SplitContainer Control (Windows Forms)

The Windows Forms SplitContainer control can be thought of as a composite; it is two panels separated by a movable bar. When the mouse pointer is over the bar, the pointer changes shape to show that the bar is movable.

NoteNote

In the Toolbox, this control replaces the Splitter control that was there in the previous version of Visual Studio. The SplitContainer control is much preferred over the Splitter control. The Splitter class is still included in the .NET Framework for compatibility with existing applications, but we strongly encourage you to use the SplitContainer control for new projects.

The SplitContainer control lets you create complex user interfaces; often, a selection in one panel determines what objects are shown in the other panel. This arrangement is very effective for displaying and browsing information. Having two panels allow you to aggregate information in areas, and the bar, or "splitter," makes it easy for users to resize the panels.

In This Section

Topic Location
How to: Split a Window Horizontally Using the Designer Windows Forms Controls
How to: Create a Windows Explorer–Style Interface on a Windows Form Windows Forms Controls
How to: Create a Multipane User Interface with Windows Forms Using the Designer Windows Forms Controls
How to: Split a Window Horizontally Using the Designer Windows Forms Controls
How to: Create a Windows Explorer–Style Interface on a Windows Form Windows Forms Controls
How to: Create a Multipane User Interface with Windows Forms Using the Designer Windows Forms Controls
How to: Split a Window Horizontally Using the Designer Windows Forms Controls
How to: Create a Windows Explorer–Style Interface on a Windows Form Windows Forms Controls
How to: Create a Multipane User Interface with Windows Forms Using the Designer Windows Forms Controls
How to: Split a Window Horizontally Using the Designer Windows Forms Controls
How to: Create a Windows Explorer–Style Interface on a Windows Form Windows Forms Controls
How to: Create a Multipane User Interface with Windows Forms Using the Designer Windows Forms Controls

Reference

  • SplitContainer class
    Describes this class and has links to all its members.
  • Windows Forms Controls
    Provides links to topics about the controls designed specifically to work with Windows Forms.
  • SplitContainer Control Sample
    Demonstrates the use of several regular and advanced features of the control, including orientation, splitter distance, splitter width, and splitter increment.