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Using Visual Studio for Windows Workflow Foundation

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Visual Studio Extensions for Windows Workflow Foundation provides a way to graphically create workflow applications using the familiar Visual Studio user interface. Workflow applications are composed of workflow process steps called activities. To create a workflow, drag activities from the Windows Workflow group of activity Toolbox items onto the visual design surface.

The following table lists key features of the Visual Studio Extensions for Windows Workflow Foundation.

Feature Description

Activity Drag and Drop

Drag activities from the Toolbox onto the design surface to create a workflow.

Property Browser

The standard Visual Studio Property Browser is used to configure activity properties.

Zoom

The binoculars zoom icon is located below the vertical scroll bar on the right side of the design surface. Click the binoculars and select a zoom percentage to cause the workflow graphic to zoom in or out. You can also use the pan icon magnifying glass cursor options to zoom in and out.

Pan

The pan icon, a circle that contains four crossed arrows pointing in four directions, is located below the vertical scroll bar on the right side of the design surface just below the binoculars zoom icon. If you click the pan icon, a pop-up menu offers the following cursor options:

  • The Zoom In magnifying glass cursor lets you zoom in by clicking the design surface.
  • The Zoom Out magnifying glass cursor lets you zoom out by clicking the design surface.
  • The Navigation Tool hand cursor lets you "grab" and shift the view of a workflow in the design surface.
  • The Default arrow cursor lets you switch from the other cursors back to the default arrow cursor.

Auto Scrolling

If you have a large workflow, you might want to place an activity beyond the visible display of the design surface area. Visual Studio Extensions for Windows Workflow Foundation lets you drag an activity toward the edge of the design surface closest to where you want to put the activity. The design surface view automatically scrolls in that direction.

Smart Tags

Insufficiently configured activities are marked with an exclamation point icon. You can click the icon and see a drop-down list of configuration errors that exist on the activity. You can then use the Property Browser to configure the activity appropriately. When all properties are valid for the activity, the exclamation point icon disappears.

In This Section

Visual Studio Workflow Windows

Creating Workflow Projects

Sequential Workflow Views

Workflow Activities

Using Themes in Workflows

Using the State Machine Workflow Designer

Using the Activity Designer

Visual Studio Designer for Windows Workflow Foundation UI Help

See Also

Other Resources

Developing Workflows

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