Learning ActionScript 2.0 in Adobe Flash
Handling Events > Using button and movie clip event handlers > Specifying events for on or onClipEvent methods

Specifying events for on or onClipEvent methods

To use an on() or onClipEvent() handler, attach it directly to an instance of a button or movie clip on the Stage and specify the event you want to handle for that instance. For a complete list of events supported by the on() and onClipEvent() event handlers, see on handler and onClipEvent handler in the ActionScript 2.0 Language Reference.

For example, the following on() event handler executes whenever the user clicks the button to which the handler is attached:

on (press) {
    trace("Thanks for pressing me.");
}

You can specify two or more events for each on() handler, separated by commas. The ActionScript in a handler executes when either of the events specified by the handler occurs. For example, the following on() handler attached to a button executes whenever the mouse rolls over and then off the button:

on (rollOver, rollOut) {
    trace("You rolled over, or rolled out");
}

You can also add key press events using on() handlers. For example, the following code traces a string when you press the number 3 on the keyboard. Select a button or movie clip instance, and add the following code to the Actions panel:

on (keyPress "3") {
    trace("You pressed 3")
}

Or, if you want to trace when the Enter key is pressed by a user, you could use the following code format. Select a button or movie clip instance, and add the following code to the Actions panel:

on (keyPress "<Enter>") {
    trace("Enter Pressed");
}

Select Control > Test Movie, and press the Enter key to see the string trace to the Output panel. If nothing traces, select Control > Disable Keyboard Shortcuts and try again. For more information on adding keypress interactivity to your applications, see Key.

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