Windows Forms Controls by Function

Windows Forms offers controls and components that perform a number of functions. The following table lists the Windows Forms controls and components according to general function. In addition, where multiple controls exist that serve the same function, the recommended control is listed with a note regarding the control it superseded. In a separate subsequent table, the superseded controls are listed with their recommended replacements.

Note

The following tables do not list every control or component you can use in Windows Forms; for a more comprehensive list, see Controls to Use on Windows Forms

Recommended Controls and Components by Function

Function	Control	Description
Data display	DataGridView control	The DataGridView control provides a customizable table for displaying data. The DataGridView class enables customization of cells, rows, columns, and borders. Note The DataGridView control provides numerous basic and advanced features that are missing in the DataGrid control. For more information, see Differences Between the Windows Forms DataGridView and DataGrid Controls
Data binding and navigation	BindingSource component	Simplifies binding controls on a form to data by providing currency management, change notification, and other services.
	BindingNavigator control	Provides a toolbar-type interface to navigate and manipulate data on a form.
Text editing	TextBox control	Displays text entered at design time that can be edited by users at run time, or changed programmatically.
	RichTextBox control	Enables text to be displayed with formatting in plain text or rich-text format (RTF).
	MaskedTextBox control	Constrains the format of user input
Information display (read-only)	Label control	Displays text that users cannot directly edit.
	LinkLabel control	Displays text as a Web-style link and triggers an event when the user clicks the special text. Usually the text is a link to another window or a Web site.
	StatusStrip control	Displays information about the application's current state using a framed area, usually at the bottom of a parent form.
	ProgressBar control	Displays the current progress of an operation to the user.
Web page display	WebBrowser control	Enables the user to navigate Web pages inside your form.
Selection from a list	CheckedListBox control	Displays a scrollable list of items, each accompanied by a check box.
	ComboBox control	Displays a drop-down list of items.
	DomainUpDown control	Displays a list of text items that users can scroll through with up and down buttons.
	ListBox control	Displays a list of text and graphical items (icons).
	ListView control	Displays items in one of four different views. Views include text only, text with small icons, text with large icons, and a details view.
	NumericUpDown control	Displays a list of numerals that users can scroll through with up and down buttons.
	TreeView control	Displays a hierarchical collection of node objects that can consist of text with optional check boxes or icons.
Graphics display	PictureBox control	Displays graphical files, such as bitmaps and icons, in a frame.
Graphics storage	ImageList control	Serves as a repository for images. ImageList controls and the images they contain can be reused from one application to the next.
Value setting	CheckBox control	Displays a check box and a label for text. Generally used to set options.
	CheckedListBox control	Displays a scrollable list of items, each accompanied by a check box.
	RadioButton control	Displays a button that can be turned on or off.
	TrackBar control	Allows users to set values on a scale by moving a "thumb" along a scale.
Date setting	DateTimePicker control	Displays a graphical calendar to allow users to select a date or a time.
	MonthCalendar control	Displays a graphical calendar to allow users to select a range of dates.
Dialog boxes	ColorDialog control	Displays the color picker dialog box that allows users to set the color of an interface element.
	FontDialog control	Displays a dialog box that allows users to set a font and its attributes.
	OpenFileDialog control	Displays a dialog box that allows users to navigate to and select a file.
	PrintDialog control	Displays a dialog box that allows users to select a printer and set its attributes.
	PrintPreviewDialog control	Displays a dialog box that displays how a control PrintDocument component will appear when printed.
	FolderBrowserDialog control	Displays a dialog that allows users to browse, create, and eventually select a folder
	SaveFileDialog control	Displays a dialog box that allows users to save a file.
Menu controls	MenuStrip control	Creates custom menus. Note The MenuStrip is designed to replace the MainMenu control.
	ContextMenuStrip control	Creates custom context menus. Note The ContextMenuStrip is designed to replace the ContextMenu control.
Commands	Button control	Starts, stops, or interrupts a process.
	LinkLabel control	Displays text as a Web-style link and triggers an event when the user clicks the special text. Usually the text is a link to another window or a Web site.
	NotifyIcon control	Displays an icon in the status notification area of the taskbar that represents an application running in the background.
	ToolStrip control	Creates toolbars that can have a Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Internet Explorer, or custom look and feel, with or without themes, and with support for overflow and run-time item reordering. Note The ToolStrip control is designed to replace the ToolBar control.
User Help	HelpProvider component	Provides pop-up or online Help for controls.
	ToolTip component	Provides a pop-up window that displays a brief description of a control's purpose when the user rests the pointer on the control.
Grouping other controls	Panel control	Groups a set of controls on an unlabeled, scrollable frame.
	GroupBox control	Groups a set of controls (such as radio buttons) on a labeled, nonscrollable frame.
	TabControl control	Provides a tabbed page for organizing and accessing grouped objects efficiently.
	SplitContainer control	Provides two panels separated by a movable bar. Note The SplitContainer control is designed to replace the Splitter control.
	TableLayoutPanel control	Represents a panel that dynamically lays out its contents in a grid composed of rows and columns.
	FlowLayoutPanel control	Represents a panel that dynamically lays out its contents horizontally or vertically.
Audio	SoundPlayer control	Plays sound files in the .wav format. Sounds can be loaded or played asynchronously.

Superseded Controls and Components by Function

Function	Superseded control	Recommended replacement
Data display	DataGrid	DataGridView
Information Display (Read-only controls)	StatusBar	StatusStrip
Menu controls	ContextMenu	ContextMenuStrip
	MainMenu	MenuStrip
Commands	ToolBar	ToolStrip
	StatusBar	StatusStrip
Form layout	Splitter	SplitContainer

See Also

Other Resources

Controls to Use on Windows Forms

Developing Custom Windows Forms Controls with the .NET Framework