MSDN Windows Apps Development

Guide to UI Controls and Elements

User Interface Controls for Windows Applications

Developing intuitive and engaging user experiences is paramount for modern Windows applications. This section provides an overview of essential UI controls available in the Windows SDK, their common uses, and best practices for implementation.

We will explore a variety of controls, from fundamental building blocks like buttons and text boxes to more complex components such as data grids and navigation views. Understanding these controls allows you to create applications that are both functional and visually appealing.

Core UI Elements

Buttons

Buttons are fundamental for initiating actions. They can be styled in various ways to indicate their purpose and state (e.g., primary, secondary, disabled).

<Button Content="Click Me" Click="MyButton_Click"/>
<Button Content="Submit" Style="{StaticResource PrimaryButtonStyle}" />

Text Inputs (TextBox, RichEditBox)

Allow users to enter and edit text. TextBox is for single-line input, while RichEditBox supports rich text formatting.

<TextBox Header="Enter your name" PlaceholderText="e.g., John Doe"/>
<RichEditBox Height="150" Header="Notes"/>

Checkboxes and Radio Buttons

Used for selecting options. Checkboxes allow multiple selections, while radio buttons ensure only one option can be chosen from a group.

<CheckBox Content="Enable feature X"/>
<StackPanel Orientation="Horizontal">
    <RadioButton Content="Option 1" GroupName="MyGroup" IsChecked="True"/>
    <RadioButton Content="Option 2" GroupName="MyGroup"/>
</StackPanel>

Sliders and Progress Bars

Slider controls allow users to select a value from a range, while ProgressBar visually indicates the progress of an operation.

<Slider Minimum="0" Maximum="100" Value="50"/>
<ProgressBar IsIndeterminate="True" Height="20"/>

Layout and Navigation Controls

StackPanel and Grid

StackPanel arranges children in a single line (horizontal or vertical). Grid provides a flexible, row-and-column based layout system.

<StackPanel Orientation="Horizontal" Spacing="10">
    <TextBlock Text="Item 1"/>
    <TextBlock Text="Item 2"/>
</StackPanel>

<Grid>
    <Grid.RowDefinitions>
        <RowDefinition Height="Auto"/>
        <RowDefinition Height="*"/>
    </Grid.RowDefinitions>
    <TextBlock Grid.Row="0" Text="Header"/>
    <ScrollViewer Grid.Row="1">
        <!-- Content -->
    </ScrollViewer>
</Grid>

ListView and GridView

Display collections of items. ListView typically shows items in a list, while GridView presents them in a tiled layout.

<ListView ItemsSource="{Binding MyItems}">
    <ListView.ItemTemplate>
        <DataTemplate>
            <TextBlock Text="{Binding Name}"/>
        </DataTemplate>
    </ListView.ItemTemplate>
</ListView>

NavigationView

A modern control providing a consistent navigation experience, often used in apps with multiple sections or pages. It supports pane-based navigation.

<NavigationView PaneDisplayMode="Left" IsBackButtonVisible="Visible">
    <NavigationView.MenuItems>
        <NavigationViewItem Icon="Home" Content="Home"/>
        <NavigationViewItem Icon="Folder" Content="Files"/>
    </NavigationView.MenuItems>
    <!-- Content Area -->
</NavigationView>

Common Best Practices

Further Reading