This tutorial instructs you how to program an Arduino Nano so that it can handle multiple buttons at the same time without relying on the delay() function. The tutorial offers code in two different ways:
Arduino Nano code for handling multiple buttons with debounce.
Arduino Nano code for handling multiple buttons with debounce using arrays.
We will use foir buttons as examples. You can easily modify it to adapt for two buttons, three buttons, five buttons, or even more.
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Overview of Button
If you are unfamiliar with button (pinout, how it works, how to program ...), the following tutorials can provide you with more information:
Applications needing to detect state changes (pressed/released)
Thankfully, the ezButton library streamlines this process by internally managing debounce and button events. This relieves users from the task of managing timestamps and variables when utilizing the library. Additionally, employing an array of buttons can enhance code clarity and brevity.
/* * This Arduino Nano code was developed by newbiely.com * * This Arduino Nano code is made available for public use without any restriction * * For comprehensive instructions and wiring diagrams, please visit: * https://newbiely.com/tutorials/arduino-nano/arduino-nano-multiple-button */#include <ezButton.h>#define BUTTON_PIN_1 4 // The Arduino Nano pin connected to the button 1#define BUTTON_PIN_2 5 // The Arduino Nano pin connected to the button 2#define BUTTON_PIN_3 6 // The Arduino Nano pin connected to the button 3#define BUTTON_PIN_4 7 // The Arduino Nano pin connected to the button 4ezButtonbutton1(BUTTON_PIN_1); // create ezButton object for button 1ezButtonbutton2(BUTTON_PIN_2); // create ezButton object for button 2ezButtonbutton3(BUTTON_PIN_3); // create ezButton object for button 3ezButton button4(BUTTON_PIN_4); // create ezButton object for button 4voidsetup() {Serial.begin(9600);button1.setDebounceTime(100); // set debounce time to 100 millisecondsbutton2.setDebounceTime(100); // set debounce time to 100 millisecondsbutton3.setDebounceTime(100); // set debounce time to 100 milliseconds button4.setDebounceTime(100); // set debounce time to 100 milliseconds}voidloop() {button1.loop(); // MUST call the loop() function firstbutton2.loop(); // MUST call the loop() function firstbutton3.loop(); // MUST call the loop() function first button4.loop(); // MUST call the loop() function first// get button state after debounceint button1_state = button1.getState(); // the state after debounceint button2_state = button2.getState(); // the state after debounceint button3_state = button3.getState(); // the state after debounceint button4_state = button4.getState(); // the state after debounce/* Serial.print("The button 1 state: "); Serial.println(button1_state); Serial.print("The button 2 state: "); Serial.println(button2_state); Serial.print("The button 3 state: "); Serial.println(button3_state); Serial.print("The button 4 state: "); Serial.println(button4_state); */if (button1.isPressed())Serial.println("The button 1 is pressed");if (button1.isReleased())Serial.println("The button 1 is released");if (button2.isPressed())Serial.println("The button 2 is pressed");if (button2.isReleased())Serial.println("The button 2 is released");if (button3.isPressed())Serial.println("The button 3 is pressed");if (button3.isReleased())Serial.println("The button 3 is released");if (button4.isPressed())Serial.println("The button 4 is pressed");if (button4.isReleased())Serial.println("The button 4 is released");}
Detailed Instructions
Do the wiring as above image.
Connect the Arduino Nano board to your PC via a USB cable
Open Arduino IDE on your PC.
Select the right Arduino Nano board (e.g. Arduino Nano Uno) and COM port.
Click to the Libraries icon on the left bar of the Arduino IDE.
Search “ezButton”, then find the button library by Arduino NanoGetStarted
Click Install button to install ezButton library.
Copy the above code and paste it to Arduino IDE.
Compile and upload code to Arduino Nano board by clicking Upload button on Arduino IDE
Open Serial Monitor on Arduino IDE
Press and release the button one by one
Newbiely | Arduino IDE 2.3.8
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Arduino Nano
Newbiely.ino
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8Serial.println("Hello World!");
Output
Serial Monitor
Message (Enter to send message to 'Arduino Nano' on 'COM15')
New Line
9600 baud
The button 1 is pressed
The button 1 is released
The button 2 is pressed
The button 2 is released
The button 3 is pressed
The button 3 is released
The button 4 is pressed
The button 4 is released
Ln 11, Col 1
Arduino Nano on COM15
2
Arduino Nano Code - Multiple Buttons using array
We can improve the code above by employing an array of buttons. The following code utilizes this array to handle button objects.
/* * This Arduino Nano code was developed by newbiely.com * * This Arduino Nano code is made available for public use without any restriction * * For comprehensive instructions and wiring diagrams, please visit: * https://newbiely.com/tutorials/arduino-nano/arduino-nano-multiple-button */#include <ezButton.h>#define BUTTON_NUM 4 // the number of buttons#define BUTTON_PIN_1 4 // The Arduino Nano pin connected to the button 1#define BUTTON_PIN_2 5 // The Arduino Nano pin connected to the button 2#define BUTTON_PIN_3 6 // The Arduino Nano pin connected to the button 3#define BUTTON_PIN_4 7 // The Arduino Nano pin connected to the button 4ezButtonbuttonArray[] = {ezButton(BUTTON_PIN_1),ezButton(BUTTON_PIN_2),ezButton(BUTTON_PIN_3),ezButton(BUTTON_PIN_4)};voidsetup() {Serial.begin(9600);for (byte i = 0; i < BUTTON_NUM; i++) {buttonArray[i].setDebounceTime(100); // set debounce time to 100 milliseconds }}voidloop() {for (byte i = 0; i < BUTTON_NUM; i++) buttonArray[i].loop(); // MUST call the loop() function firstfor (byte i = 0; i < BUTTON_NUM; i++) {// get button state after debounceint button_state = buttonArray[i].getState(); // the state after debounce/* Serial.print("The button "); Serial.print(i + 1); Serial.print(": "); Serial.println(button_state); */if (buttonArray[i].isPressed()) {Serial.print("The button ");Serial.print(i + 1);Serial.println(" is pressed"); }if (buttonArray[i].isReleased()) {Serial.print("The button ");Serial.print(i + 1);Serial.println(" is released"); } }}
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