Help. Can't display a form in a Panel/window.

Question

Help. Can't display a form in a Panel/window.

Mugsy's RapSheet 176

I'm trying to update my app by moving the primary interface into a scrollable window (because the form was getting too big to fit lower rez screens.)

I renamed my frmMain to "frmMainChild" (from the Solution Explorer) and created a new Startup form with a big "Panel" object on it. Then in the "Form_Load" sub, I (try to) load the (renamed) form into the panel:

    Private Sub frmMain_Load(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
        frmMainChild.TopLevel = False       ' Suppress error.
        pnlMain.Controls.Add(frmMainChild)  ' Load frmMainChild into Panel.
        Me.Show()
    End Sub

Doesn't work. Panel remains empty. Not sure what's missing.

TIA

Mugsy's RapSheet 176 Reputation points

2023-08-10T14:59:51.2833333+00:00

Oops. Simple mistake. Should be "frmMainChild.Show", not "Me".

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Mugsy's RapSheet 176 Reputation points

2023-08-10T14:59:51.2833333+00:00

Oops. Simple mistake. Should be "frmMainChild.Show", not "Me".

Answer 1

Anonymous

Hi

This may help.

I have a small working app. It happens to only have the default Form1.

To do what I think you want, I added a new Form and named it MyMainForm, of course, you would choose your own name and substitute accordingly.

Next, double click on My Project in Solution Explorer to open configuration window.

There, I set the Application -> Start Up Form to the new Form (MyMainForm)

I added a Panel1 in the Designer to MyNewForm and set Dock to Full.

Next, I added this code to MyNewForm:

Public Class MyMainForm
	Private Sub MyMainForm_Load(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
		Dim f As New Form1
		With f
			.TopLevel = False
			.Parent = Panel1
			.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
			.FormBorderStyle = FormBorderStyle.None
			.AutoScroll = True
			.Show()
		End With
	End Sub
End Class

The various Properties can be adjusted to suit, but I would suggest trying to run each time you edit/remove/add Properties so that any problems can be pinned down to the last edit.

NOTE: I did not change anything in the original Project code at all.

If you want to try this out (best to try first). then use any existing working Project you already have, make a backup just in case (all that is needed is Copy Project folder, and Paste to same parent folder - file system will add a '- Cop(n)' to name)

Using the existing Project that you have just backed up, follow the above and see what happens.

Anonymous

Hi

You can do without using a Panel if you want, just do not add the Panel to the new Form and use this code instead of the code above:

Public Class MyMainForm
	Private Sub MyMainForm_Load(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
		IsMdiContainer = True
		Dim f As New Form1
		With f
			.TopLevel = False
			.Parent = Me
			.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
			.FormBorderStyle = FormBorderStyle.None
			.AutoScroll = True
			.Show()
		End With
	End Sub
End Class

Mugsy's RapSheet 176 Reputation points

2023-08-11T17:59:01+00:00

Interesting. But if you don't actually add a "Form1" to your project, how do you display/edit it?

As is, for me, shorter is simpler. Thx.
Anonymous

2023-08-11T18:34:39.3966667+00:00

Hi

Sorry buy I don't understand your comment.

In the example I posted, the original application was developed from defaults and has a Form1 which was (by default) the start up Form. This was a fully working application and was used to illustrate using it inside a new Form added for the example.

I also do not know what you mean by 'As is, for me, shorter is simpler.', many times, shorter means 'more complex'. In any case, how does that statement apply to the example I posted?
Mugsy's RapSheet 176 Reputation points

2023-08-12T00:20:00.1566667+00:00

I've never been too clear re: any app that creates a virtual form at runtime.

From my understanding of your code, your (physical) Startup form is "MyMainForm", and in the "Load" property, you create a virtual form at runtime called "Form1" (that... I believe... must be populated at runtime.)

My windowed form is far too complex to create entirely in code and would be exceedingly difficult to edit.

I don't see an advantage to using a "virtual" form constructed at runtime vs simply displaying a "physical" form I can edit/manage in the GUI.
Anonymous

2023-08-12T08:57:45.0133333+00:00

Hi

You clearly do not understand my suggestions.

I am NOT creating a new Form1. This whole thing revolves around an EXISTING project which, if developed from defaults, already has a Form1 as the default start up Form. Using this EXISTING project, a new Form, called MyMainForm is ADDED to that existing project and will incorporate whatever the original project was doing INTO MyMainForm.

Anyway, in your endeavour to argue without trying/testing the code I posted, you have managed to draw out this thread into completely a unnecessary area.

I will bow out of this thread now as you are not prepared to put in any effort yourself.

NOTE: take an EXISTING project, add a new Form named MyMainForm to the EXISTING project and add the code I suggested several posts above, and set the Application -> Start up Form as mentioned above.
Mugsy's RapSheet 176 Reputation points

2023-08-12T11:18:47.17+00:00

Thx for your reply, but I resolved the problem with my code minutes after posting my question, and you've never explained the advantage of using your longer code vs my 3-line solution.

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Help. Can't display a form in a Panel/window.

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