How do I detect if the cursor is outside of the root element?

[scotth]

Working with xmax 6.0, I happened to notice that the selection object is not getting updated when I click outside of the root element (i.e. at the very beginning or very end of the document). How can I detect that it has been placed outside of the root element? I noticed that XMetaL forces the cursor back inside the root element when you click outside of it, and I would like to do the same thing, if possible.

[Derek Read]

The value for the nodeName for the whole document is $DOCUMENT.

However, the macro that does this in XMetaL Author uses a different strategy. That macro is in the xmetal.mcr in the Macros folder in XMetaL Author Essential and Enterprise.

Here's a copy (note that the first comment is outdated and incorrect, though it does not apply to XMAX anyway):

Code:

<MACRO name="On_Update_UI" hide="true" lang="JScript">
<![CDATA[
// this will only work if no On_Update_UI macro is defined for the DTD
if (Selection.IsInsertionPoint && ActiveDocument.ViewType == 1) {
// this should only apply to the tags-on view, and allow selection of the top-level element
   if (Selection.ContainerNode == null) {
      Selection.MoveRight();
   }
   if (Selection.ContainerNode == null) {
      Selection.MoveLeft();
   }
}
]]>
</MACRO>

As written, it allows an author to select, edit and remove things that are outside the root (comments and PIs for example).

[scotth]

Sadly, Selection.ContainerNode is still pointing to the previously selected node when I click outside of the root element in tags-on view. Granted, this is in XMAX, so I don't know if that makes a difference. I will keep digging to see if I can come up with any possible solutions.

[scotth]

I take back my previous comment. I must have been looking at one of my own objects that was not in sync with the XMAX control. After revisiting my code, I was able to implement the solution you presented.