ActionScript 3 textfield disable default cursor - actionscript-3

Question

I'm looking for a way in ActionScript 3 to allow the user to scroll a TextField (left to right) if the amount of text is greater than the TextField's width without the cursor changing to the flashing I.
The textfield is inside a MovieClip. I cannot use MouseChildren = false and selectable = false as both stop the textfield being scrollable.
Any ideas?

Answer 1

Well, the simplest way is to set the myTextField.selectable = false. The cursor doesn't change and the text field's content remains scrollable. Maybe I missed something here, but it works on my simple test.

Answer 2

If you're still open to suggestions...
(This is roll-over scrolling instead of mouse-down to scroll by dragging)
var scrollSize : int = 5; //# scrolling speed
tf.selectable = false;
tf.height = 25; //# (set height only if [tf] is already on Stage with text)
tf.addEventListener(MouseEvent.MOUSE_OVER, scroll_start);
tf.addEventListener(MouseEvent.MOUSE_OUT, scroll_stop);
function scroll_start (evt:MouseEvent) : void
{ tf.addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME, handler_enterFrame ); }
function scroll_stop (evt:MouseEvent) : void
{ tf.removeEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME, handler_enterFrame ); }
function handler_enterFrame (evt:Event) : void
{
//# touch right edge = scroll text towards left
if ( tf.mouseX >= (tf.width - 10) ) { tf.scrollH += scrollSize; }
//# touch left edge = scroll text towards right
if ( tf.mouseX <= (tf.x + 10) )
{
if ( tf.scrollH > 0 ){ tf.scrollH -= scrollSize; }
else { /* do else here = Hurray */ }
}
}
There is a weird effect that only happens if you scroll fully to the end of text/sentence and then immediately scroll backwards, when it reaches zero scroll there is a "bounce" effect. Likely caused by Enter Frame event. Will check that later tonight if possible but the general concept is there in code...
Gotta fly but hope it helps...

Answer 3

I'd suggest the following:
switch off mouse interactivity for the child TextField
mc.mouseChildren = false;
mc.addEventListener(MouseEvent.MOUSE_WHEEL, scroll);
and scroll it manually:
private function scroll(e:MouseEvent):void{
tf.scrollV += e.delta;
}
Working example here
update:
To scroll text horizontally you need to change the scrollH property of the TextField, for example you may handle MOUSE_WHEEL event like this:
private function scroll(e:MouseEvent):void{
tf.scrollH -= e.delta;
}