asked on

Access another forms properties or events...

I have just started VB.NET from VB6. I need to know how to access another forms events/controls, etc like you could in vb6. I.E.
In a form called form1:

Sub command1_click
form2.visible = True
End sub

or vice versa
I have tried somethign like
Public frm1 as Form1
frm1.visible = true
and can access what i need but when the code runs i get an error about referencing a null object. Please help.

Bob Learned

For you to access properties on a form, they would need to be defined as Shared, otherwise you would need an instance of the form:

Public Shared TotalCount() As Integer

or

Dim frm As Form2

If frm Is Nothing Then
frm = New Form2
End If

Bob

nongravity

ASKER

I've tried that. And when the button is clicked on form2 it errors out and gives me the error message about referencing a null object. (refering to Dim frm as Form2)
On blank form with a button I added this

button1_click
form2.button1.enabled = true

when this event fires I get that error message

nongravity

ASKER

forgot to mention that the button is on form1

nongravity

ASKER

geeez, I really need to think of everything to say before i press submit...
I changed the property from private to shared and I can access it that way but I would like to have access to all buttons, menus, controls, etc without having to change each event to "Shared" if possible. I am also upping the points on this to 325 because of my shear noobness to .net

Bob Learned

Are you instantiating a new Form2? If not, then you will get the ubiquitous 'Object variable or with block not set' error.

frm = New Form2

Bob

nongravity

ASKER

No, I'm not instancing a new form2.

Bob Learned

Well, you're gonna need to if you want to access any of its properties.

Bob

nongravity

ASKER

Ok, I understand that now but I can't access form1's properties,events, etc from form2

Bob Learned

Is Form2 a sub-form from Form1, or does it stand by itself?

Bob

nongravity

ASKER

Sorry for being clear as mud on this problem...lol. Its an Mdi app. I create new instances of the "template" forms and can access those from Form1. But on certain events in the Child forms I need update the menu on the Parent form or "Form1". Hope this helps.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Bob Learned

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nongravity

ASKER

It works exaclty how I need it to. THANK YOU!!!!!!

nongravity

ASKER

Bob,
how would you do the same thing if its not an mdichild?
I will start another thread and give more points if you want.