").DefaultCellStyle.WrapMode = DataGridViewTriState.True
        DGV.Columns("Data").DefaultCellStyle.ForeColor = Color.DarkBlue
        DGV.Columns("Data").DefaultCellStyle.BackColor = Color.Aquamarine
        DGV.Columns("Data").DefaultCellStyle.Font = New Font("Ariel", 16, FontStyle.Italic)
        DGV.Columns("Date").DefaultCellStyle.Font = New Font("Ariel", 12, FontStyle.Bold)
        ' add DGV to form
        Me.Controls.Add(DGV)

        FillDGV()
    End Sub
    Private Sub FillDGV()
        ' Send test data to datagridview
        For i As Integer = 0 To Apar.GetUpperBound(0)
            DGV.Rows.Add(Apar(i, 0), Apar(i, 1) & vbCrLf & Apar(i, 2))
        Next
    End Sub
End Class

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Regards Les, Livingston, Scotland

Answer 9

Clover1939,

Hello Clover 1939! "DataGridView" is completely new to me but looks promising! I will do a little studying and return when I know a little more about this DGV method. May take a couple of days.

Hälsningar(Swedish!)

Kurt(1929)

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KB

Answer 10

Clover1939,

I sent my reply to you before having received your second reply. I will study your code and return to you.

Thanks

Kurt 

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KB

Answer 11

Les,

I will consider Clover1939`s suggestion!

The present code in my program is:

Me.TextBox1.Text &= "  " & Mid(Släktingar(AdrAna,4),1,4) & vbTab & Fkommentarer(AktuellFkommentar) & vbCrLf

Cmments:

Mid(Släktingar(AdrAna,4),1,4) = 1842

Fkommentarer(AktuellFkommentar) = "Fröset Lilla var ............."       Comment: a 3 line Text in Swedish. 

This gives what I want, except that the second line text comes under the Date instead under the first line.

 Kurt

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KB

Answer 12

Thanks but that was leshav's code.   Good luck!

Answer 13

The reason for that is: The textbox has no columns.  To achieve what you want in a text box, or any unformatted text control, would require you to scale the second and subsequent lines to simulate a tab equal to the spacing of the date in the first line.  A quite challenging task for non-fixed-width fonts.  This, among many other reasons, is why columnar controls exist.  Leshav and I suggest the DataGridView because its 'cells' support multi-line wrapping as well.

Answer 14

A ListBox with DrawMode = OwnerDrawFiixed seems to be well suited to your requirements:

Public Class Form1
  Dim WithEvents LB As New ListBox
  Protected Overrides Sub OnLoad(e As EventArgs)
    MyBase.OnLoad(e)
    Dim D As Integer = 1925
    For I As Integer = 97 To 97 + 25 Step 2
      LB.Items.Add(New String() {D.ToString, New String(Chr(I), 20), New String(Chr(I + 1), 20)})
      D += 5
    Next
    LB.DrawMode = DrawMode.OwnerDrawFixed
    LB.Font = New Font("Courier new", 12)
    LB.ItemHeight = 3 * LB.Font.Height
    LB.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
    LB.Parent = Me
  End Sub
  Private Sub LB_DrawItem(sender As Object, e As DrawItemEventArgs) Handles LB.DrawItem
    Dim S() As String = DirectCast(LB.Items(e.Index), String())
    Dim R As Rectangle = e.Bounds
    e.Graphics.DrawString(S(0), LB.Font, Brushes.Black, R.Location)
    R.X = 50
    For I As Integer = 1 To S.Length - 1
      e.Graphics.DrawString(S(I), LB.Font, Brushes.Black, R.Location)
      R.Y += Me.FontHeight
    Next
    e.Graphics.DrawString(New String("-"c, 20), LB.Font, Brushes.Black, R.Location)
  End Sub
End Class

Answer 15

JohnWein,

Thank you for your suggestions. At the  moment I am trying to apply advice from "clover1939" and "leshay". After that I will try to understand your "listbox" method. All these methods are completly new to me.

Until then "thank you" again for helping (me and others)

Kurt Blomquist

Linköping, Sweden

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KB

Answer 16

Les,

Could you modify your example, so it only prints one Date(like 1948) and after "     " one Text(at least two lines long and with the lines starting at the same position). Hope you understand what I mean. When I tried to exemplify it in an earlier answer to you, it did`nt show up as it looked on my screen when I wrote it.

Regards

Kurt Blomquist, Sweden

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KB

Answer 17

Which one of the two I posted - the textbox one or the DataGridView one?

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Regards Les, Livingston, Scotland

Answer 18

Les,

Sorry, I didn`t write it. I meant the DGV method.

Regards, Kurt

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KB

Answer 19

Hi Kurt

If I understand you correctly, then it would only need the Date to be shown at the top of it's cell rather than centered vertically - is that correct?

If that is the only thing then just insert the code as below, anywhere in the DGV settup portion of the code block I provided above.

eg

Just above the "add DGV to Form" comment

        DGV.Columns("Date").DefaultCellStyle.Font = New Font("Ariel", 12, FontStyle.Bold)
        DGV.Columns("Date").DefaultCellStyle.Alignment = DataGridViewContentAlignment.TopLeft
        ' add DGV to form
        Me.Controls.Add(DGV)

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Regards Les, Livingston, Scotland

Answer 20

Les,

My VB 2010 Express program doesn´t accept your second line. "DefaultCellStyleAlignment" is not a member of "System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn".

Your random-created example is too complicated for me. What I would like to start with is a printout like this:

Page 293          If you can keep your head when all about you

                        Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

                        If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you.

I hope this comes out to you like I write it with three  text lines starting at the same position. When I can get this to be written at a place that I select on the Form, I think I could take "it" from there.

Hälsningar

Kurt

 

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KB

Answer 21

Something not right about that line not being accepted as I also use the same version of VB. Did you copy paste the line or retype it?

The DGV example does display the data as you ask, the data setup is purely some random text just for the purpose of example.

I have altered the code to only add only the data you mention. The offending line is also included, hopefully if you copy/paste the whole block it will work OK.

NOTE: the way I have added the 3 lines of text may not be the best for your purpose, but if you get this example to work OK, then we can work on the manner in which you have the data supplied to add into the DGV.

' A new BLANK form. Replace all code with code below.
Public Class Form1
    Dim DGV As New DataGridView
    Private Sub Form1_Load(sender As Object, e As System.EventArgs) Handles Me.Load
        ' create and format a DataGridView
        DGV.RowHeadersVisible = False
        DGV.CellBorderStyle = DataGridViewCellBorderStyle.None
        DGV.Columns.Add("Date", "")
        DGV.Columns.Add("Data", "")
        DGV.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
        ' DGV.Columns("Date").DefaultCellStyle.Format = "ddd, dd MMM yyyy"
        DGV.Columns("Date").AutoSizeMode = DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnMode.AllCells
        DGV.Columns("Data").AutoSizeMode = DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnMode.Fill
        DGV.AutoSizeRowsMode = DataGridViewAutoSizeRowsMode.AllCells
        DGV.Columns("Data").DefaultCellStyle.WrapMode = DataGridViewTriState.True
        DGV.Columns("Data").DefaultCellStyle.ForeColor = Color.DarkBlue
        DGV.Columns("Data").DefaultCellStyle.BackColor = Color.Aquamarine
        DGV.Columns("Data").DefaultCellStyle.Font = New Font("Ariel", 16, FontStyle.Italic)
        DGV.Columns("Date").DefaultCellStyle.Font = New Font("Ariel", 12, FontStyle.Bold)
        DGV.Columns("Date").DefaultCellStyle.Alignment = DataGridViewContentAlignment.TopLeft
        ' add DGV to form
        Me.Controls.Add(DGV)
        FillDGV()
    End Sub
    Private Sub FillDGV()
        ' Send test data to datagridview
        DGV.Rows.Add("Page 293", "If you can keep your head when all about you" & vbCrLf & "Are losing theirs and blaming it on you," & vbCrLf & "If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you.")
    End Sub
End Class

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Regards Les, Livingston, Scotland

Answer 22

It's DefaultCellStyle.Alignment

i.e. Alignment is a property of DefaultCellStyle

Answer 23

clover1939,

I`m not clever enough to understand the meaning of your comment but may be Les does.

Regards

Kurt

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KB

Answer 24

Sorry Kurt, I just meant that the dot, or period, was missing between Style and Alignment.  If that was the only issue raised by the compiler, Les' code should accomplish what you're after.

Although a new control can be daunting, it's better to explore new controls at any opportunity so that you're more able later to choose the best one for the job.

By the way, since you're both obviously proud of your retirements, I'll introduce myself too as a retiree of 23 years - since 1989.  Many of my friends and neighbors in our community, with an average age of 79, have taken interest here in their first PCs.  Our computer club often has attendence nearing 300 grayheads.  And no, although I often feel that I am, I'm not 88 years old yet;-)

Answer 25

Thank you "Clover 1939" for your reply together with a little information about yourself. I retired 19 years ago after 38 years at SAAB here in Linköping --- the aircraft  part of SAAB.

I`m amazed that there are people out there --- like yourself and others --- using their valuble time to help others in need --- like myself.

You mentioned "age". In Sweden you would be 88 years old if it was 23 years since you retired. But you may retire before 65 in England(if you come from England; clover1939 might suggest Ireland?)

But you know, beeing 83 like myself, only means that I have travelled around the sun 83 times! Means very little to me.

Med vänlig hälsning(Swedish)

Kurt Blomquist

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KB

Answer 26

Les,

I have applied your code and it works even if the result isn`t as I want it, yet --- as you predicted above.

1. I would like the "Date" to be able to enter the program as A="1929-05-12" , A="1929-05" or "A="1929"  with no influence on the "Data" part. The "Data" part works OK!

2. I would like the result to be written whereever I want on the Form.

3. The Background colors are good to have now in the beginning but can be  changed in the end.

Regards Kurt

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KB

Answer 27

I am not exactly sure what you are asking.

The entire portion of code in the first Load sub can be ignored for now as it is entirely to set up a new DataGridView ready for use and can be adjusted to suit as required anytime.

The only line (so far) that means anything is the DGV.Add(............   line.

For eample, if you have a set of data lines you want to add, then all that is needed is a loop structure which takes each data line, and adds a new row to the DGV in whatever format you need. If the 'date' portion of the data is merely a string representation of a date then it would be added to the DGV strictly as supplied - that is, as a string.  If you have dates as a Date type, then the DGV column for that data field can be made as a Date type and that column may have any custom format that you need (such as 'dd MMM yyyy', or 'dd-MM', or 'dd/MMM/yyyy HH.mm'  etc etc   -   just about any format you can think of.

The very first thing to decide, is whether you want to handle that data field as a string or as a Date proper - they are completely different things. If you need/plan on doing any calculations from the values held in the DGV, then for Date calculations such as 'add 10 days to the value' or many other calculations, then it would be best to have the date part of the data to be entered into the DGV as a proper date (remember, that doen't mean you lose control over how it is displayed - it can still be displayed in any format even though the underlying value is a full DateTime value)

I have posted code below - similar to original, but using the first column as a pure full DateTime.

You can experiment with the display format by editing the variable annotated in the code to find the best for your use.

' A new BLANK form. Replace all code with code below.
Public Class Form1
    Dim DGV As New DataGridView
    Private Sub Form1_Load(sender As Object, e As System.EventArgs) Handles Me.Load
        ' create and format a DataGridView
        DGV.RowHeadersVisible = False
        DGV.CellBorderStyle = DataGridViewCellBorderStyle.None
        DGV.Columns.Add("Date", "")
        DGV.Columns.Add("Data", "")
        DGV.Dock = DockStyle.Fill

        DGV.Columns("Date").ValueType = GetType(Date)
        '  DGV.Columns("Date").DefaultCellStyle.Format = "ddd, dd MMM yyyy"

        DGV.Columns("Date").AutoSizeMode = DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnMode.AllCells
        DGV.Columns("Data").AutoSizeMode = DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnMode.Fill
        DGV.AutoSizeRowsMode = DataGridViewAutoSizeRowsMode.AllCells
        DGV.Columns("Data").DefaultCellStyle.WrapMode = DataGridViewTriState.True
        DGV.Columns("Data").DefaultCellStyle.ForeColor = Color.DarkBlue
        DGV.Columns("Data").DefaultCellStyle.BackColor = Color.Aquamarine
        DGV.Columns("Data").DefaultCellStyle.Font = New Font("Ariel", 16, FontStyle.Italic)
        DGV.Columns("Date").DefaultCellStyle.Font = New Font("Ariel", 12, FontStyle.Bold)
        DGV.Columns("Date").DefaultCellStyle.Alignment = DataGridViewContentAlignment.TopLeft
        ' add DGV to form
        Me.Controls.Add(DGV)
        FillDGV()
    End Sub
    Private Sub FillDGV()
        ' Send test data to datagridview

        ' try changing the string contents to experiment
        ' example MM = 2 digit month whereas MMM = 3 character month
        '         ddd = 3 char day   dd = 2 digit day etc
        ' place the editing caset on the word format and press key F1

        Dim formatstring As String = "ddd, dd MMM yyyy    HH:mm" ' just to show example


        DGV.Columns("Date").DefaultCellStyle.Format = formatstring

        ' the date value is stored as a full date and time,
        ' but is displayed according to the format string.
        DGV.Rows.Add(Now, "If you can keep your head when all about you" & vbCrLf & "Are losing theirs and blaming it on you," & vbCrLf & "If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you.")
    End Sub
End Class

Ignore the stupid code colours - this forum is really the poorest I have ever used! The code should be OK if copy/paste.

---

Regards Les, Livingston, Scotland

Answer 28

Thank you Les for your very detailed answer.

Regards,

Kurt

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KB

Answer 29

Les,

Having created "DataGridView1" and having used your code(a little modified), I got almost what I want. The only thing is, that the part that shows "Date" has a blue background. Where does that come from? Is not included anywhere in the code.

Tried to copy the code into this answer but it became unreadable. How do you do the copying?

Another thing: How do you print out your answers? I can`t get the long lines. I would like to have our correspondance fully written out so I can study it thoroughly.

Sorry to have to bother you so much!

Regards,

Kurt

 

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KB

Answer 30

Hi Kurt

The Blue colour on the Date column is the cell highlight (this can also be changed if necessar). If you click on the second column that Blue colour should move away from the date column.

Regarding the 'copying' the code to the posts here:  tou need to use the 'code block tool' which is the second icon from the right at the top of the compose area. To use this tool you need to copy the code from the VB editor, click on the tool above, in the new pop up window, first choose VB Net from the drop down at top left of dialog, then paste into the left pane - you can then review/post from buttons at bottom right.

Regarding the printing of the post texts - I find it easier to copy the entire post and past into NotePad (or whatever your choice i) andprint from there.

Its no bother, I am not so very proficient at coding myself, but I got where I am by others helping me on this forum. (and, of course, the built in Help from the VB editor)

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Regards Les, Livingston, Scotland

Answer 31

Les,

Being back with the computer after defeating a not very severe cold, I can tell you that thanks to your help, I have got the screen to look as I want it.

The program I work with is an "ancestry program". In such a program you handle and store a person`s life in the form of "notes"; a "birth note", a "marriage note", a "death" note and a number of "general" notes, all caracterized by a "date" and a "text". Then you mix these notes to a "story" that you want to be able to show on the screen and eventually print out. I have done this almost 20 years ago with one of the early versions of VB(very easy to handle compared with to-day`s version).

Just a few words to explain my in your view funny questions. Thanks for your help this far. I will certainly need more help later on.

Take care,

Kurt

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KB

Answer 32

No problem Kurt, I hope you have beaten your cold.

Remember to mark any posts you feel answered your questions, thanks.

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Regards Les, Livingston, Scotland

Answer 33

Les,

After a few days work I`ve got my program to work exactly as I want --- thanks to your help. The stories of my ancestors can now be shown very nicely on the screen(Of course there is a lot of research behind but that was done a long time ago).

But now I want to be able to print it all out on an A4-format in a nice way. That means a starting page and a couple of "follow-up"-pages. I`ve read a couple of books, specially "Step by Step" by Halvorsen, copied some code without understanding much. I had no expectations but yesterday a second miracle happened! It worked! I was able to print out some text. Of course there is a lot of adapting to do, but it worked.

But now I have to start from the beginning in my printing process. I want a "lay-out" for my A4-page. A frame and a few vertical and horisontally lines. Can you give me some hints how I could include that?

Maybe you wonder about what the first miracle was? Well, that was Sweden changing 0-4 to 4-4 in about half an hour against Germany in Berlin!!!

Regards

Kurt

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KB

Answer 34

Hi Kurt

Glad you managed to get your application to evolve in the right way.  I would suggest you start a new thread in the forum with any further questions.

4 goals in half an hour - wel done (I assume it was football).  :)

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Regards Les, Livingston, Scotland

Answer 35

Les,

Thanks for your answer. So, you are not a football fan!

Kurt

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KB