Set focus on a cell | CodeGuru

Set focus on a cell

I wrote a small piece of code that would help select individual cells in a CListCtrl. This is not supported currently by the MFC. When the user clicks on the cell in the CListCtrl it draws a rect. around that cell indicating that is the cell selected by the user. This might not be the […]

Written By
CodeGuru Staff
CodeGuru Staff
Aug 6, 1998
1 minute read
CodeGuru content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More

I wrote a small piece of code that would help select individual cells in a
CListCtrl. This is not supported currently by the MFC.

When the user clicks on the cell in the CListCtrl it draws a rect. around
that cell indicating that is the cell selected by the user. This might not
be the best solution but a work around if anyone would like to use this.

//Individual cell selection in CLIstCtrl
CListCtrl::OnClick(...)
{
    int column;
    CRect m_rect;
    //the function below is provided in CListCtrl inPlace editing
    int index = GetRowColumnIndex(point, &column);
    if(index == -1)return;
    int offset = 0;
    for(int i = 0; i < column; i++)
      offset += GetColumnWidth(i);
    //Get the rectangle of the label and the icon
    GetItemRect(index, &m_rect, LVIR_BOUNDS);
    m_rect.left += offset + 4;
    //Get the columnWidth of the selected column
    m_rect.right = m_rect.left + GetColumnWidth(column);
    Update(index);
    CClientDC dc(this);    //this is the pointer of the current view
    dc.DrawFocusRect(m_rect);
}
CodeGuru Logo

CodeGuru covers topics related to Microsoft-related software development, mobile development, database management, and web application programming. In addition to tutorials and how-tos that teach programmers how to code in Microsoft-related languages and frameworks like C# and .Net, we also publish articles on software development tools, the latest in developer news, and advice for project managers. Cloud services such as Microsoft Azure and database options including SQL Server and MSSQL are also frequently covered.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.