What kind of code is activex

ActiveX is a collection of technologies, protocols, and APIs developed by Microsoft that are used for downloading executable code over the Internet. The code is bundled into a single file called an ActiveX control. The file has the extension OCX. Microsoft has confusingly positioned ActiveX as an alternative to Java.

ActiveX controls are plug-ins that are automatically downloaded and installed as needed, then automatically deleted when no longer required. Adding to the confusion is the fact that ActiveX controls can be written in Java!

Despite the similarities between ActiveX controls and Netscape plug-ins, there are a few significant differences:. Whereas plug-ins usually extend a web browser so that it can accommodate a new document type, most ActiveX controls used to date have brought a new functionality to a specific region of a web page. Traditionally, ActiveX controls are downloaded and run automatically, while plug-ins need to be manually installed. Netscape Navigator 3. ActiveX controls can perform simple animations, or they can be exceedingly complex, implementing databases or spreadsheets.

ActiveX controls that contain native machine code. ActiveX controls that contain Java bytecode. You will be guided step by step on creating the control using Microsoft Visual Studio Refer to the References section for more details. First, add the source files pictureex. If you try it, you will get an error reporting that the file is not a valid GIF file.

You can work around this defect as follows:. Now, we add the member variables for the classes. Now, we get our hands dirty with adding some code to support drawing the main dialog and the progress bar control. Add the following code to the OnDraw method to size the main dialog window and fill the background:. It is available for download from Microsoft. You will also find it available for download at various other sites on the Internet.

Install it and run it on the same system you are using to develop the control with Microsoft Visual Studio. To make it easier for initial testing of the application, you should make sure that the Microsoft IIS web server is installed on this same system. Two dialog boxes will be displayed in the ActiveX Control Pad, enabling you to modify the control.

The Properties dialog is for modifying properties of the control, the Edit ActiveX Control dialog is for manually editing the control. A common place to modify the control's properties is in the OnInitDialog member function of the main dialog class. This function is called just before the dialog box appears and is used to initialize its contents, including any of its controls.

ActiveX Control Containers. Feedback will be sent to Microsoft: By pressing the submit button, your feedback will be used to improve Microsoft products and services. Privacy policy. Skip to main content. This browser is no longer supported. Download Microsoft Edge More info. Contents Exit focus mode.

Important ActiveX is a legacy technology that should not be used for new development. Examples of common controls include list boxes, option buttons, and command buttons.

Controls can also run assigned macros and respond to events, such as mouse clicks, by running Visual Basic for Applications VBA code. You can use each type of form by itself, or you can combine them in different ways to create a solution that's right for you. A data form provides a convenient way to enter or display one complete row of information in a range or table without scrolling horizontally.

You may find that using a data form can make data entry easier than moving from column to column when you have more columns of data than can be viewed on the screen. Use a data form when a simple form of text boxes that list the column headings as labels is sufficient and you don't need sophisticated or custom form features, such as a list box or spin button. Excel can automatically generate a built-in data form for your range or table. The data form displays all column headers as labels in a single dialog box.

Each label has an adjacent blank text box in which you can enter data for each column, up to a maximum of 32 columns.

In a data form, you can enter new rows, find rows by navigating, or based on cell contents update rows and delete rows. If a cell contains a formula, the formula result is displayed in the data form, but you cannot change the formula by using the data form.

A worksheet is a type of form that enables you to enter and view data on the grid, and there are several control-like features already built-in to Excel worksheets, such as comments and data validation.

Cells resemble text boxes in that you can enter and format them in a variety of ways. Cells are often used as labels, and by adjusting cell height and width and merging cells, you can make a worksheet behave like a simple data entry form.

Other control-like features, such as cell comments, hyperlinks, background images, data validation, conditional formatting, embedded charts, and AutoFilter can make a worksheet behave like an advanced form. For added flexibility, you can add controls and other drawing objects to the drawing canvas of a worksheet, and combine and coordinate them with worksheet cells.

For example, you can use a list box control to make it easier for a user to select from a list of items. Or, you can use a spin button control to make it easier for a user to enter a number. Because controls and objects are stored on the drawing canvas, you can display or view controls and objects alongside associated text that is independent of row and column boundaries without changing the layout of a grid or table of data on your worksheet. Most of the time, many of these controls can also be linked to cells on the worksheet and do not require VBA code to make them work.

You can set properties that determine whether a control floats freely or moves and resizes together with a cell. For example, you might have a check box that you want to move together with its underlying cell when the range is sorted. However, if you have a list box that you want to keep in a specific location at all times, you probably do not want it to move together with its underlying cell.

Excel has two types of controls: Form controls and ActiveX Controls. In addition to these sets of controls, you can also add objects from the Drawing tools, such as a AutoShapes, WordArt, SmartArt graphic, or text boxes. The following sections describe these controls and drawing objects, and also explain how to work with these controls and objects in more detail.

Form controls are the original controls that are compatible with earlier versions of Excel, starting with Excel version 5. Form controls are also designed for use on XLM macro sheets. You use Form controls when you want to easily reference and interact with cell data without using VBA code, and when you want to add controls to chart sheets.

For example, after you add a list box control to a worksheet and linking it to a cell, you can return a numeric value for the current position of the selected item in the control. You can then use that numeric value in conjunction with the INDEX function to select different items from the list. You can also run macros by using Form controls. You can attach an existing macro to a control, or write or record a new macro. When a user of the form clicks the control, the control runs the macro.

However, these controls cannot be added to UserForms, used to control events, or modified to run Web scripts on Web pages. Identifies the purpose of a cell or text box, or displays descriptive text such as titles, captions, pictures or brief instructions. Groups related controls into one visual unit in a rectangle with an optional label.

Typically, option buttons, check boxes, or closely related contents are grouped. Runs a macro that performs an action when a user clicks it. A button is also referred to as a push button. Turns on or off a value that indicates an opposite and unambiguous choice.