Format links

Question

Hello, I would like to know if it possible to format the following text with links:
input

match 1   
1: http://www.google.it    
2: http://www.example.it   
3: http://www.example2.it  
  
match2 15:30  
1: http://www.google.it  
2: http://www.example.it  
3: http://www.example2.it  

into the output

 match 1   
 1: LINK1  
 2: LINK2  
 3: LINK3  
      
 match2 15:30  
 1: LINK1  
 2: LINK2  
 3: LINK3  

I would like maybe to display it in a richtextbox or whatever control.. Just wondering if it's possible to "hide" the real link under a link label. Thanks

Answer 1

Hi
Here is a stand alone example. I have just used the same url for all the links, but each with the text as per your question. You can just edit to suit.
There is a RichTextBox1 on Form1.

Option Strict On  
Option Explicit On  
Public Class Form1  
  Dim urls() As String = {"www.google.com", "www.google.com", "www.google.com"}  
  Private Sub Form1_Load(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load  
    Dim c As Integer = 1  
    For Each s As String In urls  
      Dim link As LinkLabel = MakeLink("LINK" & c.ToString, s)  
      RichTextBox1.Controls.Add(link)  
      c += 1  
    Next  
  End Sub  
  Function MakeLink(text As String, url As String) As LinkLabel  
    Dim link As New LinkLabel  
    With link  
      .Text = text  
      Dim Data As New LinkLabel.Link()  
      Data.LinkData = url  
      .Links.Add(Data)  
      .AutoSize = True  
      .Location = RichTextBox1.GetPositionFromCharIndex(RichTextBox1.TextLength)  
      RichTextBox1.AppendText(vbCrLf)  
    End With  
    AddHandler link.LinkClicked, AddressOf LinkClicked  
    Return link  
  End Function  
  Private Sub LinkClicked(sender As Object, e As LinkLabelLinkClickedEventArgs)  
    Process.Start(e.Link.LinkData.ToString)  
  End Sub  
End Class  

Answer 2

Hi
My last attemp to answer your modified question. Here I have opted for a Panel instead of a RTB. Used 500 LinkLabels (just to prove they can indeed serve the purpose). Added a button to redo and fit a new Panel size if Form/Panel resized.

' Form1 with Panel1 and  
' Button1 (fit to Panel)  
Option Strict On  
Option Explicit On  
Public Class Form1  
  Dim urls As New List(Of String)  
  Dim links As New List(Of LinkLabel)  
  Dim wdth As Integer = 70  
  Dim f As New Font(Font.FontFamily, 15)  
  Private Sub Form1_Load(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load  
    With Panel1  
      .AutoScroll = True  
      .BackColor = Color.PaleGoldenrod  
    End With  
    For i As Integer = 0 To 500  
      urls.Add("www.google.com")  
  
      ' measure for 3 digits  
      Dim m As Size = TextRenderer.MeasureText("LINK 000", f)  
      If m.Width > wdth Then wdth = m.Width  
    Next  
    MakeEm()  
    ShowEm()  
  End Sub  
  Sub MakeEm()  
    Dim c As Integer = 1  
    For Each s As String In urls  
      Dim link As LinkLabel = MakeLink("LINK" & c.ToString, s)  
      links.Add(link)  
      c += 1  
    Next  
  End Sub  
  Sub ShowEm()  
    Dim x As Integer = 8  
    Dim y As Integer = 8  
    Panel1.Controls.Clear()  
    For i As Integer = 0 To links.Count - 1  
      With links(i)  
        .Location = New Point(x, y)  
        x += links(i).Width + 8  
        If x > Panel1.Width - wdth Then  
          x = 8  
          y += links(i).Height + 8  
        End If  
      End With  
      Panel1.Controls.Add(links(i))  
    Next  
  End Sub  
  Function MakeLink(text As String, url As String) As LinkLabel  
    Static x As Integer = 8  
    Static y As Integer = 8  
    Static w As Integer = 0  
    Dim link As New LinkLabel  
    With link  
      .Text = text  
      .Font = f  
      .AutoSize = False  
      .Width = wdth  
      Dim Data As New LinkLabel.Link()  
      Data.LinkData = url  
      .Links.Add(Data)  
    End With  
    AddHandler link.LinkClicked, AddressOf LinkClicked  
    Return link  
  End Function  
  Private Sub LinkClicked(sender As Object, e As LinkLabelLinkClickedEventArgs)  
    Process.Start(e.Link.LinkData.ToString)  
  End Sub  
  Private Sub Button1_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click  
    Panel1.Controls.Clear()  
    ShowEm()  
  End Sub  
End Class