Visual Basic form, cannot open in Form Design view

Question

So I made a mistake on one of my VB forms and deleted something I shouldnt have. No bother because I backed up the last version of the program I made a month ago.

Planned to delete the form in the Solution Explorer then go to Add -> Existing and select the form from the previous version.

I note that the form I am after has 3 files associated, a .vb, .resx and .Designer.vb. When I added this form, I used the .vb file.

It appears then in the solution explorer and works when I then run the software. However, Ive tried everything but cand open this form in the Form designer, when I double click on it, I just get the code view.

All 3 files have been imprted into the Solution Explorer, the .Designer.vb and .resx sit below the .vb file in the tree.

What I did notice is that the icon for this form is now 'VB' rather than a form icon. There is also no option to 'View Designer' when clicking on it.

Im sure Ive tried every single combination of everything! Is there something special I need to do when I add an existing, to ensure it is recognised as a form, not a 'VB'?

Answer 1

Edit the project file in a text editor. Find the Form.cs file that you added back. Add a subtype of Form.

<Compile Include="MyForm.vb">
   <SubType>Form</SubType>
</Compile>
<Compile Include="MyForm.designer.vb">
   <DependentUpon>MyForm.vb</DependentUpon>
   <SubType>Form</SubType>
</Compile>

Save and reload the project.

Answer 2

Hi @Havooma ,

1. Open the previous project directory and copy the three files of the form to the new project directory.
2. Then go to Add -> Existing and select Copied Form.

Hope this could be helpful.
Best Regards.
Jiachen Li

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