Setting a CMFCPropertySheet as RTL

Question

I have seen several similar question on this subject but I can seem to resolve it.

For example, on CodeProject:

https://www.codeproject.com/Messages/2873837/Re-How-to-set-RTL-layout-for-a-CPropertySheet.aspx

And on SO:

RTL layout issue for Property Sheets (MFC)

So, I have a CMFCPropertySheet that is my main application window and it is set to Arabic when the program starts:

The problem, as it the case for other users, is that whilst the pages are correctly set to RTL layout the sheet is not.

What is the correct way to get the sheet itself to display RTL?

I tried to use PreCreateWindow and it made no difference. I tried to use SetProcessDefaultLayout too. No joy.

Answer 1

Ideally, the window style should be changed in OnNcCreate before the window starts creating and positioning its child controls. This way, the child tab, as well as child buttons, will be positioned accordingly (OK/Cancel/Apply button will be aligned to the left side as well).

Example:

BEGIN_MESSAGE_MAP(...)
    ON_WM_NCCREATE()
    ...
END_MESSAGE_MAP()

BOOL CMyPropertySheet::OnNcCreate(LPCREATESTRUCT pc)
{
    BOOL res = CMFCPropertySheet::OnNcCreate(pc);

    SetWindowLongPtr(m_hWnd, GWL_EXSTYLE,
            WS_EX_LAYOUTRTL | GetWindowLongPtr(m_hWnd, GWL_EXSTYLE));

    return res;
}

Alternatively, do this in OnInitDialog, use ::FindWindowEx(m_hWnd, 0, WC_TABCONTROL, 0) to find tab control's handle and change its style. This way the buttons are not re-positioned. Example:

BOOL CMyPropertySheet::OnInitDialog()
{
    BOOL res = CMFCPropertySheet::OnInitDialog();

    SetWindowLongPtr(m_hWnd, GWL_EXSTYLE,
        WS_EX_LAYOUTRTL | GetWindowLongPtr(m_hWnd, GWL_EXSTYLE));

    HWND htabctrl = ::FindWindowEx(m_hWnd, 0, WC_TABCONTROL, 0);
    SetWindowLongPtr(htabctrl, GWL_EXSTYLE,
        WS_EX_LAYOUTRTL | GetWindowLongPtr(htabctrl, GWL_EXSTYLE));

    return res;
}

---

Side note:

You can also call SetProcessDefaultLayout(LAYOUT_RTL) at the start of the process (for example in CMyWinApp::InitInstance). Then change the layout depending on the result from GetProcessDefaultLayout. So you remember not to accidentally change the style for the Latin version...