About Controlling User Input (VBA/ActiveX)

You can use the InitializeUserInput method to define keywords or restrict the type of input to the user input method.

The use and parameter values are similar to the AutoLISP initget function. InitializeUserInput can be used with the following methods: GetAngle, GetCorner, GetDistance, GetInteger, GetKeyword, GetOrientation, GetPoint, and GetReal. InitializeUserInput cannot be used with the GetString method. Use the GetInput method to retrieve the string value (keyword or arbitrary input) when the user input method does not return a string value.

The InitializeUserInput method accepts two parameters. The first parameter is a bit-coded integer value that determines the input options for the user input method. The second parameter is a string that defines the valid keywords.

Get an integer value or a keyword from the user at the AutoCAD Command prompt

The following example prompts the user for a positive, non-negative integer value or a keyword:

Sub Ch3_UserInput()
  ' The first parameter of InitializeUserInput (6)
  ' restricts input to positive and non-negative
  ' values. The second parameter is the list of
  ' valid keywords.
  ThisDrawing.Utility.InitializeUserInput 6, "Big Small Regular"

  ' Set the prompt string variable
  Dim promptStr As String
  promptStr = vbCrLf & "Enter the size or (Big/Small/<Regular>):"

  ' At the GetInteger prompt, entering a keyword or pressing
  ' ENTER without entering a value results in an error. To allow
  ' your application to continue and check for the error
  ' description, you must set the error handler to resume on error.
  On Error Resume Next

  ' Get the value entered by the user
  Dim returnInteger As Integer
  returnInteger = ThisDrawing.Utility.GetInteger(promptStr)

  ' Check for an error. If the error number matches the
  ' one shown below, then use GetInput to get the returned
  ' string; otherwise, use the value of returnInteger.

  If Err.Number = -2145320928 Then
    Dim returnString As String
    Debug.Print Err.Description
    returnString = ThisDrawing.Utility.GetInput()
    If returnString = "" Then        'ENTER returns null string
      returnString = "Regular"     'Set to default
    End If
    Err.Clear
  Else                                 'Otherwise,
    returnString = returnInteger     'Use the value entered
  End If

  ' Display the result
  MsgBox returnString, , "InitializeUserInput Example"
End Sub