Flash 5 Tab Order - Page 4

3 - Tab order script

We will be using Selection.getFocus(); and Selection.setFocus(); in this script. In this tutorial, I'll make the tab go from the first text field ("field1") down to the last one ("field4"). I won't make it go to the button because it will put a pretty ugly yellow box around it. Here's the code:

on (keypress "<%lt%>Tab<%gt%>") {
  if (Selection.getFocus() == "_level0.field1") {
    Selection.setFocus("_level0.field2");
  } else if (Selection.getFocus() == "_level0.field2") {
    Selection.setFocus("_level0.field3"); {
  } else if (Selection.getFocus() == "_level0.field3") {
    Selection.setFocus("_level0.field4"); {
  } else if (Selection.getFocus() = "_level0.field4") {
    Selection.setFocus("_level0.field1");
  }
}

What we are doing is acquiring the position of the Focus, and based on that position, resetting it to an object of our choosing -- in our case, just the very next text field in our little flash form. You can set this to any "Focusable" object that may fit your needs.

That's all there is to it. It is kind of a hassle if you have many many text fields, but it is better to spend some time and make the tab order now, than have your users get frustrated while filling out the form when Flash tabs all over the place with now rhyme or reason.

Enjoy!