DataGridView Control Overview (Windows Forms) Page 1 of 4

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

DataGridView Control Overview (Windows
Forms)
Note

The DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.aspx ] control replaces and adds functionality to the
DataGrid [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagrid.aspx ] control;
however, the DataGrid control is retained for both backward compatibility and future use, if you
choose. For more information, see Differences Between the Windows Forms DataGridView and
DataGrid Controls [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171628.aspx ] .

With the DataGridView control, you can display and edit tabular data
from many different kinds of data sources.
Binding data to the DataGridView control is straightforward and intuitive,
and in many cases it is as simple as setting the DataSource
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.datasource.aspx ] property.
When you bind to a data source that contains multiple lists or tables, set
the DataMember [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.datamember.aspx ]
property to a string that specifies the list or table to bind to.
The DataGridView control supports the standard Windows Forms data
binding model, so it will bind to instances of classes described in the
following list:
z Any class that implements the IList [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.collections.ilist.aspx ] interface, including one-
dimensional arrays.
z Any class that implements the IListSource
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.componentmodel.ilistsource.aspx ] interface, such as
the DataTable [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.data.datatable.aspx ] and DataSet
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.data.dataset.aspx ]
classes.
z Any class that implements the IBindingList
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.componentmodel.ibindinglist.aspx ] interface, such
as the BindingList [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms132679.aspx ] class.
z Any class that implements the IBindingListView

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DataGridView Control Overview (Windows Forms) Page 2 of 4

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.componentmodel.ibindinglistview.aspx ] interface,
such as the BindingSource [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.bindingsource.aspx ] class.
The DataGridView control supports data binding to the public properties
of the objects returned by these interfaces or to the properties collection
returned by an ICustomTypeDescriptor [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.componentmodel.icustomtypedescriptor.aspx ] interface,
if implemented on the returned objects.
Typically, you will bind to a BindingSource component and bind the
BindingSource component to another data source or populate it with
business objects. The BindingSource component is the preferred data
source because it can bind to a wide variety of data sources and can
resolve many data binding issues automatically. For more information, see
BindingSource Component [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/h974h4y2.aspx ] .
The DataGridView control can also be used in unbound mode, with no
underlying data store. For a code example that uses an unbound
DataGridView control, see Walkthrough: Creating an Unbound Windows
Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/5s3ce6k8.aspx ] .
The DataGridView control is highly configurable and extensible, and it
provides many properties, methods, and events to customize its
appearance and behavior. When you want your Windows Forms application
to display tabular data, consider using the DataGridView control before
others (for example, DataGrid). If you are displaying a small grid of read-
only values, or if you are enabling a user to edit a table with millions of
records, the DataGridView control will provide you with a readily
programmable, memory-efficient solution.
In This Section
DataGridView Control Technology Summary (Windows Forms)
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/t4wtb0tc.aspx ]
Summarizes DataGridView control concepts and the use of related
classes.
DataGridView Control Architecture (Windows Forms)
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dkdz8z4e.aspx ]
Describes the architecture of the DataGridView control, explaining
its type hierarchy and inheritance structure.
DataGridView Control Scenarios (Windows Forms)
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/s7za025w.aspx ]
Describes the most common scenarios in which DataGridView
controls are used.

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DataGridView Control Overview (Windows Forms) Page 3 of 4

DataGridView Control Code Directory (Windows Forms)

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/8adxw4f4.aspx ]
Provides links to code examples in the documentation for various
DataGridView tasks. These examples are categorized by task
type.
Related Sections
Column Types in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bxt3k60s.aspx ]
Discusses the column types in the Windows Forms DataGridView
control used to display information and allow users to modify or add
information.
Displaying Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171600.aspx ]
Provides topics that describe how to populate the control with data
either manually, or from an external data source.
Customizing the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171618.aspx ]
Provides topics that describe custom painting DataGridView cells
and rows, and creating derived cell, column, and row types.
Performance Tuning in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171621.aspx ]
Provides topics that describe how to use the control efficiently to
avoid performance problems when working with large amounts of
data.
See Also
Tasks
DataGridView Control Sample [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/1x64c23x.aspx ]
Reference
Default Keyboard and Mouse Handling in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/tb9t9a2t.aspx ]
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.aspx ]
BindingSource [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.bindingsource.aspx ]
Concepts
Default Functionality in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ak81b67y.aspx ]
Other Resources
DataGridView Control (Windows Forms)
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/e0ywh3cz.aspx ]

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DataGridView Control Overview (Windows Forms) Page 4 of 4

Community Content

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DataGridView Control Technology Summary (Windows Forms) Page 1 of 4

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

DataGridView Control Technology Summary
(Windows Forms)
This topic summarizes information about the DataGridView control and
the classes that support its use.
Displaying data in a tabular format is a task you are likely to perform
frequently. The DataGridView control is designed to be a complete
solution for presenting data in a grid.

Keywords

DataGridView, BindingSource, table, cell, data binding, virtual mode

Namespaces

System.Windows.Forms [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.aspx ]
System.Data [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.data.aspx ]

Related Technologies

BindingSource

Background

User interface (UI) designers frequently find it necessary to display tabular

data to users. The .NET Framework provides several ways to show data in
a table or grid. The DataGridView control represents the latest evolution
of this technology for Windows Forms applications.
The DataGridView control can display rows of data from a data store.
Many types of data stores are supported. The data store can hold simple,
untyped data, such as a one-dimensional array, or it can hold typed data,
such as a DataSet [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.data.dataset.aspx ] . For more information, see How to:
Bind Data to the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/fbk67b6z.aspx ] .
The DataGridView control provides a powerful and flexible way to display
data in a tabular format. You can use the control to show read-only or

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DataGridView Control Technology Summary (Windows Forms) Page 2 of 4

editable views of small to very large sets of data.

You can extend the DataGridView control in several ways to build custom
behavior into your applications. For example, you can programmatically
specify your own sorting algorithms, and you can create your own types of
cells. You can easily customize the appearance of the DataGridView
control by choosing among several properties. Many types of data stores
can be used as a data source, or the DataGridView control can operate
without a data source bound to it.

Implementing DataGridView Classes

There are several ways for you to take advantage of the DataGridView
control's extensibility features. You can customize many aspects of the
control through events and properties, but some customizations require
you to create new classes derived from existing DataGridView classes.
The most typically used base classes are DataGridViewCell and
DataGridViewColumn. You can derive your own cell class from
DataGridViewCell or any of its child classes. Although you can add any
cell type to any column, you will typically also derive a companion column
class from DataGridViewColumn that hosts cells of your custom cell type
by default.
You can implement the IDataGridViewEditingCell interface in your
derived cell class to create a cell type that has editing functionality but
does not host a control in editing mode. To create a control that you can
host in a cell in editing mode, you can implement the
IDataGridViewEditingControl interface in a class derived from Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.control.aspx ] .
For more information, see How to: Customize Cells and Columns in the
Windows Forms DataGridView Control by Extending Their Behavior and
Appearance [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/7fb61s43.aspx ]
and How to: Host Controls in Windows Forms DataGridView Cells
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/7tas5c80.aspx ] .

DataGridView Classes at a Glance

System.Windows.Forms
Technology Area Classes/interfaces/configuration elements

Data Binding BindingSource [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.bindingsource.aspx ]

Data Presentation DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.aspx ]

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DataGridView Control Technology Summary (Windows Forms) Page 3 of 4

DataGridViewCell [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcell.aspx ] and derived classes

DataGridViewRow [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrow.aspx ] and derived classes

DataGridViewColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.aspx ] and derived classes

DataGridViewCellStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle.aspx ]

DataGridView DataGridViewCell and derived classes

Extensibility
DataGridViewColumn and derived classes

IDataGridViewEditingCell [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.idatagridvieweditingcell.aspx ]

IDataGridViewEditingControl [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.idatagridvieweditingcontrol.aspx ]

What's New

The DataGridView control is designed to be a complete solution for

displaying tabular data with Windows Forms. You should consider using the
DataGridView control before other solutions, such as DataGrid
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagrid.aspx ] , when you are authoring
a new application. For more information, see Differences Between the
Windows Forms DataGridView and DataGrid Controls
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171628.aspx ] .
The DataGridView control can work in close conjunction with the
BindingSource component. This component is designed to be the primary
data source of a form. It can manage the interaction between a
DataGridView control and its data source, regardless of the data source
type.

See Also

Reference
DataGridView Control Overview (Windows Forms)
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/k39d6s23.aspx ]
Concepts
DataGridView Control Architecture (Windows Forms)
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dkdz8z4e.aspx ]
Securing Connection Strings [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/89211k9b.aspx ]

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Community Content

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DataGridView Control Architecture (Windows Forms) Page 1 of 7

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

DataGridView Control Architecture (Windows
Forms)
The DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.aspx ] control and its
related classes are designed to be a flexible, extensible system for
displaying and editing tabular data. These classes are all contained in the
System.Windows.Forms [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.aspx ] namespace, and they are all
named with the "DataGridView" prefix.

Architecture Elements

The primary DataGridView companion classes derive from

DataGridViewElement [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewelement.aspx ] . The
following object model illustrates the DataGridViewElement inheritance
hierarchy.
DataGridViewElement object model

The DataGridViewElement class provides a reference to the parent

DataGridView control and has a State [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewelement.state.aspx ]
property, which holds a value that represents a combination of values from
the DataGridViewElementStates [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewelementstates.aspx ]
enumeration.
The following sections describe the DataGridView companion classes in
more detail.
DataGridViewElementStates
The DataGridViewElementStates enumeration contains the following
values:
z None [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewelementstates.aspx ]
z Frozen [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

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us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewelementstates.aspx ]
z ReadOnly [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewelementstates.aspx ]
z Resizable [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewelementstates.aspx ]
z ResizableSet [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewelementstates.aspx ]
z Selected [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewelementstates.aspx ]
z Visible [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewelementstates.aspx ]
The values of this enumeration can be combined with the bitwise logical
operators, so the State property can express more than one state at once.
For example, a DataGridViewElement can be simultaneously Frozen,
Selected, and Visible.
Cells and Bands
The DataGridView control comprises two fundamental kinds of objects:
cells and bands. All cells derive from the DataGridViewCell
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcell.aspx ] base class. The
two kinds of bands, DataGridViewColumn
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.aspx ] and
DataGridViewRow [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrow.aspx ] , both derive
from the DataGridViewBand [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewband.aspx ] base class.
The DataGridView control interoperates with several classes, but the
most commonly encountered are DataGridViewCell,
DataGridViewColumn, and DataGridViewRow.
DataGridViewCell
The cell is the fundamental unit of interaction for the DataGridView.
Display is centered on cells, and data entry is often performed through
cells. You can access cells by using the Cells
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrow.cells.aspx ] collection of
the DataGridViewRow class, and you can access the selected cells by
using the SelectedCells [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.selectedcells.aspx ]
collection of the DataGridView control. The following object model
illustrates this usage and shows the DataGridViewCell inheritance
hierarchy.
DataGridViewCell object model

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The DataGridViewCell type is an abstract base class, from which all cell
types derive. DataGridViewCell and its derived types are not Windows
Forms controls, but some host Windows Forms controls. Any editing
functionality supported by a cell is typically handled by a hosted control.
DataGridViewCell objects do not control their own appearance and
painting features in the same way as Windows Forms controls. Instead, the
DataGridView is responsible for the appearance of its DataGridViewCell
objects. You can significantly affect the appearance and behavior of cells by
interacting with the DataGridView control's properties and events. When
you have special requirements for customizations that are beyond the
capabilities of the DataGridView control, you can implement your own
class that derives from DataGridViewCell or one of its child classes.
The following list shows the classes derived from DataGridViewCell:
z DataGridViewTextBoxCell [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewtextboxcell.aspx ]
z DataGridViewButtonCell [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewbuttoncell.aspx ]
z DataGridViewLinkCell [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewlinkcell.aspx ]
z DataGridViewCheckBoxCell [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcheckboxcell.aspx ]

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z DataGridViewComboBoxCell [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcomboboxcell.aspx ]
z DataGridViewImageCell [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewimagecell.aspx ]
z DataGridViewHeaderCell [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewheadercell.aspx ]
z DataGridViewRowHeaderCell [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrowheadercell.aspx ]
z DataGridViewColumnHeaderCell [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumnheadercell.aspx ]
z DataGridViewTopLeftHeaderCell [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewtopleftheadercell.aspx ]
z Your custom cell types
DataGridViewColumn
The schema of the DataGridView control's attached data store is
expressed in the DataGridView control's columns. You can access the
DataGridView control's columns by using the Columns
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.columns.aspx ] collection.
You can access the selected columns by using the SelectedColumns
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.selectedcolumns.aspx ]
collection. The following object model illustrates this usage and shows the
DataGridViewColumn inheritance hierarchy.
DataGridViewColumn object model

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Some of the key cell types have corresponding column types. These are
derived from the DataGridViewColumn base class.
The following list shows the classes derived from DataGridViewColumn:
z DataGridViewButtonColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewbuttoncolumn.aspx ]
z DataGridViewCheckBoxColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcheckboxcolumn.aspx ]
z DataGridViewComboBoxColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcomboboxcolumn.aspx ]
z DataGridViewImageColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewimagecolumn.aspx ]
z DataGridViewTextBoxColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewtextboxcolumn.aspx ]
z DataGridViewLinkColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewlinkcolumn.aspx ]
z Your custom column types
DataGridView Editing Controls
Cells that support advanced editing functionality typically use a hosted
control that is derived from a Windows Forms control. These controls also
implement the IDataGridViewEditingControl
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.idatagridvieweditingcontrol.aspx ]
interface. The following object model illustrates the usage of these
controls.
DataGridView editing control object model

The following editing controls are provided with the DataGridView control:
z DataGridViewComboBoxEditingControl
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcomboboxeditingcontrol.aspx ]
z DataGridViewTextBoxEditingControl [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewtextboxeditingcontrol.aspx ]

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For information about creating your own editing controls, see How to: Host
Controls in Windows Forms DataGridView Cells
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/7tas5c80.aspx ] .
The following table illustrates the relationship among cell types, column
types, and editing controls.
Cell type Hosted control Column type

DataGridViewButtonCell n/a DataGridViewButtonColum

DataGridViewCheckBoxCell n/a DataGridViewCheckBoxCo

DataGridViewComboBoxCell DataGridViewComboBoxEditingControl DataGridViewComboBoxCo

DataGridViewImageCell n/a DataGridViewImageColum

DataGridViewLinkCell n/a DataGridViewLinkColumn

DataGridViewTextBoxCell DataGridViewTextBoxEditingControl DataGridViewTextBoxColu

DataGridViewRow
The DataGridViewRow class displays a record's data fields from the data
store to which the DataGridView control is attached. You can access the
DataGridView control's rows by using the Rows
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rows.aspx ] collection. You
can access the selected rows by using the SelectedRows
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.selectedrows.aspx ]
collection. The following object model illustrates this usage and shows the
DataGridViewRow inheritance hierarchy.
DataGridViewRow object model

You can derive your own types from the DataGridViewRow class,
although this will typically not be necessary. The DataGridView control
has several row-related events and properties for customizing the behavior

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DataGridView Control Architecture (Windows Forms) Page 7 of 7

of its DataGridViewRow objects.

If you enable the DataGridView control's AllowUserToAddRows
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.allowusertoaddrows.aspx ]
property, a special row for adding new rows appears as the last row. This
row is part of the Rows collection, but it has special functionality that may
require your attention. For more information, see Using the Row for New
Records in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ka3w9f4d.aspx ] .

See Also

Reference
DataGridView Control Overview (Windows Forms)
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/k39d6s23.aspx ]
Concepts
Using the Row for New Records in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ka3w9f4d.aspx ]
Other Resources
Customizing the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171618.aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dkdz8z4e(d=printer).aspx 5/22/2007
DataGridView Control Scenarios (Windows Forms) Page 1 of 4

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

DataGridView Control Scenarios (Windows
Forms)
With the DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.aspx ] control, you can
display tabular data from a variety of data sources. For simple uses, you
can manually populate a DataGridView and manipulate the data directly
through the control. Typically, however, you will store your data in an
external data source and bind the control to it through a BindingSource
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.bindingsource.aspx ] component.
This topic describes some of the common scenarios that involve the
DataGridView control.

Scenario 1: Displaying Small Amounts of Data

You do not have to store your data in an external data source to display it
in the DataGridView control. If you are working with a small amount of
data, you can populate the control yourself and manipulate the data
through the control. This is called unbound mode. For more information,
see How to: Create an Unbound Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/zf3zx9fy.aspx ] .
Scenario Key Points
z In unbound mode, you populate the control manually.

z Unbound mode is particularly suited for small amounts of read-only

data.
z Unbound mode is also suited for spreadsheet-like or sparsely populated
tables.

Scenario 2: Viewing and Updating Data Stored in an External

Data Source

You can use the DataGridView control as a user interface (UI) through
which users can access data kept in a data source such as a database table
or a collection of business objects. For more information, see How to: Bind
Data to the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/fbk67b6z.aspx ] .
Scenario Key Points
z Bound mode lets you connect to a data source, automatically generate

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DataGridView Control Scenarios (Windows Forms) Page 2 of 4

columns based on the data source properties or database columns, and

automatically populate the control.
z Bound mode is suited for heavy user interaction with data. Data can be
formatted for display, and user-specified data can be parsed into the
format expected by the data source. Data entry formatting errors and
database constraint errors can be detected so that users can be warned
and erroneous cells can be corrected.
z Additional functionality such as column sorting, freezing, and reordering
enable users to view data in the way most convenient for their
workflow.
z Clipboard support enables users to copy data from your application into
other applications.

Scenario 3: Advanced Data

If you have special needs that the standard data binding model does not
address, you can manage the interaction between the control and your
data by implementing virtual mode. Implementing virtual mode means
implementing one or more event handlers that let the control request
information about cells as the information is needed.
For example, if you work with large amounts of data, you may want to
implement virtual mode to ensure optimal efficiency. Virtual mode is also
useful for maintaining the values of unbound columns that you display
along with columns retrieved from another data source.
For more information about virtual mode, see Walkthrough: Implementing
Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/15a31akc.aspx ] .
Scenario Key Points
z Virtual mode is suited for displaying very large amounts of data when

you need to fine-tune performance.

Scenario 4: Automatically Resizing Rows and Columns

When you display data that is regularly updated, you can automatically
resize rows and columns to ensure that all content is visible. The
DataGridView control provides several options that let you enable or
disable manual resizing, resize programmatically at specific times, or resize
automatically whenever content changes. For more information, see Sizing
Options in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/74b2wakt.aspx ] .
Scenario Key Points
z Manual resizing enables users to adjust cell heights and widths.

z Automatic resizing enables you to maintain cell sizes so that cell

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DataGridView Control Scenarios (Windows Forms) Page 3 of 4

content is never clipped.

z Programmatic resizing enables you to resize cells at specific times to
avoid the performance penalty of continuous automatic resizing.

Scenario 5: Simple Customization

The DataGridView control provides many ways for you to alter its basic
appearance and behavior. For more information, see Cell Styles in the
Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/1yef90x0.aspx ] .
Scenario Key Points
z DataGridViewCellStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle.aspx ] objects
let you provide color, font, formatting, and positioning information at
multiple levels and for individual elements of the control.
z Cell styles can be layered and shared by multiple elements, letting you
reuse code.

Scenario 6: Advanced Customization

The DataGridView control provides many ways for you to customize its
appearance and behavior.
Scenario Key Points
z You can provide your own cell painting code. For more information, see

How to: Customize the Appearance of Cells in the Windows Forms

DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/hta8z9sz.aspx ] .
z You can provide your own row painting. This is useful, for example, to
create rows with content that spans multiple columns. For more
information, see How to: Customize the Appearance of Rows in the
Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/85kxk29c.aspx ] .
z You can implement your own cell and column classes to customize cell
appearance. For more information, see How to: Customize Cells and
Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control by Extending
Their Behavior and Appearance [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/7fb61s43.aspx ] .
z You can implement your own cell and column classes to host controls
other than the ones provided by the built-in column types. For more
information, see How to: Host Controls in Windows Forms
DataGridView Cells [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/7tas5c80.aspx ] .

See Also

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DataGridView Control Scenarios (Windows Forms) Page 4 of 4

Reference
DataGridView Control Overview (Windows Forms)
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/k39d6s23.aspx ]
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/s7za025w(d=printer).aspx 5/22/2007
DataGridView Control Code Directory (Windows Forms) Page 1 of 5

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

DataGridView Control Code Directory
(Windows Forms)
This topic provides links to DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] -related code
examples available in the documentation.
Note

A link always jumps to the top of the topic in which the code example is found.

Additional code examples are available in the class library reference

documentation. For a list of the principal classes and interfaces associated
with the DataGridView control, see the table in DataGridView Control
Technology Summary (Windows Forms) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/t4wtb0tc(VS.80).aspx ] .
Unbound Data Examples
z How to: Add an Unbound Column to a Data-Bound Windows Forms

DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/zkatshfa(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Create an Unbound Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/zf3zx9fy(VS.80).aspx ]
z Walkthrough: Creating an Unbound Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/5s3ce6k8
(VS.80).aspx ]
Data Binding Examples
z How to: Bind Data to the Windows Forms DataGridView Control

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/fbk67b6z(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Autogenerate Columns in a Data-Bound Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/28bfhf10(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Remove Autogenerated Columns from a Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/hbtwc35f(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Bind Objects to Windows Forms DataGridView Controls
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/y0wfd4yz(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Access Objects Bound to Windows Forms DataGridView Rows
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/4wszzzc7(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Create a Master/Detail Form Using Two Windows Forms

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DataGridView Control Code Directory (Windows Forms) Page 2 of 5

DataGridView Controls [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/c12c1kx4(VS.80).aspx ]
z Walkthrough: Creating a Master/Detail Form Using Two Windows Forms
DataGridView Controls [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/y8c0cxey(VS.80).aspx ]
Data Formatting Examples
z How to: Format Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/f9x2790s(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Customize Data Formatting in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/z1cc356h(VS.80).aspx ]
Data Validation Examples
z How to: Validate Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/7ehy30d4(VS.80).aspx ]
z Walkthrough: Validating Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ykdxa0bc
(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Handle Errors That Occur During Data Entry in the Windows
Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/xktax5sd(VS.80).aspx ]
z Walkthrough: Handling Errors that Occur During Data Entry in the
Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/t4a23xx4(VS.80).aspx ]
Appearance Customization Examples
z How to: Change the Border and Gridline Styles in the Windows Forms

DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/ehz9ksfa(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Set Font and Color Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/z2akwyy7
(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Set Default Cell Styles for the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/k4sab6f9
(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Use the Row Template to Customize Rows in the Windows
Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/d2bkk9d1(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Set Alternating Row Styles for the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/txth0a6h(VS.80).aspx ]
Behavior Customization Examples
z How to: Specify the Edit Mode for the Windows Forms DataGridView

Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/yztkd864
(VS.80).aspx ]

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DataGridView Control Code Directory (Windows Forms) Page 3 of 5

z How to: Specify Default Values for New Rows in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/b22t666e(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Prevent Row Addition and Deletion in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/61bk13ye(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Perform a Custom Action Based on Changes in a Cell of a
Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ewk0cc1s(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Enable Users to Copy Multiple Cells to the Clipboard from the
Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dec5efh1(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Add ToolTips to Individual Cells in a Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/2249cf0a(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Display Images in Cells of the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/2ab8kd75
(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Customize Sorting in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171608(VS.80).aspx ]
Column Manipulation Examples
z How to: Freeze Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/28e9w2e1(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Enable Column Reordering in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/510kh8zh(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Change the Order of Columns in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/wkfe535h(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Hide Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/0c24a0d7(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Hide Column Headers in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/2x16tybz
(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Make Columns Read-Only in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cze614bb
(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Set the Sort Modes for Columns in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/8b9k0ktw(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Work with Image Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/x0tz73t0
(VS.80).aspx ]

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DataGridView Control Code Directory (Windows Forms) Page 4 of 5

z How to: Manipulate Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView

Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/wc06dx4f
(VS.80).aspx ]
Row and Column Sizing Examples
z Column Fill Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171605(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Set the Sizing Modes of the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/fd004dhd
(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Programmatically Resize Cells to Fit Content in the Windows
Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ff173xd4(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Automatically Resize Cells When Content Changes in the
Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/f71f07b5(VS.80).aspx ]
Selection Examples
z How to: Set the Selection Mode of the Windows Forms DataGridView

Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/wfc9h72k
(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Get the Selected Cells, Rows, and Columns in the Windows
Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/x8x9zk5a(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Get and Set the Current Cell in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/yc4fsbf5(VS.80).aspx ]
Advanced Customization Examples
z How to: Customize the Appearance of Cells in the Windows Forms

DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/hta8z9sz(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Customize the Appearance of Rows in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/85kxk29c(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Customize Cells and Columns in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control by Extending Their Behavior and Appearance
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/7fb61s43(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Disable Buttons in a Button Column in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171619(VS.80).aspx ]
z How to: Host Controls in Windows Forms DataGridView Cells
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/7tas5c80(VS.80).aspx ]
Advanced Data Examples
z How to: Implement Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView

Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/2b177d6d

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/8adxw4f4(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/22/2007
DataGridView Control Code Directory (Windows Forms) Page 5 of 5

(VS.80).aspx ]
z Walkthrough: Implementing Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/15a31akc(VS.80).aspx ]
z Implementing Virtual Mode with Just-In-Time Data Loading in the
Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171624(VS.80).aspx ]

See Also

Reference
DataGridView Control Overview (Windows Forms)
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/k39d6s23(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/8adxw4f4(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/22/2007
Default Functionality in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 2

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

Default Functionality in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control
The Windows Forms DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control
provides users with a significant amount of default functionality.

Default Functionality

By default, a DataGridView control:

z Automatically displays column headers and row headers that remain
visible as the table scrolls vertically.
z Has a row header that contains a selection indicator for the current
row.
z Has a selection rectangle in the first cell.
z Has columns that can be automatically resized when the user double-
clicks the column dividers.
z Automatically supports visual styles on Windows XP and the Windows
Server 2003 family when the EnableVisualStyles
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.application.enablevisualstyles
(VS.80).aspx ] method is called from the application's Main method.
Additionally, the contents of a DataGridView control can be edited by
default:
z If the user double-clicks or presses F2 in a cell, the control
automatically puts the cell into edit mode and updates the contents of
the cell as the user types.
z If the user scrolls to the end of the grid, the user will see that a row for
adding new records is present. When the user clicks this row, a new
row is added to the DataGridView control, with default values. When
the user presses ESC, this new row disappears.
z If the user clicks a row header, the whole row is selected.
When you bind a DataGridView control to a data source by setting its
DataSource [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.datasource(VS.80).aspx ]
property, the control:
z Automatically uses the names of the data source's columns as the

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Default Functionality in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 2

column header text.

z Is populated with the contents of the data source. DataGridView
columns are automatically created for each column in the data source.
z Creates a row for each visible row in the table.
z Automatically sorts the rows based on the underlying data when the
user clicks a column header.

See Also

Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
DataGridView Control (Windows Forms) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/e0ywh3cz(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

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Column Types in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 6

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

Column Types in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control
The DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control uses
several column types to display its information and enable users to modify
or add information.
When you bind a DataGridView control and set the AutoGenerateColumns
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.autogeneratecolumns
(VS.80).aspx ] property to true, columns are automatically generated
using default column types appropriate for the data types contained in the
bound data source.
You can also create instances of any of the column classes yourself and
add them to the collection returned by the Columns
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.columns(VS.80).aspx ]
property. You can create these instances for use as unbound columns, or
you can manually bind them. Manually bound columns are useful, for
example, when you want to replace an automatically generated column of
one type with a column of another type.
The following table describes the various column classes available for use
in the DataGridView control.
Class Description

DataGridViewTextBoxColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en- Used with text-based values. Generated

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewtextboxcolumn automatically when binding to numbers an
(VS.80).aspx ]

DataGridViewCheckBoxColumn Used with Boolean [ http://msdn2.microso

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en- us/library/system.boolean(VS.80).aspx ] a
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcheckboxcolumn CheckState [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/
(VS.80).aspx ] us/library/system.windows.forms.checksta
(VS.80).aspx ] values. Generated automat
binding to values of these types.

DataGridViewImageColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en- Used to display images. Generated automa

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewimagecolumn when binding to byte arrays, Image
(VS.80).aspx ] [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.drawing.image(VS.80).a
objects, or Icon [ http://msdn2.microsoft.c
us/library/system.drawing.icon(VS.80).asp
objects.

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Column Types in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 6

DataGridViewButtonColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en- Used to display buttons in cells. Not autom

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewbuttoncolumn generated when binding. Typically used as
(VS.80).aspx ] columns.

DataGridViewComboBoxColumn Used to display drop-down lists in cells. No

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en- automatically generated when binding. Typ
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcomboboxcolumn data-bound manually.
(VS.80).aspx ]

DataGridViewLinkColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en- Used to display links in cells. Not automati

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewlinkcolumn generated when binding. Typically data-bo
(VS.80).aspx ] manually.

Your custom column type You can create your own column class by i
the DataGridViewColumn
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridv
(VS.80).aspx ] class or any of its derived c
provide custom appearance, behavior, or h
controls. For more information, see How to
Customize Cells and Columns in the Windo
DataGridView Control by Extending Their B
and Appearance [ http://msdn2.microsoft.
us/library/7fb61s43(VS.80).aspx ]

These column types are described in more detail in the following sections.

DataGridViewTextBoxColumn

The DataGridViewTextBoxColumn is a general-purpose column type for

use with text-based values such as numbers and strings. In editing mode,
a TextBox [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.textbox(VS.80).aspx ] control is
displayed in the active cell, enabling users to modify the cell value.
Cell values are automatically converted to strings for display. Values
entered or modified by the user are automatically parsed to create a cell
value of the appropriate data type. You can customize these conversions
by handling the CellFormatting [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellformatting
(VS.80).aspx ] and CellParsing [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellparsing(VS.80).aspx ]
events of the DataGridView control.
The cell value data type of a column is specified in the ValueType
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.valuetype
(VS.80).aspx ] property of the column.

DataGridViewCheckBoxColumn

The DataGridViewCheckBoxColumn is used with Boolean and

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Column Types in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 3 of 6

CheckState values. Boolean values display as two-state or three-state

check boxes, depending on the value of the ThreeState
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcheckboxcolumn.threestate
(VS.80).aspx ] property. When the column is bound to CheckState values,
the ThreeState property value is true by default.
Typically, check box cell values are intended either for storage, like any
other data, or for performing bulk operations. If you want to respond
immediately when users click a check box cell, you can handle the CellClick
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellclick(VS.80).aspx ]
event, but this event occurs before the cell value is updated. If you need
the new value at the time of the click, one option is to calculate what the
expected value will be based on the current value. Another approach is to
commit the change immediately, and handle the CellValueChanged
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellvaluechanged
(VS.80).aspx ] event to respond to it. To commit the change when the cell
is clicked, you must handle the CurrentCellDirtyStateChanged
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.currentcelldirtystatechanged
(VS.80).aspx ] event. In the handler, if the current cell is a check box cell,
call the CommitEdit [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.commitedit(VS.80).aspx ]
method and pass in the Commit [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewdataerrorcontexts
(VS.80).aspx ] value.

DataGridViewImageColumn

The DataGridViewImageColumn is used to display images. Image

columns can be populated automatically from a data source, populated
manually for unbound columns, or populated dynamically in a handler for
the CellFormatting event.
The automatic population of an image column from a data source works
with byte arrays in a variety of image formats, including all formats
supported by the Image class and the OLE Picture format used by
Microsoft® Access and the Northwind sample database.
Populating an image column manually is useful when you want to provide
the functionality of a DataGridViewButtonColumn, but with a
customized appearance. You can handle the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.CellClick event to respond to
clicks within an image cell.
Populating the cells of an image column in a handler for the

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Column Types in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 4 of 6

CellFormatting event is useful when you want to provide images for

calculated values or values in non-image formats. For example, you may
have a "Risk" column with string values such as "high", "middle", and
"low" that you want to display as icons. Alternately, you may have an
"Image" column that contains the locations of images that must be loaded
rather than the binary content of the images.

DataGridViewButtonColumn

With the DataGridViewButtonColumn, you can display a column of cells

that contain buttons. This is useful when you want to provide an easy way
for your users to perform actions on particular records, such as placing an
order or displaying child records in a separate window.
Button columns are not generated automatically when data-binding a
DataGridView control. To use button columns, you must create them
manually and add them to the collection returned by the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.Columns property.
You can respond to user clicks in button cells by handling the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.CellClick event.

DataGridViewComboBoxColumn

With the DataGridViewComboBoxColumn, you can display a column of

cells that contain drop-down list boxes. This is useful for data entry in
fields that can only contain particular values, such as the Category column
of the Products table in the Northwind sample database.
You can populate the drop-down list used for all cells the same way you
would populate a ComboBox [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.combobox(VS.80).aspx ] drop-down list,
either manually through the collection returned by the Items
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcomboboxcolumn.items
(VS.80).aspx ] property, or by binding it to a data source through the
DataSource [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcomboboxcolumn.datasource
(VS.80).aspx ] , DisplayMember [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcomboboxcolumn.displaymember
(VS.80).aspx ] , and ValueMember [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcomboboxcolumn.valuemember
(VS.80).aspx ] properties. For more information, see ComboBox Control
(Windows Forms) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/9h80cyht
(VS.80).aspx ] .
You can bind the actual cell values to the data source used by the
DataGridView control by setting the DataPropertyName

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Column Types in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 5 of 6

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.datapropertyname
(VS.80).aspx ] property of the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewComboBoxColumn.
Combo box columns are not generated automatically when data-binding a
DataGridView control. To use combo box columns, you must create them
manually and add them to the collection returned by the Columns
property.

DataGridViewLinkColumn

With the DataGridViewLinkColumn, you can display a column of cells

that contain hyperlinks. This is useful for URL values in the data source or
as an alternative to the button column for special behaviors such as
opening a window with child records.
Link columns are not generated automatically when data-binding a
DataGridView control. To use link columns, you must create them
manually and add them to the collection returned by the Columns
property.
You can respond to user clicks on links by handling the CellContentClick
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellcontentclick
(VS.80).aspx ] event. This event is distinct from the CellClick and
CellMouseClick [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellmouseclick
(VS.80).aspx ] events, which occur when a user clicks anywhere in a cell.
The DataGridViewLinkColumn class provides several properties for
modifying the appearance of links before, during, and after they are
clicked.

See Also

Tasks
How to: Display Images in Cells of the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/2ab8kd75
(VS.80).aspx ]
How to: Work with Image Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/x0tz73t0
(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn(VS.80).aspx ]

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Column Types in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 6 of 6

DataGridViewButtonColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewbuttoncolumn(VS.80).aspx ]

DataGridViewCheckBoxColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcheckboxcolumn
(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewComboBoxColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcomboboxcolumn
(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewImageColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewimagecolumn(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewTextBoxColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewtextboxcolumn
(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewLinkColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewlinkcolumn(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
DataGridView Control (Windows Forms) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/e0ywh3cz(VS.80).aspx ]
Customizing the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171618(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bxt3k60s(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/22/2007
Basic Column, Row, and Cell Features in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 2

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

Basic Column, Row, and Cell Features in the
Windows Forms DataGridView Control
Many basic behaviors of DataGridView cells, rows, and columns can be
modified by setting single properties. The topics in this section describe
several of the most commonly used of these features.

In This Section

How to: Hide Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/0c24a0d7(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to prevent specific columns from appearing in the
control.
How to: Hide Column Headers in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/2x16tybz(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to prevent the column headers from appearing in the
control.
How to: Enable Column Reordering in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/510kh8zh
(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to enable users to rearrange columns in the control.
How to: Freeze Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/28e9w2e1(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how prevent one or more adjacent columns from scrolling.
How to: Make Columns Read-Only in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cze614bb
(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to prevent users from editing specific columns in the
control.
How to: Prevent Row Addition and Deletion in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/61bk13ye(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to remove the row for new records at the bottom of the
control to prevent users from adding rows. Also describes how to
prevent users from deleting rows.
How to: Get and Set the Current Cell in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/yc4fsbf5(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to access the cell that currently has focus in the

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Basic Column, Row, and Cell Features in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 2

control.
How to: Display Images in Cells of the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/2ab8kd75
(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to create an image column that displays an icon in
every cell.

Reference

DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides reference documentation for the control.

Related Sections

Basic Formatting and Styling in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171598(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides topics that describe how to modify the basic appearance of
the control and the display formatting of cell data.
Programming with Cells, Rows, and Columns in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171616(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides topics that describe how to program with cell, row, and
column objects.

See Also

Concepts
Column Types in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bxt3k60s(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
DataGridView Control (Windows Forms) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/e0ywh3cz(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171596(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/22/2007
How to: Hide Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 2

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Hide Columns in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control
Sometimes you will want to display only some of the columns that are
available in a Windows Forms DataGridView
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control. For
example, you might want to show an employee salary column to users with
management credentials while hiding it from other users. Alternately, you
might want to bind the control to a data source that contains many
columns, only some of which you want to display. In this case, you will
typically remove the columns you are not interested in displaying rather
than hide them.
In the DataGridView control, the Visible
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.visible(VS.80).aspx ]
property value of a column determines whether that column is displayed.
There is support for this task in Visual Studio. For more information, see
How to: Hide Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Using
the Designer [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/kaswfbes(vs.80).aspx ]
and How to: Hide Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
Using the Designer [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/kaswfbes
(vs.90).aspx ] .

To hide a column programmatically

z Set the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.Visible

property to false. To hide a CustomerID column that is automatically
generated during data binding, place the following code example in a
DataBindingComplete [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.databindingcomplete
(VS.80).aspx ] event handler.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Me.dataGridView1.Columns("CustomerID").Visible = False

C# Copy Code
this.dataGridView1.Columns["CustomerID"].Visible = false;

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/0c24a0d7(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/22/2007
How to: Hide Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 2

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z A DataGridView control named dataGridView1 that contains a
column named CustomerID.
z References to the System [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system(VS.80).aspx ] and System.Windows.Forms
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms
(VS.80).aspx ] assemblies.

See Also

Tasks
How to: Remove Autogenerated Columns from a Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/hbtwc35f(VS.80).aspx ]
How to: Change the Order of Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/wkfe535h
(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.Visible
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.visible(VS.80).aspx ]

Other Resources
Basic Column, Row, and Cell Features in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171596
(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/0c24a0d7(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/22/2007
How to: Hide Column Headers in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 2

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Hide Column Headers in the
Windows Forms DataGridView Control
Sometimes you will want to display a DataGridView
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] without
column headers. In the DataGridView control, the ColumnHeadersVisible
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.columnheadersvisible
(VS.80).aspx ] property value determines whether the column headers are
displayed.

To hide the column headers

z Set the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.ColumnHeadersVisible
property to false.

Visual Basic Copy Code

dataGridView1.ColumnHeadersVisible = False

C# Copy Code
dataGridView1.ColumnHeadersVisible = false;

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z A DataGridView control named dataGridView1.
z References to the System [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system(VS.80).aspx ] and System.Windows.Forms
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms
(VS.80).aspx ] assemblies.

See Also

Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.ColumnHeadersVisible

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/2x16tybz(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/22/2007
How to: Hide Column Headers in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 2

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.columnheadersvisible
(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Basic Column, Row, and Cell Features in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171596
(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/2x16tybz(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/22/2007
How to: Enable Column Reordering in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 2

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Enable Column Reordering in the
Windows Forms DataGridView Control
When you enable column reordering in the DataGridView
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control, users
can move a column to a new position by dragging the column header with
the mouse. In the DataGridView control, the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AllowUserToOrderColumns
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.allowusertoordercolumns
(VS.80).aspx ] property value determines whether users can move
columns to different positions.
There is support for this task in Visual Studio. For more information, see
How to: Enable Column Reordering in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control Using the Designer [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/8xwtyc86
(vs.80).aspx ] and How to: Enable Column Reordering in the Windows
Forms DataGridView Control Using the Designer
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/8xwtyc86(vs.90).aspx ] .

To enable column reordering programmatically

z Set the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AllowUserToOrderColumns
property to true.

Visual Basic Copy Code

dataGridView1.AllowUserToOrderColumns = True

C# Copy Code
dataGridView1.AllowUserToOrderColumns = true;

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z A DataGridView control named dataGridView1.
z References to the System [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system(VS.80).aspx ] and System.Windows.Forms

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/510kh8zh(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/22/2007
How to: Enable Column Reordering in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 2

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms
(VS.80).aspx ] assemblies.

See Also

Tasks
How to: Freeze Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/28e9w2e1(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AllowUserToOrderColumns
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.allowusertoordercolumns
(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Basic Column, Row, and Cell Features in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171596
(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/510kh8zh(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/22/2007
How to: Freeze Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 2

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Freeze Columns in the Windows
Forms DataGridView Control
When users view data displayed in a Windows Forms DataGridView
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control, they
sometimes need to refer to a single column or set of columns frequently.
For example, when displaying a table of customer information that contains
many columns, it is useful to display the customer name at all times while
enabling other columns to scroll outside the visible region.
To achieve this behavior, you can freeze columns in the control. When you
freeze a column, all the columns to its left (or to its right in right-to-left
language scripts) are frozen as well. Frozen columns remain in place while
all other columns can scroll.
Note

If column reordering is enabled, the frozen columns are treated as a group distinct from the unfrozen
columns. Users can reposition columns in either group, but they cannot move a column from one
group to the other.

The Frozen [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.frozen(VS.80).aspx ]
property of a column determines whether the column is always visible
within the grid.
There is support for this task in Visual Studio. For more information, see
How to: Freeze Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Using
the Designer [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/717ss6s6(vs.80).aspx ]
and How to: Freeze Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
Using the Designer [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/717ss6s6
(vs.90).aspx ] .

To freeze a column programmatically

z Set the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.Frozen

property to true.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Me.dataGridView1.Columns("AddToCartButton").Frozen = True

C# Copy Code

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How to: Freeze Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 2

this.dataGridView1.Columns["AddToCartButton"].Frozen = true;

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z A DataGridView control named dataGridView1 that contains a
column named AddToCartButton.
z References to the System [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system(VS.80).aspx ] and System.Windows.Forms
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms
(VS.80).aspx ] assemblies.

See Also

Tasks
How to: Enable Column Reordering in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/510kh8zh
(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.Frozen
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.frozen(VS.80).aspx ]

DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Basic Column, Row, and Cell Features in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171596
(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/28e9w2e1(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/22/2007
How to: Make Columns Read-Only in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 2

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Make Columns Read-Only in the
Windows Forms DataGridView Control
Not all data is meant for editing. In the DataGridView
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control, the
column ReadOnly [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.readonly
(VS.80).aspx ] property value determines whether users can edit cells in
that column. For information about how to make the control entirely read-
only, see How to: Prevent Row Addition and Deletion in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/61bk13ye(VS.80).aspx ] .
There is support for this task in Visual Studio. For more information, see
How to: Make Columns Read-Only in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control Using the Designer [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/xd4k3c7e
(vs.80).aspx ] and How to: Make Columns Read-Only in the Windows
Forms DataGridView Control Using the Designer
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/xd4k3c7e(vs.90).aspx ] .

To make a column read-only programmatically

z Set the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.ReadOnly

property to true.

Visual Basic Copy Code

dataGridView1.Columns("CompanyName").ReadOnly = True

C# Copy Code
dataGridView1.Columns["CompanyName"].ReadOnly = true;

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z A DataGridView control named dataGridView1 with a column
named CompanyName.
z References to the System [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system(VS.80).aspx ] and System.Windows.Forms

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cze614bb(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/22/2007
How to: Make Columns Read-Only in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 2

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms
(VS.80).aspx ] assemblies.

See Also

Tasks
How to: Prevent Row Addition and Deletion in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/61bk13ye(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.Columns
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.columns(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.ReadOnly
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.readonly
(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Basic Column, Row, and Cell Features in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171596
(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cze614bb(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/22/2007
How to: Prevent Row Addition and Deletion in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 2

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Prevent Row Addition and Deletion
in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
Sometimes you will want to prevent users from entering new rows of data
or deleting existing rows in your DataGridView
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control. The
AllowUserToAddRows [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.allowusertoaddrows
(VS.80).aspx ] property indicates whether the row for new records is
present at the bottom of the control, while the AllowUserToDeleteRows
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.allowusertodeleterows
(VS.80).aspx ] property indicates whether rows can be removed. The
following code example uses these properties and also sets the ReadOnly
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.readonly(VS.80).aspx ]
property to make the control entirely read-only.
There is support for this task in Visual Studio. For more information, see
How to: Prevent Row Addition and Deletion in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control Using the Designer
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/k5c88sw3(vs.80).aspx ] and How to:
Prevent Row Addition and Deletion in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control Using the Designer [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/k5c88sw3
(vs.90).aspx ] .

Example

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub MakeReadOnly()

With dataGridView1
.AllowUserToAddRows = False
.AllowUserToDeleteRows = False
.ReadOnly = True
End With

End Sub

C# Copy Code
private void MakeReadOnly()

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How to: Prevent Row Addition and Deletion in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 2

{
dataGridView1.AllowUserToAddRows = false;
dataGridView1.AllowUserToDeleteRows = false;
dataGridView1.ReadOnly = true;
}

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z A DataGridView control named dataGridView1.
z References to the System [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system(VS.80).aspx ] and System.Windows.Forms
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms
(VS.80).aspx ] assemblies.

See Also

Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AllowUserToAddRows
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.allowusertoaddrows
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.ReadOnly
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.readonly(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AllowUserToAddRows
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.allowusertoaddrows
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AllowUserToDeleteRows
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.allowusertodeleterows
(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Basic Column, Row, and Cell Features in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171596
(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/61bk13ye(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/22/2007
How to: Get and Set the Current Cell in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 3

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Get and Set the Current Cell in the
Windows Forms DataGridView Control
Interaction with the DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] often
requires that you programmatically discover which cell is currently active.
You may also need to change the current cell. You can perform these tasks
with the CurrentCell [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.currentcell(VS.80).aspx ]
property.
Note

You cannot set the current cell in a row or column that has its Visible
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewband.visible
(VS.80).aspx ] property set to false.

Depending on the DataGridView control's selection mode, changing the

current cell can change the selection. For more information, see Selection
Modes in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/8x6w9028(VS.80).aspx ] .

To get the current cell programmatically

z Use the DataGridView control's CurrentCell property.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub getCurrentCellButton_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles getCurrentCellButton.Cl
Dim msg As String = String.Format("Row: {0}, Column: {1}", _
dataGridView1.CurrentCell.RowIndex, _
dataGridView1.CurrentCell.ColumnIndex)
MessageBox.Show(msg, "Current Cell")

End Sub

C# Copy Code
private void getCurrentCellButton_Click(object sender, System.Ev
{
string msg = String.Format("Row: {0}, Column: {1}",
dataGridView1.CurrentCell.RowIndex,
dataGridView1.CurrentCell.ColumnIndex);
MessageBox.Show(msg, "Current Cell");

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How to: Get and Set the Current Cell in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 3

To set the current cell programmatically

z Set the CurrentCell property of the DataGridView control. In the

following code example, the current cell is set to row 0, column 1.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub setCurrentCellButton_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles setCurrentCellButton.Cl

' Set the current cell to the cell in column 1, Row 0.

Me.dataGridView1.CurrentCell = Me.dataGridView1(1, 0)

End Sub

C# Copy Code
private void setCurrentCellButton_Click(object sender, System.Ev
{
// Set the current cell to the cell in column 1, Row 0.
this.dataGridView1.CurrentCell = this.dataGridView1[1,0];
}

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z Button [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.button(VS.80).aspx ] controls
named getCurrentCellButton and setCurrentCellButton. In
Visual C#, you must attach the Click
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.control.click(VS.80).aspx ] events
for each button to the associated event handler in the example code.
z A DataGridView control named dataGridView1.
z References to the System [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system(VS.80).aspx ] and System.Windows.Forms
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms
(VS.80).aspx ] assemblies.

See Also

Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.CurrentCell

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How to: Get and Set the Current Cell in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 3 of 3

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.currentcell(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
Selection Modes in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/8x6w9028(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Basic Column, Row, and Cell Features in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171596
(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/yc4fsbf5(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/22/2007
How to: Display Images in Cells of the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 2

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Display Images in Cells of the
Windows Forms DataGridView Control
A picture or graphic is one of the values that you can display in a row of
data. Frequently, these graphics take the form of an employee's
photograph or a company logo.
Incorporating pictures is simple when you display data within the
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control. The
DataGridView control natively handles any image format supported by
the Image [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.drawing.image(VS.80).aspx ] class, as well as the OLE
picture format used by some databases.
If the DataGridView control's data source has a column of images, they
will be displayed automatically by the DataGridView control.
The following code example demonstrates how to extract an icon from an
embedded resource and convert it to a bitmap for display in every cell of
an image column. For another example that replaces textual cell values
with corresponding images, see How to: Customize Data Formatting in the
Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/z1cc356h(VS.80).aspx ] .

Example

Visual Basic Copy Code

Public Sub CreateGraphicsColumn()

Dim treeIcon As New Icon(Me.GetType(), "tree.ico")

Dim iconColumn As New DataGridViewImageColumn()

With iconColumn
.Image = treeIcon.ToBitmap()
.Name = "Tree"
.HeaderText = "Nice tree"
End With

dataGridView1.Columns.Insert(2, iconColumn)

End Sub

C# Copy Code

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How to: Display Images in Cells of the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 2

private void createGraphicsColumn()

{
Icon treeIcon = new Icon(this.GetType(), "tree.ico");
DataGridViewImageColumn iconColumn = new DataGridViewImageCo
iconColumn.Image = treeIcon.ToBitmap();
iconColumn.Name = "Tree";
iconColumn.HeaderText = "Nice tree";
dataGridView1.Columns.Insert(2, iconColumn);
}

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z A DataGridView control named dataGridView1.
z An embedded icon resource named tree.ico.
z References to the System [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system(VS.80).aspx ] , System.Windows.Forms
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms
(VS.80).aspx ] , and System.Drawing
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.drawing
(VS.80).aspx ] assemblies.

See Also

Tasks
How to: Customize Data Formatting in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/z1cc356h
(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Basic Column, Row, and Cell Features in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171596
(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/2ab8kd75(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/22/2007
Basic Formatting and Styling in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 3

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

Basic Formatting and Styling in the Windows
Forms DataGridView Control
The DataGridView control makes it easy to define the basic appearance of
cells and the display formatting of cell values. You can define appearance
and formatting styles for individual cells, for cells in specific columns and
rows, or for all cells in the control by setting the properties of the
DataGridViewCellStyle objects accessed through various DataGridView
control properties. Additionally, you can modify these styles dynamically
based on factors such as the cell value by handling the CellFormatting
event.

In This Section

How to: Change the Border and Gridline Styles in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ehz9ksfa
(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to set DataGridView properties that define the
appearance of the control border and the boundary lines between
cells.
Cell Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/1yef90x0(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes the DataGridViewCellStyle class and how properties of
that type interact to define how cells are displayed in the control.
How to: Set Default Cell Styles for the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/k4sab6f9
(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to use DataGridViewCellStyle properties to define
the default appearance of cells in specific rows and columns and in the
entire control.
How to: Format Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/f9x2790s(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to format cell display values using
DataGridViewCellStyle properties.
How to: Set Font and Color Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/z2akwyy7
(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to use the DefaultCellStyle property to set basic
display characteristics for all cells in the control.

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Basic Formatting and Styling in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 3

How to: Set Alternating Row Styles for the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/txth0a6h
(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to create a ledger-like effect in the control using
alternating rows that are displayed differently.
How to: Use the Row Template to Customize Rows in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/d2bkk9d1(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to use the RowTemplate property to set row
properties that will be used for all rows in the control.

Reference

DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides reference documentation for the DataGridView control.
DataGridViewCellStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides reference documentation for the DataGridViewCellStyle
class.
CellFormatting [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellformatting
(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides reference documentation for the CellFormatting event.
RowTemplate [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowtemplate(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides reference documentation for the RowTemplate property.

Related Sections

Customizing the Windows Forms DataGridView Control

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171618(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides topics that describe custom painting DataGridView cells and
rows, and creating derived cell, column, and row types.
Basic Column, Row, and Cell Features in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171596
(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides topics that describe commonly used cell, row, and column
properties.

See Also

Other Resources
DataGridView Control (Windows Forms) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171598(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/22/2007
Basic Formatting and Styling in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 3 of 3

us/library/e0ywh3cz(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171598(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/22/2007
How to: Change the Border and Gridline Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView Co... Page 1 of 4

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Change the Border and Gridline
Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control
With the DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control, you
can customize the appearance of the control's border and gridlines to
improve the user experience. You can modify the gridline color and the
control border style in addition to the border styles for the cells within the
control. You can also apply different cell border styles for ordinary cells,
row header cells, and column header cells.
Note

The gridline color is used only with the Single [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellborderstyle(VS.80).aspx ] , SingleHorizontal
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellborderstyle
(VS.80).aspx ] , and SingleVertical [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellborderstyle(VS.80).aspx ] values of the
DataGridViewCellBorderStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellborderstyle(VS.80).aspx ] enumeration and the
Single [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/wcd876d6(VS.80).aspx ] value of the
DataGridViewHeaderBorderStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/wcd876d6(VS.80).aspx ]
enumeration. The other values of these enumerations use colors specified by the operating system.
Additionally, when visual styles are enabled on Windows XP and the Windows Server 2003 family
through the System.Windows.Forms.Application.EnableVisualStyles [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.application.enablevisualstyles(VS.80).aspx ] method, the GridColor
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.gridcolor
(VS.80).aspx ] property value is not used.

To change the gridline color programmatically

z Set the GridColor property.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Me.dataGridView1.GridColor = Color.BlueViolet

C# Copy Code
this.dataGridView1.GridColor = Color.BlueViolet;

To change the border style of the entire DataGridView control programmatically

z Set the BorderStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

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How to: Change the Border and Gridline Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView Co... Page 2 of 4

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.borderstyle
(VS.80).aspx ] property to one of the BorderStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.borderstyle(VS.80).aspx ]
enumeration values.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Me.dataGridView1.BorderStyle = BorderStyle.Fixed3D

C# Copy Code
this.dataGridView1.BorderStyle = BorderStyle.Fixed3D;

To change the border styles for DataGridView cells programmatically

z Set the CellBorderStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellborderstyle
(VS.80).aspx ] , RowHeadersBorderStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowheadersborderstyle
(VS.80).aspx ] , and ColumnHeadersBorderStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.columnheadersborderstyle
(VS.80).aspx ] properties.

Visual Basic Copy Code

With Me.dataGridView1
.CellBorderStyle = DataGridViewCellBorderStyle.None
.RowHeadersBorderStyle = _
DataGridViewHeaderBorderStyle.Single
.ColumnHeadersBorderStyle = _
DataGridViewHeaderBorderStyle.Single
End With

C# Copy Code
this.dataGridView1.CellBorderStyle =
DataGridViewCellBorderStyle.None;
this.dataGridView1.RowHeadersBorderStyle =
DataGridViewHeaderBorderStyle.Single;
this.dataGridView1.ColumnHeadersBorderStyle =
DataGridViewHeaderBorderStyle.Single;

Example

Visual Basic Copy Code

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How to: Change the Border and Gridline Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView Co... Page 3 of 4

Private Sub SetBorderAndGridlineStyles()

With Me.dataGridView1
.GridColor = Color.BlueViolet
.BorderStyle = BorderStyle.Fixed3D
.CellBorderStyle = DataGridViewCellBorderStyle.None
.RowHeadersBorderStyle = _
DataGridViewHeaderBorderStyle.Single
.ColumnHeadersBorderStyle = _
DataGridViewHeaderBorderStyle.Single
End With

End Sub

C# Copy Code
private void SetBorderAndGridlineStyles()
{
this.dataGridView1.GridColor = Color.BlueViolet;
this.dataGridView1.BorderStyle = BorderStyle.Fixed3D;
this.dataGridView1.CellBorderStyle =
DataGridViewCellBorderStyle.None;
this.dataGridView1.RowHeadersBorderStyle =
DataGridViewHeaderBorderStyle.Single;
this.dataGridView1.ColumnHeadersBorderStyle =
DataGridViewHeaderBorderStyle.Single;
}

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z A DataGridView control named dataGridView1.
z References to the System [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system(VS.80).aspx ] , System.Windows.Forms
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms
(VS.80).aspx ] , and System.Drawing
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.drawing
(VS.80).aspx ] assemblies.

See Also

Reference
BorderStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.borderstyle(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.BorderStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.borderstyle(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.CellBorderStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellborderstyle

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How to: Change the Border and Gridline Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView Co... Page 4 of 4

(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.ColumnHeadersBorderStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.columnheadersborderstyle
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.GridColor
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.gridcolor(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.RowHeadersBorderStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowheadersborderstyle
(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewCellBorderStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellborderstyle
(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewHeaderBorderStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/wcd876d6(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Basic Formatting and Styling in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171598(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

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Cell Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 11

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

Cell Styles in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control
Each cell within the DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control can
have its own style, such as text format, background color, foreground
color, and font. Typically, however, multiple cells will share particular style
characteristics.
Groups of cells that share styles may include all cells within particular rows
or columns, all cells that contain particular values, or all cells in the control.
Because these groups overlap, each cell may get its styling information
from more than one place. For example, you may want every cell in a
DataGridView control to use the same font, but only cells in currency
columns to use currency format, and only currency cells with negative
numbers to use a red foreground color.

The DataGridViewCellStyle Class

The DataGridViewCellStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle(VS.80).aspx ] class
contains the following properties related to visual style:
z BackColor [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle.backcolor
(VS.80).aspx ] and ForeColor [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle.forecolor
(VS.80).aspx ]
z SelectionBackColor [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle.selectionbackcolor
(VS.80).aspx ] and SelectionForeColor
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle.selectionforecolor
(VS.80).aspx ]
z Font [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle.font
(VS.80).aspx ]
This class also contains the following properties related to formatting:
z Format [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle.format
(VS.80).aspx ] and FormatProvider [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

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Cell Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 11

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle.formatprovider
(VS.80).aspx ]
z NullValue [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle.nullvalue
(VS.80).aspx ] and DataSourceNullValue
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle.datasourcenullvalue
(VS.80).aspx ]
z WrapMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle.wrapmode
(VS.80).aspx ]
z Alignment [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle.alignment
(VS.80).aspx ]
z Padding [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle.padding
(VS.80).aspx ]
For more information on these properties and other cell-style properties,
see the DataGridViewCellStyle reference documentation and the topics
listed in the See Also section below.

Using DataGridViewCellStyle Objects

You can retrieve DataGridViewCellStyle objects from various properties

of the DataGridView, DataGridViewColumn
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn(VS.80).aspx ] ,
DataGridViewRow [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrow(VS.80).aspx ] , and
DataGridViewCell [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcell(VS.80).aspx ] classes
and their derived classes. If one of these properties has not yet been set,
retrieving its value will create a new DataGridViewCellStyle object. You
can also instantiate your own DataGridViewCellStyle objects and assign
them to these properties.
You can avoid unnecessary duplication of style information by sharing
DataGridViewCellStyle objects among multiple DataGridView elements.
Because the styles set at the control, column, and row levels filter down
through each level to the cell level, you can also avoid style duplication by
setting only those style properties at each level that differ from the levels
above. This is described in more detail in the Style Inheritance section that
follows.
The following table lists the primary properties that get or set
DataGridViewCellStyle objects.

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Cell Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 3 of 11

Property Classes D

DefaultCellStyle DataGridView, G
DataGridViewColumn, s
DataGridViewRow, d
and derived classes s
u
c
e
c
(
h
c
c
in

RowsDefaultCellStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en- DataGridView G

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowsdefaultcellstyle s
(VS.80).aspx ] d
s
u
r
t
c
T
n
h
c

AlternatingRowsDefaultCellStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en- DataGridView G

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.alternatingrowsdefaultcellstyle s
(VS.80).aspx ] d
s
u
a
r
t
c
U
c
le
e

RowHeadersDefaultCellStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en- DataGridView G

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowheadersdefaultcellstyle s
(VS.80).aspx ] d
s
u
t
c
r
h
O
b
c
t
v
s
e

ColumnHeadersDefaultCellStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en- DataGridView G

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.columnheadersdefaultcellstyle s

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Cell Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 4 of 11

(VS.80).aspx ] d
s
u
t
c
c
h
O
b
c
t
v
s
e

Style [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en- DataGridViewCell and G

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcell.style(VS.80).aspx ] derived classes s
s
a
le
T
s
o
t
in
f
h
le

InheritedStyle DataGridViewCell, G
DataGridViewRow, t
DataGridViewColumn, c
and derived classes a
t
r
c
in
s
in
f
h
le

As mentioned above, getting the value of a style property automatically

instantiates a new DataGridViewCellStyle object if the property has not
been previously set. To avoid creating these objects unnecessarily, the row
and column classes have a HasDefaultCellStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewband.hasdefaultcellstyle
(VS.80).aspx ] property that you can check to determine whether the
DefaultCellStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewband.defaultcellstyle
(VS.80).aspx ] property has been set. Similarly, the cell classes have a
HasStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcell.hasstyle(VS.80).aspx ]
property that indicates whether the Style property has been set.

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Cell Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 5 of 11

Each of the style properties has a corresponding PropertyNameChanged

event on the DataGridView control. For row, column, and cell properties,
the name of the event begins with "Row", "Column", or "Cell" (for
example, RowDefaultCellStyleChanged [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowdefaultcellstylechanged
(VS.80).aspx ] ). Each of these events occurs when the corresponding style
property is set to a different DataGridViewCellStyle object. These events
do not occur when you retrieve a DataGridViewCellStyle object from a
style property and modify its property values. To respond to changes to the
cell style objects themselves, handle the CellStyleContentChanged
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellstylecontentchanged
(VS.80).aspx ] event.

Style Inheritance

Each DataGridViewCell gets its appearance from its InheritedStyle

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcell.inheritedstyle
(VS.80).aspx ] property. The DataGridViewCellStyle object returned by
this property inherits its values from a hierarchy of properties of type
DataGridViewCellStyle. These properties are listed below in the order in
which the InheritedStyle for non-header cells obtains its values.
1. System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCell.Style
2. System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewRow.DefaultCellStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrow.defaultcellstyle
(VS.80).aspx ]
3. System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AlternatingRowsDefaultCellS
(only for cells in rows with odd index numbers)
4. System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.RowsDefaultCellStyle
5. System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.DefaultCellStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.defaultcellstyle
(VS.80).aspx ]
6. System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.DefaultCellStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.defaultcellstyle
(VS.80).aspx ]
For row and column header cells, the InheritedStyle property is
populated by values from the following list of source properties in the given

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Cell Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 6 of 11

order.
1. System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCell.Style
2. System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.ColumnHeadersDefaultCellS
or
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.RowHeadersDefaultCellStyle
3. System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.DefaultCellStyle
The following diagram illustrates this process.

You can also access the styles inherited by specific rows and columns. The
column InheritedStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.inheritedstyle
(VS.80).aspx ] property inherits its values from the following properties.
1. System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.DefaultCellStyle
2. System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.DefaultCellStyle
The row InheritedStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrow.inheritedstyle
(VS.80).aspx ] property inherits its values from the following properties.
1. System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewRow.DefaultCellStyle
2. System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AlternatingRowsDefaultCellS
(only for cells in rows with odd index numbers)

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Cell Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 7 of 11

3. System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.RowsDefaultCellStyle
4. System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.DefaultCellStyle
For each property in a DataGridViewCellStyle object returned by an
InheritedStyle property, the property value is obtained from the first cell
style in the appropriate list that has the corresponding property set to a
value other than the DataGridViewCellStyle class defaults.
The following table illustrates how the ForeColor property value for an
example cell is inherited from its containing column.
Example ForeColor value
Property of type DataGridViewCellStyle object

System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCell.Style System.Drawing.Color.Emp
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.c
us/library/system.drawing.
(VS.80).aspx ]

System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewRow.DefaultCellStyle System.Drawing.Color.Red
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.c
us/library/system.drawing.
(VS.80).aspx ]

System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AlternatingRowsDefaultCellStyle System.Drawing.Color.E

System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.RowsDefaultCellStyle System.Drawing.Color.E

System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.DefaultCellStyle System.Drawing.Color.Dark
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.c
us/library/system.drawing.
(VS.80).aspx ]

System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.DefaultCellStyle System.Drawing.Color.Blac
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.c
us/library/system.drawing.
(VS.80).aspx ]

In this case, the System.Drawing.Color.Red value from the cell's row is

the first real value on the list. This becomes the ForeColor property value
of the cell's InheritedStyle.
The following diagram illustrates how different DataGridViewCellStyle
properties can inherit their values from different places.

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Cell Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 8 of 11

By taking advantage of style inheritance, you can provide appropriate

styles for the entire control without having to specify the same information
in multiple places.
Although header cells participate in style inheritance as described, the
objects returned by the ColumnHeadersDefaultCellStyle and
RowHeadersDefaultCellStyle properties of the DataGridView control
have initial property values that override the property values of the object
returned by the DefaultCellStyle property. If you want the properties set
for the object returned by the DefaultCellStyle property to apply to row
and column headers, you must set the corresponding properties of the
objects returned by the ColumnHeadersDefaultCellStyle and
RowHeadersDefaultCellStyle properties to the defaults indicated for the
DataGridViewCellStyle class.
Note

If visual styles are enabled, the row and column headers (except for the TopLeftHeaderCell
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.topleftheadercell
(VS.80).aspx ] ) are automatically styled by the current theme, overriding any styles specified by
these properties.

The DataGridViewButtonColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewbuttoncolumn
(VS.80).aspx ] , DataGridViewImageColumn
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewimagecolumn
(VS.80).aspx ] , and DataGridViewCheckBoxColumn
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcheckboxcolumn

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Cell Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 9 of 11

(VS.80).aspx ] types also initialize some values of the object returned by

the column DefaultCellStyle property. For more information, see the
reference documentation for these types.

Setting Styles Dynamically

To customize the styles of cells with particular values, implement a handler

for the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.CellFormatting
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellformatting
(VS.80).aspx ] event. Handlers for this event receive an argument of the
DataGridViewCellFormattingEventArgs [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellformattingeventargs
(VS.80).aspx ] type. This object contains properties that let you determine
the value of the cell being formatted along with its location in the
DataGridView control. This object also contains a CellStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellformattingeventargs.cellstyle
(VS.80).aspx ] property that is initialized to the value of the
InheritedStyle property of the cell being formatted. You can modify the
cell style properties to specify style information appropriate to the cell
value and location.
Note

The RowPrePaint [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowprepaint(VS.80).aspx ] and RowPostPaint
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowpostpaint
(VS.80).aspx ] events also receive a DataGridViewCellStyle object in the event data, but in their
case, it is a copy of the row InheritedStyle property for read-only purposes, and changes to it do not
affect the control.

You can also dynamically modify the styles of individual cells in response to
events such as the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.CellMouseEnter
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellmouseenter
(VS.80).aspx ] and CellMouseLeave [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellmouseleave
(VS.80).aspx ] events. For example, in a handler for the CellMouseEnter
event, you could store the current value of the cell background color
(retrieved through the cell's Style property), then set it to a new color that
will highlight the cell when the mouse hovers over it. In a handler for the
CellMouseLeave event, you can then restore the background color to the
original value.
Note

Caching the values stored in the cell's Style property is important regardless of whether a particular
style value is set. If you temporarily replace a style setting, restoring it to its original "not set" state
ensures that the cell will go back to inheriting the style setting from a higher level. If you need to

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Cell Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 10 of 11

determine the actual style in effect for a cell regardless of whether the style is inherited, use the cell's
InheritedStyle property.

See Also

Tasks
How to: Set Default Cell Styles for the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/k4sab6f9
(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewCellStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AlternatingRowsDefaultCellStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.alternatingrowsdefaultcellstyle
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.ColumnHeadersDefaultCellStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.columnheadersdefaultcellstyle
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.DefaultCellStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.defaultcellstyle
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.RowHeadersDefaultCellStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowheadersdefaultcellstyle
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.RowsDefaultCellStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowsdefaultcellstyle
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewBand.InheritedStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewband.inheritedstyle
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewRow.InheritedStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrow.inheritedstyle
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.InheritedStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.inheritedstyle
(VS.80).aspx ]

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Cell Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 11 of 11

System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewBand.DefaultCellStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewband.defaultcellstyle
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCell.InheritedStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcell.inheritedstyle
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCell.Style
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcell.style(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.CellFormatting
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellformatting
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.CellStyleContentChanged
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellstylecontentchanged
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.RowPrePaint
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowprepaint(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.RowPostPaint
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowpostpaint(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
Data Formatting in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hezscd0d(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Basic Formatting and Styling in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171598(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/1yef90x0(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/22/2007
How to: Set Default Cell Styles for the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 5

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Set Default Cell Styles for the
Windows Forms DataGridView Control
With the DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control, you
can specify default cell styles for the entire control and for specific columns
and rows. These defaults filter down from the control level to the column
level, then to the row level, then to the cell level. If a particular
DataGridViewCellStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle(VS.80).aspx ]
property is not set at the cell level, the default property setting at the row
level is used. If the property is also not set at the row level, the default
column setting is used. Finally, if the property is also not set at the column
level, the default DataGridView setting is used. With this setting, you can
avoid having to duplicate the property settings at multiple levels. At each
level, simply specify the styles that differ from the levels above it. For
more information, see Cell Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/1yef90x0
(VS.80).aspx ] .
There is extensive support for this task in Visual Studio. For more
information, see How to: Set Default Cell Styles and Data Formats for the
Windows Forms DataGridView Control Using the Designer
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/95y5fz2x(vs.80).aspx ] and How to:
Set Default Cell Styles and Data Formats for the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control Using the Designer
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/95y5fz2x(vs.90).aspx ] .

To set the default cell styles programmatically

1. Set the properties of the DataGridViewCellStyle retrieved through

the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.DefaultCellStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.defaultcellstyle
(VS.80).aspx ] property.
Visual Basic Copy Code

Me.dataGridView1.DefaultCellStyle.BackColor = Color.Beige
Me.dataGridView1.DefaultCellStyle.Font = New Font("Tahoma", 12

Copy Code

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How to: Set Default Cell Styles for the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 5

C#
this.dataGridView1.DefaultCellStyle.BackColor = Color.Beige;
this.dataGridView1.DefaultCellStyle.Font = new Font("Tahoma",

2. Create and initialize new DataGridViewCellStyle objects for use by

multiple rows and columns.
Visual Basic Copy Code

Dim highlightCellStyle As New DataGridViewCellStyle

highlightCellStyle.BackColor = Color.Red

Dim currencyCellStyle As New DataGridViewCellStyle

currencyCellStyle.Format = "C"
currencyCellStyle.ForeColor = Color.Green

C# Copy Code

DataGridViewCellStyle highlightCellStyle = new DataGridViewCel

highlightCellStyle.BackColor = Color.Red;

DataGridViewCellStyle currencyCellStyle = new DataGridViewCell

currencyCellStyle.Format = "C";
currencyCellStyle.ForeColor = Color.Green;

3. Set the DefaultCellStyle property of specific rows and columns.

Visual Basic Copy Code

With Me.dataGridView1
.Rows(3).DefaultCellStyle = highlightCellStyle
.Rows(8).DefaultCellStyle = highlightCellStyle
.Columns("UnitPrice").DefaultCellStyle = currencyCellStyle
.Columns("TotalPrice").DefaultCellStyle = currencyCellStyl
End With

C# Copy Code

this.dataGridView1.Rows[3].DefaultCellStyle = highlightCellSty
this.dataGridView1.Rows[8].DefaultCellStyle = highlightCellSty
this.dataGridView1.Columns["UnitPrice"].DefaultCellStyle =
currencyCellStyle;
this.dataGridView1.Columns["TotalPrice"].DefaultCellStyle =

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How to: Set Default Cell Styles for the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 3 of 5

currencyCellStyle;

Example

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub SetDefaultCellStyles()

Dim highlightCellStyle As New DataGridViewCellStyle

highlightCellStyle.BackColor = Color.Red

Dim currencyCellStyle As New DataGridViewCellStyle

currencyCellStyle.Format = "C"
currencyCellStyle.ForeColor = Color.Green

With Me.dataGridView1
.DefaultCellStyle.BackColor = Color.Beige
.DefaultCellStyle.Font = New Font("Tahoma", 12)
.Rows(3).DefaultCellStyle = highlightCellStyle
.Rows(8).DefaultCellStyle = highlightCellStyle
.Columns("UnitPrice").DefaultCellStyle = currencyCellSty
.Columns("TotalPrice").DefaultCellStyle = currencyCellSt
End With

End Sub

C# Copy Code
private void SetDefaultCellStyles()
{
this.dataGridView1.DefaultCellStyle.BackColor = Color.Beige;
this.dataGridView1.DefaultCellStyle.Font = new Font("Tahoma"

DataGridViewCellStyle highlightCellStyle = new DataGridViewC

highlightCellStyle.BackColor = Color.Red;

DataGridViewCellStyle currencyCellStyle = new DataGridViewCe

currencyCellStyle.Format = "C";
currencyCellStyle.ForeColor = Color.Green;

this.dataGridView1.Rows[3].DefaultCellStyle = highlightCellS
this.dataGridView1.Rows[8].DefaultCellStyle = highlightCellS
this.dataGridView1.Columns["UnitPrice"].DefaultCellStyle =
currencyCellStyle;
this.dataGridView1.Columns["TotalPrice"].DefaultCellStyle =
currencyCellStyle;
}

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z A DataGridView control named dataGridView1.

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/k4sab6f9(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/22/2007
How to: Set Default Cell Styles for the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 4 of 5

z References to the System [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system(VS.80).aspx ] , System.Drawing
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.drawing
(VS.80).aspx ] , and System.Windows.Forms
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms
(VS.80).aspx ] assemblies.

Robust Programming

To achieve maximum scalability when you work with very large data
sets, you should share DataGridViewCellStyle objects across multiple
rows, columns, or cells that use the same styles, rather than set the
style properties for individual elements separately. Additionally, you
should create shared rows and access them by using the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewRowCollection.SharedRow
(System.Int32) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrowcollection.sharedrow
(VS.80).aspx ] property. For more information, see Best Practices for
Scaling the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ha5xt0d9(VS.80).aspx ] .

See Also

Tasks
How to: Set Alternating Row Styles for the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/txth0a6h
(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewCellStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.DefaultCellStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.defaultcellstyle
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewBand.DefaultCellStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewband.defaultcellstyle
(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
Cell Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/1yef90x0(VS.80).aspx ]
Best Practices for Scaling the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ha5xt0d9(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/k4sab6f9(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/22/2007
How to: Set Default Cell Styles for the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 5 of 5

Basic Formatting and Styling in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171598(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/k4sab6f9(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/22/2007
How to: Format Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 4

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Format Data in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control
The following procedures demonstrate basic formatting of cell values using
the DefaultCellStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.defaultcellstyle
(VS.80).aspx ] property of a DataGridView
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control and
of specific columns in a control. For information about advanced data
formatting, see How to: Customize Data Formatting in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/z1cc356h(VS.80).aspx ] .

To format currency and date values

z Set the Format [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle.format
(VS.80).aspx ] property of a DataGridViewCellStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle(VS.80).aspx ] .
The following code example sets the format for specific columns using
the DefaultCellStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.defaultcellstyle
(VS.80).aspx ] property of the columns. Values in the UnitPrice
column appear in the current culture-specific currency format, with
negative values surrounded by parentheses. Values in the ShipDate
column appear in the current culture-specific short date format. For
more information about Format values, see Formatting Types
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/fbxft59x(VS.80).aspx ] .

Visual Basic Copy Code

Me.dataGridView1.Columns("UnitPrice").DefaultCellStyle.Format =
Me.dataGridView1.Columns("ShipDate").DefaultCellStyle.Format = "

C# Copy Code
this.dataGridView1.Columns["UnitPrice"].DefaultCellStyle.Format
this.dataGridView1.Columns["ShipDate"].DefaultCellStyle.Format =

To customize the display of null database values

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How to: Format Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 4

z Set the NullValue [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle.nullvalue
(VS.80).aspx ] property of a DataGridViewCellStyle. The following
code example uses the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.DefaultCellStyle property
to display "no entry" in all cells containing values equal to
System.DBNull.Value [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.dbnull.value(VS.80).aspx ] .

Visual Basic Copy Code

Me.dataGridView1.DefaultCellStyle.NullValue = "no entry"

C# Copy Code
this.dataGridView1.DefaultCellStyle.NullValue = "no entry";

To enable wordwrap in text-based cells

z Set the WrapMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle.wrapmode
(VS.80).aspx ] property of a DataGridViewCellStyle to one of the
DataGridViewTriState [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewtristate(VS.80).aspx ]
enumeration values. The following code example uses the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.DefaultCellStyle property
to set the wrap mode for the entire control.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Me.dataGridView1.DefaultCellStyle.WrapMode = DataGridViewTriStat

C# Copy Code
this.dataGridView1.DefaultCellStyle.WrapMode =
DataGridViewTriState.True;

To specify the text alignment of DataGridView cells

z Set the Alignment [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle.alignment
(VS.80).aspx ] property of a DataGridViewCellStyle to one of the
DataGridViewContentAlignment [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcontentalignment
(VS.80).aspx ] enumeration values. The following code example sets
the alignment for a specific column using the DefaultCellStyle
property of the column.

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How to: Format Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 3 of 4

Visual Basic Copy Code

Me.dataGridView1.Columns("CustomerName").DefaultCellStyle _
.Alignment = DataGridViewContentAlignment.MiddleRight

C# Copy Code
this.dataGridView1.Columns["CustomerName"].DefaultCellStyle
.Alignment = DataGridViewContentAlignment.MiddleRight;

Example

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub SetFormatting()
With Me.dataGridView1
.Columns("UnitPrice").DefaultCellStyle.Format = "c"
.Columns("ShipDate").DefaultCellStyle.Format = "d"
.Columns("CustomerName").DefaultCellStyle.Alignment = _
DataGridViewContentAlignment.MiddleRight
.DefaultCellStyle.NullValue = "no entry"
.DefaultCellStyle.WrapMode = DataGridViewTriState.True
End With
End Sub

C# Copy Code
private void SetFormatting()
{
this.dataGridView1.Columns["UnitPrice"].DefaultCellStyle.For
this.dataGridView1.Columns["ShipDate"].DefaultCellStyle.Form
this.dataGridView1.Columns["CustomerName"].DefaultCellStyle
.Alignment = DataGridViewContentAlignment.MiddleRight;
this.dataGridView1.DefaultCellStyle.NullValue = "no entry";
this.dataGridView1.DefaultCellStyle.WrapMode =
DataGridViewTriState.True;
}

Compiling the Code

These examples require:

z A DataGridView control named dataGridView1 that contains a
column named UnitPrice, a column named ShipDate, and a column
named CustomerName.
z References to the System [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system(VS.80).aspx ] , System.Drawing
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.drawing
(VS.80).aspx ] , and System.Windows.Forms
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms

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How to: Format Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 4 of 4

(VS.80).aspx ] assemblies.

Robust Programming

For maximum scalability, you should share DataGridViewCellStyle

objects across multiple rows, columns, or cells that use the same styles
rather than setting the style properties for each element separately. For
more information, see Best Practices for Scaling the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ha5xt0d9(VS.80).aspx ] .

See Also

Tasks
How to: Customize Data Formatting in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/z1cc356h
(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.DefaultCellStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.defaultcellstyle
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewBand.DefaultCellStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewband.defaultcellstyle
(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewCellStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
Cell Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/1yef90x0(VS.80).aspx ]
Data Formatting in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hezscd0d(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Basic Formatting and Styling in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171598(VS.80).aspx ]
Formatting Types [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/fbxft59x
(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/f9x2790s(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/22/2007
How to: Set Alternating Row Styles for the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 3

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Set Alternating Row Styles for the
Windows Forms DataGridView Control
Tabular data is often presented to users in a ledger-like format where
alternating rows have different background colors. This format makes it
easier for users to tell which cells are in each row, especially with wide
tables that have many columns.
With the DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control, you
can specify complete style information for alternating rows. This enables
you use style characteristics like foreground color and font, in addition to
background color, to differentiate alternating rows.
There is support for this task in Visual Studio. For more information, see
How to: Set Alternating Row Styles for the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control Using the Designer [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/3z9sk148
(vs.80).aspx ] and How to: Set Alternating Row Styles for the Windows
Forms DataGridView Control Using the Designer
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/3z9sk148(vs.90).aspx ] .

To set alternating row styles programmatically

z Set the properties of the DataGridViewCellStyle

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle(VS.80).aspx ]
objects returned by the RowsDefaultCellStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowsdefaultcellstyle
(VS.80).aspx ] and AlternatingRowsDefaultCellStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.alternatingrowsdefaultcellstyle
(VS.80).aspx ] properties of the DataGridView.

Visual Basic Copy Code

With Me.dataGridView1
.RowsDefaultCellStyle.BackColor = Color.Bisque
.AlternatingRowsDefaultCellStyle.BackColor = Color.Beige
End With

C# Copy Code
this.dataGridView1.RowsDefaultCellStyle.BackColor = Color.Bisque

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How to: Set Alternating Row Styles for the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 3

this.dataGridView1.AlternatingRowsDefaultCellStyle.BackColor =
Color.Beige;

Note

The styles specified using the RowsDefaultCellStyle and AlternatingRowsDefaultCellStyle

properties override the styles specified on the column and DataGridView level, but are
overridden by the styles set on the individual row and cell level. For more information, see Cell
Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/1yef90x0(VS.80).aspx ] .

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z A DataGridView control named dataGridView1.
z References to the System [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system(VS.80).aspx ] , System.Drawing
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.drawing
(VS.80).aspx ] , and System.Windows.Forms
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms
(VS.80).aspx ] assemblies.

Robust Programming

For maximum scalability, you should share DataGridViewCellStyle

objects across multiple rows, columns, or cells that use the same styles,
rather than setting the style properties for each element separately. For
more information, see Best Practices for Scaling the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ha5xt0d9(VS.80).aspx ] .

See Also

Tasks
How to: Set Font and Color Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/z2akwyy7
(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AlternatingRowsDefaultCellStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.alternatingrowsdefaultcellstyle
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.RowsDefaultCellStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowsdefaultcellstyle
(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/txth0a6h(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/22/2007
How to: Set Alternating Row Styles for the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 3 of 3

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewCellStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
Cell Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/1yef90x0(VS.80).aspx ]
Best Practices for Scaling the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ha5xt0d9(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Basic Formatting and Styling in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171598(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/txth0a6h(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/22/2007
How to: Use the Row Template to Customize Rows in the Windows Forms DataGridVie... Page 1 of 3

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Use the Row Template to Customize
Rows in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control
The DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control uses
the row template as a basis for all rows that it adds to the control either
through data binding or when you call the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewRowCollection.Add
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrowcollection.add
(VS.80).aspx ] method without specifying an existing row to use.
The row template gives you greater control over the appearance and
behavior of rows than the RowsDefaultCellStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowsdefaultcellstyle
(VS.80).aspx ] property provides. With the row template, you can set any
DataGridViewRow [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrow(VS.80).aspx ]
properties, including DefaultCellStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrow.defaultcellstyle
(VS.80).aspx ] .
There are some situations where you must use the row template to achieve
a particular effect. For example, row height information cannot be stored in
a DataGridViewCellStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle(VS.80).aspx ] , so
you must use a row template to change the default height used by all
rows. The row template is also useful when you create your own classes
derived from DataGridViewRow and you want your custom type used
when new rows are added to the control.
Note

The row template is used only when rows are added. You cannot change existing rows by changing the
row template.

To use the row template

z Set properties on the object retrieved from the

System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.RowTemplate

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How to: Use the Row Template to Customize Rows in the Windows Forms DataGridVie... Page 2 of 3

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowtemplate
(VS.80).aspx ] property.

Visual Basic Copy Code

With Me.dataGridView1.RowTemplate
.DefaultCellStyle.BackColor = Color.Bisque
.Height = 35
.MinimumHeight = 20
End With

C# Copy Code
DataGridViewRow row = this.dataGridView1.RowTemplate;
row.DefaultCellStyle.BackColor = Color.Bisque;
row.Height = 35;
row.MinimumHeight = 20;

C++ Copy Code

DataGridViewRow^ row = this->dataGridView1->RowTemplate;
row->DefaultCellStyle->BackColor = Color::Bisque;
row->Height = 35;
row->MinimumHeight = 20;

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z A DataGridView control named dataGridView1.
z References to the System [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system(VS.80).aspx ] , System.Drawing
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.drawing
(VS.80).aspx ] , and System.Windows.Forms
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms
(VS.80).aspx ] assemblies.

See Also

Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewCellStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewRow [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrow(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.RowTemplate

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How to: Use the Row Template to Customize Rows in the Windows Forms DataGridVie... Page 3 of 3

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowtemplate(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
Cell Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/1yef90x0(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Basic Formatting and Styling in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171598(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/d2bkk9d1(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/22/2007
Data Display Modes in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 2

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

Data Display Modes in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control
The DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ] control can display data in three distinct modes: bound, unbound, and virtual. Choose the
most suitable mode based on your requirements.

Unbound

Unbound mode is suitable for displaying relatively small amounts of data that you manage
programmatically. You do not attach the DataGridView control directly to a data source as in bound mode.
Instead, you must populate the control yourself, typically by using the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewRowCollection.Add [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrowcollection.add(VS.80).aspx ] method.

Unbound mode can be particularly useful for static, read-only data, or when you want to provide your own
code that interacts with an external data store. When you want your users to interact with an external data
source, however, you will typically use bound mode.

For an example that uses a read-only unbound DataGridView, see How to: Create an Unbound Windows
Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/zf3zx9fy(VS.80).aspx ] .

Bound

Bound mode is suitable for managing data using automatic interaction with the data store. You can attach
the DataGridView control directly to its data source by setting the DataSource
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.datasource(VS.80).aspx ]
property. When the control is data bound, data rows are pushed and pulled without the need of explicit
management on your part. When the AutoGenerateColumns [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.autogeneratecolumns(VS.80).aspx ] property is true, each
column in your data source will cause a corresponding column to be created in the control. If you prefer to
create your own columns, you can set this property to false and use the DataPropertyName
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.datapropertyname
(VS.80).aspx ] property to bind each column when you configure it. This is useful when you want to use a
column type other than the types that are generated by default. For more information, see Column Types in
the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bxt3k60s
(VS.80).aspx ] .

For an example that uses a bound DataGridView control, see Walkthrough: Validating Data in the
Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ykdxa0bc
(VS.80).aspx ] .

You can also add unbound columns to a DataGridView control in bound mode. This is useful when you
want to display a column of buttons or links that enable users to perform actions on specific rows. It is also
useful to display columns with values calculated from bound columns. You can populate the cell values for
calculated columns in a handler for the CellFormatting [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellformatting(VS.80).aspx ] event. If you are using a
DataSet [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.data.dataset(VS.80).aspx ] or DataTable
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.data.datatable(VS.80).aspx ] as the data source,
however, you might want to use the System.Data.DataColumn.Expression
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.data.datacolumn.expression(VS.80).aspx ] property to
create a calculated column instead. In this case, the DataGridView control will treat calculated column just
like any other column in the data source.

Sorting by unbound columns in bound mode is not supported. If you create an unbound column in bound
mode that contains user-editable values, you must implement virtual mode to maintain these values when
the control is sorted by a bound column.

Virtual

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Data Display Modes in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 2

With virtual mode, you can implement your own data management operations. This is necessary to
maintain the values of unbound columns in bound mode when the control is sorted by bound columns. The
primary use of virtual mode, however, is to optimize performance when interacting with large amounts of
data.

You attach the DataGridView control to a cache that you manage, and your code controls when data rows
are pushed and pulled. To keep the memory footprint small, the cache should be similar in size to the
number of rows currently displayed. When the user scrolls new rows into view, your code requests new
data from the cache and optionally flushes old data from memory.

When you are implementing virtual mode, you will need to track when a new row is needed in the data
model and when to rollback the addition of the new row. The exact implementation of this functionality will
depend on the implementation of the data model and the transaction semantics of the data model; whether
commit scope is at the cell or row level.

For more information about virtual mode, see Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171622(VS.80).aspx ] . For an example that shows how to
use virtual mode events, see Walkthrough: Implementing Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/15a31akc(VS.80).aspx ] .

See Also

Tasks
Walkthrough: Creating an Unbound Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/5s3ce6k8(VS.80).aspx ]
How to: Bind Data to the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/fbk67b6z(VS.80).aspx ]
Walkthrough: Implementing Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/15a31akc(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.DataSource [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.datasource(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.VirtualMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.virtualmode(VS.80).aspx ]
BindingSource [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.bindingsource
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.DataPropertyName [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.datapropertyname(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
Column Types in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/bxt3k60s(VS.80).aspx ]
Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171622(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Displaying Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171600(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cd28yf6d(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/23/2007
Data Formatting in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 2

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

Data Formatting in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
The DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ] control provides automatic conversion between cell values and the data types that the
parent columns display. Text box columns, for example, display string representations of date, time,
number, and enumeration values, and convert user-entered string values to the types required by the data
store.

Formatting with the DataGridViewCellStyle class

The DataGridView control provides basic data formatting of cell values through the DataGridViewCellStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle(VS.80).aspx ]
class. You can use the Format [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle.format(VS.80).aspx ] property to format date, time,
number, and enumeration values for the current default culture using the format specifiers described in
Formatting Types [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/fbxft59x(VS.80).aspx ] . You can also format
these values for specific cultures using the FormatProvider [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle.formatprovider(VS.80).aspx ] property. The
specified format is used both to display data and to parse data that the user enters in the specified format.

The DataGridViewCellStyle class provides additional formatting properties for wordwrap, text alignment,
and the custom display of null database values. For more information, see How to: Format Data in the
Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/f9x2790s
(VS.80).aspx ] .

Formatting with the CellFormatting Event

If the basic formatting does not meet your needs, you can provide custom data formatting in a handler for
the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.CellFormatting [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellformatting(VS.80).aspx ] event. The
DataGridViewCellFormattingEventArgs [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellformattingeventargs(VS.80).aspx ] passed to the handler
has a Value [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.converteventargs.value
(VS.80).aspx ] property that initially contains the cell value. Normally, this value is automatically converted
to the display type. To convert the value yourself, set the Value property to a value of the display type.

Note

If a format string is in effect for the cell, it overrides your change of the Value property value unless
you set the FormattingApplied [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellformattingeventargs.formattingapplied
(VS.80).aspx ] property to true.

The CellFormatting event is also useful when you want to set DataGridViewCellStyle properties for
individual cells based on their values. For more information, see How to: Customize Data Formatting in the
Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/z1cc356h
(VS.80).aspx ] .

If the default parsing of user-specified values does not meet your needs, you can handle the CellParsing
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellparsing(VS.80).aspx ]
event of the DataGridView control to provide custom parsing.

See Also

Tasks
How to: Format Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/f9x2790s(VS.80).aspx ]

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Data Formatting in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 2

How to: Customize Data Formatting in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/z1cc356h(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewCellStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
Cell Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/1yef90x0(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Displaying Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171600(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hezscd0d(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/23/2007
Walkthrough: Creating an Unbound Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 9

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

Walkthrough: Creating an Unbound Windows Forms
DataGridView Control
You may frequently want to display tabular data that does not originate from a database. For example, you
may want to show the contents of a two-dimensional array of strings. The DataGridView
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] class
provides an easy and highly customizable way to display data without binding to a data source. This
walkthrough shows how to populate a DataGridView control and manage the addition and deletion of rows
in "unbound" mode. By default, the user can add new rows. To prevent row addition, set the
AllowUserToAddRows [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.allowusertoaddrows(VS.80).aspx ] property is false.

To copy the code in this topic as a single listing, see How to: Create an Unbound Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/zf3zx9fy(VS.80).aspx ] .

Creating the Form

To use an unbound DataGridView control

1. Create a class that derives from Form [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.form(VS.80).aspx ] and contains the following variable
declarations and Main method.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Imports System
Imports System.Drawing
Imports System.Windows.Forms

Public Class Form1

Inherits System.Windows.Forms.Form

Private buttonPanel As New Panel

Private WithEvents songsDataGridView As New DataGridView
Private WithEvents addNewRowButton As New Button
Private WithEvents deleteRowButton As New Button
<br /><span space="preserve">...</span><br />
<STAThreadAttribute()> _
Public Shared Sub Main()
Application.EnableVisualStyles()
Application.Run(New Form1())
End Sub

End Class

C# Copy Code

using System;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Windows.Forms;

public class Form1 : System.Windows.Forms.Form

{
private Panel buttonPanel = new Panel();

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Walkthrough: Creating an Unbound Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 9

private DataGridView songsDataGridView = new DataGridView();

private Button addNewRowButton = new Button();
private Button deleteRowButton = new Button();
<br /><span space="preserve">...</span><br />
[STAThreadAttribute()]
static void Main()
{
Application.EnableVisualStyles();
Application.Run(new Form1());
}
}

2. Implement a SetupLayout method in your form's class definition to set up the form's layout.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub SetupLayout()

Me.Size = New Size(600, 500)

With addNewRowButton
.Text = "Add Row"
.Location = New Point(10, 10)
End With

With deleteRowButton
.Text = "Delete Row"
.Location = New Point(100, 10)
End With

With buttonPanel
.Controls.Add(addNewRowButton)
.Controls.Add(deleteRowButton)
.Height = 50
.Dock = DockStyle.Bottom
End With

Me.Controls.Add(Me.buttonPanel)

End Sub

C# Copy Code

private void SetupLayout()

{
this.Size = new Size(600, 500);

addNewRowButton.Text = "Add Row";

addNewRowButton.Location = new Point(10, 10);
addNewRowButton.Click += new EventHandler(addNewRowButton_Click);

deleteRowButton.Text = "Delete Row";

deleteRowButton.Location = new Point(100, 10);
deleteRowButton.Click += new EventHandler(deleteRowButton_Click);

buttonPanel.Controls.Add(addNewRowButton);
buttonPanel.Controls.Add(deleteRowButton);
buttonPanel.Height = 50;

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Walkthrough: Creating an Unbound Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 3 of 9

buttonPanel.Dock = DockStyle.Bottom;

this.Controls.Add(this.buttonPanel);
}

3. Create a SetupDataGridView method to set up the DataGridView columns and properties.

This method first adds the DataGridView control to the form's Controls
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.control.controls
(VS.80).aspx ] collection. Next, the number of columns to be displayed is set using the
ColumnCount [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.columncount(VS.80).aspx ] property. The default
style for the column headers is set by setting the BackColor [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle.backcolor(VS.80).aspx ] , Forecolor
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle.forecolor(VS.80).aspx ] , and Font
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle.font
(VS.80).aspx ] properties of the DataGridViewCellStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle(VS.80).aspx ] returned by the
ColumnHeadersDefaultCellStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.columnheadersdefaultcellstyle(VS.80).aspx ]
property.
Layout and appearance properties are set, and then the column names are assigned. When this
method exits, the DataGridView control is ready to be populated.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub SetupDataGridView()

Me.Controls.Add(songsDataGridView)

songsDataGridView.ColumnCount = 5
With songsDataGridView.ColumnHeadersDefaultCellStyle
.BackColor = Color.Navy
.ForeColor = Color.White
.Font = New Font(songsDataGridView.Font, FontStyle.Bold)
End With

With songsDataGridView
.Name = "songsDataGridView"
.Location = New Point(8, 8)
.Size = New Size(500, 250)
.AutoSizeRowsMode = _
DataGridViewAutoSizeRowsMode.DisplayedCellsExceptHeaders
.ColumnHeadersBorderStyle = DataGridViewHeaderBorderStyle.Single
.CellBorderStyle = DataGridViewCellBorderStyle.Single
.GridColor = Color.Black
.RowHeadersVisible = False

.Columns(0).Name = "Release Date"

.Columns(1).Name = "Track"
.Columns(2).Name = "Title"
.Columns(3).Name = "Artist"
.Columns(4).Name = "Album"
.Columns(4).DefaultCellStyle.Font = _
New Font(Me.songsDataGridView.DefaultCellStyle.Font, FontStyle.Italic)

.SelectionMode = DataGridViewSelectionMode.FullRowSelect

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Walkthrough: Creating an Unbound Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 4 of 9

.MultiSelect = False
.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
End With

End Sub

C# Copy Code

private void SetupDataGridView()

{
this.Controls.Add(songsDataGridView);

songsDataGridView.ColumnCount = 5;

songsDataGridView.ColumnHeadersDefaultCellStyle.BackColor = Color.Navy;
songsDataGridView.ColumnHeadersDefaultCellStyle.ForeColor = Color.White;
songsDataGridView.ColumnHeadersDefaultCellStyle.Font =
new Font(songsDataGridView.Font, FontStyle.Bold);

songsDataGridView.Name = "songsDataGridView";
songsDataGridView.Location = new Point(8, 8);
songsDataGridView.Size = new Size(500, 250);
songsDataGridView.AutoSizeRowsMode =
DataGridViewAutoSizeRowsMode.DisplayedCellsExceptHeaders;
songsDataGridView.ColumnHeadersBorderStyle =
DataGridViewHeaderBorderStyle.Single;
songsDataGridView.CellBorderStyle = DataGridViewCellBorderStyle.Single;
songsDataGridView.GridColor = Color.Black;
songsDataGridView.RowHeadersVisible = false;

songsDataGridView.Columns[0].Name = "Release Date";

songsDataGridView.Columns[1].Name = "Track";
songsDataGridView.Columns[2].Name = "Title";
songsDataGridView.Columns[3].Name = "Artist";
songsDataGridView.Columns[4].Name = "Album";
songsDataGridView.Columns[4].DefaultCellStyle.Font =
new Font(songsDataGridView.DefaultCellStyle.Font, FontStyle.Italic);

songsDataGridView.SelectionMode =
DataGridViewSelectionMode.FullRowSelect;
songsDataGridView.MultiSelect = false;
songsDataGridView.Dock = DockStyle.Fill;

songsDataGridView.CellFormatting += new
DataGridViewCellFormattingEventHandler(
songsDataGridView_CellFormatting);
}

4. Create a PopulateDataGridView method to add rows to the DataGridView control.

Each row represents a song and its associated information.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub PopulateDataGridView()

Dim row0 As String() = {"11/22/1968", "29", "Revolution 9", _

"Beatles", "The Beatles [White Album]"}
Dim row1 As String() = {"1960", "6", "Fools Rush In", _

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Walkthrough: Creating an Unbound Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 5 of 9

"Frank Sinatra", "Nice 'N' Easy"}

Dim row2 As String() = {"11/11/1971", "1", "One of These Days", _
"Pink Floyd", "Meddle"}
Dim row3 As String() = {"1988", "7", "Where Is My Mind?", _
"Pixies", "Surfer Rosa"}
Dim row4 As String() = {"5/1981", "9", "Can't Find My Mind", _
"Cramps", "Psychedelic Jungle"}
Dim row5 As String() = {"6/10/2003", "13", _
"Scatterbrain. (As Dead As Leaves.)", _
"Radiohead", "Hail to the Thief"}
Dim row6 As String() = {"6/30/1992", "3", "Dress", "P J Harvey", "Dry"}

With Me.songsDataGridView.Rows
.Add(row0)
.Add(row1)
.Add(row2)
.Add(row3)
.Add(row4)
.Add(row5)
.Add(row6)
End With

With Me.songsDataGridView
.Columns(0).DisplayIndex = 3
.Columns(1).DisplayIndex = 4
.Columns(2).DisplayIndex = 0
.Columns(3).DisplayIndex = 1
.Columns(4).DisplayIndex = 2
End With

End Sub

C# Copy Code

private void PopulateDataGridView()

{

string[] row0 = { "11/22/1968", "29", "Revolution 9",

"Beatles", "The Beatles [White Album]" };
string[] row1 = { "1960", "6", "Fools Rush In",
"Frank Sinatra", "Nice 'N' Easy" };
string[] row2 = { "11/11/1971", "1", "One of These Days",
"Pink Floyd", "Meddle" };
string[] row3 = { "1988", "7", "Where Is My Mind?",
"Pixies", "Surfer Rosa" };
string[] row4 = { "5/1981", "9", "Can't Find My Mind",
"Cramps", "Psychedelic Jungle" };
string[] row5 = { "6/10/2003", "13",
"Scatterbrain. (As Dead As Leaves.)",
"Radiohead", "Hail to the Thief" };
string[] row6 = { "6/30/1992", "3", "Dress", "P J Harvey", "Dry" };

songsDataGridView.Rows.Add(row0);
songsDataGridView.Rows.Add(row1);
songsDataGridView.Rows.Add(row2);
songsDataGridView.Rows.Add(row3);
songsDataGridView.Rows.Add(row4);

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Walkthrough: Creating an Unbound Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 6 of 9

songsDataGridView.Rows.Add(row5);
songsDataGridView.Rows.Add(row6);

songsDataGridView.Columns[0].DisplayIndex = 3;
songsDataGridView.Columns[1].DisplayIndex = 4;
songsDataGridView.Columns[2].DisplayIndex = 0;
songsDataGridView.Columns[3].DisplayIndex = 1;
songsDataGridView.Columns[4].DisplayIndex = 2;
}

5. With the utility methods in place, you can attach event handlers.
You will handle the Add and Delete buttons' Click [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.control.click(VS.80).aspx ] events, the form's Load
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.form.load(VS.80).aspx ]
event, and the DataGridView control's CellFormatting [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellformatting(VS.80).aspx ] event.
When the Add button's Click event is raised, a new, empty row is added to the DataGridView.
When the Delete button's Click event is raised, the selected row is deleted, unless it is the row
for new records, which enables the user add new rows. This row is always the last row in the
DataGridView control.
When the form's Load event is raised, the SetupLayout, SetupDataGridView, and
PopulateDataGridView utility methods are called.
When the CellFormatting event is raised, each cell in the Date column is formatted as a long
date, unless the cell's value cannot be parsed.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, _

ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load

SetupLayout()
SetupDataGridView()
PopulateDataGridView()

End Sub

Private Sub songsDataGridView_CellFormatting(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCellFormattingEventArgs) _
Handles songsDataGridView.CellFormatting

If Me.songsDataGridView.Columns(e.ColumnIndex).Name = _
"Release Date" Then

If e IsNot Nothing Then

If e.Value IsNot Nothing Then
Try
e.Value = DateTime.Parse(e.Value.ToString()) _
.ToLongDateString()
e.FormattingApplied = True
Catch ex As FormatException
Console.WriteLine("{0} is not a valid date.", e.Value.ToString())
End Try
End If
End If

End If

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Walkthrough: Creating an Unbound Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 7 of 9

End Sub

Private Sub addNewRowButton_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As EventArgs) Handles addNewRowButton.Click

Me.songsDataGridView.Rows.Add()

End Sub

Private Sub deleteRowButton_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As EventArgs) Handles deleteRowButton.Click

If Me.songsDataGridView.SelectedRows.Count > 0 AndAlso _

Not Me.songsDataGridView.SelectedRows(0).Index = _
Me.songsDataGridView.Rows.Count - 1 Then

Me.songsDataGridView.Rows.RemoveAt( _
Me.songsDataGridView.SelectedRows(0).Index)

End If

End Sub

C# Copy Code

public Form1()
{
this.Load += new EventHandler(Form1_Load);
}

private void Form1_Load(System.Object sender, System.EventArgs e)

{
SetupLayout();
SetupDataGridView();
PopulateDataGridView();
}

private void songsDataGridView_CellFormatting(object sender,

System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCellFormattingEventArgs e)
{
if (this.songsDataGridView.Columns[e.ColumnIndex].Name == "Release Date")
{
if (e != null)
{
if (e.Value != null)
{
try
{
e.Value = DateTime.Parse(e.Value.ToString())
.ToLongDateString();
e.FormattingApplied = true;
}
catch (FormatException)
{
Console.WriteLine("{0} is not a valid date.", e.Value.ToString())
}
}

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Walkthrough: Creating an Unbound Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 8 of 9

}
}
}

private void addNewRowButton_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)

{
this.songsDataGridView.Rows.Add();
}

private void deleteRowButton_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)

{
if (this.songsDataGridView.SelectedRows.Count > 0 &&
this.songsDataGridView.SelectedRows[0].Index !=
this.songsDataGridView.Rows.Count - 1)
{
this.songsDataGridView.Rows.RemoveAt(
this.songsDataGridView.SelectedRows[0].Index);
}
}

Testing the Application

You can now test the form to make sure it behaves as expected.

To test the form

z Press F5 to run the application.

You will see a DataGridView control that displays the songs listed in PopulateDataGridView. You
can add new rows with the Add Row button, and you can delete selected rows with the Delete
Row button. The unbound DataGridView control is the data store, and its data is independent of
any external source, such as a DataSet [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.data.dataset(VS.80).aspx ] or an array.
Next Steps
This application gives you a basic understanding of the DataGridView control's capabilities. You can
customize the appearance and behavior of the DataGridView control in several ways:

z Change border and header styles. For more information, see How to: Change the Border and
Gridline Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ehz9ksfa(VS.80).aspx ] .
z Enable or restrict user input to the DataGridView control. For more information, see How to:
Prevent Row Addition and Deletion in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/61bk13ye(VS.80).aspx ] , and How to: Make Columns
Read-Only in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/cze614bb(VS.80).aspx ] .
z Check user input for database-related errors. For more information, see Walkthrough: Handling
Errors that Occur During Data Entry in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/t4a23xx4(VS.80).aspx ] .
z Handle very large data sets using virtual mode. For more information, see Walkthrough:
Implementing Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/15a31akc(VS.80).aspx ] .
z Customize the appearance of cells. For more information, see How to: Customize the Appearance
of Cells in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/hta8z9sz(VS.80).aspx ] and How to: Set Default Cell Styles for the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/k4sab6f9(VS.80).aspx ] .
See Also
Tasks
How to: Create an Unbound Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/zf3zx9fy(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/5s3ce6k8(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/23/2007
Walkthrough: Creating an Unbound Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 9 of 9

(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
Data Display Modes in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/cd28yf6d(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Displaying Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171600(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/5s3ce6k8(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/23/2007
How to: Create an Unbound Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 6

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Create an Unbound Windows Forms DataGridView
Control
The following code example demonstrates how to populate a DataGridView
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control
programmatically without binding it to a data source. This is useful when you have a small amount of data
that you want to display in a table format.

For a complete explanation of this code example, see Walkthrough: Creating an Unbound Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/5s3ce6k8(VS.80).aspx ] .

Example

Visual Basic Copy Code

Imports System
Imports System.Drawing
Imports System.Windows.Forms

Public Class Form1

Inherits System.Windows.Forms.Form

Private buttonPanel As New Panel

Private WithEvents songsDataGridView As New DataGridView
Private WithEvents addNewRowButton As New Button
Private WithEvents deleteRowButton As New Button

Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, _

ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load

SetupLayout()
SetupDataGridView()
PopulateDataGridView()

End Sub

Private Sub songsDataGridView_CellFormatting(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCellFormattingEventArgs) _
Handles songsDataGridView.CellFormatting

If Me.songsDataGridView.Columns(e.ColumnIndex).Name = _
"Release Date" Then

If e IsNot Nothing Then

If e.Value IsNot Nothing Then
Try
e.Value = DateTime.Parse(e.Value.ToString()) _
.ToLongDateString()
e.FormattingApplied = True
Catch ex As FormatException
Console.WriteLine("{0} is not a valid date.", e.Value.ToString())
End Try
End If
End If

End If

End Sub

Private Sub addNewRowButton_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As EventArgs) Handles addNewRowButton.Click

Me.songsDataGridView.Rows.Add()

End Sub

Private Sub deleteRowButton_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As EventArgs) Handles deleteRowButton.Click

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How to: Create an Unbound Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 6

If Me.songsDataGridView.SelectedRows.Count > 0 AndAlso _

Not Me.songsDataGridView.SelectedRows(0).Index = _
Me.songsDataGridView.Rows.Count - 1 Then

Me.songsDataGridView.Rows.RemoveAt( _
Me.songsDataGridView.SelectedRows(0).Index)

End If

End Sub

Private Sub SetupLayout()

Me.Size = New Size(600, 500)

With addNewRowButton
.Text = "Add Row"
.Location = New Point(10, 10)
End With

With deleteRowButton
.Text = "Delete Row"
.Location = New Point(100, 10)
End With

With buttonPanel
.Controls.Add(addNewRowButton)
.Controls.Add(deleteRowButton)
.Height = 50
.Dock = DockStyle.Bottom
End With

Me.Controls.Add(Me.buttonPanel)

End Sub

Private Sub SetupDataGridView()

Me.Controls.Add(songsDataGridView)

songsDataGridView.ColumnCount = 5
With songsDataGridView.ColumnHeadersDefaultCellStyle
.BackColor = Color.Navy
.ForeColor = Color.White
.Font = New Font(songsDataGridView.Font, FontStyle.Bold)
End With

With songsDataGridView
.Name = "songsDataGridView"
.Location = New Point(8, 8)
.Size = New Size(500, 250)
.AutoSizeRowsMode = _
DataGridViewAutoSizeRowsMode.DisplayedCellsExceptHeaders
.ColumnHeadersBorderStyle = DataGridViewHeaderBorderStyle.Single
.CellBorderStyle = DataGridViewCellBorderStyle.Single
.GridColor = Color.Black
.RowHeadersVisible = False

.Columns(0).Name = "Release Date"

.Columns(1).Name = "Track"
.Columns(2).Name = "Title"
.Columns(3).Name = "Artist"
.Columns(4).Name = "Album"
.Columns(4).DefaultCellStyle.Font = _
New Font(Me.songsDataGridView.DefaultCellStyle.Font, FontStyle.Italic)

.SelectionMode = DataGridViewSelectionMode.FullRowSelect
.MultiSelect = False
.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
End With

End Sub

Private Sub PopulateDataGridView()

Dim row0 As String() = {"11/22/1968", "29", "Revolution 9", _

"Beatles", "The Beatles [White Album]"}
Dim row1 As String() = {"1960", "6", "Fools Rush In", _
"Frank Sinatra", "Nice 'N' Easy"}
Dim row2 As String() = {"11/11/1971", "1", "One of These Days", _

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How to: Create an Unbound Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 3 of 6

"Pink Floyd", "Meddle"}

Dim row3 As String() = {"1988", "7", "Where Is My Mind?", _
"Pixies", "Surfer Rosa"}
Dim row4 As String() = {"5/1981", "9", "Can't Find My Mind", _
"Cramps", "Psychedelic Jungle"}
Dim row5 As String() = {"6/10/2003", "13", _
"Scatterbrain. (As Dead As Leaves.)", _
"Radiohead", "Hail to the Thief"}
Dim row6 As String() = {"6/30/1992", "3", "Dress", "P J Harvey", "Dry"}

With Me.songsDataGridView.Rows
.Add(row0)
.Add(row1)
.Add(row2)
.Add(row3)
.Add(row4)
.Add(row5)
.Add(row6)
End With

With Me.songsDataGridView
.Columns(0).DisplayIndex = 3
.Columns(1).DisplayIndex = 4
.Columns(2).DisplayIndex = 0
.Columns(3).DisplayIndex = 1
.Columns(4).DisplayIndex = 2
End With

End Sub

<STAThreadAttribute()> _
Public Shared Sub Main()
Application.EnableVisualStyles()
Application.Run(New Form1())
End Sub

End Class

C# Copy Code

using System;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Windows.Forms;

public class Form1 : System.Windows.Forms.Form

{
private Panel buttonPanel = new Panel();
private DataGridView songsDataGridView = new DataGridView();
private Button addNewRowButton = new Button();
private Button deleteRowButton = new Button();

public Form1()
{
this.Load += new EventHandler(Form1_Load);
}

private void Form1_Load(System.Object sender, System.EventArgs e)

{
SetupLayout();
SetupDataGridView();
PopulateDataGridView();
}

private void songsDataGridView_CellFormatting(object sender,

System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCellFormattingEventArgs e)
{
if (this.songsDataGridView.Columns[e.ColumnIndex].Name == "Release Date")
{
if (e != null)
{
if (e.Value != null)
{
try
{
e.Value = DateTime.Parse(e.Value.ToString())
.ToLongDateString();
e.FormattingApplied = true;
}
catch (FormatException)

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How to: Create an Unbound Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 4 of 6

{
Console.WriteLine("{0} is not a valid date.", e.Value.ToString());
}
}
}
}
}

private void addNewRowButton_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)

{
this.songsDataGridView.Rows.Add();
}

private void deleteRowButton_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)

{
if (this.songsDataGridView.SelectedRows.Count > 0 &&
this.songsDataGridView.SelectedRows[0].Index !=
this.songsDataGridView.Rows.Count - 1)
{
this.songsDataGridView.Rows.RemoveAt(
this.songsDataGridView.SelectedRows[0].Index);
}
}

private void SetupLayout()

{
this.Size = new Size(600, 500);

addNewRowButton.Text = "Add Row";

addNewRowButton.Location = new Point(10, 10);
addNewRowButton.Click += new EventHandler(addNewRowButton_Click);

deleteRowButton.Text = "Delete Row";

deleteRowButton.Location = new Point(100, 10);
deleteRowButton.Click += new EventHandler(deleteRowButton_Click);

buttonPanel.Controls.Add(addNewRowButton);
buttonPanel.Controls.Add(deleteRowButton);
buttonPanel.Height = 50;
buttonPanel.Dock = DockStyle.Bottom;

this.Controls.Add(this.buttonPanel);
}

private void SetupDataGridView()

{
this.Controls.Add(songsDataGridView);

songsDataGridView.ColumnCount = 5;

songsDataGridView.ColumnHeadersDefaultCellStyle.BackColor = Color.Navy;
songsDataGridView.ColumnHeadersDefaultCellStyle.ForeColor = Color.White;
songsDataGridView.ColumnHeadersDefaultCellStyle.Font =
new Font(songsDataGridView.Font, FontStyle.Bold);

songsDataGridView.Name = "songsDataGridView";
songsDataGridView.Location = new Point(8, 8);
songsDataGridView.Size = new Size(500, 250);
songsDataGridView.AutoSizeRowsMode =
DataGridViewAutoSizeRowsMode.DisplayedCellsExceptHeaders;
songsDataGridView.ColumnHeadersBorderStyle =
DataGridViewHeaderBorderStyle.Single;
songsDataGridView.CellBorderStyle = DataGridViewCellBorderStyle.Single;
songsDataGridView.GridColor = Color.Black;
songsDataGridView.RowHeadersVisible = false;

songsDataGridView.Columns[0].Name = "Release Date";

songsDataGridView.Columns[1].Name = "Track";
songsDataGridView.Columns[2].Name = "Title";
songsDataGridView.Columns[3].Name = "Artist";
songsDataGridView.Columns[4].Name = "Album";
songsDataGridView.Columns[4].DefaultCellStyle.Font =
new Font(songsDataGridView.DefaultCellStyle.Font, FontStyle.Italic);

songsDataGridView.SelectionMode =
DataGridViewSelectionMode.FullRowSelect;
songsDataGridView.MultiSelect = false;
songsDataGridView.Dock = DockStyle.Fill;

songsDataGridView.CellFormatting += new
DataGridViewCellFormattingEventHandler(

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How to: Create an Unbound Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 5 of 6

songsDataGridView_CellFormatting);
}

private void PopulateDataGridView()

{

string[] row0 = { "11/22/1968", "29", "Revolution 9",

"Beatles", "The Beatles [White Album]" };
string[] row1 = { "1960", "6", "Fools Rush In",
"Frank Sinatra", "Nice 'N' Easy" };
string[] row2 = { "11/11/1971", "1", "One of These Days",
"Pink Floyd", "Meddle" };
string[] row3 = { "1988", "7", "Where Is My Mind?",
"Pixies", "Surfer Rosa" };
string[] row4 = { "5/1981", "9", "Can't Find My Mind",
"Cramps", "Psychedelic Jungle" };
string[] row5 = { "6/10/2003", "13",
"Scatterbrain. (As Dead As Leaves.)",
"Radiohead", "Hail to the Thief" };
string[] row6 = { "6/30/1992", "3", "Dress", "P J Harvey", "Dry" };

songsDataGridView.Rows.Add(row0);
songsDataGridView.Rows.Add(row1);
songsDataGridView.Rows.Add(row2);
songsDataGridView.Rows.Add(row3);
songsDataGridView.Rows.Add(row4);
songsDataGridView.Rows.Add(row5);
songsDataGridView.Rows.Add(row6);

songsDataGridView.Columns[0].DisplayIndex = 3;
songsDataGridView.Columns[1].DisplayIndex = 4;
songsDataGridView.Columns[2].DisplayIndex = 0;
songsDataGridView.Columns[3].DisplayIndex = 1;
songsDataGridView.Columns[4].DisplayIndex = 2;
}

[STAThreadAttribute()]
static void Main()
{
Application.EnableVisualStyles();
Application.Run(new Form1());
}
}

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z References to the System, System.Drawing, and System.Windows.Forms assemblies.

For information about building this example from the command line for Visual Basic or Visual C#, see
Building from the Command Line (Visual Basic) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/25fz1td5
(VS.80).aspx ] or Command-Line Building [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/78f4aasd
(VS.80).aspx ] . You can also build this example in Visual Studio by pasting the code into a new project.
For more information, see How to: Compile and Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using
Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/bb129228(vs.80).aspx ] and How to: Compile and
Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/bb129228(vs.90).aspx ] .

See Also

Tasks
Walkthrough: Creating an Unbound Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/5s3ce6k8(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
Data Display Modes in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/cd28yf6d(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Displaying Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/zf3zx9fy(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/23/2007
How to: Create an Unbound Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 6 of 6

us/library/ms171600(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/zf3zx9fy(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/23/2007
How to: Bind Data to the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 6

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Bind Data to the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
The DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ] control supports the standard Windows Forms data binding model, so it will bind to a variety
of data sources. In most circumstances, however, you will bind to a BindingSource
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.bindingsource(VS.80).aspx ]
component which will manage the details of interacting with the data source. The BindingSource
component can represent any Windows Forms data source and gives you great flexibility when choosing or
modifying the location of your data. For more information about the data sources supported by the
DataGridView control, see DataGridView Control Overview (Windows Forms)
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/k39d6s23(VS.80).aspx ] .

There is extensive support for this task in Visual Studio. For more information, see How to: Bind Data to the
Windows Forms DataGridView Control Using the Designer [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/33w255ac
(vs.80).aspx ] and How to: Bind Data to the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Using the Designer
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/33w255ac(vs.90).aspx ] .

Procedure

To connect a DataGridView control to data

1. Implement a method to handle the details of retrieving data from a database. The following code
example implements a GetData method that initializes a SqlDataAdapter
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.data.sqlclient.sqldataadapter(VS.80).aspx ]
component and uses it to populate a DataTable [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.data.datatable(VS.80).aspx ] . The DataTable is then bound to the
BindingSource component. Be sure to set the connectionString variable to a value that is
appropriate for your database. You will need access to a server with the Northwind SQL Server
sample database installed.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub GetData(ByVal selectCommand As String)

Try
' Specify a connection string. Replace the given value with a
' valid connection string for a Northwind SQL Server sample
' database accessible to your system.
Dim connectionString As String = _
"Integrated Security=SSPI;Persist Security Info=False;" + _
"Initial Catalog=Northwind;Data Source=localhost"

' Create a new data adapter based on the specified query.

Me.dataAdapter = New SqlDataAdapter(selectCommand, connectionString)

' Create a command builder to generate SQL update, insert, and

' delete commands based on selectCommand. These are used to
' update the database.
Dim commandBuilder As New SqlCommandBuilder(Me.dataAdapter)

' Populate a new data table and bind it to the BindingSource.

Dim table As New DataTable()
table.Locale = System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture
Me.dataAdapter.Fill(table)

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How to: Bind Data to the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 6

Me.bindingSource1.DataSource = table

' Resize the DataGridView columns to fit the newly loaded content.
Me.dataGridView1.AutoResizeColumns( _
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.AllCellsExceptHeader)
Catch ex As SqlException
MessageBox.Show("To run this example, replace the value of the " + _
"connectionString variable with a connection string that is " + _
"valid for your system.")
End Try

End Sub

C# Copy Code

private void GetData(string selectCommand)

{
try
{
// Specify a connection string. Replace the given value with a
// valid connection string for a Northwind SQL Server sample
// database accessible to your system.
String connectionString =
"Integrated Security=SSPI;Persist Security Info=False;" +
"Initial Catalog=Northwind;Data Source=localhost";

// Create a new data adapter based on the specified query.

dataAdapter = new SqlDataAdapter(selectCommand, connectionString);

// Create a command builder to generate SQL update, insert, and

// delete commands based on selectCommand. These are used to
// update the database.
SqlCommandBuilder commandBuilder = new SqlCommandBuilder(dataAdapter);

// Populate a new data table and bind it to the BindingSource.

DataTable table = new DataTable();
table.Locale = System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture;
dataAdapter.Fill(table);
bindingSource1.DataSource = table;

// Resize the DataGridView columns to fit the newly loaded content.

dataGridView1.AutoResizeColumns(
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.AllCellsExceptHeader);
}
catch (SqlException)
{
MessageBox.Show("To run this example, replace the value of the " +
"connectionString variable with a connection string that is " +
"valid for your system.");
}
}

2. In your form's Load [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.form.load

(VS.80).aspx ] event handler, bind the DataGridView control to the BindingSource component
and call the GetData method to retrieve the data from the database.

Visual Basic Copy Code

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How to: Bind Data to the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 3 of 6

Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) _

Handles Me.Load

' Bind the DataGridView to the BindingSource

' and load the data from the database.
Me.dataGridView1.DataSource = Me.bindingSource1
GetData("select * from Customers")

End Sub

C# Copy Code

private void Form1_Load(object sender, System.EventArgs e)

{
// Bind the DataGridView to the BindingSource
// and load the data from the database.
dataGridView1.DataSource = bindingSource1;
GetData("select * from Customers");
}

Example

The following complete code example provides buttons for reloading data from the database and
submitting changes to the database.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Imports System
Imports System.Data
Imports System.Data.SqlClient
Imports System.Windows.Forms

Public Class Form1

Inherits System.Windows.Forms.Form

Private dataGridView1 As New DataGridView()

Private bindingSource1 As New BindingSource()
Private dataAdapter As New SqlDataAdapter()
Private WithEvents reloadButton As New Button()
Private WithEvents submitButton As New Button()

<STAThreadAttribute()> _
Public Shared Sub Main()
Application.Run(New Form1())
End Sub

' Initialize the form.

Public Sub New()

Me.dataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill

Me.reloadButton.Text = "reload"
Me.submitButton.Text = "submit"

Dim panel As New FlowLayoutPanel()

panel.Dock = DockStyle.Top
panel.AutoSize = True
panel.Controls.AddRange(New Control() {Me.reloadButton, Me.submitButton})

Me.Controls.AddRange(New Control() {Me.dataGridView1, panel})

Me.Text = "DataGridView databinding and updating demo"

End Sub

Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) _

Handles Me.Load

' Bind the DataGridView to the BindingSource

' and load the data from the database.

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How to: Bind Data to the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 4 of 6

Me.dataGridView1.DataSource = Me.bindingSource1
GetData("select * from Customers")

End Sub

Private Sub reloadButton_Click(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) _

Handles reloadButton.Click

' Reload the data from the database.

GetData(Me.dataAdapter.SelectCommand.CommandText)

End Sub

Private Sub submitButton_Click(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) _

Handles submitButton.Click

' Update the database with the user's changes.

Me.dataAdapter.Update(CType(Me.bindingSource1.DataSource, DataTable))

End Sub

Private Sub GetData(ByVal selectCommand As String)

Try
' Specify a connection string. Replace the given value with a
' valid connection string for a Northwind SQL Server sample
' database accessible to your system.
Dim connectionString As String = _
"Integrated Security=SSPI;Persist Security Info=False;" + _
"Initial Catalog=Northwind;Data Source=localhost"

' Create a new data adapter based on the specified query.

Me.dataAdapter = New SqlDataAdapter(selectCommand, connectionString)

' Create a command builder to generate SQL update, insert, and

' delete commands based on selectCommand. These are used to
' update the database.
Dim commandBuilder As New SqlCommandBuilder(Me.dataAdapter)

' Populate a new data table and bind it to the BindingSource.

Dim table As New DataTable()
table.Locale = System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture
Me.dataAdapter.Fill(table)
Me.bindingSource1.DataSource = table

' Resize the DataGridView columns to fit the newly loaded content.
Me.dataGridView1.AutoResizeColumns( _
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.AllCellsExceptHeader)
Catch ex As SqlException
MessageBox.Show("To run this example, replace the value of the " + _
"connectionString variable with a connection string that is " + _
"valid for your system.")
End Try

End Sub

End Class

C# Copy Code

using System;
using System.Data;
using System.Data.SqlClient;
using System.Windows.Forms;

public class Form1 : System.Windows.Forms.Form

{
private DataGridView dataGridView1 = new DataGridView();
private BindingSource bindingSource1 = new BindingSource();
private SqlDataAdapter dataAdapter = new SqlDataAdapter();
private Button reloadButton = new Button();
private Button submitButton = new Button();

[STAThreadAttribute()]
public static void Main()
{
Application.Run(new Form1());
}

// Initialize the form.

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How to: Bind Data to the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 5 of 6

public Form1()
{
dataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill;

reloadButton.Text = "reload";
submitButton.Text = "submit";
reloadButton.Click += new System.EventHandler(reloadButton_Click);
submitButton.Click += new System.EventHandler(submitButton_Click);

FlowLayoutPanel panel = new FlowLayoutPanel();

panel.Dock = DockStyle.Top;
panel.AutoSize = true;
panel.Controls.AddRange(new Control[] { reloadButton, submitButton });

this.Controls.AddRange(new Control[] { dataGridView1, panel });

this.Load += new System.EventHandler(Form1_Load);
this.Text = "DataGridView databinding and updating demo";
}

private void Form1_Load(object sender, System.EventArgs e)

{
// Bind the DataGridView to the BindingSource
// and load the data from the database.
dataGridView1.DataSource = bindingSource1;
GetData("select * from Customers");
}

private void reloadButton_Click(object sender, System.EventArgs e)

{
// Reload the data from the database.
GetData(dataAdapter.SelectCommand.CommandText);
}

private void submitButton_Click(object sender, System.EventArgs e)

{
// Update the database with the user's changes.
dataAdapter.Update((DataTable)bindingSource1.DataSource);
}

private void GetData(string selectCommand)

{
try
{
// Specify a connection string. Replace the given value with a
// valid connection string for a Northwind SQL Server sample
// database accessible to your system.
String connectionString =
"Integrated Security=SSPI;Persist Security Info=False;" +
"Initial Catalog=Northwind;Data Source=localhost";

// Create a new data adapter based on the specified query.

dataAdapter = new SqlDataAdapter(selectCommand, connectionString);

// Create a command builder to generate SQL update, insert, and

// delete commands based on selectCommand. These are used to
// update the database.
SqlCommandBuilder commandBuilder = new SqlCommandBuilder(dataAdapter);

// Populate a new data table and bind it to the BindingSource.

DataTable table = new DataTable();
table.Locale = System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture;
dataAdapter.Fill(table);
bindingSource1.DataSource = table;

// Resize the DataGridView columns to fit the newly loaded content.

dataGridView1.AutoResizeColumns(
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.AllCellsExceptHeader);
}
catch (SqlException)
{
MessageBox.Show("To run this example, replace the value of the " +
"connectionString variable with a connection string that is " +
"valid for your system.");
}
}

Compiling the Code

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How to: Bind Data to the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 6 of 6

This example requires:

z References to the System, System.Windows.Forms, System.Data, and System.XML assemblies.

For information about building this example from the command line for Visual Basic or Visual C#, see
Building from the Command Line (Visual Basic) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/25fz1td5
(VS.80).aspx ] or Command-Line Building [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/78f4aasd
(VS.80).aspx ] . You can also build this example in Visual Studio by pasting the code into a new project.
For more information, see How to: Compile and Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using
Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/bb129228(vs.80).aspx ] and How to: Compile and
Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/bb129228(vs.90).aspx ] .

Security

Storing sensitive information, such as a password, within the connection string can affect the security of
your application. Using Windows Authentication (also known as integrated security) is a more secure way to
control access to a database. For more information, see Securing Connection Strings
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/89211k9b(VS.80).aspx ] .

See Also

Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.DataSource [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.datasource(VS.80).aspx ]
BindingSource [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.bindingsource
(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
Securing Connection Strings [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/89211k9b(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Displaying Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171600(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/fbk67b6z(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/23/2007
How to: Autogenerate Columns in a Data-Bound Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 2

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Autogenerate Columns in a Data-Bound Windows
Forms DataGridView Control
The following code example demonstrates how to display columns from a bound data source in a
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ] control. When the AutoGenerateColumns [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.autogeneratecolumns(VS.80).aspx ] property value is true
(the default), a DataGridViewColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn(VS.80).aspx ] is created for each column in the data
source table.

If the DataGridView control already has columns when you set the DataSource
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcomboboxcolumn.datasource(VS.80).aspx ] property, the
existing bound columns are compared to the columns in the data source and preserved whenever there is a
match. Unbound columns are always preserved. Bound columns for which there is no match in the data
source are removed. Columns in the data source for which there is no match in the control generate new
DataGridViewColumn objects, which are added to the end of the Columns
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.columns(VS.80).aspx ]
collection.

Example

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub BindData()

With customersDataGridView
.AutoGenerateColumns = True
.DataSource = customersDataSet
.DataMember = "Customers"
End With

End Sub

C# Copy Code

private void BindData()

{
customersDataGridView.AutoGenerateColumns = true;
customersDataGridView.DataSource = customersDataSet;
customersDataGridView.DataMember = "Customers";
}

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z A DataGridView control named customersDataGridView.

z A DataSet [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.data.dataset(VS.80).aspx ] object
named customersDataSet that has a table named Customers.
z References to the System [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system(VS.80).aspx ] ,
System.Windows.Forms [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms
(VS.80).aspx ] , System.Data [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.data
(VS.80).aspx ] , and System.Xml [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.xml
(VS.80).aspx ] assemblies.

See Also

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How to: Autogenerate Columns in a Data-Bound Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 2

Tasks
How to: Remove Autogenerated Columns from a Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hbtwc35f(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AutoGenerateColumns [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.autogeneratecolumns(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Displaying Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171600(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/28bfhf10(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/23/2007
How to: Remove Autogenerated Columns from a Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 2

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Remove Autogenerated Columns from a Windows
Forms DataGridView Control
When your DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ] control is set to autogenerate its columns based on data from its data source, you can
selectively omit certain columns. You can do this by calling the Remove [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumncollection.remove(VS.80).aspx ] method on the
Columns [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.columns
(VS.80).aspx ] collection. Alternatively, you can hide columns from view by setting the Visible
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.visible
(VS.80).aspx ] property to false. This technique is useful when you want to display the hidden columns in
certain conditions, or when you need to access the data in the columns without displaying it.

To remove autogenerated columns

z Call the Remove method on the Columns collection.

Visual Basic Copy Code

With dataGridView1
.AutoGenerateColumns = True
.DataSource = customersDataSet
.Columns.Remove("Fax")
End With

C# Copy Code

dataGridView1.AutoGenerateColumns = true;
dataGridView1.DataSource = customersDataSet;
dataGridView1.Columns.Remove("Fax");

To hide autogenerated columns

z Set the column's Visible property to false.

Visual Basic Copy Code

dataGridView1.Columns("CustomerID").Visible = False

C# Copy Code

dataGridView1.Columns["CustomerID"].Visible = false;

Example

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub BindDataAndInitializeColumns()

With dataGridView1
.AutoGenerateColumns = True
.DataSource = customersDataSet
.Columns.Remove("Fax")
.Columns("CustomerID").Visible = False
End With

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How to: Remove Autogenerated Columns from a Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 2

End Sub

C# Copy Code

private void BindDataAndInitializeColumns()

{
dataGridView1.AutoGenerateColumns = true;
dataGridView1.DataSource = customersDataSet;
dataGridView1.Columns.Remove("Fax");
dataGridView1.Columns["CustomerID"].Visible = false;
}

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z A DataGridView control named dataGridView1 bound to a table that contains Fax and
CustomerID columns, such as the Customers table in the Northwind sample database.
z References to the System [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system(VS.80).aspx ] and
System.Windows.Forms [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms
(VS.80).aspx ] assemblies.

See Also

Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AutoGenerateColumns [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.autogeneratecolumns(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.Columns [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.columns(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumnCollection.Remove [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumncollection.remove(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.Visible [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.visible(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Displaying Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171600(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hbtwc35f(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/23/2007
How to: Change the Order of Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 2

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Change the Order of Columns in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control
When you use a DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] to display data from a data source, the
columns in the data source's schema sometimes do not appear in the order you would like to display them.
You can change the displayed order of the columns by using the DisplayIndex
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.displayindex
(VS.80).aspx ] property of the DataGridViewColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn(VS.80).aspx ] class.

The following code example repositions some of the columns automatically generated when binding to the
Customers table in the Northwind sample database. For more information about how to bind the
DataGridView control to a database table, see How to: Bind Data to the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/fbk67b6z(VS.80).aspx ] .

There is support for this task in Visual Studio. For more information, see How to: Change the Order of
Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Using the Designer [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/hb1dk7ax(vs.80).aspx ] and How to: Change the Order of Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control Using the Designer [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/hb1dk7ax(vs.90).aspx ] .

Example

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub AdjustColumnOrder()

With customersDataGridView
.Columns("CustomerID").Visible = False
.Columns("ContactName").DisplayIndex = 0
.Columns("ContactTitle").DisplayIndex = 1
.Columns("City").DisplayIndex = 2
.Columns("Country").DisplayIndex = 3
.Columns("CompanyName").DisplayIndex = 4
End With

End Sub

C# Copy Code

private void AdjustColumnOrder()

{
customersDataGridView.Columns["CustomerID"].Visible = false;
customersDataGridView.Columns["ContactName"].DisplayIndex = 0;
customersDataGridView.Columns["ContactTitle"].DisplayIndex = 1;
customersDataGridView.Columns["City"].DisplayIndex = 2;
customersDataGridView.Columns["Country"].DisplayIndex = 3;
customersDataGridView.Columns["CompanyName"].DisplayIndex = 4;
}

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z A DataGridView control named customersDataGridView that is bound to a table with the

indicated column names, such as the Customers table in the Northwind sample database.
z References to the System [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system(VS.80).aspx ] ,
System.Windows.Forms [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms
(VS.80).aspx ] , System.Data [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.data
(VS.80).aspx ] , and System.Xml [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.xml
(VS.80).aspx ] assemblies.

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See Also

Tasks
How to: Bind Data to the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/fbk67b6z(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.DisplayIndex [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.displayindex(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.Visible [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.visible(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Displaying Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171600(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/wkfe535h(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/23/2007
How to: Add an Unbound Column to a Data-Bound Windows Forms DataGridView Cont... Page 1 of 2

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Add an Unbound Column to a Data-Bound Windows
Forms DataGridView Control
The data you display in the DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control will normally come from a data source
of some kind, but you might want to display a column of data that does not come from the data source.
This kind of column is called an unbound column. Unbound columns can take many forms. Frequently, they
are used to provide access to the details of a data row.

The following code example demonstrates how to create an unbound column of Details buttons to display a
child table related to a particular row in a parent table when you implement a master/detail scenario. To
respond to button clicks, implement a System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.CellClick
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellclick(VS.80).aspx ]
event handler that displays a form containing the child table.

There is support for this task in Visual Studio. For more information, see How to: Add and Remove Columns
in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Using the Designer [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/dyyesckz(vs.80).aspx ] and How to: Add and Remove Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control Using the Designer [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/dyyesckz(vs.90).aspx ] .

Example

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub CreateUnboundButtonColumn()

' Initialize the button column.

Dim buttonColumn As New DataGridViewButtonColumn

With buttonColumn
.HeaderText = "Details"
.Name = "Details"
.Text = "View Details"

' Use the Text property for the button text for all cells rather
' than using each cell's value as the text for its own button.
.UseColumnTextForButtonValue = True
End With

' Add the button column to the control.

dataGridView1.Columns.Insert(1, buttonColumn)

End Sub

C# Copy Code

private void CreateUnboundButtonColumn()

{
// Initialize the button column.
DataGridViewButtonColumn buttonColumn =
new DataGridViewButtonColumn();
buttonColumn.Name = "Details";
buttonColumn.HeaderText = "Details";
buttonColumn.Text = "View Details";

// Use the Text property for the button text for all cells rather
// than using each cell's value as the text for its own button.
buttonColumn.UseColumnTextForButtonValue = true;

// Add the button column to the control.

dataGridView1.Columns.Insert(1, buttonColumn);
}

Compiling the Code

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How to: Add an Unbound Column to a Data-Bound Windows Forms DataGridView Cont... Page 2 of 2

This example requires:

z A DataGridView control named dataGridView1.

z References to the System [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system(VS.80).aspx ] and

System.Windows.Forms [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms
(VS.80).aspx ] assemblies.

See Also

Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
Data Display Modes in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/cd28yf6d(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Displaying Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171600(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

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How to: Bind Objects to Windows Forms DataGridView Controls Page 1 of 4

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Bind Objects to Windows Forms DataGridView Controls
The following code example demonstrates how to bind a collection of objects to a DataGridView
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control so
that each object displays as a separate row. This example also illustrates how to display a property with an
enumeration type in a DataGridViewComboBoxColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcomboboxcolumn(VS.80).aspx ] so that the combo box drop-
down list contains the enumeration values.

Example

Visual Basic Copy Code

Imports System.Windows.Forms
Imports System.Collections.Generic

Public Enum Title

King
Sir
End Enum

Public Class EnumsAndComboBox

Inherits Form

Private flow As New FlowLayoutPanel()

Private WithEvents checkForChange As Button = New Button()
Private knights As List(Of Knight)
Private dataGridView1 As New DataGridView()

Public Sub New()

MyBase.New()
SetupForm()
SetupGrid()
End Sub

Private Sub SetupForm()

AutoSize = True
End Sub

Private Sub SetupGrid()

knights = New List(Of Knight)
knights.Add(New Knight(Title.King, "Uther", True))
knights.Add(New Knight(Title.King, "Arthur", True))
knights.Add(New Knight(Title.Sir, "Mordred", False))
knights.Add(New Knight(Title.Sir, "Gawain", True))
knights.Add(New Knight(Title.Sir, "Galahad", True))

' Initialize the DataGridView.

dataGridView1.AutoGenerateColumns = False
dataGridView1.AutoSize = True
dataGridView1.DataSource = knights

dataGridView1.Columns.Add(CreateComboBoxWithEnums())

' Initialize and add a text box column.

Dim column As DataGridViewColumn = _
New DataGridViewTextBoxColumn()
column.DataPropertyName = "Name"
column.Name = "Knight"
dataGridView1.Columns.Add(column)

' Initialize and add a check box column.

column = New DataGridViewCheckBoxColumn()
column.DataPropertyName = "GoodGuy"
column.Name = "Good"
dataGridView1.Columns.Add(column)

' Initialize the form.

Controls.Add(dataGridView1)

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How to: Bind Objects to Windows Forms DataGridView Controls Page 2 of 4

Me.AutoSize = True
Me.Text = "DataGridView object binding demo"
End Sub

Private Function CreateComboBoxWithEnums() As DataGridViewComboBoxColumn

Dim combo As New DataGridViewComboBoxColumn()
combo.DataSource = [Enum].GetValues(GetType(Title))
combo.DataPropertyName = "Title"
combo.Name = "Title"
Return combo
End Function

#Region "business object"

Private Class Knight
Private hisName As String
Private good As Boolean
Private hisTitle As Title

Public Sub New(ByVal title As Title, ByVal name As String, _

ByVal good As Boolean)

hisTitle = title
hisName = name
Me.good = good
End Sub

Public Property Name() As String

Get
Return hisName
End Get

Set(ByVal Value As String)

hisName = Value
End Set
End Property

Public Property GoodGuy() As Boolean

Get
Return good
End Get
Set(ByVal Value As Boolean)
good = Value
End Set
End Property

Public Property Title() As Title

Get
Return hisTitle
End Get
Set(ByVal Value As Title)
hisTitle = Value
End Set
End Property
End Class
#End Region

Public Shared Sub Main()

Application.Run(New EnumsAndComboBox())
End Sub

End Class

C# Copy Code

using System;
using System.Windows.Forms;

public enum Title

{
King,
Sir
};

public class EnumsAndComboBox : Form

{
private DataGridView dataGridView1 = new DataGridView();
private BindingSource bindingSource1 = new BindingSource();

public EnumsAndComboBox()
{

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How to: Bind Objects to Windows Forms DataGridView Controls Page 3 of 4

this.Load += new System.EventHandler(EnumsAndComboBox_Load);

}

private void EnumsAndComboBox_Load(object sender, System.EventArgs e)

{
// Populate the data source.
bindingSource1.Add(new Knight(Title.King, "Uther", true));
bindingSource1.Add(new Knight(Title.King, "Arthur", true));
bindingSource1.Add(new Knight(Title.Sir, "Mordred", false));
bindingSource1.Add(new Knight(Title.Sir, "Gawain", true));
bindingSource1.Add(new Knight(Title.Sir, "Galahad", true));

// Initialize the DataGridView.

dataGridView1.AutoGenerateColumns = false;
dataGridView1.AutoSize = true;
dataGridView1.DataSource = bindingSource1;

dataGridView1.Columns.Add(CreateComboBoxWithEnums());

// Initialize and add a text box column.

DataGridViewColumn column = new DataGridViewTextBoxColumn();
column.DataPropertyName = "Name";
column.Name = "Knight";
dataGridView1.Columns.Add(column);

// Initialize and add a check box column.

column = new DataGridViewCheckBoxColumn();
column.DataPropertyName = "GoodGuy";
column.Name = "Good";
dataGridView1.Columns.Add(column);

// Initialize the form.

this.Controls.Add(dataGridView1);
this.AutoSize = true;
this.Text = "DataGridView object binding demo";
}

DataGridViewComboBoxColumn CreateComboBoxWithEnums()
{
DataGridViewComboBoxColumn combo = new DataGridViewComboBoxColumn();
combo.DataSource = Enum.GetValues(typeof(Title));
combo.DataPropertyName = "Title";
combo.Name = "Title";
return combo;
}
#region "business object"
private class Knight
{
private string hisName;
private bool good;
private Title hisTitle;

public Knight(Title title, string name, bool good)

{
hisTitle = title;
hisName = name;
this.good = good;
}

public Knight()
{
hisTitle = Title.Sir;
hisName = "<enter name>";
good = true;
}

public string Name

{
get
{
return hisName;
}

set
{
hisName = value;
}
}

public bool GoodGuy

{

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How to: Bind Objects to Windows Forms DataGridView Controls Page 4 of 4

get
{
return good;
}
set
{
good = value;
}
}

public Title Title

{
get
{
return hisTitle;
}
set
{
hisTitle = value;
}
}
}
#endregion

[STAThread]
public static void Main()
{
Application.Run(new EnumsAndComboBox());
}

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z References to the System and System.Windows.Forms assemblies.

For information about building this example from the command line for Visual Basic or Visual C#, see
Building from the Command Line (Visual Basic) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/25fz1td5
(VS.80).aspx ] or Command-Line Building [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/78f4aasd
(VS.80).aspx ] . You can also build this example in Visual Studio by pasting the code into a new project.
For more information, see How to: Compile and Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using
Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/bb129228(vs.80).aspx ] and How to: Compile and
Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/bb129228(vs.90).aspx ] .

See Also

Tasks
How to: Access Objects Bound to Windows Forms DataGridView Rows [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/4wszzzc7(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Displaying Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171600(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/y0wfd4yz(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/23/2007
How to: Access Objects Bound to Windows Forms DataGridView Rows Page 1 of 4

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Access Objects Bound to Windows Forms DataGridView
Rows
Sometimes it is useful to display a table of information stored in a collection of business objects. When you
bind a DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ] control to such a collection, each public property is displayed in its own column unless the
property has been marked non-browsable with a BrowsableAttribute [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.componentmodel.browsableattribute(VS.80).aspx ] . For example, a collection of
Customer objects would have columns such as Name and Address.

If these objects contain additional information and code that you want to access, you can reach it through
row objects. In the following code example, users can select multiple rows and click a button to send an
invoice to each of the corresponding customers.

To access row-bound objects

z Use the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewRow.DataBoundItem [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrow.databounditem(VS.80).aspx ] property.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub InvoiceButton_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, _

ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles InvoiceButton.Click

For Each row As DataGridViewRow In Me.DataGridView1.SelectedRows

Dim cust As Customer = TryCast(row.DataBoundItem, Customer)

If cust IsNot Nothing Then
cust.SendInvoice()
End If

Next

End Sub

C# Copy Code

void invoiceButton_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)

{
foreach (DataGridViewRow row in this.dataGridView1.SelectedRows)
{
Customer cust = row.DataBoundItem as Customer;
if (cust != null)
{
cust.SendInvoice();
}
}
}

Example

The complete code example includes a simple Customer implementation and binds the DataGridView
to an ArrayList [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.collections.arraylist(VS.80).aspx ]
containing a few Customer objects. The Click [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.control.click(VS.80).aspx ] event handler of the
System.Windows.Forms.Button [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.button(VS.80).aspx ] must access the Customer objects through the
rows, because the customer collection is not accessible outside the System.Windows.Forms.Form.Load
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.form.load(VS.80).aspx ] event
handler.

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How to: Access Objects Bound to Windows Forms DataGridView Rows Page 2 of 4

Visual Basic Copy Code

Imports System
Imports System.Windows.Forms

Public Class DataGridViewObjectBinding

Inherits Form

' These declarations and the Main() and New() methods

' below can be replaced with designer-generated code.
Private WithEvents InvoiceButton As New Button()
Private WithEvents DataGridView1 As New DataGridView()

' Entry point code.

<STAThreadAttribute()> _
Public Shared Sub Main()

Application.Run(New DataGridViewObjectBinding())

End Sub

' Sets up the form.

Public Sub New()

Me.DataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
Me.Controls.Add(Me.DataGridView1)

Me.InvoiceButton.Text = "invoice the selected customers"

Me.InvoiceButton.Dock = DockStyle.Top
Me.Controls.Add(Me.InvoiceButton)
Me.Text = "DataGridView collection-binding demo"

End Sub

Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, _

ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load

' Set up a collection of objects for binding.

Dim customers As New System.Collections.ArrayList()
customers.Add(New Customer("Harry"))
customers.Add(New Customer("Sally"))
customers.Add(New Customer("Roy"))
customers.Add(New Customer("Pris"))

' Initialize and bind the DataGridView.

Me.DataGridView1.SelectionMode = _
DataGridViewSelectionMode.FullRowSelect
Me.DataGridView1.AutoGenerateColumns = True
Me.DataGridView1.DataSource = customers

End Sub

' Calls the SendInvoice() method for the Customer

' object bound to each selected row.
Private Sub InvoiceButton_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles InvoiceButton.Click

For Each row As DataGridViewRow In Me.DataGridView1.SelectedRows

Dim cust As Customer = TryCast(row.DataBoundItem, Customer)

If cust IsNot Nothing Then
cust.SendInvoice()
End If

Next

End Sub

End Class

Public Class Customer

Private nameValue As String

Public Sub New(ByVal name As String)

nameValue = name
End Sub

Public Property Name() As String

Get

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How to: Access Objects Bound to Windows Forms DataGridView Rows Page 3 of 4

Return nameValue
End Get
Set(ByVal value As String)
nameValue = value
End Set
End Property

Public Sub SendInvoice()

MsgBox(nameValue & " has been billed.")
End Sub

End Class

C# Copy Code

using System;
using System.Windows.Forms;

public class DataGridViewObjectBinding : Form

{
// These declarations and the Main() and New() methods
// below can be replaced with designer-generated code.
private Button invoiceButton = new Button();
private DataGridView dataGridView1 = new DataGridView();

// Entry point code.

[STAThreadAttribute()]
public static void Main()
{
Application.Run(new DataGridViewObjectBinding());
}

// Sets up the form.

public DataGridViewObjectBinding()
{
this.dataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill;
this.Controls.Add(this.dataGridView1);

this.invoiceButton.Text = "invoice the selected customers";

this.invoiceButton.Dock = DockStyle.Top;
this.invoiceButton.Click += new EventHandler(invoiceButton_Click);
this.Controls.Add(this.invoiceButton);

this.Load += new EventHandler(DataGridViewObjectBinding_Load);

this.Text = "DataGridView collection-binding demo";
}

void DataGridViewObjectBinding_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)

{
// Set up a collection of objects for binding.
System.Collections.ArrayList customers = new System.Collections.ArrayList();
customers.Add(new Customer("Harry"));
customers.Add(new Customer("Sally"));
customers.Add(new Customer("Roy"));
customers.Add(new Customer("Pris"));

// Initialize and bind the DataGridView.

this.dataGridView1.SelectionMode =
DataGridViewSelectionMode.FullRowSelect;
this.dataGridView1.AutoGenerateColumns = true;
this.dataGridView1.DataSource = customers;
}

// Calls the SendInvoice() method for the Customer

// object bound to each selected row.
void invoiceButton_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
foreach (DataGridViewRow row in this.dataGridView1.SelectedRows)
{
Customer cust = row.DataBoundItem as Customer;
if (cust != null)
{
cust.SendInvoice();
}
}
}
}

public class Customer

{

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How to: Access Objects Bound to Windows Forms DataGridView Rows Page 4 of 4

private String nameValue;

public Customer(String name)

{
nameValue = name;
}

public String Name

{
get
{
return nameValue;
}
set
{
nameValue = value;
}
}

public void SendInvoice()

{
MessageBox.Show(nameValue + " has been billed.");
}
}

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z References to the System and System.Windows.Forms assemblies.

For information about building this example from the command line for Visual Basic or Visual C#, see
Building from the Command Line (Visual Basic) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/25fz1td5
(VS.80).aspx ] or Command-Line Building [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/78f4aasd
(VS.80).aspx ] . You can also build this example in Visual Studio by pasting the code into a new project.
For more information, see How to: Compile and Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using
Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/bb129228(vs.80).aspx ] and How to: Compile and
Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/bb129228(vs.90).aspx ] .

See Also

Tasks
How to: Bind Objects to Windows Forms DataGridView Controls [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/y0wfd4yz(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewRow [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrow
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewRow.DataBoundItem [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrow.databounditem(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Displaying Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171600(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/4wszzzc7(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/23/2007
How to: Access Objects in a Windows Forms DataGridViewComboBoxCell Drop-Down ... Page 1 of 8

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Access Objects in a Windows Forms
DataGridViewComboBoxCell Drop-Down List
Like the ComboBox [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.combobox
(VS.80).aspx ] control, the DataGridViewComboBoxColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcomboboxcolumn(VS.80).aspx ] and
DataGridViewComboBoxCell [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcomboboxcell(VS.80).aspx ] types enable you to add
arbitrary objects to their drop-down lists. With this feature, you can represent complex states in a drop-
down list without having to store corresponding objects in a separate collection.

Unlike the ComboBox control, the DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] types do not have a SelectedItem
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.combobox.selecteditem(VS.80).aspx ]
property for retrieving the currently selected object. Instead, you must set the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewComboBoxColumn.ValueMember [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcomboboxcolumn.valuemember(VS.80).aspx ] or
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewComboBoxCell.ValueMember [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcomboboxcell.valuemember(VS.80).aspx ] property to the
name of a property on your business object. When the user makes a selection, the indicated property of the
business object sets the cell Value [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcell.value(VS.80).aspx ] property.

To retrieve the business object through the cell value, the ValueMember property must indicate a property
that returns a reference to the business object itself. Therefore, if the type of the business object is not
under your control, you must add such a property by extending the type through inheritance.

The following procedures demonstrate how to populate a drop-down list with business objects and retrieve
the objects through the cell Value property.

To add business objects to the drop-down list

1. Create a new DataGridViewComboBoxColumn and populate its Items

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcomboboxcolumn.items(VS.80).aspx ] collection.
Alternatively, you can set the column DataSource [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcomboboxcolumn.datasource(VS.80).aspx ] property
to the collection of business objects. In that case, however, you cannot add "unassigned" to the
drop-down list without creating a corresponding business object in your collection.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Dim assignedToColumn As New DataGridViewComboBoxColumn()

' Populate the combo box drop-down list with Employee objects.
For Each e As Employee In employees
assignedToColumn.Items.Add(e)
Next

' Add "unassigned" to the drop-down list and display it for

' empty AssignedTo values or when the user presses CTRL+0.
assignedToColumn.Items.Add("unassigned")
assignedToColumn.DefaultCellStyle.NullValue = "unassigned"

C# Copy Code

DataGridViewComboBoxColumn assignedToColumn =

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How to: Access Objects in a Windows Forms DataGridViewComboBoxCell Drop-Down ... Page 2 of 8

new DataGridViewComboBoxColumn();

// Populate the combo box drop-down list with Employee objects.

foreach (Employee e in employees) assignedToColumn.Items.Add(e);

// Add "unassigned" to the drop-down list and display it for

// empty AssignedTo values or when the user presses CTRL+0.
assignedToColumn.Items.Add("unassigned");
assignedToColumn.DefaultCellStyle.NullValue = "unassigned";

2. Set the DisplayMember [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcomboboxcolumn.displaymember(VS.80).aspx ] and
ValueMember properties. DisplayMember indicates the property of the business object to display
in the drop-down list. ValueMember indicates the property that returns a reference to the business
object.

Visual Basic Copy Code

assignedToColumn.DisplayMember = "Name"
assignedToColumn.ValueMember = "Self"

C# Copy Code

assignedToColumn.DisplayMember = "Name";
assignedToColumn.ValueMember = "Self";

3. Make sure that your business object type contains a property that returns a reference to the current
instance. This property must be named with the value assigned to ValueMember in the previous
step.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Public ReadOnly Property Self() As Employee

Get
Return Me
End Get
End Property

C# Copy Code

public Employee Self

{
get { return this; }
}

To retrieve the currently selected business object

z Get the cell Value property and cast it to the business object type.

Visual Basic Copy Code

' Retrieve the Employee object from the "Assigned To" cell.
Dim assignedTo As Employee = TryCast(dataGridView1.Rows(e.RowIndex) _
.Cells("Assigned To").Value, Employee)

C# Copy Code

// Retrieve the Employee object from the "Assigned To" cell.

Employee assignedTo = dataGridView1.Rows[e.RowIndex]
.Cells["Assigned To"].Value as Employee;

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Example

The complete example demonstrates the use of business objects in a drop-down list. In the example, a
DataGridView control is bound to a collection of Task objects. Each Task object has an AssignedTo
property that indicates the Employee object currently assigned to that task. The Assigned To column
displays the Name property value for each assigned employee, or "unassigned" if the Task.AssignedTo
property value is null.

To view the behavior of this example, perform the following steps:

1. Change assignments in the Assigned To column by selecting different values from the drop-
down lists or pressing CTRL+0 in a combo-box cell.
2. Click Generate Report to display the current assignments. This demonstrates that a change in
the Assigned To column automatically updates the tasks collection.
3. Click a Request Status button to call the RequestStatus method of the current Employee
object for that row. This demonstrates that the selected object has been successfully retrieved.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Imports System
Imports System.Text
Imports System.Collections.Generic
Imports System.Windows.Forms

Public Class Form1

Inherits Form

Private employees As New List(Of Employee)

Private tasks As New List(Of Task)
Private WithEvents reportButton As New Button
Private WithEvents dataGridView1 As New DataGridView

<STAThread()> _
Public Sub Main()
Application.Run(New Form1)
End Sub

Sub New()
dataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
dataGridView1.AutoSizeColumnsMode = _
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.AllCells
reportButton.Text = "Generate Report"
reportButton.Dock = DockStyle.Top

Controls.Add(dataGridView1)
Controls.Add(reportButton)
Text = "DataGridViewComboBoxColumn Demo"
End Sub

' Initializes the data source and populates the DataGridView control.
Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As EventArgs) Handles Me.Load

PopulateLists()
dataGridView1.AutoGenerateColumns = False
dataGridView1.DataSource = tasks
AddColumns()

End Sub

' Populates the employees and tasks lists.

Private Sub PopulateLists()
employees.Add(New Employee("Harry"))
employees.Add(New Employee("Sally"))
employees.Add(New Employee("Roy"))
employees.Add(New Employee("Pris"))
tasks.Add(New Task(1, employees(1)))
tasks.Add(New Task(2))
tasks.Add(New Task(3, employees(2)))
tasks.Add(New Task(4))
End Sub

' Configures columns for the DataGridView control.

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Private Sub AddColumns()

Dim idColumn As New DataGridViewTextBoxColumn()

idColumn.Name = "Task"
idColumn.DataPropertyName = "Id"
idColumn.ReadOnly = True

Dim assignedToColumn As New DataGridViewComboBoxColumn()

' Populate the combo box drop-down list with Employee objects.
For Each e As Employee In employees
assignedToColumn.Items.Add(e)
Next

' Add "unassigned" to the drop-down list and display it for

' empty AssignedTo values or when the user presses CTRL+0.
assignedToColumn.Items.Add("unassigned")
assignedToColumn.DefaultCellStyle.NullValue = "unassigned"

assignedToColumn.Name = "Assigned To"

assignedToColumn.DataPropertyName = "AssignedTo"
assignedToColumn.AutoComplete = True
assignedToColumn.DisplayMember = "Name"
assignedToColumn.ValueMember = "Self"

' Add a button column.

Dim buttonColumn As New DataGridViewButtonColumn()
buttonColumn.HeaderText = ""
buttonColumn.Name = "Status Request"
buttonColumn.Text = "Request Status"
buttonColumn.UseColumnTextForButtonValue = True

dataGridView1.Columns.Add(idColumn)
dataGridView1.Columns.Add(assignedToColumn)
dataGridView1.Columns.Add(buttonColumn)

End Sub

' Reports on task assignments.

Private Sub reportButton_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As EventArgs) Handles reportButton.Click

Dim report As New StringBuilder()

For Each t As Task In tasks
Dim assignment As String
If t.AssignedTo Is Nothing Then
assignment = "unassigned"
Else
assignment = "assigned to " + t.AssignedTo.Name
End If
report.AppendFormat("Task {0} is {1}.", t.Id, assignment)
report.Append(Environment.NewLine)
Next
MessageBox.Show(report.ToString(), "Task Assignments")

End Sub

' Calls the Employee.RequestStatus method.

Private Sub dataGridView1_CellClick(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As DataGridViewCellEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.CellClick

' Ignore clicks that are not on button cells.

If e.RowIndex < 0 OrElse Not e.ColumnIndex = _
dataGridView1.Columns("Status Request").Index Then Return

' Retrieve the task ID.

Dim taskID As Int32 = CInt(dataGridView1(0, e.RowIndex).Value)

' Retrieve the Employee object from the "Assigned To" cell.
Dim assignedTo As Employee = TryCast(dataGridView1.Rows(e.RowIndex) _
.Cells("Assigned To").Value, Employee)

' Request status through the Employee object if present.

If assignedTo IsNot Nothing Then
assignedTo.RequestStatus(taskID)
Else
MessageBox.Show(String.Format( _
"Task {0} is unassigned.", taskID), "Status Request")
End If

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End Sub

End Class

Public Class Task

Sub New(ByVal id As Int32)

idValue = id
End Sub

Sub New(ByVal id As Int32, ByVal assignedTo As Employee)

idValue = id
assignedToValue = assignedTo
End Sub

Private idValue As Int32

Public Property Id() As Int32
Get
Return idValue
End Get
Set(ByVal value As Int32)
idValue = value
End Set
End Property

Private assignedToValue As Employee

Public Property AssignedTo() As Employee
Get
Return assignedToValue
End Get
Set(ByVal value As Employee)
assignedToValue = value
End Set
End Property

End Class

Public Class Employee

Sub New(ByVal name As String)

nameValue = name
End Sub

Private nameValue As String

Public Property Name() As String
Get
Return nameValue
End Get
Set(ByVal value As String)
nameValue = value
End Set
End Property

Public ReadOnly Property Self() As Employee

Get
Return Me
End Get
End Property

Public Sub RequestStatus(ByVal taskID As Int32)

MessageBox.Show(String.Format( _
"Status for task {0} has been requested from {1}.", _
taskID, nameValue), "Status Request")
End Sub

End Class

C# Copy Code

using System;
using System.Text;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Windows.Forms;

public class Form1 : Form

{
private List<Employee> employees = new List<Employee>();
private List<Task> tasks = new List<Task>();
private Button reportButton = new Button();
private DataGridView dataGridView1 = new DataGridView();

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[STAThread]
public static void Main()
{
Application.Run(new Form1());
}

public Form1()
{
dataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill;
dataGridView1.AutoSizeColumnsMode =
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.AllCells;
reportButton.Text = "Generate Report";
reportButton.Dock = DockStyle.Top;
reportButton.Click += new EventHandler(reportButton_Click);

Controls.Add(dataGridView1);
Controls.Add(reportButton);
Load += new EventHandler(Form1_Load);
Text = "DataGridViewComboBoxColumn Demo";
}

// Initializes the data source and populates the DataGridView control.

private void Form1_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
PopulateLists();
dataGridView1.AutoGenerateColumns = false;
dataGridView1.DataSource = tasks;
AddColumns();
}

// Populates the employees and tasks lists.

private void PopulateLists()
{
employees.Add(new Employee("Harry"));
employees.Add(new Employee("Sally"));
employees.Add(new Employee("Roy"));
employees.Add(new Employee("Pris"));
tasks.Add(new Task(1, employees[1]));
tasks.Add(new Task(2));
tasks.Add(new Task(3, employees[2]));
tasks.Add(new Task(4));
}

// Configures columns for the DataGridView control.

private void AddColumns()
{
DataGridViewTextBoxColumn idColumn =
new DataGridViewTextBoxColumn();
idColumn.Name = "Task";
idColumn.DataPropertyName = "Id";
idColumn.ReadOnly = true;

DataGridViewComboBoxColumn assignedToColumn =
new DataGridViewComboBoxColumn();

// Populate the combo box drop-down list with Employee objects.

foreach (Employee e in employees) assignedToColumn.Items.Add(e);

// Add "unassigned" to the drop-down list and display it for

// empty AssignedTo values or when the user presses CTRL+0.
assignedToColumn.Items.Add("unassigned");
assignedToColumn.DefaultCellStyle.NullValue = "unassigned";

assignedToColumn.Name = "Assigned To";

assignedToColumn.DataPropertyName = "AssignedTo";
assignedToColumn.AutoComplete = true;
assignedToColumn.DisplayMember = "Name";
assignedToColumn.ValueMember = "Self";

// Add a button column.

DataGridViewButtonColumn buttonColumn =
new DataGridViewButtonColumn();
buttonColumn.HeaderText = "";
buttonColumn.Name = "Status Request";
buttonColumn.Text = "Request Status";
buttonColumn.UseColumnTextForButtonValue = true;

dataGridView1.Columns.Add(idColumn);
dataGridView1.Columns.Add(assignedToColumn);
dataGridView1.Columns.Add(buttonColumn);

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// Add a CellClick handler to handle clicks in the button column.

dataGridView1.CellClick +=
new DataGridViewCellEventHandler(dataGridView1_CellClick);
}

// Reports on task assignments.

private void reportButton_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
StringBuilder report = new StringBuilder();
foreach (Task t in tasks)
{
String assignment =
t.AssignedTo == null ?
"unassigned" : "assigned to " + t.AssignedTo.Name;
report.AppendFormat("Task {0} is {1}.", t.Id, assignment);
report.Append(Environment.NewLine);
}
MessageBox.Show(report.ToString(), "Task Assignments");
}

// Calls the Employee.RequestStatus method.

void dataGridView1_CellClick(object sender, DataGridViewCellEventArgs e)
{
// Ignore clicks that are not on button cells.
if (e.RowIndex < 0 || e.ColumnIndex !=
dataGridView1.Columns["Status Request"].Index) return;

// Retrieve the task ID.

Int32 taskID = (Int32)dataGridView1[0, e.RowIndex].Value;

// Retrieve the Employee object from the "Assigned To" cell.

Employee assignedTo = dataGridView1.Rows[e.RowIndex]
.Cells["Assigned To"].Value as Employee;

// Request status through the Employee object if present.

if (assignedTo != null)
{
assignedTo.RequestStatus(taskID);
}
else
{
MessageBox.Show(String.Format(
"Task {0} is unassigned.", taskID), "Status Request");
}
}

public class Task

{
public Task(Int32 id)
{
idValue = id;
}

public Task(Int32 id, Employee assignedTo)

{
idValue = id;
assignedToValue = assignedTo;
}

private Int32 idValue;

public Int32 Id
{
get { return idValue; }
set { idValue = value; }
}

private Employee assignedToValue;

public Employee AssignedTo
{
get { return assignedToValue; }
set { assignedToValue = value; }
}
}

public class Employee

{
public Employee(String name)
{

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nameValue = name;
}

private String nameValue;

public String Name
{
get { return nameValue; }
set { nameValue = value; }
}

public Employee Self

{
get { return this; }
}

public void RequestStatus(Int32 taskID)

{
MessageBox.Show(String.Format(
"Status for task {0} has been requested from {1}.",
taskID, nameValue), "Status Request");
}
}

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z References to the System and System.Windows.Forms assemblies.

See Also

Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewComboBoxColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcomboboxcolumn(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewComboBoxColumn.Items [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcomboboxcolumn.items(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewComboBoxColumn.DataSource [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcomboboxcolumn.datasource(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewComboBoxColumn.ValueMember [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcomboboxcolumn.valuemember(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewComboBoxCell [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcomboboxcell(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewComboBoxCell.Items [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcomboboxcell.items(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewComboBoxCell.DataSource [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcomboboxcell.datasource(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewComboBoxCell.ValueMember [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcomboboxcell.valuemember(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCell.Value [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcell.value(VS.80).aspx ]
ComboBox [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.combobox(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Displaying Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171600(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

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Walkthrough: Creating a Master/Detail Form Using Two Windows Forms DataGridView ... Page 1 of 6

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

Walkthrough: Creating a Master/Detail Form Using Two
Windows Forms DataGridView Controls
One of the most common scenarios for using the DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control is the master/detail form, in which a
parent/child relationship between two database tables is displayed. Selecting rows in the master table
causes the detail table to update with the corresponding child data.

Implementing a master/detail form is easy using the interaction between the DataGridView control and
the BindingSource [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.bindingsource
(VS.80).aspx ] component. In this walkthrough, you will build the form using two DataGridView controls
and two BindingSource components. The form will show two related tables in the Northwind SQL Server
sample database: Customers and Orders. When you are finished, you will have a form that shows all the
customers in the database in the master DataGridView and all the orders for the selected customer in the
detail DataGridView.

To copy the code in this topic as a single listing, see How to: Create a Master/Detail Form Using Two
Windows Forms DataGridView Controls [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/c12c1kx4
(VS.80).aspx ] .

Prerequisites
In order to complete this walkthrough, you will need:

z Access to a server that has the Northwind SQL Server sample database.

Creating the form

To create a master/detail form

1. Create a class that derives from Form [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.form(VS.80).aspx ] and contains two DataGridView controls
and two BindingSource components. The following code provides basic form initialization and
includes a Main method. If you use the Visual Studio designer to create your form, you can use
the designer generated code instead of this code, but be sure to use the names shown in the
variable declarations here.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Imports System
Imports System.Data
Imports System.Data.SqlClient
Imports System.Windows.Forms

Public Class Form1

Inherits System.Windows.Forms.Form

Private masterDataGridView As New DataGridView()

Private masterBindingSource As New BindingSource()
Private detailsDataGridView As New DataGridView()
Private detailsBindingSource As New BindingSource()

<STAThreadAttribute()> _
Public Shared Sub Main()
Application.Run(New Form1())
End Sub

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' Initializes the form.

Public Sub New()

masterDataGridView.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
detailsDataGridView.Dock = DockStyle.Fill

Dim splitContainer1 As New SplitContainer()

splitContainer1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
splitContainer1.Orientation = Orientation.Horizontal
splitContainer1.Panel1.Controls.Add(masterDataGridView)
splitContainer1.Panel2.Controls.Add(detailsDataGridView)

Me.Controls.Add(splitContainer1)
Me.Text = "DataGridView master/detail demo"

End Sub
<br /><span space="preserve">...</span><br />End Class

C# Copy Code

using System;
using System.Data;
using System.Data.SqlClient;
using System.Windows.Forms;

public class Form1 : System.Windows.Forms.Form

{
private DataGridView masterDataGridView = new DataGridView();
private BindingSource masterBindingSource = new BindingSource();
private DataGridView detailsDataGridView = new DataGridView();
private BindingSource detailsBindingSource = new BindingSource();

[STAThreadAttribute()]
public static void Main()
{
Application.Run(new Form1());
}

// Initializes the form.

public Form1()
{
masterDataGridView.Dock = DockStyle.Fill;
detailsDataGridView.Dock = DockStyle.Fill;

SplitContainer splitContainer1 = new SplitContainer();

splitContainer1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill;
splitContainer1.Orientation = Orientation.Horizontal;
splitContainer1.Panel1.Controls.Add(masterDataGridView);
splitContainer1.Panel2.Controls.Add(detailsDataGridView);

this.Controls.Add(splitContainer1);
this.Load += new System.EventHandler(Form1_Load);
this.Text = "DataGridView master/detail demo";
}
<br /><span space="preserve">...</span><br />}

2. Implement a method in your form's class definition for handling the detail of connecting to the

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database. This example uses a GetData method that populates a DataSet

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.data.dataset(VS.80).aspx ] object, adds a
DataRelation [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.data.datarelation(VS.80).aspx ]
object to the data set, and binds the BindingSource components. Be sure to set the
connectionString variable to a value that is appropriate for your database.

Security Note

Storing sensitive information, such as a password, within the connection string can affect
the security of your application. Using Windows Authentication (also known as integrated
security) is a more secure way to control access to a database. For more information, see
Securing Connection Strings [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/89211k9b
(VS.80).aspx ] .

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub GetData()

Try
' Specify a connection string. Replace the given value with a
' valid connection string for a Northwind SQL Server sample
' database accessible to your system.
Dim connectionString As String = _
"Integrated Security=SSPI;Persist Security Info=False;" & _
"Initial Catalog=Northwind;Data Source=localhost"
Dim connection As New SqlConnection(connectionString)

' Create a DataSet.

Dim data As New DataSet()
data.Locale = System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture

' Add data from the Customers table to the DataSet.

Dim masterDataAdapter As _
New SqlDataAdapter("select * from Customers", connection)
masterDataAdapter.Fill(data, "Customers")

' Add data from the Orders table to the DataSet.

Dim detailsDataAdapter As _
New SqlDataAdapter("select * from Orders", connection)
detailsDataAdapter.Fill(data, "Orders")

' Establish a relationship between the two tables.

Dim relation As New DataRelation("CustomersOrders", _
data.Tables("Customers").Columns("CustomerID"), _
data.Tables("Orders").Columns("CustomerID"))
data.Relations.Add(relation)

' Bind the master data connector to the Customers table.

masterBindingSource.DataSource = data
masterBindingSource.DataMember = "Customers"

' Bind the details data connector to the master data connector,
' using the DataRelation name to filter the information in the
' details table based on the current row in the master table.
detailsBindingSource.DataSource = masterBindingSource
detailsBindingSource.DataMember = "CustomersOrders"
Catch ex As SqlException

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MessageBox.Show("To run this example, replace the value of the " & _
"connectionString variable with a connection string that is " & _
"valid for your system.")
End Try

End Sub

C# Copy Code

private void GetData()

{
try
{
// Specify a connection string. Replace the given value with a
// valid connection string for a Northwind SQL Server sample
// database accessible to your system.
String connectionString =
"Integrated Security=SSPI;Persist Security Info=False;" +
"Initial Catalog=Northwind;Data Source=localhost";
SqlConnection connection = new SqlConnection(connectionString);

// Create a DataSet.
DataSet data = new DataSet();
data.Locale = System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture;

// Add data from the Customers table to the DataSet.

SqlDataAdapter masterDataAdapter = new
SqlDataAdapter("select * from Customers", connection);
masterDataAdapter.Fill(data, "Customers");

// Add data from the Orders table to the DataSet.

SqlDataAdapter detailsDataAdapter = new
SqlDataAdapter("select * from Orders", connection);
detailsDataAdapter.Fill(data, "Orders");

// Establish a relationship between the two tables.

DataRelation relation = new DataRelation("CustomersOrders",
data.Tables["Customers"].Columns["CustomerID"],
data.Tables["Orders"].Columns["CustomerID"]);
data.Relations.Add(relation);

// Bind the master data connector to the Customers table.

masterBindingSource.DataSource = data;
masterBindingSource.DataMember = "Customers";

// Bind the details data connector to the master data connector,

// using the DataRelation name to filter the information in the
// details table based on the current row in the master table.
detailsBindingSource.DataSource = masterBindingSource;
detailsBindingSource.DataMember = "CustomersOrders";
}
catch (SqlException)
{
MessageBox.Show("To run this example, replace the value of the " +
"connectionString variable with a connection string that is " +
"valid for your system.");
}

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3. Implement a handler for your form's Load [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.form.load(VS.80).aspx ] event that binds the DataGridView
controls to the BindingSource components and calls the GetData method. The following
example includes code that resizes DataGridView columns to fit the displayed data.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) _

Handles Me.Load

' Bind the DataGridView controls to the BindingSource

' components and load the data from the database.
masterDataGridView.DataSource = masterBindingSource
detailsDataGridView.DataSource = detailsBindingSource
GetData()

' Resize the master DataGridView columns to fit the newly loaded data.
masterDataGridView.AutoResizeColumns()

' Configure the details DataGridView so that its columns automatically

' adjust their widths when the data changes.
detailsDataGridView.AutoSizeColumnsMode = _
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.AllCells

End Sub

C# Copy Code

private void Form1_Load(object sender, System.EventArgs e)

{
// Bind the DataGridView controls to the BindingSource
// components and load the data from the database.
masterDataGridView.DataSource = masterBindingSource;
detailsDataGridView.DataSource = detailsBindingSource;
GetData();

// Resize the master DataGridView columns to fit the newly loaded data.
masterDataGridView.AutoResizeColumns();

// Configure the details DataGridView so that its columns automatically

// adjust their widths when the data changes.
detailsDataGridView.AutoSizeColumnsMode =
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.AllCells;
}

Testing the Application

You can now test the form to make sure it behaves as expected.

To test the form

z Compile and run the application.

You will see two DataGridView controls, one above the other. On top are the customers from the
Northwind Customers table, and at the bottom are the Orders corresponding to the selected
customer. As you select different rows in the upper DataGridView, the contents of the lower
DataGridView change accordingly.

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Next Steps
This application gives you a basic understanding of the DataGridView control's capabilities. You can
customize the appearance and behavior of the DataGridView control in several ways:

z Change border and header styles. For more information, see How to: Change the Border and
Gridline Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ehz9ksfa(VS.80).aspx ] .
z Enable or restrict user input to the DataGridView control. For more information, see How to:
Prevent Row Addition and Deletion in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/61bk13ye(VS.80).aspx ] , and How to: Make Columns
Read-Only in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/cze614bb(VS.80).aspx ] .
z Validate user input to the DataGridView control. For more information, see Walkthrough:
Validating Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ykdxa0bc(VS.80).aspx ] .
z Handle very large data sets using virtual mode. For more information, see Walkthrough:
Implementing Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/15a31akc(VS.80).aspx ] .
z Customize the appearance of cells. For more information, see How to: Customize the Appearance
of Cells in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/hta8z9sz(VS.80).aspx ] and How to: Set Default Cell Styles for the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/k4sab6f9(VS.80).aspx ] .
See Also
Tasks
How to: Create a Master/Detail Form Using Two Windows Forms DataGridView Controls
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/c12c1kx4(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
BindingSource [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.bindingsource
(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
Securing Connection Strings [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/89211k9b(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Displaying Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171600(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/y8c0cxey(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/23/2007
How to: Create a Master/Detail Form Using Two Windows Forms DataGridView Controls Page 1 of 4

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Create a Master/Detail Form Using Two Windows Forms
DataGridView Controls
The following code example creates a master/detail form using two DataGridView
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] controls
bound to two BindingSource [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.bindingsource(VS.80).aspx ] components. The data source is a DataSet
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.data.dataset(VS.80).aspx ] that contains the
Customers and Orders tables from the Northwind SQL Server sample database along with a DataRelation
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.data.datarelation(VS.80).aspx ] that relates the two
through the CustomerID column.

One BindingSource is bound to the parent Customers table in the data set. This data is displayed in the
master DataGridView control. The other BindingSource is bound to the first data connector. The
DataMember [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.bindingsource.datamember(VS.80).aspx ] property of the second
BindingSource is set to the DataRelation [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.data.datarelation(VS.80).aspx ] name. This causes the associated detail DataGridView
control to display the rows of the child Orders table that correspond to the current row in the master
DataGridView control.

For a complete explanation of this code example, see Walkthrough: Creating a Master/Detail Form Using
Two Windows Forms DataGridView Controls [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/y8c0cxey
(VS.80).aspx ] .

Example

Visual Basic Copy Code

Imports System
Imports System.Data
Imports System.Data.SqlClient
Imports System.Windows.Forms

Public Class Form1

Inherits System.Windows.Forms.Form

Private masterDataGridView As New DataGridView()

Private masterBindingSource As New BindingSource()
Private detailsDataGridView As New DataGridView()
Private detailsBindingSource As New BindingSource()

<STAThreadAttribute()> _
Public Shared Sub Main()
Application.Run(New Form1())
End Sub

' Initializes the form.

Public Sub New()

masterDataGridView.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
detailsDataGridView.Dock = DockStyle.Fill

Dim splitContainer1 As New SplitContainer()

splitContainer1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
splitContainer1.Orientation = Orientation.Horizontal
splitContainer1.Panel1.Controls.Add(masterDataGridView)
splitContainer1.Panel2.Controls.Add(detailsDataGridView)

Me.Controls.Add(splitContainer1)
Me.Text = "DataGridView master/detail demo"

End Sub

Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) _

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How to: Create a Master/Detail Form Using Two Windows Forms DataGridView Controls Page 2 of 4

Handles Me.Load

' Bind the DataGridView controls to the BindingSource

' components and load the data from the database.
masterDataGridView.DataSource = masterBindingSource
detailsDataGridView.DataSource = detailsBindingSource
GetData()

' Resize the master DataGridView columns to fit the newly loaded data.
masterDataGridView.AutoResizeColumns()

' Configure the details DataGridView so that its columns automatically

' adjust their widths when the data changes.
detailsDataGridView.AutoSizeColumnsMode = _
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.AllCells

End Sub

Private Sub GetData()

Try
' Specify a connection string. Replace the given value with a
' valid connection string for a Northwind SQL Server sample
' database accessible to your system.
Dim connectionString As String = _
"Integrated Security=SSPI;Persist Security Info=False;" & _
"Initial Catalog=Northwind;Data Source=localhost"
Dim connection As New SqlConnection(connectionString)

' Create a DataSet.

Dim data As New DataSet()
data.Locale = System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture

' Add data from the Customers table to the DataSet.

Dim masterDataAdapter As _
New SqlDataAdapter("select * from Customers", connection)
masterDataAdapter.Fill(data, "Customers")

' Add data from the Orders table to the DataSet.

Dim detailsDataAdapter As _
New SqlDataAdapter("select * from Orders", connection)
detailsDataAdapter.Fill(data, "Orders")

' Establish a relationship between the two tables.

Dim relation As New DataRelation("CustomersOrders", _
data.Tables("Customers").Columns("CustomerID"), _
data.Tables("Orders").Columns("CustomerID"))
data.Relations.Add(relation)

' Bind the master data connector to the Customers table.

masterBindingSource.DataSource = data
masterBindingSource.DataMember = "Customers"

' Bind the details data connector to the master data connector,
' using the DataRelation name to filter the information in the
' details table based on the current row in the master table.
detailsBindingSource.DataSource = masterBindingSource
detailsBindingSource.DataMember = "CustomersOrders"
Catch ex As SqlException
MessageBox.Show("To run this example, replace the value of the " & _
"connectionString variable with a connection string that is " & _
"valid for your system.")
End Try

End Sub

End Class

C# Copy Code

using System;
using System.Data;
using System.Data.SqlClient;
using System.Windows.Forms;

public class Form1 : System.Windows.Forms.Form

{
private DataGridView masterDataGridView = new DataGridView();
private BindingSource masterBindingSource = new BindingSource();
private DataGridView detailsDataGridView = new DataGridView();

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private BindingSource detailsBindingSource = new BindingSource();

[STAThreadAttribute()]
public static void Main()
{
Application.Run(new Form1());
}

// Initializes the form.

public Form1()
{
masterDataGridView.Dock = DockStyle.Fill;
detailsDataGridView.Dock = DockStyle.Fill;

SplitContainer splitContainer1 = new SplitContainer();

splitContainer1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill;
splitContainer1.Orientation = Orientation.Horizontal;
splitContainer1.Panel1.Controls.Add(masterDataGridView);
splitContainer1.Panel2.Controls.Add(detailsDataGridView);

this.Controls.Add(splitContainer1);
this.Load += new System.EventHandler(Form1_Load);
this.Text = "DataGridView master/detail demo";
}

private void Form1_Load(object sender, System.EventArgs e)

{
// Bind the DataGridView controls to the BindingSource
// components and load the data from the database.
masterDataGridView.DataSource = masterBindingSource;
detailsDataGridView.DataSource = detailsBindingSource;
GetData();

// Resize the master DataGridView columns to fit the newly loaded data.
masterDataGridView.AutoResizeColumns();

// Configure the details DataGridView so that its columns automatically

// adjust their widths when the data changes.
detailsDataGridView.AutoSizeColumnsMode =
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.AllCells;
}

private void GetData()

{
try
{
// Specify a connection string. Replace the given value with a
// valid connection string for a Northwind SQL Server sample
// database accessible to your system.
String connectionString =
"Integrated Security=SSPI;Persist Security Info=False;" +
"Initial Catalog=Northwind;Data Source=localhost";
SqlConnection connection = new SqlConnection(connectionString);

// Create a DataSet.
DataSet data = new DataSet();
data.Locale = System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture;

// Add data from the Customers table to the DataSet.

SqlDataAdapter masterDataAdapter = new
SqlDataAdapter("select * from Customers", connection);
masterDataAdapter.Fill(data, "Customers");

// Add data from the Orders table to the DataSet.

SqlDataAdapter detailsDataAdapter = new
SqlDataAdapter("select * from Orders", connection);
detailsDataAdapter.Fill(data, "Orders");

// Establish a relationship between the two tables.

DataRelation relation = new DataRelation("CustomersOrders",
data.Tables["Customers"].Columns["CustomerID"],
data.Tables["Orders"].Columns["CustomerID"]);
data.Relations.Add(relation);

// Bind the master data connector to the Customers table.

masterBindingSource.DataSource = data;
masterBindingSource.DataMember = "Customers";

// Bind the details data connector to the master data connector,

// using the DataRelation name to filter the information in the
// details table based on the current row in the master table.

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How to: Create a Master/Detail Form Using Two Windows Forms DataGridView Controls Page 4 of 4

detailsBindingSource.DataSource = masterBindingSource;
detailsBindingSource.DataMember = "CustomersOrders";
}
catch (SqlException)
{
MessageBox.Show("To run this example, replace the value of the " +
"connectionString variable with a connection string that is " +
"valid for your system.");
}
}
}

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z References to the System, System.Data, System.Windows.Forms, and System.XML assemblies.

For information about building this example from the command line for Visual Basic or Visual C#, see
Building from the Command Line (Visual Basic) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/25fz1td5
(VS.80).aspx ] or Command-Line Building [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/78f4aasd
(VS.80).aspx ] . You can also build this example in Visual Studio by pasting the code into a new project.
For more information, see How to: Compile and Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using
Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/bb129228(vs.80).aspx ] and How to: Compile and
Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/bb129228(vs.90).aspx ] .

Security

Storing sensitive information, such as a password, within the connection string can affect the security of
your application. Using Windows Authentication (also known as integrated security) is a more secure way to
control access to a database. For more information, see Securing Connection Strings
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/89211k9b(VS.80).aspx ] .

See Also

Tasks
Walkthrough: Creating a Master/Detail Form Using Two Windows Forms DataGridView Controls
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/y8c0cxey(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
BindingSource [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.bindingsource
(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
Securing Connection Strings [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/89211k9b(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Displaying Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171600(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/c12c1kx4(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/23/2007
How to: Customize Data Formatting in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 4

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Customize Data Formatting in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control
The following code example demonstrates how to implement a handler for the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.CellFormatting [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellformatting(VS.80).aspx ] event that changes how cells
are displayed depending on their columns and values.

Cells in the Balance column that contain negative numbers are given a red background. You can also
format these cells as currency to display parentheses around negative values. For more information, see
How to: Format Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/f9x2790s(VS.80).aspx ] .

Cells in the Priority column display images in place of corresponding textual cell values. The Value
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.converteventargs.value(VS.80).aspx ]
property of the DataGridViewCellFormattingEventArgs [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellformattingeventargs(VS.80).aspx ] is used both to get
the textual cell value and to set the corresponding image display value.

Example

Visual Basic Copy Code

Imports System
Imports System.Drawing
Imports System.Windows.Forms

Public Class Form1

Inherits Form

Private WithEvents dataGridView1 As New DataGridView()

Private highPriImage As Bitmap
Private mediumPriImage As Bitmap
Private lowPriImage As Bitmap

Public Sub New()

' Initialize the images.

Try
highPriImage = New Bitmap("highPri.bmp")
mediumPriImage = New Bitmap("mediumPri.bmp")
lowPriImage = New Bitmap("lowPri.bmp")
Catch ex As ArgumentException
MessageBox.Show("The Priority column requires Bitmap images" & _
"named highPri.bmp, mediumPri.bmp, and lowPri.bmp " & _
"residing in the same directory as the executable file.")
End Try

' Initialize the DataGridView.

With dataGridView1
.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
.AllowUserToAddRows = False
.Columns.AddRange( _
New DataGridViewTextBoxColumn(), _
New DataGridViewImageColumn())
.Columns(0).Name = "Balance"
.Columns(1).Name = "Priority"
.Rows.Add("-100", "high")
.Rows.Add("0", "medium")
.Rows.Add("100", "low")
End With

Me.Controls.Add(dataGridView1)

End Sub

' Changes how cells are displayed depending on their columns and values.

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Private Sub dataGridView1_CellFormatting(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCellFormattingEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.CellFormatting

' Set the background to red for negative values in the Balance column.
If dataGridView1.Columns(e.ColumnIndex).Name.Equals("Balance") Then

'Dim intValue As Int32

If CInt(e.Value) < 0 Then
'if Int32.TryParse((String)e.Value, out intValue) &&
' (intValue < 0))

e.CellStyle.BackColor = Color.Red
e.CellStyle.SelectionBackColor = Color.DarkRed
End If
End If

' Replace string values in the Priority column with images.

If dataGridView1.Columns(e.ColumnIndex).Name.Equals("Priority") Then

' Ensure that the value is a string.

Dim stringValue As String = TryCast(e.Value, String)
If stringValue Is Nothing Then Return

' Set the cell ToolTip to the text value.

Dim cell As DataGridViewCell = _
dataGridView1(e.ColumnIndex, e.RowIndex)
cell.ToolTipText = stringValue

' Replace the string value with the image value.

Select Case stringValue

Case "high"
e.Value = highPriImage
Case "medium"
e.Value = mediumPriImage
Case "low"
e.Value = lowPriImage

End Select

End If

End Sub

Public Sub Main()

Application.Run(New Form1())
End Sub

End Class

C# Copy Code

using System;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Windows.Forms;

public class Form1 : Form

{
private DataGridView dataGridView1 = new DataGridView();
private Bitmap highPriImage;
private Bitmap mediumPriImage;
private Bitmap lowPriImage;

public Form1()
{
// Initialize the images.
try
{
highPriImage = new Bitmap("highPri.bmp");
mediumPriImage = new Bitmap("mediumPri.bmp");
lowPriImage = new Bitmap("lowPri.bmp");
}
catch (ArgumentException)
{
MessageBox.Show("The Priority column requires Bitmap images " +
"named highPri.bmp, mediumPri.bmp, and lowPri.bmp " +
"residing in the same directory as the executable file.");
}

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// Initialize the DataGridView.

dataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill;
dataGridView1.AllowUserToAddRows = false;
dataGridView1.Columns.AddRange(
new DataGridViewTextBoxColumn(),
new DataGridViewImageColumn());
dataGridView1.Columns[0].Name = "Balance";
dataGridView1.Columns[1].Name = "Priority";
dataGridView1.Rows.Add("-100", "high");
dataGridView1.Rows.Add("0", "medium");
dataGridView1.Rows.Add("100", "low");
dataGridView1.CellFormatting +=
new System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCellFormattingEventHandler(
this.dataGridView1_CellFormatting);
this.Controls.Add(dataGridView1);
}

// Changes how cells are displayed depending on their columns and values.
private void dataGridView1_CellFormatting(object sender,
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCellFormattingEventArgs e)
{
// Set the background to red for negative values in the Balance column.
if (dataGridView1.Columns[e.ColumnIndex].Name.Equals("Balance"))
{
Int32 intValue;
if (Int32.TryParse((String)e.Value, out intValue) &&
(intValue < 0))
{
e.CellStyle.BackColor = Color.Red;
e.CellStyle.SelectionBackColor = Color.DarkRed;
}
}

// Replace string values in the Priority column with images.

if (dataGridView1.Columns[e.ColumnIndex].Name.Equals("Priority"))
{
// Ensure that the value is a string.
String stringValue = e.Value as string;
if (stringValue == null) return;

// Set the cell ToolTip to the text value.

DataGridViewCell cell = dataGridView1[e.ColumnIndex, e.RowIndex];
cell.ToolTipText = stringValue;

// Replace the string value with the image value.

switch (stringValue)
{
case "high":
e.Value = highPriImage;
break;
case "medium":
e.Value = mediumPriImage;
break;
case "low":
e.Value = lowPriImage;
break;
}
}
}

public static void Main()

{
Application.Run(new Form1());
}

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z References to the System, System.Drawing, and System.Windows.Forms assemblies.

z Bitmap [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.drawing.bitmap(VS.80).aspx ] images

named highPri.bmp, mediumPri.bmp, and lowPri.bmp residing in the same directory as the
executable file.
For information about building this example from the command line for Visual Basic or Visual C#, see

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How to: Customize Data Formatting in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 4 of 4

Building from the Command Line (Visual Basic) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/25fz1td5

(VS.80).aspx ] or Command-Line Building [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/78f4aasd
(VS.80).aspx ] . You can also build this example in Visual Studio by pasting the code into a new project.
For more information, see How to: Compile and Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using
Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/bb129228(vs.80).aspx ] and How to: Compile and
Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/bb129228(vs.90).aspx ] .

See Also

Tasks
How to: Format Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/f9x2790s(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.DefaultCellStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.defaultcellstyle(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewBand.DefaultCellStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewband.defaultcellstyle(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewCellStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle(VS.80).aspx ]
Bitmap [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.drawing.bitmap(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
Cell Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/1yef90x0(VS.80).aspx ]
Data Formatting in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/hezscd0d(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Displaying Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171600(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/z1cc356h(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/23/2007
Resizing Columns and Rows in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 2

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

Resizing Columns and Rows in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control
The DataGridView control provides numerous options for customizing the sizing behavior of its columns
and rows. Typically, DataGridView cells do not resize based on their contents. Instead, they clip any
display value that is larger than the cell. If the content can be displayed as a string, the cell displays it in a
ToolTip.

By default, users can drag row, column, and header dividers with the mouse to show more information.
Users can also double-click a divider to automatically resize the associated row, column, or header band
based on its contents.

The DataGridView control provides properties, methods, and events that enable you to customize or
disable all of these user-directed behaviors. Additionally, you can programmatically resize rows, columns,
and headers to fit their contents, or you can configure them to automatically resize themselves whenever
their contents change. You can also configure columns to automatically divide the available width of the
control in proportions that you specify.

In This Section

Sizing Options in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/74b2wakt(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes the options for sizing rows, columns, and headers. Also provides details on sizing-related
properties and methods, and describes common usage scenarios.

Column Fill Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/ms171605(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes column fill mode in detail, and provides demonstration code that you can use to
experiment with column fill mode and other modes.

How to: Set the Sizing Modes of the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/fd004dhd(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to configure the sizing modes for common purposes.

How to: Programmatically Resize Cells to Fit Content in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff173xd4(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides demonstration code that you can use to experiment with programmatic resizing.

How to: Automatically Resize Cells When Content Changes in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/f71f07b5(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides demonstration code that you can use to experiment with automatic sizing modes.

Reference

DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides reference documentation for the DataGridView control.

See Also

Other Resources
DataGridView Control (Windows Forms) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/e0ywh3cz
(VS.80).aspx ]

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Resizing Columns and Rows in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 2

Community Content

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Sizing Options in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 6

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

Sizing Options in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ] rows, columns, and headers can change size as a result of many different occurrences. The
following table shows these occurrences.

Occurrence Description

User resize Users can make size adjustments by dragging or double-clicking row, column, or
header dividers.

Control resize In column fill mode, column widths change when the control width changes; for
example, when the control is docked to its parent form and the user resizes the
form.

Cell value In content-based automatic sizing modes, sizes change to fit new display values.
change

Method call Programmatic content-based resizing lets you make opportunistic size adjustments
based on cell values at the time of the method call.

Property You can also set specific height and width values.
setting

By default, user resizing is enabled, automatic sizing is disabled, and cell values that are wider than their
columns are clipped.

The following table shows scenarios that you can use to adjust the default behavior or to use specific sizing
options to achieve particular effects.

Scenario Implementation

Use column fill Set the AutoSizeColumnsMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

mode for us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.autosizecolumnsmode
displaying (VS.80).aspx ] property to Fill [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
similarly sized us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewautosizecolumnsmode
data in a (VS.80).aspx ] .
relatively small
number of
columns that
occupy the
entire width of
the control
without
displaying the
horizontal scroll
bar.

Use column fill Set the AutoSizeColumnsMode property to Fill. Initialize relative column widths
mode with by setting the column FillWeight [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
display values us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.fillweight(VS.80).aspx ]
of varying properties or by calling the control AutoResizeColumns
sizes. [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.autoresizecolumns(VS.80).aspx ]
method after filling the control with data.

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Sizing Options in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 6

Use column fill Set the AutoSizeColumnsMode property to Fill. Set large MinimumWidth
mode with [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
values of us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.minimumwidth
varying (VS.80).aspx ] values for columns that must always display some of their data or
importance. use a sizing option other than fill mode for specific columns.

Use column fill Set the AutoSizeMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

mode to avoid us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.autosizemode(VS.80).aspx ]
displaying the property of the last column to Fill [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
control us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewautosizecolumnmode(VS.80).aspx ]
background. and use other sizing options for the other columns. If the other columns use too
much of the available space, set the MinimumWidth property of the last column.

Display a fixed- Set AutoSizeMode to None [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

width column, us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewautosizecolumnmode(VS.80).aspx ]
such as an icon and Resizable [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
or ID column. us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.resizable(VS.80).aspx ] to
False [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewtristate(VS.80).aspx ] for the
column. Initialize its width by setting the Width [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.width(VS.80).aspx ]
property or by calling the control AutoResizeColumn
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.autoresizecolumn(VS.80).aspx ]
method after filling the control with data.

Adjust sizes Set an automatic sizing property to a value that represents a content-based sizing
automatically mode. To avoid a performance penalty when working with large amounts of data,
whenever cell use a sizing mode that calculates displayed rows only.
contents
change to avoid
clipping and to
optimize the
use of space.

Adjust sizes to Use the appropriate sizing-mode enumeration values with automatic or
fit values in programmatic resizing. To adjust sizes to fit values in newly displayed rows while
displayed rows scrolling, call a resizing method in a Scroll [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
to avoid us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.scroll(VS.80).aspx ] event handler.
performance To customize user double-click resizing so that only values in displayed rows
penalties when determine the new sizes, call a resizing method in a RowDividerDoubleClick
working with [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
many rows. us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowdividerdoubleclick
(VS.80).aspx ] or ColumnDividerDoubleClick [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.columndividerdoubleclick
(VS.80).aspx ] event handler.

Adjust sizes to Call a content-based resizing method in an event handler. For example, use the
fit cell contents DataBindingComplete [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
only at specific us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.databindingcomplete(VS.80).aspx ]
times to avoid event to initialize sizes after binding, and handle the CellValidated
performance [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
penalties or to us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellvalidated(VS.80).aspx ] or
enable user CellValueChanged [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
resizing. us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellvaluechanged(VS.80).aspx ]
event to adjust sizes to compensate for user edits or changes in a bound data
source.

Adjust row Ensure that column widths are appropriate for displaying paragraphs of text and
heights for use automatic or programmatic content-based row sizing to adjust the heights.
multiline cell Also ensure that cells with multiline content are displayed using a WrapMode

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Sizing Options in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 3 of 6

contents. [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle.wrapmode(VS.80).aspx ]
cell style value of True [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewtristate(VS.80).aspx ] .

Typically, you will use an automatic column sizing mode to maintain column widths
or set them to specific widths before row heights are adjusted.

Resizing with the Mouse

By default, users can resize rows, columns, and headers that do not use an automatic sizing mode based
on cell values. To prevent users from resizing with other modes, such as column fill mode, set one or more
of the following DataGridView properties:

z AllowUserToResizeColumns [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.allowusertoresizecolumns(VS.80).aspx ]
z AllowUserToResizeRows [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.allowusertoresizerows(VS.80).aspx ]
z ColumnHeadersHeightSizeMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.columnheadersheightsizemode(VS.80).aspx ]
z RowHeadersWidthSizeMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowheaderswidthsizemode(VS.80).aspx ]
You can also prevent users from resizing individual rows or columns by setting their Resizable
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewband.resizable
(VS.80).aspx ] properties. By default, the Resizable property value is based on the
AllowUserToResizeColumns property value for columns and the AllowUserToResizeRows property
value for rows. If you explicitly set Resizable to True or False, however, the specified value overrides the
control value is for that row or column. Set Resizable to NotSet [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewtristate(VS.80).aspx ] to restore the inheritance.

Because NotSet restores the value inheritance, the Resizable property will never return a NotSet value
unless the row or column has not been added to a DataGridView control. If you need to determine
whether the Resizable property value of a row or column is inherited, examine its State
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewelement.state
(VS.80).aspx ] property. If the State value includes the ResizableSet [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewelementstates(VS.80).aspx ] flag, the Resizable property
value is not inherited.

Automatic Sizing

There are two kinds of automatic sizing in the DataGridView control: column fill mode and content-based
automatic sizing.

Column fill mode causes the visible columns in the control to fill the width of the control's display area. For
more information about this mode, see Column Fill Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171605(VS.80).aspx ] .

You can also configure rows, columns, and headers to automatically adjust their sizes to fit their cell
contents. In this case, size adjustment occurs whenever cell contents change.

Note

If you maintain cell values in a custom data cache using virtual mode, automatic sizing occurs when
the user edits a cell value but does not occur when you alter a cached value outside of a
CellValuePushed [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellvaluepushed(VS.80).aspx ] event handler. In this
case, call the UpdateCellValue [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.updatecellvalue(VS.80).aspx ] method to force the
control to update the cell display and apply the current automatic sizing modes.

If content-based automatic sizing is enabled for one dimension only—that is, for rows but not columns, or
for columns but not rows—and WrapMode is also enabled, size adjustment also occurs whenever the other

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Sizing Options in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 4 of 6

dimension changes. For example, if rows but not columns are configured for automatic sizing and
WrapMode is enabled, users can drag column dividers to change the width of a column and row heights
will automatically adjust so that cell contents are still fully displayed.

If you configure both rows and columns for content-based automatic sizing and WrapMode is enabled, the
DataGridView control will adjust sizes whenever cell contents changed and will use an ideal cell height-to-
width ratio when calculating new sizes.

To configure the sizing mode for headers and rows and for columns that do not override the control value,
set one or more of the following DataGridView properties:

z ColumnHeadersHeightSizeMode

z RowHeadersWidthSizeMode

z AutoSizeColumnsMode
z AutoSizeRowsMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.autosizerowsmode(VS.80).aspx ]
To override the control's column sizing mode for an individual column, set its AutoSizeMode property to a
value other than NotSet [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewautosizecolumnmode(VS.80).aspx ] . The sizing mode for a
column is actually determined by its InheritedAutoSizeMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.inheritedautosizemode(VS.80).aspx ] property. The
value of this property is based on the column's AutoSizeMode property value unless that value is NotSet,
in which case the control's AutoSizeColumnsMode value is inherited.

Use content-based automatic resizing with caution when working with large amounts of data. To avoid
performance penalties, use the automatic sizing modes that calculate sizes based only on the displayed
rows rather than analyzing every row in the control. For maximum performance, use programmatic resizing
instead so that you can resize at specific times, such as immediately after new data is loaded.

Content-based automatic sizing modes do not affect rows, columns, or headers that you have hidden by
setting the row or column Visible [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewband.visible(VS.80).aspx ] property or the control
RowHeadersVisible [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowheadersvisible(VS.80).aspx ] or ColumnHeadersVisible
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.columnheadersvisible
(VS.80).aspx ] properties to false. For example, if a column is hidden after it is automatically sized to fit a
large cell value, the hidden column will not change its size if the row containing the large cell value is
deleted. Automatic sizing does not occur when visibility changes, so changing the column Visible
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.visible
(VS.80).aspx ] property back to true will not force it to recalculate its size based on its current contents.

Programmatic content-based resizing affects rows, columns, and headers regardless of their visibility.

Programmatic Resizing

When automatic sizing is disabled, you can programmatically set the exact width or height of rows,
columns, or headers through the following properties:

z System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.RowHeadersWidth [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowheaderswidth(VS.80).aspx ]
z System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.ColumnHeadersHeight [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.columnheadersheight(VS.80).aspx ]
z System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewRow.Height [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrow.height(VS.80).aspx ]
z System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.Width

You can also programmatically resize rows, columns, and headers to fit their contents using the following
methods:

z AutoResizeColumn

z AutoResizeColumns

z AutoResizeColumnHeadersHeight [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.autoresizecolumnheadersheight(VS.80).aspx ]
z AutoResizeRow [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.autoresizerow(VS.80).aspx ]

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Sizing Options in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 5 of 6

z AutoResizeRows [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.autoresizerows(VS.80).aspx ]
z AutoResizeRowHeadersWidth [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.autoresizerowheaderswidth(VS.80).aspx ]
These methods will resize rows, columns, or headers once rather than configuring them for continuous
resizing. The new sizes are automatically calculated to display all cell contents without clipping. When you
programmatically resize columns that have InheritedAutoSizeMode property values of Fill, however, the
calculated content-based widths are used to proportionally adjust the column FillWeight property values,
and the actually column widths are then calculated according to these new proportions so that all columns
fill the available display area of the control.

Programmatic resizing is useful to avoid performance penalties with continuous resizing. It is also useful to
provide initial sizes for user-resizable rows, columns, and headers, and for column fill mode.

You will typically call the programmatic resizing methods at specific times. For example, you might
programmatically resize all columns immediately after loading data, or you might programmatically resize a
specific row after a particular cell value has been modified.

Customizing Content-based Sizing Behavior

You can customize sizing behaviors when working with derived DataGridView cell, row, and column types
by overriding the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCell.GetPreferredSize
(System.Drawing.Graphics,System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCellStyle,System.Int32,System.Drawing.Size)
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcell.getpreferredsize
(VS.80).aspx ] , System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewRow.GetPreferredHeight
(System.Int32,System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewAutoSizeRowMode,System.Boolean)
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrow.getpreferredheight
(VS.80).aspx ] , or System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.GetPreferredWidth
(System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnMode,System.Boolean)
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.getpreferredwidth
(VS.80).aspx ] methods or by calling protected resizing method overloads in a derived DataGridView
control. The protected resizing method overloads are designed to work in pairs to achieve an ideal cell
height-to-width ratio, avoiding overly wide or tall cells. For example, if you call the AutoResizeRows
(DataGridViewAutoSizeRowsMode,Boolean) overload of the AutoResizeRows method and pass in a
value of false for the Boolean [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.boolean(VS.80).aspx ]
parameter, the overload will calculate the ideal heights and widths for cells in the row, but it will adjust the
row heights only. You must then call the AutoResizeColumns method to adjust the column widths to the
calculated ideal.

Content-based Sizing Options

The enumerations used by sizing properties and methods have similar values for content-based sizing. With
these values, you can limit which cells are used to calculate the preferred sizes. For all sizing enumerations,
values with names that refer to displayed cells limit their calculations to cells in displayed rows. Excluding
rows is useful to avoid a performance penalty when you are working with a large quantity of rows. You can
also restrict calculations to cell values in header or nonheader cells.

See Also

Tasks
How to: Set the Sizing Modes of the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/fd004dhd(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AllowUserToResizeColumns [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.allowusertoresizecolumns(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AllowUserToResizeRows [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.allowusertoresizerows(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.ColumnHeadersHeightSizeMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.columnheadersheightsizemode(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.RowHeadersWidthSizeMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowheaderswidthsizemode(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewBand.Resizable [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

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Sizing Options in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 6 of 6

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewband.resizable(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AutoSizeColumnsMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.autosizecolumnsmode(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AutoSizeRowsMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.autosizerowsmode(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.AutoSizeMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.autosizemode(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.InheritedAutoSizeMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.inheritedautosizemode(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.RowHeadersWidth [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowheaderswidth(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.ColumnHeadersHeight [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.columnheadersheight(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewRow.Height [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrow.height(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.Width [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.width(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AutoResizeColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.autoresizecolumn(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AutoResizeColumns [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.autoresizecolumns(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AutoResizeColumnHeadersHeight [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.autoresizecolumnheadersheight(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AutoResizeRow [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.autoresizerow(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AutoResizeRows [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.autoresizerows(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AutoResizeRowHeadersWidth [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.autoresizerowheaderswidth(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewAutoSizeRowMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewautosizerowmode(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewAutoSizeRowsMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewautosizerowsmode(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewautosizecolumnmode(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewautosizecolumnsmode(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewColumnHeadersHeightSizeMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumnheadersheightsizemode(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewRowHeadersWidthSizeMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms159167
(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
Column Fill Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171605(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Resizing Columns and Rows in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171604(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

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Column Fill Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 8

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

Column Fill Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
In column fill mode, the DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control resizes its columns automatically so
that they fill the width of the available display area. The control does not display the horizontal scroll bar
except when it is necessary to keep the width of every column equal to or greater than its MinimumWidth
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.minimumwidth
(VS.80).aspx ] property value.

The sizing behavior of each column depends on its InheritedAutoSizeMode

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.inheritedautosizemode(VS.80).aspx ] property. The
value of this property is inherited from the column's AutoSizeMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.autosizemode(VS.80).aspx ] property or the control's
AutoSizeColumnsMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.autosizecolumnsmode(VS.80).aspx ] property if the column
value is NotSet [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewautosizecolumnmode(VS.80).aspx ] (the default value).

Each column can have a different size mode, but any columns with a size mode of Fill
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewautosizecolumnmode
(VS.80).aspx ] will share the display-area width that is not used by the other columns. This width is divided
among the fill-mode columns in proportions relative to their FillWeight [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.fillweight(VS.80).aspx ] property values. For
example, if two columns have FillWeight values of 100 and 200, the first column will be half as wide as
the second column.

User Resizing in Fill Mode

Unlike sizing modes that resize based on cell contents, fill mode does not prevent users from resizing
columns that have Resizable [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.resizable(VS.80).aspx ] property values of true.
When a user resizes a fill-mode column, any fill-mode columns after the resized column (to the right if
RightToLeft [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.control.righttoleft
(VS.80).aspx ] is false; otherwise, to the left) are also resized to compensate for the change in the
available width. If there are no fill-mode columns after the resized column, then all other fill-mode columns
in the control are resized to compensate. If there are no other fill-mode columns in the control, the resize is
ignored. If a column that is not in fill mode is resized, all fill-mode columns in the control change sizes to
compensate.

After resizing a fill-mode column, the FillWeight values for all columns that changed are adjusted
proportionally. For example, if four fill-mode columns have FillWeight values of 100, resizing the second
column to half its original width will result in FillWeight values of 100, 50, 125, and 125. Resizing a
column that is not in fill mode will not change any FillWeight values because the fill-mode columns will
simply resize to compensate while retaining the same proportions.

Content-Based FillWeight Adjustment

You can initialize FillWeight values for fill-mode columns by using the DataGridView automatic resizing
methods, such as the AutoResizeColumns [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.autoresizecolumns(VS.80).aspx ] method. This method first
calculates the widths required by columns to display their contents. Next, the control adjusts the
FillWeight values for all fill-mode columns so that their proportions match the proportions of the calculated
widths. Finally, the control resizes the fill-mode columns using the new FillWeight proportions so that all
columns in the control fill the available horizontal space.

Example

By using appropriate values for the AutoSizeMode, MinimumWidth, FillWeight, and Resizable

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Column Fill Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 8

properties, you can customize the column-sizing behaviors for many different scenarios.

The following demonstration code enables you to experiment with different values for the AutoSizeMode,
FillWeight, and MinimumWidth properties of different columns. In this example, a DataGridView
control is bound to its own Columns [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.columns(VS.80).aspx ] collection, and one column is bound
to each of the HeaderText [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.headertext(VS.80).aspx ] , AutoSizeMode,
FillWeight, MinimumWidth, and Width [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.width(VS.80).aspx ] properties. Each of the columns
is also represented by a row in the control, and changing values in a row will update the properties of the
corresponding column so that you can see how the values interact.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Imports System
Imports System.ComponentModel
Imports System.Reflection
Imports System.Windows.Forms

Public Class Form1

Inherits Form

<STAThread()> _
Public Shared Sub Main()
Application.Run(New Form1())
End Sub

Private WithEvents dataGridView1 As New DataGridView()

Public Sub New()

dataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
Controls.Add(dataGridView1)
InitializeDataGridView()
Width = Width * 2
Text = "Column Fill-Mode Demo"
End Sub

Private Sub InitializeDataGridView()

' Add columns to the DataGridView, binding them to the

' specified DataGridViewColumn properties.
AddReadOnlyColumn("HeaderText", "Column")
AddColumn("AutoSizeMode")
AddColumn("FillWeight")
AddColumn("MinimumWidth")
AddColumn("Width")

' Bind the DataGridView to its own Columns collection.

dataGridView1.AutoGenerateColumns = False
dataGridView1.DataSource = dataGridView1.Columns

' Configure the DataGridView so that users can manually change

' only the column widths, which are set to fill mode.
dataGridView1.AllowUserToAddRows = False
dataGridView1.AllowUserToDeleteRows = False
dataGridView1.AllowUserToResizeRows = False
dataGridView1.RowHeadersWidthSizeMode = _
DataGridViewRowHeadersWidthSizeMode.DisableResizing
dataGridView1.ColumnHeadersHeightSizeMode = _
DataGridViewColumnHeadersHeightSizeMode.DisableResizing
dataGridView1.AutoSizeColumnsMode = _
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.Fill

' Configure the top left header cell as a reset button.

dataGridView1.TopLeftHeaderCell.Value = "reset"
dataGridView1.TopLeftHeaderCell.Style.ForeColor = _
System.Drawing.Color.Blue

End Sub

Private Sub AddReadOnlyColumn(ByVal dataPropertyName As String, _

ByVal columnName As String)

AddColumn(GetType(DataGridViewColumn), dataPropertyName, True, _

columnName)
End Sub

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Column Fill Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 3 of 8

Private Sub AddColumn(ByVal dataPropertyName As String)

AddColumn(GetType(DataGridViewColumn), dataPropertyName, False, _
dataPropertyName)
End Sub

' Adds a column to the DataGridView control, binding it to specified

' property of the specified type and optionally making it read-only.
Private Sub AddColumn( _
ByVal type As Type, _
ByVal dataPropertyName As String, _
ByVal isReadOnly As Boolean, _
ByVal columnName As String)

' Retrieve information about the property through reflection.

Dim propertyInfo1 As PropertyInfo = type.GetProperty(dataPropertyName)

' Confirm that the property exists and is accessible.

If propertyInfo1 Is Nothing Then
Throw New ArgumentException("No accessible " & dataPropertyName & _
" property was found in the " & type.Name & " type.")
End If

' Confirm that the property is browsable.

Dim browsables As BrowsableAttribute() = CType( _
propertyInfo1.GetCustomAttributes(GetType(BrowsableAttribute), _
False), BrowsableAttribute())
If browsables.Length > 0 AndAlso Not browsables(0).Browsable Then
Throw New ArgumentException("The " & dataPropertyName & " property has a " & _
"Browsable(false) attribute, and therefore cannot be bound.")
End If

' Create and initialize a column, using a combo box column for
' enumeration properties, a check box column for Boolean properties,
' and a text box column otherwise.
Dim column As DataGridViewColumn
Dim valueType As Type = propertyInfo1.PropertyType

If valueType.IsEnum Then

column = New DataGridViewComboBoxColumn()

' Populate the drop-down list with the enumeration values.

CType(column, DataGridViewComboBoxColumn).DataSource = _
[Enum].GetValues(valueType)

ElseIf valueType.Equals(GetType(Boolean)) Then

column = New DataGridViewCheckBoxColumn()
Else
column = New DataGridViewTextBoxColumn()
End If

' Initialize and bind the column.

column.ValueType = valueType
column.Name = columnName
column.DataPropertyName = dataPropertyName
column.ReadOnly = isReadOnly

' Add the column to the control.

dataGridView1.Columns.Add(column)

End Sub

Private Sub ResetDataGridView()

dataGridView1.CancelEdit()
dataGridView1.Columns.Clear()
dataGridView1.DataSource = Nothing
InitializeDataGridView()
End Sub

Private Sub dataGridView1_CellClick( _

ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As DataGridViewCellEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.CellClick

If e.ColumnIndex = -1 AndAlso e.RowIndex = -1 Then

ResetDataGridView()
End If

End Sub

Private Sub dataGridView1_ColumnWidthChanged( _

ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As DataGridViewColumnEventArgs) _

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Column Fill Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 4 of 8

Handles dataGridView1.ColumnWidthChanged

' Invalidate the row corresponding to the column that changed

' to ensure that the FillWeight and Width entries are updated.
dataGridView1.InvalidateRow(e.Column.Index)

End Sub

Private Sub dataGridView1_CurrentCellDirtyStateChanged( _

ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.CurrentCellDirtyStateChanged

' For combo box and check box cells, commit any value change as soon
' as it is made rather than waiting for the focus to leave the cell.
If Not dataGridView1.CurrentCell.OwningColumn.GetType() _
.Equals(GetType(DataGridViewTextBoxColumn)) Then

dataGridView1.CommitEdit(DataGridViewDataErrorContexts.Commit)

End If

End Sub

Private Sub dataGridView1_DataError( _

ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As DataGridViewDataErrorEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.DataError

If e.Exception Is Nothing Then Return

' If the user-specified value is invalid, cancel the change

' and display the error icon in the row header.
If Not (e.Context And DataGridViewDataErrorContexts.Commit) = 0 AndAlso _
(GetType(FormatException).IsAssignableFrom(e.Exception.GetType()) Or _
GetType(ArgumentException).IsAssignableFrom(e.Exception.GetType())) Then

dataGridView1.Rows(e.RowIndex).ErrorText = e.Exception.Message
e.Cancel = True

Else
' Rethrow any exceptions that aren't related to the user input.
e.ThrowException = True
End If

End Sub

Private Sub dataGridView1_CellEndEdit( _

ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As DataGridViewCellEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.CellEndEdit

' Ensure that the error icon in the row header is hidden.
dataGridView1.Rows(e.RowIndex).ErrorText = ""

End Sub

Private Sub dataGridView1_CellValueChanged( _

ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As DataGridViewCellEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.CellValueChanged

' Ignore the change to the top-left header cell.

If e.ColumnIndex < 0 Then Return

' Retrieve the property to change.

Dim nameOfPropertyToChange As String = _
dataGridView1.Columns(e.ColumnIndex).Name
Dim propertyToChange As PropertyInfo = _
GetType(DataGridViewColumn).GetProperty(nameOfPropertyToChange)

' Retrieve the column to change.

Dim nameOfColumnToChange As String = _
CStr(dataGridView1("Column", e.RowIndex).Value)
Dim columnToChange As DataGridViewColumn = _
dataGridView1.Columns(nameOfColumnToChange)

' Use reflection to update the value of the column property.

propertyToChange.SetValue(columnToChange, _
dataGridView1(nameOfPropertyToChange, e.RowIndex).Value, Nothing)

End Sub

End Class

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Column Fill Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 5 of 8

C# Copy Code

using System;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Reflection;
using System.Windows.Forms;

public class Form1 : Form

{
[STAThread]
public static void Main()
{
Application.Run(new Form1());
}

private DataGridView dataGridView1 = new DataGridView();

public Form1()
{
dataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill;
Controls.Add(dataGridView1);
InitializeDataGridView();
Width *= 2;
Text = "Column Fill-Mode Demo";
}

private void InitializeDataGridView()

{
// Add columns to the DataGridView, binding them to the
// specified DataGridViewColumn properties.
AddReadOnlyColumn("HeaderText", "Column");
AddColumn("AutoSizeMode");
AddColumn("FillWeight");
AddColumn("MinimumWidth");
AddColumn("Width");

// Bind the DataGridView to its own Columns collection.

dataGridView1.AutoGenerateColumns = false;
dataGridView1.DataSource = dataGridView1.Columns;

// Configure the DataGridView so that users can manually change

// only the column widths, which are set to fill mode.
dataGridView1.AllowUserToAddRows = false;
dataGridView1.AllowUserToDeleteRows = false;
dataGridView1.AllowUserToResizeRows = false;
dataGridView1.RowHeadersWidthSizeMode =
DataGridViewRowHeadersWidthSizeMode.DisableResizing;
dataGridView1.ColumnHeadersHeightSizeMode =
DataGridViewColumnHeadersHeightSizeMode.DisableResizing;
dataGridView1.AutoSizeColumnsMode =
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.Fill;

// Configure the top left header cell as a reset button.

dataGridView1.TopLeftHeaderCell.Value = "reset";
dataGridView1.TopLeftHeaderCell.Style.ForeColor =
System.Drawing.Color.Blue;

// Add handlers to DataGridView events.

dataGridView1.CellClick +=
new DataGridViewCellEventHandler(dataGridView1_CellClick);
dataGridView1.ColumnWidthChanged += new
DataGridViewColumnEventHandler(dataGridView1_ColumnWidthChanged);
dataGridView1.CurrentCellDirtyStateChanged +=
new EventHandler(dataGridView1_CurrentCellDirtyStateChanged);
dataGridView1.DataError +=
new DataGridViewDataErrorEventHandler(dataGridView1_DataError);
dataGridView1.CellEndEdit +=
new DataGridViewCellEventHandler(dataGridView1_CellEndEdit);
dataGridView1.CellValueChanged +=
new DataGridViewCellEventHandler(dataGridView1_CellValueChanged);
}

private void AddReadOnlyColumn(String dataPropertyName, String columnName)

{
AddColumn(typeof(DataGridViewColumn), dataPropertyName, true,
columnName);
}

private void AddColumn(String dataPropertyName)

{

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Column Fill Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 6 of 8

AddColumn(typeof(DataGridViewColumn), dataPropertyName, false,

dataPropertyName);
}

// Adds a column to the DataGridView control, binding it to specified

// property of the specified type and optionally making it read-only.
private void AddColumn(
Type type,
String dataPropertyName,
Boolean readOnly,
String columnName)
{
// Retrieve information about the property through reflection.
PropertyInfo property = type.GetProperty(dataPropertyName);

// Confirm that the property exists and is accessible.

if (property == null) throw new ArgumentException("No accessible " +
dataPropertyName + " property was found in the " + type.Name + " type.");

// Confirm that the property is browsable.

BrowsableAttribute[] browsables = (BrowsableAttribute[])
property.GetCustomAttributes(typeof(BrowsableAttribute), false);
if (browsables.Length > 0 && !browsables[0].Browsable)
{
throw new ArgumentException("The " + dataPropertyName + " property has a " +
"Browsable(false) attribute, and therefore cannot be bound.");
}

// Create and initialize a column, using a combo box column for

// enumeration properties, a check box column for Boolean properties,
// and a text box column otherwise.
DataGridViewColumn column;
Type valueType = property.PropertyType;
if (valueType.IsEnum)
{
column = new DataGridViewComboBoxColumn();

// Populate the drop-down list with the enumeration values.

((DataGridViewComboBoxColumn)column).DataSource
= Enum.GetValues(valueType);
}
else if (valueType.Equals(typeof(Boolean)))
{
column = new DataGridViewCheckBoxColumn();
}
else
{
column = new DataGridViewTextBoxColumn();
}

// Initialize and bind the column.

column.ValueType = valueType;
column.Name = columnName;
column.DataPropertyName = dataPropertyName;
column.ReadOnly = readOnly;

// Add the column to the control.

dataGridView1.Columns.Add(column);
}

private void ResetDataGridView()

{
dataGridView1.CancelEdit();
dataGridView1.Columns.Clear();
dataGridView1.DataSource = null;
InitializeDataGridView();
}

private void dataGridView1_CellClick(

object sender, DataGridViewCellEventArgs e)
{
if (e.ColumnIndex == -1 && e.RowIndex == -1)
{
ResetDataGridView();
}
}

private void dataGridView1_ColumnWidthChanged(

object sender, DataGridViewColumnEventArgs e)
{
// Invalidate the row corresponding to the column that changed

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Column Fill Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 7 of 8

// to ensure that the FillWeight and Width entries are updated.

dataGridView1.InvalidateRow(e.Column.Index);
}

private void dataGridView1_CurrentCellDirtyStateChanged(

object sender, EventArgs e)
{
// For combo box and check box cells, commit any value change as soon
// as it is made rather than waiting for the focus to leave the cell.
if (!dataGridView1.CurrentCell.OwningColumn.GetType()
.Equals(typeof(DataGridViewTextBoxColumn)))
{
dataGridView1.CommitEdit(DataGridViewDataErrorContexts.Commit);
}
}

private void dataGridView1_DataError(

object sender, DataGridViewDataErrorEventArgs e)
{
if (e.Exception == null) return;

// If the user-specified value is invalid, cancel the change

// and display the error icon in the row header.
if ((e.Context & DataGridViewDataErrorContexts.Commit) != 0 &&
(typeof(FormatException).IsAssignableFrom(e.Exception.GetType()) ||
typeof(ArgumentException).IsAssignableFrom(e.Exception.GetType())))
{
dataGridView1.Rows[e.RowIndex].ErrorText =
"The specified value is invalid.";
e.Cancel = true;
}
else
{
// Rethrow any exceptions that aren't related to the user input.
e.ThrowException = true;
}
}

private void dataGridView1_CellEndEdit(

object sender, DataGridViewCellEventArgs e)
{
// Ensure that the error icon in the row header is hidden.
dataGridView1.Rows[e.RowIndex].ErrorText = "";
}

private void dataGridView1_CellValueChanged(

object sender, DataGridViewCellEventArgs e)
{
// Retrieve the property to change.
String nameOfPropertyToChange =
dataGridView1.Columns[e.ColumnIndex].Name;
PropertyInfo propertyToChange =
typeof(DataGridViewColumn).GetProperty(nameOfPropertyToChange);

// Retrieve the column to change.

String nameOfColumnToChange =
(String)dataGridView1["Column", e.RowIndex].Value;
DataGridViewColumn columnToChange =
dataGridView1.Columns[nameOfColumnToChange];

// Use reflection to update the value of the column property.

propertyToChange.SetValue(columnToChange,
dataGridView1[nameOfPropertyToChange, e.RowIndex].Value, null);
}

To use this demonstration application:

z Change the size of the form. Observe how columns change their widths while retaining the proportions
indicated by the FillWeight property values.
z Change the column sizes by dragging the column dividers with the mouse. Observe how the
FillWeight values change.
z Change the MinimumWidth value for one column, then drag to resize the form. Observe how, when
you make the form small enough, the Width values do not go below the MinimumWidth values.
z Change the MinimumWidth values for all columns to large numbers so that the combined values
exceed the width of the control. Observe how the horizontal scroll bar appears.

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Column Fill Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 8 of 8

z Change the AutoSizeMode values for some columns. Observe the effect when you resize columns or
the form.

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z References to the System, System.Drawing, and System.Windows.Forms assemblies.

For information about building this example from the command line for Visual Basic or Visual C#, see
Building from the Command Line (Visual Basic) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/25fz1td5
(VS.80).aspx ] or Command-Line Building [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/78f4aasd
(VS.80).aspx ] . You can also build this example in Visual Studio by pasting the code into a new project. For
more information, see How to: Compile and Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using Visual
Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/bb129228(vs.80).aspx ] and How to: Compile and Run a
Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/bb129228(vs.90).aspx ] .

See Also

Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AutoResizeColumns [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.autoresizecolumns(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AutoSizeColumnsMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.autosizecolumnsmode(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewautosizecolumnsmode(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.InheritedAutoSizeMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.inheritedautosizemode(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.AutoSizeMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.autosizemode(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewautosizecolumnmode(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.FillWeight [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.fillweight(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.MinimumWidth [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.minimumwidth(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.Width [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.width(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.Resizable [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.resizable(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.Control.RightToLeft [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.control.righttoleft(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Resizing Columns and Rows in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171604(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

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How to: Set the Sizing Modes of the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 5

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Set the Sizing Modes of the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control
The following procedures demonstrate some common scenarios that customize or combine the sizing
options available for the DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control and for specific columns in a control.

To create a fixed-width column

z Set the AutoSizeMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.autosizemode(VS.80).aspx ] property to None
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewautosizecolumnmode
(VS.80).aspx ] , the Resizable [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.resizable(VS.80).aspx ] property to False
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewtristate
(VS.80).aspx ] , the ReadOnly [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.readonly(VS.80).aspx ] property to true, and
the Width [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.width(VS.80).aspx ] property to an appropriate
value.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Dim idColumn As New DataGridViewTextBoxColumn()

idColumn.HeaderText = "ID"
idColumn.AutoSizeMode = DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnMode.None
idColumn.Resizable = DataGridViewTriState.False
idColumn.ReadOnly = True
idColumn.Width = 20

C# Copy Code

DataGridViewTextBoxColumn idColumn =
new DataGridViewTextBoxColumn();
idColumn.HeaderText = "ID";
idColumn.AutoSizeMode = DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnMode.None;
idColumn.Resizable = DataGridViewTriState.False;
idColumn.ReadOnly = true;
idColumn.Width = 20;

To create a column that adjusts its size to fit its content

z Set the AutoSizeMode property to a content-based sizing mode.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Dim titleColumn As New DataGridViewTextBoxColumn()

titleColumn.HeaderText = "Title"
titleColumn.AutoSizeMode = _
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnMode.AllCellsExceptHeader

C# Copy Code

DataGridViewTextBoxColumn titleColumn =
new DataGridViewTextBoxColumn();
titleColumn.HeaderText = "Title";
titleColumn.AutoSizeMode =
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnMode.AllCellsExceptHeader;

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How to: Set the Sizing Modes of the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 5

To create fill-mode columns for values of varying size and importance

z Set the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AutoSizeColumnsMode

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.autosizecolumnsmode(VS.80).aspx ] property to Fill
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewautosizecolumnsmode
(VS.80).aspx ] to set the sizing mode for all columns that do not override this value. Set the
FillWeight [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.fillweight(VS.80).aspx ] properties of the
columns to values that are proportional to their average content widths. Set the MinimumWidth
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.minimumwidth(VS.80).aspx ] properties of
important columns to ensure partial content display.

Visual Basic Copy Code

dataGridView1.AutoSizeColumnsMode = _
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.Fill

Dim subTitleColumn As new DataGridViewTextBoxColumn()

subTitleColumn.HeaderText = "Subtitle"
subTitleColumn.MinimumWidth = 50
subTitleColumn.FillWeight = 100

Dim summaryColumn As new DataGridViewTextBoxColumn()

summaryColumn.HeaderText = "Summary"
summaryColumn.MinimumWidth = 50
summaryColumn.FillWeight = 200

Dim contentColumn As new DataGridViewTextBoxColumn()

contentColumn.HeaderText = "Content"
contentColumn.MinimumWidth = 50
contentColumn.FillWeight = 300

C# Copy Code

dataGridView1.AutoSizeColumnsMode =
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.Fill;

DataGridViewTextBoxColumn subTitleColumn =
new DataGridViewTextBoxColumn();
subTitleColumn.HeaderText = "Subtitle";
subTitleColumn.MinimumWidth = 50;
subTitleColumn.FillWeight = 100;

DataGridViewTextBoxColumn summaryColumn =
new DataGridViewTextBoxColumn();
summaryColumn.HeaderText = "Summary";
summaryColumn.MinimumWidth = 50;
summaryColumn.FillWeight = 200;

DataGridViewTextBoxColumn contentColumn =
new DataGridViewTextBoxColumn();
contentColumn.HeaderText = "Content";
contentColumn.MinimumWidth = 50;
contentColumn.FillWeight = 300;

Example

The following complete code example provides a demonstration application that can help you
understand the sizing options described in this topic.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Imports System
Imports System.Collections.Generic
Imports System.ComponentModel
Imports System.Data

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Imports System.Drawing
Imports System.Text
Imports System.Windows.Forms

Public Class Form1

Inherits Form

<STAThreadAttribute()> _
Public Shared Sub Main()
Application.Run(New Form1())
End Sub

Private dataGridView1 As New DataGridView()

Public Sub New()

dataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
Controls.Add(dataGridView1)
Width *= 2
Text = "DataGridView Sizing Scenarios"
End Sub

Protected Overrides Sub OnLoad(ByVal e As System.EventArgs)

Dim idColumn As New DataGridViewTextBoxColumn()

idColumn.HeaderText = "ID"
idColumn.AutoSizeMode = DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnMode.None
idColumn.Resizable = DataGridViewTriState.False
idColumn.ReadOnly = True
idColumn.Width = 20

Dim titleColumn As New DataGridViewTextBoxColumn()

titleColumn.HeaderText = "Title"
titleColumn.AutoSizeMode = _
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnMode.AllCellsExceptHeader

dataGridView1.AutoSizeColumnsMode = _
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.Fill

Dim subTitleColumn As new DataGridViewTextBoxColumn()

subTitleColumn.HeaderText = "Subtitle"
subTitleColumn.MinimumWidth = 50
subTitleColumn.FillWeight = 100

Dim summaryColumn As new DataGridViewTextBoxColumn()

summaryColumn.HeaderText = "Summary"
summaryColumn.MinimumWidth = 50
summaryColumn.FillWeight = 200

Dim contentColumn As new DataGridViewTextBoxColumn()

contentColumn.HeaderText = "Content"
contentColumn.MinimumWidth = 50
contentColumn.FillWeight = 300

dataGridView1.Columns.AddRange(New DataGridViewTextBoxColumn() { _
idColumn, titleColumn, subTitleColumn, _
summaryColumn, contentColumn})
dataGridView1.Rows.Add(New String() {"1", _
"A Short Title", "A Longer SubTitle", _
"A short description of the main point.", _
"The full contents of the topic, with detailed examples."})

MyBase.OnLoad(e)
End Sub
End Class

C# Copy Code

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Data;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Text;
using System.Windows.Forms;

public class Form1 : Form

{
[STAThreadAttribute()]
public static void Main()
{

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Application.Run(new Form1());
}

private DataGridView dataGridView1 = new DataGridView();

public Form1()
{
dataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill;
Controls.Add(dataGridView1);
Width *= 2;
Text = "DataGridView Sizing Scenarios";
}

protected override void OnLoad(EventArgs e)

{
DataGridViewTextBoxColumn idColumn =
new DataGridViewTextBoxColumn();
idColumn.HeaderText = "ID";
idColumn.AutoSizeMode = DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnMode.None;
idColumn.Resizable = DataGridViewTriState.False;
idColumn.ReadOnly = true;
idColumn.Width = 20;

DataGridViewTextBoxColumn titleColumn =
new DataGridViewTextBoxColumn();
titleColumn.HeaderText = "Title";
titleColumn.AutoSizeMode =
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnMode.AllCellsExceptHeader;

dataGridView1.AutoSizeColumnsMode =
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.Fill;

DataGridViewTextBoxColumn subTitleColumn =
new DataGridViewTextBoxColumn();
subTitleColumn.HeaderText = "Subtitle";
subTitleColumn.MinimumWidth = 50;
subTitleColumn.FillWeight = 100;

DataGridViewTextBoxColumn summaryColumn =
new DataGridViewTextBoxColumn();
summaryColumn.HeaderText = "Summary";
summaryColumn.MinimumWidth = 50;
summaryColumn.FillWeight = 200;

DataGridViewTextBoxColumn contentColumn =
new DataGridViewTextBoxColumn();
contentColumn.HeaderText = "Content";
contentColumn.MinimumWidth = 50;
contentColumn.FillWeight = 300;

dataGridView1.Columns.AddRange(new DataGridViewTextBoxColumn[] {
idColumn, titleColumn, subTitleColumn,
summaryColumn, contentColumn });
dataGridView1.Rows.Add(new String[] { "1",
"A Short Title", "A Longer SubTitle",
"A short description of the main point.",
"The full contents of the topic, with detailed examples." });

base.OnLoad(e);
}
}

To use this demonstration application:

z Change the size of the form. Observe how the fill-mode columns change their widths while
retaining the proportions indicated by the FillWeight property values. Observe how a column's
MinimumWidth prevents it from changing when the form is too small.
z Change the column sizes by dragging the column dividers with the mouse. Observe how some
columns cannot be resized, and how resizable columns cannot be made narrower than their
minimum widths.

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z References to the System and System.Windows.Forms assemblies.

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For information about building this example from the command line for Visual Basic or Visual C#, see
Building from the Command Line (Visual Basic) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/25fz1td5
(VS.80).aspx ] or Command-Line Building [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/78f4aasd
(VS.80).aspx ] . You can also build this example in Visual Studio by pasting the code into a new project.
For more information, see How to: Compile and Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using
Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/bb129228(vs.80).aspx ] and How to: Compile and
Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/bb129228(vs.90).aspx ] .

See Also

Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.AutoSizeMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.autosizemode(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewautosizecolumnmode(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.Resizable [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.resizable(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.ReadOnly [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.readonly(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.Width [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.width(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.FillWeight [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.fillweight(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.MinimumWidth [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.minimumwidth(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

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How to: Programmatically Resize Cells to Fit Content in the Windows Forms DataGridVi... Page 1 of 9

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Programmatically Resize Cells to Fit Content in the
Windows Forms DataGridView Control
You can use the DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control methods to resize rows, columns, and
headers so that they display their entire values without truncation. You can use these methods to resize
DataGridView elements at times of your choosing. Alternately, you can configure the control to resize
these elements automatically whenever content changes. This can be inefficient, however, when you are
working with large data sets or when your data changes frequently. For more information, see Sizing
Options in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/74b2wakt
(VS.80).aspx ] .

Typically, you will programmatically adjust DataGridView elements to fit their content only when you load
new data from a data source or when the user has edited a value. This is useful to optimize performance,
but it is also useful when you want to enable your users to manually resize rows and columns with the
mouse.

The following code example demonstrates the options available to you for programmatic resizing.

Example

Visual Basic Copy Code

Public Class ProgrammaticSizing

Inherits System.Windows.Forms.Form

#Region " form setup "

Public Sub New()
MyBase.New()
InitializeComponent()
AddDirections()

AddButton(Button1, "Reset")
AddButton(Button2, "Change Column 3 Header")
AddButton(Button3, "Change Meatloaf Recipe")
AddButton(Button10, "Change Restaurant 2")
AddButtonsForProgrammaticResizing()
End Sub

Friend WithEvents DataGridView1 As DataGridView

Friend WithEvents Button1 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button2 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button3 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button4 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button5 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button6 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents FlowLayoutPanel1 As FlowLayoutPanel
Friend WithEvents Button7 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button8 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button9 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button10 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button11 As Button = New Button()

Private Sub InitializeComponent()

Me.FlowLayoutPanel1 = New FlowLayoutPanel
Me.FlowLayoutPanel1.FlowDirection = FlowDirection.TopDown
Me.FlowLayoutPanel1.Location = New Point(454, 0)
Me.FlowLayoutPanel1.AutoSize = True

Me.AutoSize = True
Me.Text = Me.GetType().Name
Me.Controls.Add(FlowLayoutPanel1)
End Sub

Private Sub AddDirections()

Dim directions As New Label()
directions.AutoSize = True

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Dim newLine As String = Environment.NewLine

directions.Text = "Press the buttons that start " & newLine _
& "with 'Change' to see how different sizing " & newLine _
& "modes deal with content changes."

FlowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(directions)
End Sub

Public Shared Sub Main()

Application.Run(New ProgrammaticSizing())
End Sub
#End Region

Private startingSize As Size

Private thirdColumnHeader As String = "Main Ingredients"
Private boringMeatloaf As String = "ground beef"
Private boringMeatloafRanking As String = "*"
Private boringRecipe As Boolean
Private shortMode As Boolean
Private otherRestaurant As String = "Gomes's Saharan Sushi"

Private Sub InitializeDataGridView(ByVal ignored As Object, _

ByVal ignoredToo As EventArgs) Handles Me.Load
Me.DataGridView1 = New System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView
Me.DataGridView1.Name = "DataGridView1"
Me.DataGridView1.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(292, 266)
Me.Controls.Add(Me.DataGridView1)

startingSize = New Size(450, 400)

DataGridView1.Size = startingSize

AddColumns()
PopulateRows()

shortMode = False
boringRecipe = True
End Sub

Private Sub AddColumns()

DataGridView1.ColumnCount = 4
DataGridView1.ColumnHeadersVisible = True

Dim columnHeaderStyle As New DataGridViewCellStyle

columnHeaderStyle.BackColor = Color.Aqua
columnHeaderStyle.Font = New Font("Verdana", 10, _
FontStyle.Bold)
DataGridView1.ColumnHeadersDefaultCellStyle = _
columnHeaderStyle

DataGridView1.Columns(0).Name = "Recipe"
DataGridView1.Columns(1).Name = "Category"
DataGridView1.Columns(2).Name = thirdColumnHeader
DataGridView1.Columns(3).Name = "Rating"
End Sub

Private Sub PopulateRows()

Dim row1 As String() = New String() _

{"Meatloaf", "Main Dish", boringMeatloaf, _
boringMeatloafRanking}
Dim row2 As String() = New String() _
{"Key Lime Pie", "Dessert", _
"lime juice, evaporated milk", _
"****"}
Dim row3 As String() = New String() _
{"Orange-Salsa Pork Chops", "Main Dish", _
"pork chops, salsa, orange juice", "****"}
Dim row4 As String() = New String() _
{"Black Bean and Rice Salad", "Salad", _
"black beans, brown rice", _
"****"}
Dim row5 As String() = New String() _
{"Chocolate Cheesecake", "Dessert", "cream cheese", _
"***"}
Dim row6 As String() = New String() _
{"Black Bean Dip", "Appetizer", _
"black beans, sour cream", "***"}
Dim rows As Object() = New Object() {row1, row2, row3, _
row4, row5, row6}

Dim rowArray As String()

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For Each rowArray In rows

DataGridView1.Rows.Add(rowArray)
Next

For Each row As DataGridViewRow In DataGridView1.Rows

If row.IsNewRow Then Continue For
row.HeaderCell.Value = "Restaurant " & row.Index
Next

End Sub

Private Sub AddButton(ByVal button As Button, _

ByVal buttonLabel As String)

button.Text = buttonLabel
button.AutoSize = True
button.TabIndex = FlowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Count
FlowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(button)
End Sub

Private Sub ResetToDisorder(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.EventArgs) _
Handles Button1.Click

Controls.Remove(DataGridView1)
DataGridView1.Size = startingSize
DataGridView1.Dispose()
InitializeDataGridView(Nothing, Nothing)
End Sub

Private Sub ChangeColumn3Header(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.EventArgs) _
Handles Button2.Click

Toggle(shortMode)
If shortMode Then DataGridView1.Columns(2).HeaderText = "S" _
Else DataGridView1.Columns(2).HeaderText = thirdColumnHeader
End Sub

Private Shared Function Toggle(ByRef toggleThis As Boolean) _

As Boolean

toggleThis = Not toggleThis

End Function

Private Sub ChangeMeatloafRecipe(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.EventArgs) _
Handles Button3.Click

Toggle(boringRecipe)
If boringRecipe Then
SetMeatloaf(boringMeatloaf, boringMeatloafRanking)

Else
Dim greatMeatloafRecipe As String = "1 lb. lean ground beef, " _
& "1/2 cup bread crumbs, 1/4 cup ketchup," _
& "1/3 tsp onion powder, " _
& "1 clove of garlic, 1/2 pack onion soup mix " _
& " dash of your favorite BBQ Sauce"
SetMeatloaf(greatMeatloafRecipe, "***")
End If
End Sub

Private Sub SetMeatloaf(ByVal recipe As String, _

ByVal rating As String)

DataGridView1.Rows(0).Cells(2).Value = recipe
DataGridView1.Rows(0).Cells(3).Value = rating
End Sub

Private Sub ChangeRestaurant(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button10.Click

If DataGridView1.Rows(2).HeaderCell.Value.Equals(otherRestaurant) Then
DataGridView1.Rows(2).HeaderCell.Value = _
"Restaurant 2"
Else
DataGridView1.Rows(2).HeaderCell.Value = _
otherRestaurant
End If

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End Sub

#Region "programmatic resizing"

Private Sub AddButtonsForProgrammaticResizing()

AddButton(Button4, "Size Third Column")
AddButton(Button5, "Size Column Headers")
AddButton(Button6, "Size All Columns")
AddButton(Button7, "Size Third Row")
AddButton(Button8, "Size First Row Header Using All Headers")
AddButton(Button9, "Size All Rows and Row Headers")
AddButton(Button11, "Size All Rows")
End Sub

' The following code example resizes the second column to fit.
Private Sub SizeThirdColumnHeader(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button4.Click

DataGridView1.AutoResizeColumn( _
2, DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnMode.ColumnHeader)

End Sub

' The following code example resizes the second column to fit
' the header
' text, but it leaves the widths of the
' row headers and columns unchanged.
Private Sub SizeColumnHeaders(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button5.Click

DataGridView1.AutoResizeColumnHeadersHeight(2)

End Sub

' The following code example resizes all the columns to fit the
' header text and column contents.
Private Sub SizeAllColumns(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button6.Click

DataGridView1.AutoResizeColumns(DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.AllCells)

End Sub

' The following code example resizes the third row

' to fit the column contents.
Private Sub SizeThirdRow(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button7.Click

Dim thirdRow As Integer = 2

DataGridView1.AutoResizeRow( _
2, DataGridViewAutoSizeRowMode.AllCellsExceptHeader)

End Sub

' The following code example resizes the first displayed row
' to fit it's header.
Private Sub SizeFirstRowHeaderToAllHeaders(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button8.Click

DataGridView1.AutoResizeRowHeadersWidth( _
DataGridViewRowHeadersWidthSizeMode.AutoSizeToAllHeaders)

End Sub

' Size all the rows, including their headers and columns.
Private Sub SizeAllRowsAndTheirHeaders(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button9.Click

DataGridView1.AutoResizeRows(DataGridViewAutoSizeRowsMode.AllCells)

End Sub

Private Sub SizeAllRows(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button11.Click

DataGridView1.AutoResizeRows(DataGridViewAutoSizeRowsMode.AllCellsExceptHeaders)

End Sub
#End Region
End Class

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C# Copy Code

using System;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Collections;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Windows.Forms;

public class ProgrammaticSizing : System.Windows.Forms.Form

{
private FlowLayoutPanel flowLayoutPanel1;
private Button button1 = new Button();
private Button button2 = new Button();
private Button button3 = new Button();
private Button button4 = new Button();
private Button button5 = new Button();
private Button button6 = new Button();
private Button button7 = new Button();
private Button button8 = new Button();
private Button button9 = new Button();
private Button button10 = new Button();
private Button button11 = new Button();

public ProgrammaticSizing()
{
InitializeComponent();
AddDirections();
this.Load += new EventHandler(InitializeDataGridView);

AddButton(button1, "Reset",
new EventHandler(ResetToDisorder));
AddButton(button2, "Change Column 3 Header",
new EventHandler(ChangeColumn3Header));
AddButton(button3, "Change Meatloaf Recipe",
new EventHandler(ChangeMeatloafRecipe));
AddButton(button10, "Change Restaurant 2",
new EventHandler(ChangeRestaurant));
AddButtonsForProgrammaticResizing();
}

#region form code

private void InitializeComponent()
{
this.flowLayoutPanel1 = new FlowLayoutPanel();
this.flowLayoutPanel1.FlowDirection
= FlowDirection.TopDown;
this.flowLayoutPanel1.Location = new Point(492, 0);
this.flowLayoutPanel1.AutoSize = true;

this.AutoSize = true;
this.Controls.Add(this.flowLayoutPanel1);
this.Text = this.GetType().Name;
}

private void AddDirections()

{
Label directions = new Label();
directions.AutoSize = true;
String newLine = Environment.NewLine;
directions.Text = "Press the buttons that start " + newLine
+ "with 'Change' to see how different sizing " + newLine
+ "modes deal with content changes.";

flowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(directions);
}
#endregion

[STAThread]
static void Main()
{
Application.EnableVisualStyles();
Application.Run(new ProgrammaticSizing());
}

private Size startingSize;

private string thirdColumnHeader = "Main Ingredients";
private string boringMeatloaf = "ground beef";
private string boringMeatloafRanking = "*";
private bool boringRecipe;
private bool shortMode;

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private DataGridView dataGridView1;

private string otherRestaurant = "Gomes's Saharan Sushi";

private void InitializeDataGridView(Object sender,

EventArgs ignoredToo)
{
this.dataGridView1 = new DataGridView();
this.dataGridView1.Location = new Point(0, 0);
this.dataGridView1.Size = new Size(292, 266);
this.Controls.Add(this.dataGridView1);
startingSize = new Size(450, 400);
dataGridView1.Size = startingSize;

AddColumns();
PopulateRows();

shortMode = false;
boringRecipe = true;
}

private void AddColumns()

{
dataGridView1.ColumnCount = 4;
dataGridView1.ColumnHeadersVisible = true;

DataGridViewCellStyle columnHeaderStyle =
new DataGridViewCellStyle();

columnHeaderStyle.BackColor = Color.Aqua;
columnHeaderStyle.Font = new Font("Verdana", 10,
FontStyle.Bold);
dataGridView1.ColumnHeadersDefaultCellStyle =
columnHeaderStyle;

dataGridView1.Columns[0].Name = "Recipe";
dataGridView1.Columns[1].Name = "Category";
dataGridView1.Columns[2].Name = thirdColumnHeader;
dataGridView1.Columns[3].Name = "Rating";
}

private void PopulateRows()

{
string[] row1 = {
"Meatloaf", "Main Dish",
boringMeatloaf, boringMeatloafRanking
};
string[] row2 = {
"Key Lime Pie", "Dessert",
"lime juice, evaporated milk", "****"
};
string[] row3 = {
"Orange-Salsa Pork Chops", "Main Dish",
"pork chops, salsa, orange juice", "****"
};
string[] row4 = {
"Black Bean and Rice Salad", "Salad",
"black beans, brown rice", "****"
};
string[] row5 = {
"Chocolate Cheesecake", "Dessert",
"cream cheese", "***"
};
string[] row6 = {
"Black Bean Dip",
"Appetizer", "black beans, sour cream", "***"
};
object[] rows = new object[] {
row1, row2, row3, row4, row5, row6
};

foreach (string[] row in rows)

dataGridView1.Rows.Add(row);
foreach (DataGridViewRow row in dataGridView1.Rows)
{
if (row.IsNewRow) break;
row.HeaderCell.Value = "Restaurant " + row.Index;
}
}

private void AddButton(Button button, string buttonLabel,

EventHandler handler)

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{
button.Text = buttonLabel;
button.AutoSize = true;
flowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(button);
button.Click += handler;
}

private void ResetToDisorder(Object sender, EventArgs e)

{
Controls.Remove(dataGridView1);
dataGridView1.Size = startingSize;
dataGridView1.Dispose();
InitializeDataGridView(null, null);
}

private void ChangeColumn3Header(Object sender, EventArgs e)

{
Toggle(ref shortMode);
if (shortMode)
dataGridView1.Columns[2].HeaderText = "S";
else
dataGridView1.Columns[2].HeaderText =
thirdColumnHeader;
}

private static void Toggle(ref Boolean toggleThis)

{
toggleThis = !toggleThis;
}

private void ChangeMeatloafRecipe(Object sender,

EventArgs e)
{
Toggle(ref boringRecipe);

if (boringRecipe)
SetMeatloaf(boringMeatloaf, boringMeatloafRanking);
else
{
string greatMeatloafRecipe =
"1 lb. lean ground beef, "
+ "1/2 cup bread crumbs, 1/4 cup ketchup,"
+ "1/3 tsp onion powder, "
+ "1 clove of garlic, 1/2 pack onion soup mix "
+ " dash of your favorite BBQ Sauce";

SetMeatloaf(greatMeatloafRecipe, "***");
}
}

private void SetMeatloaf(string recipe, string rating)

{
dataGridView1.Rows[0].Cells[2].Value = recipe;
dataGridView1.Rows[0].Cells[3].Value = rating;
}

private void ChangeRestaurant(Object sender,

EventArgs ignored)
{
if (dataGridView1.Rows[2].HeaderCell.Value.Equals(otherRestaurant))
{
dataGridView1.Rows[2].HeaderCell.Value =
"Restaurant 2";
}
else
{
dataGridView1.Rows[2].HeaderCell.Value = otherRestaurant;
}
}

#region "programmatic resizing"

private void AddButtonsForProgrammaticResizing()

{
AddButton(button4, "Size Third Column",
new EventHandler(SizeThirdColumnHeader));
AddButton(button5, "Size Column Headers",
new EventHandler(SizeColumnHeaders));
AddButton(button6, "Size All Columns",
new EventHandler(SizeAllColumns));
AddButton(button7, "Size Third Row",

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How to: Programmatically Resize Cells to Fit Content in the Windows Forms DataGridVi... Page 8 of 9

new EventHandler(SizeThirdRow));
AddButton(button8, "Size First Row Header Using All Headers",
new EventHandler(SizeFirstRowHeaderToAllHeaders));
AddButton(button9, "Size All Rows and Row Headers",
new EventHandler(SizeAllRowsAndTheirHeaders));
AddButton(button11, "Size All Rows ",
new EventHandler(SizeAllRows));
}

private void SizeThirdColumnHeader(Object sender,

EventArgs e)
{
dataGridView1.AutoResizeColumn(
2, DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnMode.ColumnHeader);
}

private void SizeColumnHeaders(Object sender, EventArgs e)

{
dataGridView1.AutoResizeColumnHeadersHeight(2);
}

private void SizeAllColumns(Object sender, EventArgs e)

{
dataGridView1.AutoResizeColumns(
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.AllCells);
}

private void SizeThirdRow(Object sender, EventArgs e)

{
dataGridView1.AutoResizeRow(
2, DataGridViewAutoSizeRowMode.AllCellsExceptHeader);
}

private void SizeFirstRowHeaderToAllHeaders(Object sender, EventArgs e)

{
dataGridView1.AutoResizeRowHeadersWidth(
0, DataGridViewRowHeadersWidthSizeMode.AutoSizeToAllHeaders);
}

private void SizeAllRowsAndTheirHeaders(Object sender, EventArgs e)

{
dataGridView1.AutoResizeRows(
DataGridViewAutoSizeRowsMode.AllCells);
}

private void SizeAllRows(Object sender,

EventArgs e)
{
dataGridView1.AutoResizeRows(
DataGridViewAutoSizeRowsMode.AllCellsExceptHeaders);
}
#endregion
}

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z References to the System, System.Drawing, and System.Windows.Forms assemblies.

For information about building this example from the command line for Visual Basic or Visual C#, see
Building from the Command Line (Visual Basic) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/25fz1td5
(VS.80).aspx ] or Command-Line Building [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/78f4aasd
(VS.80).aspx ] . You can also build this example in Visual Studio by pasting the code into a new project.
For more information, see How to: Compile and Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using
Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/bb129228(vs.80).aspx ] and How to: Compile and
Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/bb129228(vs.90).aspx ] .

See Also

Tasks
How to: Automatically Resize Cells When Content Changes in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/f71f07b5(VS.80).aspx ]

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How to: Programmatically Resize Cells to Fit Content in the Windows Forms DataGridVi... Page 9 of 9

Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AutoResizeColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.autoresizecolumn(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AutoResizeColumns [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.autoresizecolumns(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AutoResizeColumnHeadersHeight [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.autoresizecolumnheadersheight(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AutoResizeRow [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.autoresizerow(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AutoResizeRows [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.autoresizerows(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AutoResizeRowHeadersWidth [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.autoresizerowheaderswidth(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewAutoSizeRowMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewautosizerowmode(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewAutoSizeRowsMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewautosizerowsmode(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewautosizecolumnmode(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewautosizecolumnsmode(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewColumnHeadersHeightSizeMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumnheadersheightsizemode(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewRowHeadersWidthSizeMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms159167
(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
Sizing Options in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/74b2wakt(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Resizing Columns and Rows in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171604(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

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Sorting Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 1

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

Sorting Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
By default, users can sort the data in a DataGridView control by clicking the header of a text box column.
You can modify the SortMode property of specific columns to allow users to sort by other column types
when it makes sense to do so. You can also sort the data programmatically by any column, or by multiple
columns.

In This Section

Column Sort Modes in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/95scxcdy(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes the options for sorting data in the control.

How to: Set the Sort Modes for Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/8b9k0ktw(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to enable users to sort by columns that are not sortable by default.

How to: Customize Sorting in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171608(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to sort data programmatically and how to customize sorting by using the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.SortCompare [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.sortcompare(VS.80).aspx ] event or by implementing
the IComparer [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.collections.icomparer
(VS.80).aspx ] interface.

Reference

DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides reference documentation for the DataGridView control.

System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.Sort [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.sort(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides reference documentation for the Sort method.

System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.SortMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.sortmode(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides reference documentation for the SortMode property.

DataGridViewColumnSortMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumnsortmode(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides reference documentation for the DataGridViewColumnSortMode enumeration.

See Also

Concepts
Column Types in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/bxt3k60s(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
DataGridView Control (Windows Forms) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/e0ywh3cz
(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

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Column Sort Modes in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 4

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

Column Sort Modes in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ] columns have three sort modes. The sort mode for each column is specified through the
SortMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.sortmode(VS.80).aspx ] property of the column,
which can be set to one of the following DataGridViewColumnSortMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumnsortmode(VS.80).aspx ] enumeration values.

DataGridViewColumnSortMode value Description

Automatic [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en- Default for text box columns.

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumnsortmode Unless column headers are
(VS.80).aspx ] used for selection, clicking the
column header automatically
sorts the DataGridView by
this column and displays a
glyph indicating the sort order.

NotSortable [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en- Default for non–text box

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumnsortmode columns. You can sort this
(VS.80).aspx ] column programmatically;
however, it is not intended for
sorting, so no space is
reserved for the sorting glyph.

Programmatic [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en- You can sort this column

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumnsortmode programmatically, and space is
(VS.80).aspx ] reserved for the sorting glyph.

You might want to change the sort mode for a column that defaults to NotSortable if it contains values
that can be meaningfully ordered. For example, if you have a database column containing numbers that
represent item states, you can display these numbers as corresponding icons by binding an image column
to the database column. You can then change the numerical cell values into image display values in a
handler for the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.CellFormatting [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellformatting(VS.80).aspx ] event. In this case, setting the
SortMode property to Automatic will enable your users to sort the column. Automatic sorting will enable
your users to group items that have the same state even if the states corresponding to the numbers do not
have a natural sequence. Check box columns are another example where automatic sorting is useful for
grouping items in the same state.

You can sort a DataGridView programmatically by the values in any column or in multiple columns,
regardless of the SortMode settings. Programmatic sorting is useful when you want to provide your own
user interface (UI) for sorting or when you want to implement custom sorting. Providing your own sorting
UI is useful, for example, when you set the DataGridView selection mode to enable column header
selection. In this case, although the column headers cannot be used for sorting, you still want the headers
to display the appropriate sorting glyph, so you would set the SortMode property to Programmatic.

Columns set to programmatic sort mode do not automatically display a sorting glyph. For these columns,
you must display the glyph yourself by setting the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumnHeaderCell.SortGlyphDirection
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumnheadercell.sortglyphdirection(VS.80).aspx ] property.
This is necessary if you want flexibility in custom sorting. For example, if you sort the DataGridView by
multiple columns, you might want to display multiple sorting glyphs or no sorting glyph.

Although you can programmatically sort a DataGridView by any column, some columns, such as button

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Column Sort Modes in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 4

columns, might not contain values that can be meaningfully ordered. For these columns, a SortMode
property setting of NotSortable indicates that it will never be used for sorting, so there is no need to
reserve space in the header for the sorting glyph.

When a DataGridView is sorted, you can determine both the sort column and the sort order by checking
the values of the SortedColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.sortedcolumn(VS.80).aspx ] and SortOrder
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.sortorder(VS.80).aspx ]
properties. These values are not meaningful after a custom sorting operation. For more information about
custom sorting, see the Custom Sorting section later in this topic.

When a DataGridView control containing both bound and unbound columns is sorted, the values in the
unbound columns cannot be maintained automatically. To maintain these values, you must implement
virtual mode by setting the VirtualMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.virtualmode(VS.80).aspx ] property to true and handling
the CellValueNeeded [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellvalueneeded(VS.80).aspx ] and CellValuePushed
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellvaluepushed
(VS.80).aspx ] events. For more information, see How to: Implement Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/2b177d6d(VS.80).aspx ] . Sorting by
unbound columns in bound mode is not supported.

Programmatic Sorting

You can sort a DataGridView programmatically by calling its Sort [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.sort(VS.80).aspx ] method.

The Sort(DataGridViewColumn,ListSortDirection) overload of the Sort method takes a

DataGridViewColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn(VS.80).aspx ] and a ListSortDirection
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.componentmodel.listsortdirection(VS.80).aspx ]
enumeration value as parameters. This overload is useful when sorting by columns with values that can be
meaningfully ordered, but which you do not want to configure for automatic sorting. When you call this
overload and pass in a column with a SortMode property value of
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumnSortMode.Automatic, the SortedColumn and
SortOrder properties are set automatically and the appropriate sorting glyph appears in the column
header.

Note

When the DataGridView control is bound to an external data source by setting the DataSource
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.datasource
(VS.80).aspx ] property, the Sort(DataGridViewColumn,ListSortDirection) method overload does
not work for unbound columns. Additionally, when the VirtualMode property is true, you can call this
overload only for bound columns. To determine whether a column is data-bound, check the
IsDataBound [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.isdatabound(VS.80).aspx ] property value.
Sorting unbound columns in bound mode is not supported.

Custom Sorting

You can customize DataGridView by using the Sort(IComparer) overload of the Sort method or by
handling the SortCompare [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.sortcompare(VS.80).aspx ] event.

The Sort(IComparer) method overload takes an instance of a class that implements the IComparer
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.collections.icomparer(VS.80).aspx ] interface as a
parameter. This overload is useful when you want to provide custom sorting; for example, when the values
in a column do not have a natural sort order or when the natural sort order is inappropriate. In this case,
you cannot use automatic sorting, but you might still want your users to sort by clicking the column
headers. You can call this overload in a handler for the ColumnHeaderMouseClick
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.columnheadermouseclick
(VS.80).aspx ] event if you do not use column headers for selection.

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Column Sort Modes in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 3 of 4

Note

The Sort(IComparer) method overload works only when the DataGridView control is not bound to
an external data source and the VirtualMode property value is false. To customize sorting for
columns bound to an external data source, you must use the sorting operations provided by the data
source. In virtual mode, you must provide your own sorting operations for unbound columns.

To use the Sort(IComparer) method overload, you must create your own class that implements the
IComparer interface. This interface requires your class to implement the
System.Collections.IComparer.Compare(System.Object,System.Object) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.collections.icomparer.compare(VS.80).aspx ] method, to which the DataGridView
passes DataGridViewRow [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrow(VS.80).aspx ] objects as input when the Sort
(IComparer) method overload is called. With this, you can calculate the correct row ordering based on the
values in any column.

The Sort(IComparer) method overload does not set the SortedColumn and SortOrder properties, so
you must always set the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumnHeaderCell.SortGlyphDirection property to display
the sorting glyph.

As an alternative to the Sort(IComparer) method overload, you can provide custom sorting by
implementing a handler for the SortCompare event. This event occurs when users click the headers of
columns configured for automatic sorting or when you call the Sort
(DataGridViewColumn,ListSortDirection) overload of the Sort method. The event occurs for each pair
of rows in the control, enabling you to calculate their correct order.

Note

The SortCompare event does not occur when the DataSource property is set or when the
VirtualMode property value is true.

See Also

Tasks
How to: Set the Sort Modes for Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/8b9k0ktw(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.Sort [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.sort(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.SortedColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.sortedcolumn(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.SortOrder [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.sortorder(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.SortMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.sortmode(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumnHeaderCell.SortGlyphDirection
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumnheadercell.sortglyphdirection(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
How to: Customize Sorting in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171608(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Sorting Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171607(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/95scxcdy(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
Column Sort Modes in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 4 of 4

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How to: Set the Sort Modes for Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 2

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Set the Sort Modes for Columns in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control
In the DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ] control, text box columns use automatic sorting by default, while other column types are not
sorted automatically. Sometimes you will want to override these defaults. For example, you can display
images in place of text, numbers, or enumeration cell values. While the images cannot be sorted, the
underlying values that they represent can be sorted.

In the DataGridView control, the SortMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.sortmode(VS.80).aspx ] property value of a column
determines its sorting behavior.

The following procedure shows the Priority column from How to: Customize Data Formatting in the
Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/z1cc356h
(VS.80).aspx ] . This column is an image column and is not sortable by default. It contains actual cell
values that are strings, however, so it can be sorted automatically.

To set the sort mode for a column

z Set the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.SortMode property.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Me.dataGridView1.Columns("Priority").SortMode = _
DataGridViewColumnSortMode.Automatic

C# Copy Code

this.dataGridView1.Columns["Priority"].SortMode =
DataGridViewColumnSortMode.Automatic;

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z A DataGridView control named dataGridView1 that contains a column named Priority.

z References to the System [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system(VS.80).aspx ] and
System.Windows.Forms [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms
(VS.80).aspx ] assemblies.

See Also

Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumn.SortMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.sortmode(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
Column Sort Modes in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/95scxcdy(VS.80).aspx ]
How to: Customize Sorting in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171608(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Sorting Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171607(VS.80).aspx ]

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How to: Set the Sort Modes for Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 2

Community Content

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How to: Customize Sorting in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 10

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Customize Sorting in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control
The DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ] control provides automatic sorting but, depending on your needs, you might need to
customize sort operations. For example, you can use programmatic sorting to create an alternate user
interface (UI). Alternatively, you can handle the SortCompare [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.sortcompare(VS.80).aspx ] event or call the Sort
(IComparer) overload of the Sort [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.sort(VS.80).aspx ] method for greater sorting flexibility,
such as sorting multiple columns.

The following code examples demonstrate these three approaches to custom sorting. For more information,
see Column Sort Modes in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/95scxcdy(VS.80).aspx ] .

Programmatic Sorting

The following code example demonstrates a programmatic sort using the SortOrder
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.sortorder(VS.80).aspx ]
and SortedColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.sortedcolumn(VS.80).aspx ] properties to determine the
direction of the sort, and the SortGlyphDirection [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumnheadercell.sortglyphdirection(VS.80).aspx ] property
to manually set the sort glyph. The Sort(DataGridViewColumn,ListSortDirection) overload of the Sort
method is used to sort data only in a single column.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Imports System
Imports System.ComponentModel
Imports System.Windows.Forms

Public Class Form1

Inherits Form

Private WithEvents sortButton As New Button()

Private WithEvents dataGridView1 As New DataGridView()

' Initializes the form.

' You can replace this code with designer-generated code.
Public Sub New()
With dataGridView1
.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
.AllowUserToAddRows = False
.SelectionMode = DataGridViewSelectionMode.ColumnHeaderSelect
.MultiSelect = False
End With

sortButton.Dock = DockStyle.Bottom
sortButton.Text = "Sort"

Controls.Add(dataGridView1)
Controls.Add(sortButton)
Text = "DataGridView programmatic sort demo"

PopulateDataGridView()
End Sub

' Establish the main entry point for the application.

<STAThreadAttribute()> _
Public Shared Sub Main()
Application.Run(New Form1())
End Sub

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' Populates the DataGridView.

' Replace this with your own code to populate the DataGridView.
Public Sub PopulateDataGridView()

' Add columns to the DataGridView.

dataGridView1.ColumnCount = 2
dataGridView1.Columns(0).HeaderText = "Last Name"
dataGridView1.Columns(1).HeaderText = "City"

' Populate the DataGridView.

dataGridView1.Rows.Add(New String() {"Parker", "Seattle"})
dataGridView1.Rows.Add(New String() {"Watson", "Seattle"})
dataGridView1.Rows.Add(New String() {"Osborn", "New York"})
dataGridView1.Rows.Add(New String() {"Jameson", "New York"})
dataGridView1.Rows.Add(New String() {"Brock", "New Jersey"})
End Sub

Private Sub SortButton_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As EventArgs) Handles sortButton.Click

' Check which column is selected, otherwise set NewColumn to Nothing.

Dim newColumn As DataGridViewColumn
If dataGridView1.Columns.GetColumnCount(DataGridViewElementStates _
.Selected) = 1 Then
newColumn = dataGridView1.SelectedColumns(0)
Else
newColumn = Nothing
End If

Dim oldColumn As DataGridViewColumn = dataGridView1.SortedColumn

Dim direction As ListSortDirection

' If oldColumn is null, then the DataGridView is not currently sorted.

If oldColumn IsNot Nothing Then

' Sort the same column again, reversing the SortOrder.

If oldColumn Is newColumn AndAlso dataGridView1.SortOrder = _
SortOrder.Ascending Then
direction = ListSortDirection.Descending
Else

' Sort a new column and remove the old SortGlyph.

direction = ListSortDirection.Ascending
oldColumn.HeaderCell.SortGlyphDirection = SortOrder.None
End If
Else
direction = ListSortDirection.Ascending
End If

' If no column has been selected, display an error dialog box.

If newColumn Is Nothing Then
MessageBox.Show("Select a single column and try again.", _
"Error: Invalid Selection", MessageBoxButtons.OK, _
MessageBoxIcon.Error)
Else
dataGridView1.Sort(newColumn, direction)
If direction = ListSortDirection.Ascending Then
newColumn.HeaderCell.SortGlyphDirection = SortOrder.Ascending
Else
newColumn.HeaderCell.SortGlyphDirection = SortOrder.Descending
End If
End If

End Sub

End Class

C# Copy Code

using System;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Windows.Forms;

class Form1 : Form

{
private Button sortButton = new Button();
private DataGridView dataGridView1 = new DataGridView();

// Initializes the form.

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// You can replace this code with designer-generated code.

public Form1()
{
dataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill;
dataGridView1.AllowUserToAddRows = false;
dataGridView1.SelectionMode =
DataGridViewSelectionMode.ColumnHeaderSelect;
dataGridView1.MultiSelect = false;

sortButton.Dock = DockStyle.Bottom;
sortButton.Text = "Sort";

Controls.Add(dataGridView1);
Controls.Add(sortButton);
Text = "DataGridView programmatic sort demo";
}

// Establishes the main entry point for the application.

[STAThreadAttribute()]
static void Main()
{
Application.EnableVisualStyles();
Application.Run(new Form1());
}

// Populates the DataGridView.

// Replace this with your own code to populate the DataGridView.
public void PopulateDataGridView()
{
// Add columns to the DataGridView.
dataGridView1.ColumnCount = 2;
dataGridView1.Columns[0].HeaderText = "Last Name";
dataGridView1.Columns[1].HeaderText = "City";

// Populate the DataGridView.

dataGridView1.Rows.Add(new string[] { "Parker", "Seattle" });
dataGridView1.Rows.Add(new string[] { "Watson", "Seattle" });
dataGridView1.Rows.Add(new string[] { "Osborn", "New York" });
dataGridView1.Rows.Add(new string[] { "Jameson", "New York" });
dataGridView1.Rows.Add(new string[] { "Brock", "New Jersey" });
}

protected override void OnLoad(EventArgs e)

{
sortButton.Click += new EventHandler(sortButton_Click);

PopulateDataGridView();
base.OnLoad(e);
}

private void sortButton_Click(object sender, System.EventArgs e)

{
// Check which column is selected, otherwise set NewColumn to null.
DataGridViewColumn newColumn =
dataGridView1.Columns.GetColumnCount(
DataGridViewElementStates.Selected) == 1 ?
dataGridView1.SelectedColumns[0] : null;

DataGridViewColumn oldColumn = dataGridView1.SortedColumn;

ListSortDirection direction;

// If oldColumn is null, then the DataGridView is not currently sorted.

if (oldColumn != null)
{
// Sort the same column again, reversing the SortOrder.
if (oldColumn == newColumn &&
dataGridView1.SortOrder == SortOrder.Ascending)
{
direction = ListSortDirection.Descending;
}
else
{
// Sort a new column and remove the old SortGlyph.
direction = ListSortDirection.Ascending;
oldColumn.HeaderCell.SortGlyphDirection = SortOrder.None;
}
}
else
{
direction = ListSortDirection.Ascending;
}

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// If no column has been selected, display an error dialog box.

if (newColumn == null)
{
MessageBox.Show("Select a single column and try again.",
"Error: Invalid Selection", MessageBoxButtons.OK,
MessageBoxIcon.Error);
}
else
{
dataGridView1.Sort(newColumn, direction);
newColumn.HeaderCell.SortGlyphDirection =
direction == ListSortDirection.Ascending ?
SortOrder.Ascending : SortOrder.Descending;
}
}
}

Custom Sorting Using the SortCompare Event

The following code example demonstrates custom sorting using a SortCompare event handler. The
selected DataGridViewColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn(VS.80).aspx ] is sorted and, if there are duplicate
values in the column, the ID column is used to determine the final order.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Imports System
Imports System.Windows.Forms

Public Class Form1

Inherits Form

Private WithEvents DataGridView1 As New DataGridView()

' Establish the main entry point for the application.

<STAThreadAttribute()> _
Public Shared Sub Main()
Application.Run(New Form1())
End Sub

Public Sub New()

' Initialize the form.
' This code can be replaced with designer generated code.
Me.DataGridView1.AllowUserToAddRows = False
Me.DataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
Me.Controls.Add(Me.DataGridView1)
Me.Text = "DataGridView.SortCompare demo"

Me.PopulateDataGridView()
End Sub

' Replace this with your own population code.

Private Sub PopulateDataGridView()
With Me.DataGridView1
' Add columns to the DataGridView.
.ColumnCount = 3

' Set the properties of the DataGridView columns.

.Columns(0).Name = "ID"
.Columns(1).Name = "Name"
.Columns(2).Name = "City"
.Columns("ID").HeaderText = "ID"
.Columns("Name").HeaderText = "Name"
.Columns("City").HeaderText = "City"
End With

' Add rows of data to the DataGridView.

With Me.DataGridView1.Rows
.Add(New String() {"1", "Parker", "Seattle"})
.Add(New String() {"2", "Parker", "New York"})
.Add(New String() {"3", "Watson", "Seattle"})
.Add(New String() {"4", "Jameson", "New Jersey"})
.Add(New String() {"5", "Brock", "New York"})
.Add(New String() {"6", "Conner", "Portland"})
End With

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' Autosize the columns.

Me.DataGridView1.AutoResizeColumns()

End Sub

Private Sub DataGridView1_SortCompare( _

ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As DataGridViewSortCompareEventArgs) _
Handles DataGridView1.SortCompare

' Try to sort based on the contents of the cell in the current column.
e.SortResult = System.String.Compare(e.CellValue1.ToString(), _
e.CellValue2.ToString())

' If the cells are equal, sort based on the ID column.

If (e.SortResult = 0) AndAlso Not (e.Column.Name = "ID") Then
e.SortResult = System.String.Compare( _
DataGridView1.Rows(e.RowIndex1).Cells("ID").Value.ToString(), _
DataGridView1.Rows(e.RowIndex2).Cells("ID").Value.ToString())
End If

e.Handled = True

End Sub
End Class

C# Copy Code

#region Using directives

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Data;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Windows.Forms;

#endregion
class Form1 : Form
{
private DataGridView dataGridView1 = new DataGridView();

// Establish the main entry point for the application.

[STAThreadAttribute()]
static void Main()
{
Application.EnableVisualStyles();
Application.Run(new Form1());
}

public Form1()
{
// Initialize the form.
// This code can be replaced with designer generated code.
dataGridView1.AllowUserToAddRows = false;
dataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill;
dataGridView1.SortCompare += new DataGridViewSortCompareEventHandler(
this.dataGridView1_SortCompare);
Controls.Add(this.dataGridView1);
this.Text = "DataGridView.SortCompare demo";

PopulateDataGridView();
}

// Replace this with your own population code.

public void PopulateDataGridView()
{
// Add columns to the DataGridView.
dataGridView1.ColumnCount = 3;

// Set the properties of the DataGridView columns.

dataGridView1.Columns[0].Name = "ID";
dataGridView1.Columns[1].Name = "Name";
dataGridView1.Columns[2].Name = "City";
dataGridView1.Columns["ID"].HeaderText = "ID";
dataGridView1.Columns["Name"].HeaderText = "Name";
dataGridView1.Columns["City"].HeaderText = "City";

// Add rows of data to the DataGridView.

dataGridView1.Rows.Add(new string[] { "1", "Parker", "Seattle" });
dataGridView1.Rows.Add(new string[] { "2", "Parker", "New York" });

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dataGridView1.Rows.Add(new string[] { "3", "Watson", "Seattle" });

dataGridView1.Rows.Add(new string[] { "4", "Jameson", "New Jersey" });
dataGridView1.Rows.Add(new string[] { "5", "Brock", "New York" });
dataGridView1.Rows.Add(new string[] { "6", "Conner", "Portland" });

// Autosize the columns.

dataGridView1.AutoResizeColumns();
}

private void dataGridView1_SortCompare(object sender,

DataGridViewSortCompareEventArgs e)
{
// Try to sort based on the cells in the current column.
e.SortResult = System.String.Compare(
e.CellValue1.ToString(), e.CellValue2.ToString());

// If the cells are equal, sort based on the ID column.

if (e.SortResult == 0 && e.Column.Name != "ID")
{
e.SortResult = System.String.Compare(
dataGridView1.Rows[e.RowIndex1].Cells["ID"].Value.ToString(),
dataGridView1.Rows[e.RowIndex2].Cells["ID"].Value.ToString());
}
e.Handled = true;
}
}

Custom Sorting Using the IComparer Interface

The following code example demonstrates custom sorting using the Sort(IComparer) overload of the Sort
method, which takes an implementation of the IComparer [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.collections.icomparer(VS.80).aspx ] interface to perform a multiple-column sort.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Imports System
Imports System.Drawing
Imports System.Windows.Forms

Public Class Form1

Inherits Form

Private WithEvents DataGridView1 As New DataGridView()

Private FlowLayoutPanel1 As New FlowLayoutPanel()
Private WithEvents Button1 As New Button()
Private RadioButton1 As New RadioButton()
Private RadioButton2 As New RadioButton()

' Establish the main entry point for the application.

<STAThreadAttribute()> _
Public Shared Sub Main()
Application.Run(New Form1())
End Sub

Public Sub New()

' Initialize the form.
' This code can be replaced with designer generated code.
AutoSize = True
Text = "DataGridView IComparer sort demo"

FlowLayoutPanel1.FlowDirection = FlowDirection.TopDown
FlowLayoutPanel1.Location = New System.Drawing.Point(304, 0)
FlowLayoutPanel1.AutoSize = True

FlowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(RadioButton1)
FlowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(RadioButton2)
FlowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(Button1)

Button1.Text = "Sort"
RadioButton1.Text = "Ascending"
RadioButton2.Text = "Descending"
RadioButton1.Checked = True

Controls.Add(FlowLayoutPanel1)
Controls.Add(DataGridView1)

PopulateDataGridView()

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How to: Customize Sorting in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 7 of 10

End Sub

' Replace this with your own code to populate the DataGridView.
Private Sub PopulateDataGridView()

DataGridView1.Size = New Size(300, 300)

' Add columns to the DataGridView.

DataGridView1.ColumnCount = 2

' Set the properties of the DataGridView columns.

DataGridView1.Columns(0).Name = "First"
DataGridView1.Columns(1).Name = "Last"
DataGridView1.Columns("First").HeaderText = "First Name"
DataGridView1.Columns("Last").HeaderText = "Last Name"
DataGridView1.Columns("First").SortMode = _
DataGridViewColumnSortMode.Programmatic
DataGridView1.Columns("Last").SortMode = _
DataGridViewColumnSortMode.Programmatic

' Add rows of data to the DataGridView.

DataGridView1.Rows.Add(New String() {"Peter", "Parker"})
DataGridView1.Rows.Add(New String() {"James", "Jameson"})
DataGridView1.Rows.Add(New String() {"May", "Parker"})
DataGridView1.Rows.Add(New String() {"Mary", "Watson"})
DataGridView1.Rows.Add(New String() {"Eddie", "Brock"})
End Sub

Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs) _

Handles Button1.Click
If RadioButton1.Checked = True Then
DataGridView1.Sort(New RowComparer(SortOrder.Ascending))
ElseIf RadioButton2.Checked = True Then
DataGridView1.Sort(New RowComparer(SortOrder.Descending))
End If
End Sub

Private Class RowComparer

Implements System.Collections.IComparer

Private sortOrderModifier As Integer = 1

Public Sub New(ByVal sortOrder As SortOrder)

If sortOrder = sortOrder.Descending Then
sortOrderModifier = -1
ElseIf sortOrder = sortOrder.Ascending Then

sortOrderModifier = 1
End If
End Sub

Public Function Compare(ByVal x As Object, ByVal y As Object) As Integer _

Implements System.Collections.IComparer.Compare

Dim DataGridViewRow1 As DataGridViewRow = CType(x, DataGridViewRow)

Dim DataGridViewRow2 As DataGridViewRow = CType(y, DataGridViewRow)

' Try to sort based on the Last Name column.

Dim CompareResult As Integer = System.String.Compare( _
DataGridViewRow1.Cells(1).Value.ToString(), _
DataGridViewRow2.Cells(1).Value.ToString())

' If the Last Names are equal, sort based on the First Name.
If CompareResult = 0 Then
CompareResult = System.String.Compare( _
DataGridViewRow1.Cells(0).Value.ToString(), _
DataGridViewRow2.Cells(0).Value.ToString())
End If
Return CompareResult * sortOrderModifier
End Function
End Class
End Class

C# Copy Code

#region Using directives

using System;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Windows.Forms;

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How to: Customize Sorting in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 8 of 10

#endregion

class Form1 : Form

{
private DataGridView DataGridView1 = new DataGridView();
private FlowLayoutPanel FlowLayoutPanel1 = new FlowLayoutPanel();
private Button Button1 = new Button();
private RadioButton RadioButton1 = new RadioButton();
private RadioButton RadioButton2 = new RadioButton();

// Establish the main entry point for the application.

[STAThreadAttribute()]
public static void Main()
{
Application.Run(new Form1());
}

public Form1()
{
// Initialize the form.
// This code can be replaced with designer generated code.
AutoSize = true;
Text = "DataGridView IComparer sort demo";

FlowLayoutPanel1.FlowDirection = FlowDirection.TopDown;
FlowLayoutPanel1.Location = new System.Drawing.Point( 304, 0 );
FlowLayoutPanel1.AutoSize = true;

FlowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add( RadioButton1 );
FlowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add( RadioButton2 );
FlowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add( Button1 );

Button1.Text = "Sort";
RadioButton1.Text = "Ascending";
RadioButton2.Text = "Descending";
RadioButton1.Checked = true;

Controls.Add( FlowLayoutPanel1 );
Controls.Add( DataGridView1 );
}

protected override void OnLoad( EventArgs e )

{
PopulateDataGridView();
Button1.Click += new EventHandler(Button1_Click);

base.OnLoad( e );
}

// Replace this with your own code to populate the DataGridView.

private void PopulateDataGridView()
{

DataGridView1.Size = new Size(300, 300);

// Add columns to the DataGridView.

DataGridView1.ColumnCount = 2;

// Set the properties of the DataGridView columns.

DataGridView1.Columns[0].Name = "First";
DataGridView1.Columns[1].Name = "Last";
DataGridView1.Columns["First"].HeaderText = "First Name";
DataGridView1.Columns["Last"].HeaderText = "Last Name";
DataGridView1.Columns["First"].SortMode =
DataGridViewColumnSortMode.Programmatic;
DataGridView1.Columns["Last"].SortMode =
DataGridViewColumnSortMode.Programmatic;

// Add rows of data to the DataGridView.

DataGridView1.Rows.Add(new string[] { "Peter", "Parker" });
DataGridView1.Rows.Add(new string[] { "James", "Jameson" });
DataGridView1.Rows.Add(new string[] { "May", "Parker" });
DataGridView1.Rows.Add(new string[] { "Mary", "Watson" });
DataGridView1.Rows.Add(new string[] { "Eddie", "Brock" });
}

private void Button1_Click( object sender, EventArgs e )

{
if ( RadioButton1.Checked == true )
{

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How to: Customize Sorting in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 9 of 10

DataGridView1.Sort( new RowComparer( SortOrder.Ascending ) );

}
else if ( RadioButton2.Checked == true )
{
DataGridView1.Sort( new RowComparer( SortOrder.Descending ) );
}
}

private class RowComparer : System.Collections.IComparer

{
private static int sortOrderModifier = 1;

public RowComparer(SortOrder sortOrder)

{
if (sortOrder == SortOrder.Descending)
{
sortOrderModifier = -1;
}
else if (sortOrder == SortOrder.Ascending)
{
sortOrderModifier = 1;
}
}

public int Compare(object x, object y)

{
DataGridViewRow DataGridViewRow1 = (DataGridViewRow)x;
DataGridViewRow DataGridViewRow2 = (DataGridViewRow)y;

// Try to sort based on the Last Name column.

int CompareResult = System.String.Compare(
DataGridViewRow1.Cells[1].Value.ToString(),
DataGridViewRow2.Cells[1].Value.ToString());

// If the Last Names are equal, sort based on the First Name.
if ( CompareResult == 0 )
{
CompareResult = System.String.Compare(
DataGridViewRow1.Cells[0].Value.ToString(),
DataGridViewRow2.Cells[0].Value.ToString());
}
return CompareResult * sortOrderModifier;
}
}
}

Compiling the Code

These examples require:

z References to the System, System.Drawing, and System.Windows.Forms assemblies.

For information about building these examples from the command line for Visual Basic or Visual C#, see
Building from the Command Line (Visual Basic) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/25fz1td5
(VS.80).aspx ] or Command-Line Building [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/78f4aasd
(VS.80).aspx ] . You can also build this example in Visual Studio by pasting the code into a new project. For
more information, see How to: Compile and Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using Visual
Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/bb129228(vs.80).aspx ] and How to: Compile and Run a
Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/bb129228(vs.90).aspx ] .

See Also

Tasks
How to: Set the Sort Modes for Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/8b9k0ktw(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
Column Sort Modes in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/95scxcdy(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources

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How to: Customize Sorting in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 10 of 10

Sorting Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/ms171607(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

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Data Entry in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 2

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

Data Entry in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
The DataGridView control provides several features that let you change how users add or modify data in
the control. For example, you can make data entry more efficient by providing default values for new rows
and by alerting users when errors occur.

In This Section

How to: Specify the Edit Mode for the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/yztkd864(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to change the way users start editing cells.

How to: Specify Default Values for New Rows in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/b22t666e(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to prepopulate the row for new records to save data-entry time.

Using the Row for New Records in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ka3w9f4d(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes the row for new records in detail, including information on hiding it, on customizing its
appearance, and on how it relates to the Rows [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rows(VS.80).aspx ] collection.

Walkthrough: Validating Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ykdxa0bc(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to validate user input to prevent data-entry formatting errors.

Walkthrough: Handling Errors that Occur During Data Entry in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/t4a23xx4(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to handle data-entry errors that originate from the data source when the user
attempts to commit a new value.

Reference

DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides reference documentation for the DataGridView control.

System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.EditMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.editmode(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides reference documentation for the EditMode property.

System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.DefaultValuesNeeded [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.defaultvaluesneeded(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides reference documentation for the DefaultValuesNeeded event.

System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.DataError [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.dataerror(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides reference documentation for the DataError event.

System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.CellValidating [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellvalidating(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides reference documentation for the CellValidating event.

Related Sections

Displaying Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/ms171600(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides topics that describe how to populate the control with data either manually or from an
external data source.

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Data Entry in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 2

See Also

Concepts
Column Types in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/bxt3k60s(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
DataGridView Control (Windows Forms) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/e0ywh3cz
(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171610(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
How to: Specify the Edit Mode for the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 2

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Specify the Edit Mode for the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control
By default, users can edit the contents of the current DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] text box cell by typing in it or pressing F2.
This puts the cell in edit mode if all of the following conditions are met:

z The underlying data source supports editing.

z The DataGridView control is enabled.

z The EditMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.editmode(VS.80).aspx ] property value is not
EditProgrammatically [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridvieweditmode(VS.80).aspx ] .
z The ReadOnly properties of the cell, row, column, and control are all set to false.

In edit mode, the user can change the cell value and press ENTER to commit the change or ESC to revert
the cell to its original value.

You can configure a DataGridView control so that a cell enters edit mode as soon as it becomes the
current cell. The behavior of the ENTER and ESC keys is unchanged in this case, but the cell remains in edit
mode after the value is committed or reverted. You can also configure the control so that cells enter edit
mode only when users type in the cell or only when users press F2. Finally, you can prevent cells from
entering edit mode except when you call the BeginEdit [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.beginedit(VS.80).aspx ] method.

To change the edit mode of a DataGridView control

z Set the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.EditMode property to the appropriate

DataGridViewEditMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridvieweditmode(VS.80).aspx ] enumeration.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Me.dataGridView1.EditMode = DataGridViewEditMode.EditOnEnter

C# Copy Code

this.dataGridView1.EditMode = DataGridViewEditMode.EditOnEnter;

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z A DataGridView control named dataGridView1.

z References to the System [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system(VS.80).aspx ] and

System.Windows.Forms [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms
(VS.80).aspx ] assemblies.

See Also

Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.EditMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.editmode(VS.80).aspx ]

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/yztkd864(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
How to: Specify the Edit Mode for the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 2

Other Resources
Data Entry in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171610(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/yztkd864(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
How to: Specify Default Values for New Rows in the Windows Forms DataGridView Co... Page 1 of 2

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Specify Default Values for New Rows in the Windows
Forms DataGridView Control
You can make data entry more convenient when the application fills in default values for newly added rows.
With the DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ] class, you can fill in default values with the DefaultValuesNeeded
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.defaultvaluesneeded
(VS.80).aspx ] event. This event is raised when the user enters the row for new records. When your code
handles this event, you can populate desired cells with values of your choosing.

The following code example demonstrates how to specify default values for new rows using the
DefaultValuesNeeded event.

Example

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub dataGridView1_DefaultValuesNeeded(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewRowEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.DefaultValuesNeeded

With e.Row
.Cells("Region").Value = "WA"
.Cells("City").Value = "Redmond"
.Cells("PostalCode").Value = "98052-6399"
.Cells("Region").Value = "NA"
.Cells("Country").Value = "USA"
.Cells("CustomerID").Value = NewCustomerId()
End With

End Sub

C# Copy Code

private void dataGridView1_DefaultValuesNeeded(object sender,

System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewRowEventArgs e)
{
e.Row.Cells["Region"].Value = "WA";
e.Row.Cells["City"].Value = "Redmond";
e.Row.Cells["PostalCode"].Value = "98052-6399";
e.Row.Cells["Region"].Value = "NA";
e.Row.Cells["Country"].Value = "USA";
e.Row.Cells["CustomerID"].Value = NewCustomerId();
}

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z A DataGridView control named dataGridView1.

z A NewCustomerId function for generating unique CustomerID values.

z References to the System [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system(VS.80).aspx ] and

System.Windows.Forms [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms
(VS.80).aspx ] assemblies.

See Also

Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]

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How to: Specify Default Values for New Rows in the Windows Forms DataGridView Co... Page 2 of 2

System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.DefaultValuesNeeded [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.defaultvaluesneeded(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
Using the Row for New Records in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ka3w9f4d(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Data Entry in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171610(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/b22t666e(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
Using the Row for New Records in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 3

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

Using the Row for New Records in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control
When you use a DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] for editing data in your application, you will
often want to give your users the ability to add new rows of data to the data store. The DataGridView
control supports this functionality by providing a row for new records, which is always shown as the last
row. It is marked with an asterisk (*) symbol in its row header. The following sections discuss some of the
things you should consider when you program with the row for new records enabled.

Displaying the Row for New Records

Use the AllowUserToAddRows [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.allowusertoaddrows(VS.80).aspx ] property to indicate
whether the row for new records is displayed. The default value of this property is true.

For the data bound case, the row for new records will be shown if the AllowUserToAddRows property of
the control and the System.ComponentModel.IBindingList.AllowNew [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.componentmodel.ibindinglist.allownew(VS.80).aspx ] property of the data source are
both true. If either is false then the row will not be shown.

Populating the Row for New Records with Default Data

When the user selects the row for new records as the current row, the DataGridView control raises the
DefaultValuesNeeded [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.defaultvaluesneeded(VS.80).aspx ] event.

This event provides access to the new DataGridViewRow [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrow(VS.80).aspx ] and enables you to populate the new row
with default data. For more information, see How to: Specify Default Values for New Rows in the Windows
Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/b22t666e(VS.80).aspx ]

The Rows Collection

The row for new records is contained in the DataGridView control's Rows
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rows(VS.80).aspx ]
collection but behaves differently in two respects:

z The row for new records cannot be removed from the Rows collection programmatically. An
InvalidOperationException [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.invalidoperationexception(VS.80).aspx ] is thrown if this is attempted. The user also
cannot delete the row for new records. The System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewRowCollection.Clear
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrowcollection.clear
(VS.80).aspx ] method does not remove this row from the Rows collection.
z No row can be added after the row for new records. An InvalidOperationException is raised if this
is attempted. As a result, the row for new records is always the last row in the DataGridView control.
The methods on DataGridViewRowCollection [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrowcollection(VS.80).aspx ] that add rows—Add
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrowcollection.add
(VS.80).aspx ] , AddCopy [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrowcollection.addcopy(VS.80).aspx ] , and AddCopies
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrowcollection.addcopies(VS.80).aspx ] —all call
insertion methods internally when the row for new records is present.

Visual Customization of the Row for New Records

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Using the Row for New Records in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 3

When the row for new records is created, it is based on the row specified by the RowTemplate
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowtemplate
(VS.80).aspx ] property. Any cell styles that are not specified for this row are inherited from other
properties. For more information about cell style inheritance, see Cell Styles in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/1yef90x0(VS.80).aspx ] .

The initial values displayed by cells in the row for new records are retrieved from each cell's
DefaultNewRowValue [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcell.defaultnewrowvalue(VS.80).aspx ] property. For cells of
type DataGridViewImageCell [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewimagecell(VS.80).aspx ] , this property returns a placeholder
image. Otherwise, this property returns null. You can override this property to return a custom value.
However, these initial values can be replaced by a DefaultValuesNeeded event handler when focus enters
the row for new records.

The standard icons for this row's header, which are an arrow or an asterisk, are not exposed publicly. If you
want to customize the icons, you will need to create a custom DataGridViewRowHeaderCell
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrowheadercell
(VS.80).aspx ] class.

The standard icons use the ForeColor [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle.forecolor(VS.80).aspx ] property of the
DataGridViewCellStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle(VS.80).aspx ] in use by the row header cell. The
standard icons are not rendered if there is not enough space to display them completely.

If the row header cell has a string value set, and if there is not enough room for both the text and icon, the
icon is dropped first.

Sorting

In unbound mode, new records will always be added to the end of the DataGridView even if the user has
sorted the content of the DataGridView. The user will need to apply the sort again in order to sort the row
to the correct position; this behavior is similar to that of the ListView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.listview(VS.80).aspx ] control.

In data bound and virtual modes, the insertion behavior when a sort is applied will be dependent on the
implementation of the data model. For ADO.NET, the row is immediately sorted into the correct position.

Other Notes on the Row for New Records

You cannot set the Visible [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrow.visible(VS.80).aspx ] property of this row to false. An
InvalidOperationException is raised if this is attempted.

The row for new records is always created in the unselected state.

Virtual Mode

If you are implementing virtual mode, you will need to track when a row for new records is needed in the
data model and when to roll back the addition of the row. The exact implementation of this functionality
depends on the implementation of the data model and its transaction semantics, for example, whether
commit scope is at the cell or row level. For more information, see Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171622(VS.80).aspx ] .

See Also

Tasks
How to: Specify Default Values for New Rows in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/b22t666e(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.DefaultValuesNeeded [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.defaultvaluesneeded(VS.80).aspx ]

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Using the Row for New Records in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 3 of 3

Other Resources
Data Entry in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171610(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ka3w9f4d(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
Walkthrough: Validating Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 7

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

Walkthrough: Validating Data in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control
When you display data entry functionality to users, you frequently have to validate the data entered into
your form. The DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] class provides a convenient way to perform
validation before data is committed to the data store. You can validate data by handling the CellValidating
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellvalidating
(VS.80).aspx ] event, which is raised by the DataGridView when the current cell changes.

In this walkthrough, you will retrieve rows from the Customers table in the Northwind sample database and
display them in a DataGridView control. When a user edits a cell in the CompanyName column and tries to
leave the cell, the CellValidating event handler will examine new company name string to make sure it is
not empty; if the new value is an empty string, the DataGridView will prevent the user's cursor from
leaving the cell until a non-empty string is entered.

To copy the code in this topic as a single listing, see How to: Validate Data in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/7ehy30d4(VS.80).aspx ] .

Prerequisites
In order to complete this walkthrough, you will need:

z Access to a server that has the Northwind SQL Server sample database.

Creating the Form

To validate data entered in a DataGridView

1. Create a class that derives from Form [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.form(VS.80).aspx ] and contains a DataGridView control and
a BindingSource [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.bindingsource(VS.80).aspx ] component.
The following code example provides basic initialization and includes a Main method.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Imports System
Imports System.Data
Imports System.Data.SqlClient
Imports System.Windows.Forms

Public Class Form1

Inherits System.Windows.Forms.Form

Private WithEvents dataGridView1 As New DataGridView()

Private bindingSource1 As New BindingSource()

Public Sub New()

' Initialize the form.

Me.dataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
Me.Controls.Add(dataGridView1)
Me.Text = "DataGridView validation demo (disallows empty CompanyName)"

End Sub
<br /><span space="preserve">...</span><br /> <STAThread()> _

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Walkthrough: Validating Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 7

Shared Sub Main()

Application.EnableVisualStyles()
Application.Run(New Form1())
End Sub

End Class

C# Copy Code

using System;
using System.Data;
using System.Data.SqlClient;
using System.Windows.Forms;

public class Form1 : System.Windows.Forms.Form

{
private DataGridView dataGridView1 = new DataGridView();
private BindingSource bindingSource1 = new BindingSource();

public Form1()
{
// Initialize the form.
this.dataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill;
this.Controls.Add(dataGridView1);
this.Load += new EventHandler(Form1_Load);
this.Text = "DataGridView validation demo (disallows empty CompanyName)";
}
<br /><span space="preserve">...</span><br /> [STAThread]
static void Main()
{
Application.EnableVisualStyles();
Application.Run(new Form1());
}

C++ Copy Code

#using <System.dll>
#using <System.Data.dll>
#using <System.Windows.Forms.dll>
#using <System.Drawing.dll>
#using <System.Xml.dll>
#using <System.EnterpriseServices.dll>
#using <System.Transactions.dll>

using namespace System;

using namespace System::Data;
using namespace System::Data::SqlClient;
using namespace System::Windows::Forms;

public ref class Form1 : public System::Windows::Forms::Form

{
private:
DataGridView^ dataGridView1;
BindingSource^ bindingSource1;

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Walkthrough: Validating Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 3 of 7

public:
Form1()
{
dataGridView1 = gcnew DataGridView();
bindingSource1 = gcnew BindingSource();
// Initialize the form.
this->dataGridView1->Dock = DockStyle::Fill;
this->Controls->Add(dataGridView1);
this->Load += gcnew EventHandler(this, &Form1::Form1_Load);
}
<br /><span space="preserve">...</span><br />public:
[STAThread]
static void Main()
{
Application::EnableVisualStyles();
Application::Run(gcnew Form1());
}
};

int main()
{
Form1::Main();
}

2. Implement a method in your form's class definition for handling the details of connecting to the
database.
This code example uses a GetData method that returns a populated DataTable
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.data.datatable(VS.80).aspx ] object. Be sure
that you set the connectionString variable to a value that is appropriate for your database.

Security Note

Storing sensitive information, such as a password, within the connection string can affect
the security of your application. Using Windows Authentication, also known as integrated
security, is a more secure way to control access to a database. For more information, see
Securing Connection Strings [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/89211k9b
(VS.80).aspx ] .

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Shared Function GetData(ByVal selectCommand As String) As DataTable

Dim connectionString As String = _

"Integrated Security=SSPI;Persist Security Info=False;" + _
"Initial Catalog=Northwind;Data Source=localhost;Packet Size=4096"

' Connect to the database and fill a data table.

Dim adapter As New SqlDataAdapter(selectCommand, connectionString)
Dim data As New DataTable()
data.Locale = System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture
adapter.Fill(data)

Return data

End Function

C# Copy Code

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Walkthrough: Validating Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 4 of 7

private static DataTable GetData(string selectCommand)

{
string connectionString =
"Integrated Security=SSPI;Persist Security Info=False;" +
"Initial Catalog=Northwind;Data Source=localhost;Packet Size=4096";

// Connect to the database and fill a data table.

SqlDataAdapter adapter =
new SqlDataAdapter(selectCommand, connectionString);
DataTable data = new DataTable();
data.Locale = System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture;
adapter.Fill(data);

return data;
}

C++ Copy Code

private:
DataTable^ GetData(String^ selectCommand)
{
String^ connectionString =
"Integrated Security=SSPI;Persist Security Info=False;" +
"Initial Catalog=Northwind;Data Source=localhost;Packet Size=4096";

// Connect to the database and fill a data table.

SqlDataAdapter^ adapter =
gcnew SqlDataAdapter(selectCommand, connectionString);
DataTable^ data = gcnew DataTable();
adapter->Fill(data);

return data;
}

3. Implement a handler for your form's Load [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.form.load(VS.80).aspx ] event that initializes the
DataGridView and BindingSource and sets up the data binding.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, _

ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Me.Load

' Initialize the BindingSource and bind the DataGridView to it.

bindingSource1.DataSource = GetData("select * from Customers")
Me.dataGridView1.DataSource = bindingSource1
Me.dataGridView1.AutoResizeColumns( _
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.AllCellsExceptHeader)

End Sub

C# Copy Code

private void Form1_Load(System.Object sender, System.EventArgs e)

{
// Attach DataGridView events to the corresponding event handlers.
this.dataGridView1.CellValidating += new
DataGridViewCellValidatingEventHandler(dataGridView1_CellValidating);

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Walkthrough: Validating Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 5 of 7

this.dataGridView1.CellEndEdit += new
DataGridViewCellEventHandler(dataGridView1_CellEndEdit);

// Initialize the BindingSource and bind the DataGridView to it.

bindingSource1.DataSource = GetData("select * from Customers");
this.dataGridView1.DataSource = bindingSource1;
this.dataGridView1.AutoResizeColumns(
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.AllCellsExceptHeader);
}

C++ Copy Code

private:
void Form1_Load(System::Object^ /*sender*/, System::EventArgs^ /*e*/)
{
// Attach DataGridView events to the corresponding event handlers.
this->dataGridView1->CellValidating += gcnew
DataGridViewCellValidatingEventHandler(this, &Form1::dataGridView1_CellVa
this->dataGridView1->CellEndEdit += gcnew
DataGridViewCellEventHandler(this, &Form1::dataGridView1_CellEndEdit);

// Initialize the BindingSource and bind the DataGridView to it.

bindingSource1->DataSource = GetData("select * from Customers");
this->dataGridView1->DataSource = bindingSource1;
this->dataGridView1->AutoResizeColumns(
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode::AllCellsExceptHeader);
}

4. Implement handlers for the DataGridView control's CellValidating and CellEndEdit

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellendedit
(VS.80).aspx ] events.
The CellValidating event handler is where you determine whether the value of a cell in the
CompanyName column is empty. If the cell value fails validation, set the Cancel
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.componentmodel.canceleventargs.cancel
(VS.80).aspx ] property of the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCellValidatingEventArgs
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellvalidatingeventargs(VS.80).aspx ] class to
true. This causes the DataGridView control to prevent the cursor from leaving the cell. Set the
ErrorText [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrow.errortext(VS.80).aspx ] property on the row
to an explanatory string. This displays an error icon with a ToolTip that contains the error text. In
the CellEndEdit event handler, set the ErrorText property on the row to the empty string. The
CellEndEdit event occurs only when the cell exits edit mode, which it cannot do if it fails
validation.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub dataGridView1_CellValidating(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As DataGridViewCellValidatingEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.CellValidating

' Validate the CompanyName entry by disallowing empty strings.

If dataGridView1.Columns(e.ColumnIndex).Name = "CompanyName" Then
If String.IsNullOrEmpty(e.FormattedValue.ToString()) Then
dataGridView1.Rows(e.RowIndex).ErrorText = _
"Company Name must not be empty"
e.Cancel = True
End If

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End If

End Sub

Private Sub dataGridView1_CellEndEdit(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCellEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.CellEndEdit

' Clear the row error in case the user presses ESC.
dataGridView1.Rows(e.RowIndex).ErrorText = String.Empty

End Sub

C# Copy Code

private void dataGridView1_CellValidating(object sender,

DataGridViewCellValidatingEventArgs e)
{
// Validate the CompanyName entry by disallowing empty strings.
if (dataGridView1.Columns[e.ColumnIndex].Name == "CompanyName")
{
if (String.IsNullOrEmpty(e.FormattedValue.ToString()))
{
dataGridView1.Rows[e.RowIndex].ErrorText =
"Company Name must not be empty";
e.Cancel = true;
}
}
}

void dataGridView1_CellEndEdit(object sender, DataGridViewCellEventArgs e)

{
// Clear the row error in case the user presses ESC.
dataGridView1.Rows[e.RowIndex].ErrorText = String.Empty;
}

C++ Copy Code

private:
void dataGridView1_CellValidating(Object^ /*sender*/,
DataGridViewCellValidatingEventArgs^ e)
{
// Validate the CompanyName entry by disallowing empty strings.
if (dataGridView1->Columns[e->ColumnIndex]->Name == "CompanyName")
{
if (e->FormattedValue->ToString() == String::Empty)
{
dataGridView1->Rows[e->RowIndex]->ErrorText =
"Company Name must not be empty";
e->Cancel = true;
}
}
}

private:
void dataGridView1_CellEndEdit(Object^ /*sender*/, DataGridViewCellEventArgs^ e)
{

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// Clear the row error in case the user presses ESC.

dataGridView1->Rows[e->RowIndex]->ErrorText = String::Empty;
}

Testing the Application

You can now test the form to make sure it behaves as expected.

To test the form

z Compile and run the application.

You will see a DataGridView filled with data from the Customers table. When you double-click a
cell in the CompanyName column, you can edit the value. If you delete all the characters and hit the
TAB key to exit the cell, the DataGridView prevents you from exiting. When you type a non-
empty string into the cell, the DataGridView control lets you exit the cell.
Next Steps
This application gives you a basic understanding of the DataGridView control's capabilities. You can
customize the appearance and behavior of the DataGridView control in several ways:

z Change border and header styles. For more information, see How to: Change the Border and
Gridline Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ehz9ksfa(VS.80).aspx ] .
z Enable or restrict user input to the DataGridView control. For more information, see How to:
Prevent Row Addition and Deletion in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/61bk13ye(VS.80).aspx ] , and How to: Make Columns
Read-Only in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/cze614bb(VS.80).aspx ] .
z Check user input for database-related errors. For more information, see Walkthrough: Handling
Errors that Occur During Data Entry in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/t4a23xx4(VS.80).aspx ] .
z Handle very large data sets using virtual mode. For more information, see Walkthrough:
Implementing Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/15a31akc(VS.80).aspx ] .
z Customize the appearance of cells. For more information, see How to: Customize the Appearance
of Cells in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/hta8z9sz(VS.80).aspx ] and How to: Set Font and Color Styles in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/z2akwyy7(VS.80).aspx ] .
See Also
Tasks
How to: Validate Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/7ehy30d4(VS.80).aspx ]
Walkthrough: Handling Errors that Occur During Data Entry in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/t4a23xx4(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
BindingSource [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.bindingsource
(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
Securing Connection Strings [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/89211k9b(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Data Entry in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171610(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ykdxa0bc(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
How to: Validate Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 5

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Validate Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control
The following code example demonstrates how to validate data entered by a user into a DataGridView
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control. In
this example, the DataGridView is populated with rows from the Customers table of the Northwind sample
database. When the user edits a cell in the CompanyName column, its value is tested for validity by checking
that it is not empty. If the event handler for the CellValidating [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellvalidating(VS.80).aspx ] event finds that the value is an
empty string, the DataGridView prevents the user from exiting the cell until a non-empty string is
entered.

For a complete explanation of this code example, see Walkthrough: Validating Data in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ykdxa0bc(VS.80).aspx ] .

Example

Visual Basic Copy Code

Imports System
Imports System.Data
Imports System.Data.SqlClient
Imports System.Windows.Forms

Public Class Form1

Inherits System.Windows.Forms.Form

Private WithEvents dataGridView1 As New DataGridView()

Private bindingSource1 As New BindingSource()

Public Sub New()

' Initialize the form.

Me.dataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
Me.Controls.Add(dataGridView1)
Me.Text = "DataGridView validation demo (disallows empty CompanyName)"

End Sub

Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, _

ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Me.Load

' Initialize the BindingSource and bind the DataGridView to it.

bindingSource1.DataSource = GetData("select * from Customers")
Me.dataGridView1.DataSource = bindingSource1
Me.dataGridView1.AutoResizeColumns( _
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.AllCellsExceptHeader)

End Sub

Private Sub dataGridView1_CellValidating(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As DataGridViewCellValidatingEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.CellValidating

' Validate the CompanyName entry by disallowing empty strings.

If dataGridView1.Columns(e.ColumnIndex).Name = "CompanyName" Then
If String.IsNullOrEmpty(e.FormattedValue.ToString()) Then
dataGridView1.Rows(e.RowIndex).ErrorText = _
"Company Name must not be empty"
e.Cancel = True
End If
End If

End Sub

Private Sub dataGridView1_CellEndEdit(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCellEventArgs) _

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Handles dataGridView1.CellEndEdit

' Clear the row error in case the user presses ESC.
dataGridView1.Rows(e.RowIndex).ErrorText = String.Empty

End Sub

Private Shared Function GetData(ByVal selectCommand As String) As DataTable

Dim connectionString As String = _

"Integrated Security=SSPI;Persist Security Info=False;" + _
"Initial Catalog=Northwind;Data Source=localhost;Packet Size=4096"

' Connect to the database and fill a data table.

Dim adapter As New SqlDataAdapter(selectCommand, connectionString)
Dim data As New DataTable()
data.Locale = System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture
adapter.Fill(data)

Return data

End Function

<STAThread()> _
Shared Sub Main()
Application.EnableVisualStyles()
Application.Run(New Form1())
End Sub

End Class

C# Copy Code

using System;
using System.Data;
using System.Data.SqlClient;
using System.Windows.Forms;

public class Form1 : System.Windows.Forms.Form

{
private DataGridView dataGridView1 = new DataGridView();
private BindingSource bindingSource1 = new BindingSource();

public Form1()
{
// Initialize the form.
this.dataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill;
this.Controls.Add(dataGridView1);
this.Load += new EventHandler(Form1_Load);
this.Text = "DataGridView validation demo (disallows empty CompanyName)";
}

private void Form1_Load(System.Object sender, System.EventArgs e)

{
// Attach DataGridView events to the corresponding event handlers.
this.dataGridView1.CellValidating += new
DataGridViewCellValidatingEventHandler(dataGridView1_CellValidating);
this.dataGridView1.CellEndEdit += new
DataGridViewCellEventHandler(dataGridView1_CellEndEdit);

// Initialize the BindingSource and bind the DataGridView to it.

bindingSource1.DataSource = GetData("select * from Customers");
this.dataGridView1.DataSource = bindingSource1;
this.dataGridView1.AutoResizeColumns(
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.AllCellsExceptHeader);
}

private void dataGridView1_CellValidating(object sender,

DataGridViewCellValidatingEventArgs e)
{
// Validate the CompanyName entry by disallowing empty strings.
if (dataGridView1.Columns[e.ColumnIndex].Name == "CompanyName")
{
if (String.IsNullOrEmpty(e.FormattedValue.ToString()))
{
dataGridView1.Rows[e.RowIndex].ErrorText =
"Company Name must not be empty";
e.Cancel = true;
}
}

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void dataGridView1_CellEndEdit(object sender, DataGridViewCellEventArgs e)

{
// Clear the row error in case the user presses ESC.
dataGridView1.Rows[e.RowIndex].ErrorText = String.Empty;
}

private static DataTable GetData(string selectCommand)

{
string connectionString =
"Integrated Security=SSPI;Persist Security Info=False;" +
"Initial Catalog=Northwind;Data Source=localhost;Packet Size=4096";

// Connect to the database and fill a data table.

SqlDataAdapter adapter =
new SqlDataAdapter(selectCommand, connectionString);
DataTable data = new DataTable();
data.Locale = System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture;
adapter.Fill(data);

return data;
}

[STAThread]
static void Main()
{
Application.EnableVisualStyles();
Application.Run(new Form1());
}

C++ Copy Code

#using <System.dll>
#using <System.Data.dll>
#using <System.Windows.Forms.dll>
#using <System.Drawing.dll>
#using <System.Xml.dll>
#using <System.EnterpriseServices.dll>
#using <System.Transactions.dll>

using namespace System;

using namespace System::Data;
using namespace System::Data::SqlClient;
using namespace System::Windows::Forms;

public ref class Form1 : public System::Windows::Forms::Form

{
private:
DataGridView^ dataGridView1;
BindingSource^ bindingSource1;

public:
Form1()
{
dataGridView1 = gcnew DataGridView();
bindingSource1 = gcnew BindingSource();
// Initialize the form.
this->dataGridView1->Dock = DockStyle::Fill;
this->Controls->Add(dataGridView1);
this->Load += gcnew EventHandler(this, &Form1::Form1_Load);
}

private:
void Form1_Load(System::Object^ /*sender*/, System::EventArgs^ /*e*/)
{
// Attach DataGridView events to the corresponding event handlers.
this->dataGridView1->CellValidating += gcnew
DataGridViewCellValidatingEventHandler(this, &Form1::dataGridView1_CellValidati
this->dataGridView1->CellEndEdit += gcnew
DataGridViewCellEventHandler(this, &Form1::dataGridView1_CellEndEdit);

// Initialize the BindingSource and bind the DataGridView to it.

bindingSource1->DataSource = GetData("select * from Customers");
this->dataGridView1->DataSource = bindingSource1;
this->dataGridView1->AutoResizeColumns(
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode::AllCellsExceptHeader);
}

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private:
void dataGridView1_CellValidating(Object^ /*sender*/,
DataGridViewCellValidatingEventArgs^ e)
{
// Validate the CompanyName entry by disallowing empty strings.
if (dataGridView1->Columns[e->ColumnIndex]->Name == "CompanyName")
{
if (e->FormattedValue->ToString() == String::Empty)
{
dataGridView1->Rows[e->RowIndex]->ErrorText =
"Company Name must not be empty";
e->Cancel = true;
}
}
}

private:
void dataGridView1_CellEndEdit(Object^ /*sender*/, DataGridViewCellEventArgs^ e)
{
// Clear the row error in case the user presses ESC.
dataGridView1->Rows[e->RowIndex]->ErrorText = String::Empty;
}

private:
DataTable^ GetData(String^ selectCommand)
{
String^ connectionString =
"Integrated Security=SSPI;Persist Security Info=False;" +
"Initial Catalog=Northwind;Data Source=localhost;Packet Size=4096";

// Connect to the database and fill a data table.

SqlDataAdapter^ adapter =
gcnew SqlDataAdapter(selectCommand, connectionString);
DataTable^ data = gcnew DataTable();
adapter->Fill(data);

return data;
}

public:
[STAThread]
static void Main()
{
Application::EnableVisualStyles();
Application::Run(gcnew Form1());
}
};

int main()
{
Form1::Main();
}

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z References to the System, System.Data, System.Windows.Forms and System.XML assemblies.

For information about building this example from the command line for Visual Basic or Visual C#, see
Building from the Command Line (Visual Basic) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/25fz1td5
(VS.80).aspx ] or Command-Line Building [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/78f4aasd
(VS.80).aspx ] . You can also build this example in Visual Studio by pasting the code into a new project.
For more information, see How to: Compile and Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using
Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/bb129228(vs.80).aspx ] and How to: Compile and
Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/bb129228(vs.90).aspx ] .

Security

Storing sensitive information, such as a password, within the connection string can affect the security of
your application. Using Windows Authentication (also known as integrated security) is a more secure way to
control access to a database. For more information, see Securing Connection Strings

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How to: Validate Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 5 of 5

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/89211k9b(VS.80).aspx ] .

See Also

Tasks
Walkthrough: Validating Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ykdxa0bc(VS.80).aspx ]
Walkthrough: Handling Errors that Occur During Data Entry in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/t4a23xx4(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
BindingSource [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.bindingsource
(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
Securing Connection Strings [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/89211k9b(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Data Entry in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171610(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

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Walkthrough: Handling Errors that Occur During Data Entry in the Windows Forms Data... Page 1 of 5

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

Walkthrough: Handling Errors that Occur During Data Entry in
the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
Handling errors from the underlying data store is a required feature for a data-entry application. The
Windows Forms DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control makes this easy by exposing the
DataError [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.dataerror
(VS.80).aspx ] event, which is raised when the data store detects a constraint violation or a broken
business rule.

In this walkthrough, you will retrieve rows from the Customers table in the Northwind sample database and
display them in a DataGridView control. When a duplicate CustomerID value is detected in a new row or
an edited existing row, the DataError event will occur, which will be handled by displaying a MessageBox
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.messagebox(VS.80).aspx ] that
describes the exception.

To copy the code in this topic as a single listing, see How to: Handle Errors That Occur During Data Entry in
the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/xktax5sd
(VS.80).aspx ] .

Prerequisites
In order to complete this walkthrough, you will need:

z Access to a server that has the Northwind SQL Server sample database.

Creating the Form

To handle data-entry errors in the DataGridView control

1. Create a class that derives from Form [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.form(VS.80).aspx ] and contains a DataGridView control and
a BindingSource [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.bindingsource(VS.80).aspx ] component.
The following code example provides basic initialization and includes a Main method.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Imports System
Imports System.Data
Imports System.Data.SqlClient
Imports System.Windows.Forms

Public Class Form1

Inherits System.Windows.Forms.Form

Private WithEvents dataGridView1 As New DataGridView()

Private bindingSource1 As New BindingSource()

Public Sub New()

' Initialize the form.

Me.dataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
Me.Controls.Add(dataGridView1)

End Sub
<br /><span space="preserve">...</span><br /> <STAThread()> _

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Shared Sub Main()

Application.EnableVisualStyles()
Application.Run(New Form1())
End Sub

End Class

C# Copy Code

using System;
using System.Data;
using System.Data.SqlClient;
using System.Windows.Forms;

public class Form1 : System.Windows.Forms.Form

{
private DataGridView dataGridView1 = new DataGridView();
private BindingSource bindingSource1 = new BindingSource();

public Form1()
{
// Initialize the form.
this.dataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill;
this.Controls.Add(dataGridView1);
this.Load += new EventHandler(Form1_Load);
}
<br /><span space="preserve">...</span><br /> [STAThread]
static void Main()
{
Application.EnableVisualStyles();
Application.Run(new Form1());
}

2. Implement a method in your form's class definition for handling the details of connecting to the
database.
This code example uses a GetData method that returns a populated DataTable
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.data.datatable(VS.80).aspx ] object. Be sure
that you set the connectionString variable to a value that is appropriate for your database.

Security Note

Storing sensitive information, such as a password, within the connection string can affect
the security of your application. Using Windows Authentication (also known as integrated
security) is a more secure way to control access to a database. For more information, see
Securing Connection Strings [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/89211k9b
(VS.80).aspx ] .

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Shared Function GetData(ByVal selectCommand As String) As DataTable

Dim connectionString As String = _

"Integrated Security=SSPI;Persist Security Info=False;" + _
"Initial Catalog=Northwind;Data Source=localhost;Packet Size=4096"

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' Connect to the database and fill a data table, including the
' schema information that contains the CustomerID column
' constraint.
Dim adapter As New SqlDataAdapter(selectCommand, connectionString)
Dim data As New DataTable()
data.Locale = System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture
adapter.Fill(data)
adapter.FillSchema(data, SchemaType.Source)

Return data

End Function

C# Copy Code

private static DataTable GetData(string selectCommand)

{
string connectionString =
"Integrated Security=SSPI;Persist Security Info=False;" +
"Initial Catalog=Northwind;Data Source=localhost;Packet Size=4096";

// Connect to the database and fill a data table, including the

// schema information that contains the CustomerID column
// constraint.
SqlDataAdapter adapter =
new SqlDataAdapter(selectCommand, connectionString);
DataTable data = new DataTable();
data.Locale = System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture;
adapter.Fill(data);
adapter.FillSchema(data, SchemaType.Source);

return data;
}

3. Implement a handler for your form's Load [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.form.load(VS.80).aspx ] event that initializes the
DataGridView and BindingSource and sets up the data binding.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, _

ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Me.Load

' Initialize the BindingSource and bind the DataGridView to it.

bindingSource1.DataSource = GetData("select * from Customers")
Me.dataGridView1.DataSource = bindingSource1
Me.dataGridView1.AutoResizeColumns( _
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.AllCellsExceptHeader)

End Sub

C# Copy Code

private void Form1_Load(System.Object sender, System.EventArgs e)

{
// Attach the DataError event to the corresponding event handler.
this.dataGridView1.DataError +=
new DataGridViewDataErrorEventHandler(dataGridView1_DataError);

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// Initialize the BindingSource and bind the DataGridView to it.

bindingSource1.DataSource = GetData("select * from Customers");
this.dataGridView1.DataSource = bindingSource1;
this.dataGridView1.AutoResizeColumns(
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.AllCellsExceptHeader);
}

4. Handle the DataError event on the DataGridView.

If the context for the error is a commit operation, display the error in a MessageBox.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub dataGridView1_DataError(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As DataGridViewDataErrorEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.DataError

' If the data source raises an exception when a cell value is

' commited, display an error message.
If e.Exception IsNot Nothing AndAlso _
e.Context = DataGridViewDataErrorContexts.Commit Then

MessageBox.Show("CustomerID value must be unique.")

End If

End Sub

C# Copy Code

private void dataGridView1_DataError(object sender,

DataGridViewDataErrorEventArgs e)
{
// If the data source raises an exception when a cell value is
// commited, display an error message.
if (e.Exception != null &&
e.Context == DataGridViewDataErrorContexts.Commit)
{
MessageBox.Show("CustomerID value must be unique.");
}
}

Testing the Application

You can now test the form to make sure it behaves as expected.

To test the form

z Press F5 to run the application.

You will see a DataGridView control filled with data from the Customers table. If you enter a
duplicate value for CustomerID and commit the edit, the cell value will revert automatically and
you will see a MessageBox that displays the data entry error.
Next Steps
This application gives you a basic understanding of the DataGridView control's capabilities. You can
customize the appearance and behavior of the DataGridView control in several ways:

z Change border and header styles. For more information, see How to: Change the Border and
Gridline Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ehz9ksfa(VS.80).aspx ] .

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Walkthrough: Handling Errors that Occur During Data Entry in the Windows Forms Data... Page 5 of 5

z Enable or restrict user input to the DataGridView control. For more information, see How to:
Prevent Row Addition and Deletion in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/61bk13ye(VS.80).aspx ] , and How to: Make Columns
Read-Only in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/cze614bb(VS.80).aspx ] .
z Validate user input to the DataGridView control. For more information, see Walkthrough:
Validating Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ykdxa0bc(VS.80).aspx ] .
z Handle very large data sets using virtual mode. For more information, see Walkthrough:
Implementing Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/15a31akc(VS.80).aspx ] .
z Customize the appearance of cells. For more information, see How to: Customize the Appearance
of Cells in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/hta8z9sz(VS.80).aspx ] and How to: Set Default Cell Styles for the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/k4sab6f9(VS.80).aspx ] .
See Also
Tasks
How to: Handle Errors That Occur During Data Entry in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/xktax5sd(VS.80).aspx ]
Walkthrough: Validating Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ykdxa0bc(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
BindingSource [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.bindingsource
(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
Securing Connection Strings [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/89211k9b(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Data Entry in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171610(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/t4a23xx4(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
How to: Handle Errors That Occur During Data Entry in the Windows Forms DataGridVi... Page 1 of 3

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Handle Errors That Occur During Data Entry in the
Windows Forms DataGridView Control
The following code example demonstrates how to use the DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control to report data entry errors to the
user.

For a complete explanation of this code example, see Walkthrough: Handling Errors that Occur During Data
Entry in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/t4a23xx4
(VS.80).aspx ] .

Example

Visual Basic Copy Code

Imports System
Imports System.Data
Imports System.Data.SqlClient
Imports System.Windows.Forms

Public Class Form1

Inherits System.Windows.Forms.Form

Private WithEvents dataGridView1 As New DataGridView()

Private bindingSource1 As New BindingSource()

Public Sub New()

' Initialize the form.

Me.dataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
Me.Controls.Add(dataGridView1)

End Sub

Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, _

ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Me.Load

' Initialize the BindingSource and bind the DataGridView to it.

bindingSource1.DataSource = GetData("select * from Customers")
Me.dataGridView1.DataSource = bindingSource1
Me.dataGridView1.AutoResizeColumns( _
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.AllCellsExceptHeader)

End Sub

Private Sub dataGridView1_DataError(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As DataGridViewDataErrorEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.DataError

' If the data source raises an exception when a cell value is

' commited, display an error message.
If e.Exception IsNot Nothing AndAlso _
e.Context = DataGridViewDataErrorContexts.Commit Then

MessageBox.Show("CustomerID value must be unique.")

End If

End Sub

Private Shared Function GetData(ByVal selectCommand As String) As DataTable

Dim connectionString As String = _

"Integrated Security=SSPI;Persist Security Info=False;" + _
"Initial Catalog=Northwind;Data Source=localhost;Packet Size=4096"

' Connect to the database and fill a data table, including the
' schema information that contains the CustomerID column

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How to: Handle Errors That Occur During Data Entry in the Windows Forms DataGridVi... Page 2 of 3

' constraint.
Dim adapter As New SqlDataAdapter(selectCommand, connectionString)
Dim data As New DataTable()
data.Locale = System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture
adapter.Fill(data)
adapter.FillSchema(data, SchemaType.Source)

Return data

End Function

<STAThread()> _
Shared Sub Main()
Application.EnableVisualStyles()
Application.Run(New Form1())
End Sub

End Class

C# Copy Code

using System;
using System.Data;
using System.Data.SqlClient;
using System.Windows.Forms;

public class Form1 : System.Windows.Forms.Form

{
private DataGridView dataGridView1 = new DataGridView();
private BindingSource bindingSource1 = new BindingSource();

public Form1()
{
// Initialize the form.
this.dataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill;
this.Controls.Add(dataGridView1);
this.Load += new EventHandler(Form1_Load);
}

private void Form1_Load(System.Object sender, System.EventArgs e)

{
// Attach the DataError event to the corresponding event handler.
this.dataGridView1.DataError +=
new DataGridViewDataErrorEventHandler(dataGridView1_DataError);

// Initialize the BindingSource and bind the DataGridView to it.

bindingSource1.DataSource = GetData("select * from Customers");
this.dataGridView1.DataSource = bindingSource1;
this.dataGridView1.AutoResizeColumns(
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.AllCellsExceptHeader);
}

private void dataGridView1_DataError(object sender,

DataGridViewDataErrorEventArgs e)
{
// If the data source raises an exception when a cell value is
// commited, display an error message.
if (e.Exception != null &&
e.Context == DataGridViewDataErrorContexts.Commit)
{
MessageBox.Show("CustomerID value must be unique.");
}
}

private static DataTable GetData(string selectCommand)

{
string connectionString =
"Integrated Security=SSPI;Persist Security Info=False;" +
"Initial Catalog=Northwind;Data Source=localhost;Packet Size=4096";

// Connect to the database and fill a data table, including the

// schema information that contains the CustomerID column
// constraint.
SqlDataAdapter adapter =
new SqlDataAdapter(selectCommand, connectionString);
DataTable data = new DataTable();
data.Locale = System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture;
adapter.Fill(data);
adapter.FillSchema(data, SchemaType.Source);

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How to: Handle Errors That Occur During Data Entry in the Windows Forms DataGridVi... Page 3 of 3

return data;
}

[STAThread]
static void Main()
{
Application.EnableVisualStyles();
Application.Run(new Form1());
}

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z References to the System, System.Data, System.Windows.Forms, and System.XML assemblies.

For information about building this example from the command line for Visual Basic or Visual C#, see
Building from the Command Line (Visual Basic) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/25fz1td5
(VS.80).aspx ] or Command-Line Building [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/78f4aasd
(VS.80).aspx ] . You can also build this example in Visual Studio by pasting the code into a new project.
For more information, see How to: Compile and Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using
Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/bb129228(vs.80).aspx ] and How to: Compile and
Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/bb129228(vs.90).aspx ] .

Security

Storing sensitive information, such as a password, within the connection string can affect the security of
your application. Using Windows Authentication (also known as integrated security) is a more secure way to
control access to a database. For more information, see Securing Connection Strings
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/89211k9b(VS.80).aspx ] .

See Also

Tasks
Walkthrough: Handling Errors that Occur During Data Entry in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/t4a23xx4(VS.80).aspx ]
Walkthrough: Validating Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ykdxa0bc(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
BindingSource [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.bindingsource
(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
Securing Connection Strings [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/89211k9b(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Data Entry in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171610(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/xktax5sd(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
Selection and Clipboard Use with the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 2

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

Selection and Clipboard Use with the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control
The DataGridView control provides you with a variety of options for configuring how users can select cells,
rows, and columns. For example, you can enable single or multiple selection, selection of whole rows or
columns when users click cells, or selection of whole rows or columns only when users click their headers,
which enables cell selection as well. If you want to provide your own user interface for selection, you can
disable ordinary selection and handle all selection programmatically. Additionally, you can enable users to
copy the selected values to the Clipboard.

In This Section

Selection Modes in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/8x6w9028(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes the options for user and programmatic selection in the control.

How to: Set the Selection Mode of the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/wfc9h72k(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to configure the control for single-row selection when a user clicks a cell.

How to: Get the Selected Cells, Rows, and Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/x8x9zk5a(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to work with the selected cell, row, and column collections.

How to: Enable Users to Copy Multiple Cells to the Clipboard from the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dec5efh1(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to enable Clipboard support in the control.

Reference

DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides reference documentation for the DataGridView control.

System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.SelectionMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.selectionmode(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides reference documentation for the SelectionMode property.

ClipboardCopyMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.clipboardcopymode(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides reference documentation for the ClipboardCopyMode property.

DataGridViewSelectedCellCollection [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewselectedcellcollection(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides reference documentation for the DataGridViewSelectedCellCollection class.

DataGridViewSelectedRowCollection [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewselectedrowcollection(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides reference documentation for the DataGridViewSelectedRowCollection class.

DataGridViewSelectedColumnCollection [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewselectedcolumncollection(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides reference documentation for the DataGridViewSelectedColumnCollection class.

See Also

Reference
Default Keyboard and Mouse Handling in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/tb9t9a2t(VS.80).aspx ]

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Selection and Clipboard Use with the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 2

Other Resources
DataGridView Control (Windows Forms) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/e0ywh3cz
(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171614(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
Selection Modes in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 2

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

Selection Modes in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
Sometimes you want your application to perform actions based on user selections within a DataGridView
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control.
Depending on the actions, you may want to restrict the kinds of selection that are possible. For example,
suppose your application can print a report for the currently selected record. In this case, you may want to
configure the DataGridView control so that clicking anywhere within a row always selects the entire row,
and so that only one row at a time can be selected.

You can specify the selections allowed by setting the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.SelectionMode

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.selectionmode
(VS.80).aspx ] property to one of the following DataGridViewSelectionMode
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/3c89df86(VS.80).aspx ] enumeration values.

DataGridViewSelectionMode value Description

CellSelect [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en- Clicking a cell selects it. Row and column

us/library/3c89df86(VS.80).aspx ] headers cannot be used for selection.

ColumnHeaderSelect Clicking a cell selects it. Clicking a column

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en- header selects the entire column. Column
us/library/3c89df86(VS.80).aspx ] headers cannot be used for sorting.

FullColumnSelect [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en- Clicking a cell or a column header selects the

us/library/3c89df86(VS.80).aspx ] entire column. Column headers cannot be
used for sorting.

FullRowSelect [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en- Clicking a cell or a row header selects the

us/library/3c89df86(VS.80).aspx ] entire row.

RowHeaderSelect [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en- Default selection mode. Clicking a cell selects

us/library/3c89df86(VS.80).aspx ] it. Clicking a row header selects the entire
row.

Note

Changing the selection mode at run time automatically clears the current selection.

By default, users can select multiple rows, columns, or cells by dragging with the mouse, pressing CTRL or
SHIFT while selecting to extend or modify a selection, or clicking the top-left header cell to select all cells in
the control. To prevent this behavior, set the MultiSelect [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.multiselect(VS.80).aspx ] property to false.

The FullRowSelect and RowHeaderSelect modes allow users to delete rows by selecting them and
pressing the DELETE key. Users can delete rows only when the current cell is not in edit mode, the
AllowUserToDeleteRows [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.allowusertodeleterows(VS.80).aspx ] property is set to true,
and the underlying data source supports user-driven row deletion. Note that these settings do not prevent
programmatic row deletion.

Programmatic Selection

The current selection mode restricts the behavior of programmatic selection as well as user selection. You
can change the current selection programmatically by setting the Selected property of any cells, rows, or
columns present in the DataGridView control. You can also select all cells in the control through the
SelectAll [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.selectall

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Selection Modes in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 2

(VS.80).aspx ] method, depending on the selection mode. To clear the selection, use the ClearSelection
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bxdf3ekh(VS.80).aspx ] method.

If the MultiSelect property is set to true, you can add DataGridView elements to or remove them from
the selection by changing the Selected property of the element. Otherwise, setting the Selected property
to true for one element automatically removes other elements from the selection.

Note that changing the value of the CurrentCell [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.currentcell(VS.80).aspx ] property does not alter the current
selection.

You can retrieve a collection of the currently selected cells, rows, or columns through the SelectedCells
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.selectedcells
(VS.80).aspx ] , SelectedRows [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.selectedrows(VS.80).aspx ] , and SelectedColumns
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.selectedcolumns
(VS.80).aspx ] properties of the DataGridView control. Accessing these properties is inefficient when
every cell in the control is selected. To avoid a performance penalty in this case, use the AreAllCellsSelected
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.areallcellsselected
(VS.80).aspx ] method first. Additionally, accessing these collections to determine the number of selected
cells, rows, or columns can be inefficient. Instead, you should use the GetCellCount
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.getcellcount
(VS.80).aspx ] , GetRowCount [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrowcollection.getrowcount(VS.80).aspx ] , or
GetColumnCount [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumncollection.getcolumncount(VS.80).aspx ] method,
passing in the Selected [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewelementstates(VS.80).aspx ] value.

See Also

Tasks
How to: Set the Selection Mode of the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/wfc9h72k(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
MultiSelect [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.multiselect
(VS.80).aspx ]
SelectionMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.selectionmode(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewSelectionMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/3c89df86(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Selection and Clipboard Use with the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171614(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/8x6w9028(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
How to: Set the Selection Mode of the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 1

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Set the Selection Mode of the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control
The following code example demonstrates how to configure a DataGridView
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control so
that clicking anywhere within a row automatically selects the entire row, and so that only one row at a time
can be selected.

Example

Visual Basic Copy Code

With Me.dataGridView1
.SelectionMode = DataGridViewSelectionMode.FullRowSelect
.MultiSelect = False
End With

C# Copy Code

this.dataGridView1.SelectionMode =
DataGridViewSelectionMode.FullRowSelect;
this.dataGridView1.MultiSelect = false;

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z A DataGridView control named dataGridView1.

z References to the System [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system(VS.80).aspx ] and

System.Windows.Forms [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms
(VS.80).aspx ] assemblies.

See Also

Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
MultiSelect [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.multiselect
(VS.80).aspx ]
SelectionMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.selectionmode(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewSelectionMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/3c89df86(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
Selection Modes in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/8x6w9028(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Selection and Clipboard Use with the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171614(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/wfc9h72k(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
How to: Get the Selected Cells, Rows, and Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridVie... Page 1 of 4

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Get the Selected Cells, Rows, and Columns in the
Windows Forms DataGridView Control
You can get the selected cells, rows, or columns from a DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control by using the corresponding
properties: SelectedCells [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.selectedcells(VS.80).aspx ] , SelectedRows
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.selectedrows
(VS.80).aspx ] , and SelectedColumns [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.selectedcolumns(VS.80).aspx ] . In the following
procedures, you will get the selected cells and display their row and column indexes in a MessageBox
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.messagebox(VS.80).aspx ] .

To get the selected cells in a DataGridView control

z Use the SelectedCells property.

Note

Use the AreAllCellsSelected [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.areallcellsselected(VS.80).aspx ] method to avoid
showing a potentially large number of cells.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub selectedCellsButton_Click( _

ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) _
Handles selectedCellsButton.Click

Dim selectedCellCount As Integer = _

dataGridView1.GetCellCount(DataGridViewElementStates.Selected)

If selectedCellCount > 0 Then

If dataGridView1.AreAllCellsSelected(True) Then

MessageBox.Show("All cells are selected", "Selected Cells")

Else

Dim sb As New System.Text.StringBuilder()

Dim i As Integer
For i = 0 To selectedCellCount - 1

sb.Append("Row: ")
sb.Append(dataGridView1.SelectedCells(i).RowIndex _
.ToString())
sb.Append(", Column: ")
sb.Append(dataGridView1.SelectedCells(i).ColumnIndex _
.ToString())
sb.Append(Environment.NewLine)

Next i

sb.Append("Total: " + selectedCellCount.ToString())

MessageBox.Show(sb.ToString(), "Selected Cells")

End If

End If

End Sub

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How to: Get the Selected Cells, Rows, and Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridVie... Page 2 of 4

C# Copy Code

private void selectedCellsButton_Click(object sender, System.EventArgs e)

{
Int32 selectedCellCount =
dataGridView1.GetCellCount(DataGridViewElementStates.Selected);
if (selectedCellCount > 0)
{
if (dataGridView1.AreAllCellsSelected(true))
{
MessageBox.Show("All cells are selected", "Selected Cells");
}
else
{
System.Text.StringBuilder sb =
new System.Text.StringBuilder();

for (int i = 0;
i < selectedCellCount; i++)
{
sb.Append("Row: ");
sb.Append(dataGridView1.SelectedCells[i].RowIndex
.ToString());
sb.Append(", Column: ");
sb.Append(dataGridView1.SelectedCells[i].ColumnIndex
.ToString());
sb.Append(Environment.NewLine);
}

sb.Append("Total: " + selectedCellCount.ToString());

MessageBox.Show(sb.ToString(), "Selected Cells");
}
}
}

To get the selected rows in a DataGridView control

z Use the SelectedRows property. To enable users to select rows, you must set the SelectionMode
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.selectionmode
(VS.80).aspx ] property to FullRowSelect [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/3c89df86
(VS.80).aspx ] or RowHeaderSelect [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/3c89df86
(VS.80).aspx ] .

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub selectedRowsButton_Click( _

ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) _
Handles selectedRowsButton.Click

Dim selectedRowCount As Integer = _

dataGridView1.Rows.GetRowCount(DataGridViewElementStates.Selected)

If selectedRowCount > 0 Then

Dim sb As New System.Text.StringBuilder()

Dim i As Integer
For i = 0 To selectedRowCount - 1

sb.Append("Row: ")
sb.Append(dataGridView1.SelectedRows(i).Index.ToString())
sb.Append(Environment.NewLine)

Next i

sb.Append("Total: " + selectedRowCount.ToString())

MessageBox.Show(sb.ToString(), "Selected Rows")

End If

End Sub

C# Copy Code

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How to: Get the Selected Cells, Rows, and Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridVie... Page 3 of 4

private void selectedRowsButton_Click(object sender, System.EventArgs e)

{
Int32 selectedRowCount =
dataGridView1.Rows.GetRowCount(DataGridViewElementStates.Selected);
if (selectedRowCount > 0)
{
System.Text.StringBuilder sb = new System.Text.StringBuilder();

for (int i = 0; i < selectedRowCount; i++)

{
sb.Append("Row: ");
sb.Append(dataGridView1.SelectedRows[i].Index.ToString());
sb.Append(Environment.NewLine);
}

sb.Append("Total: " + selectedRowCount.ToString());

MessageBox.Show(sb.ToString(), "Selected Rows");
}
}

To get the selected columns in a DataGridView control

z Use the SelectedColumns property. To enable users to select columns, you must set the
SelectionMode property to FullColumnSelect [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/3c89df86
(VS.80).aspx ] or ColumnHeaderSelect [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/3c89df86
(VS.80).aspx ] .

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub selectedColumnsButton_Click( _

ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) _
Handles selectedColumnsButton.Click

Dim selectedColumnCount As Integer = dataGridView1.Columns _

.GetColumnCount(DataGridViewElementStates.Selected)

If selectedColumnCount > 0 Then

Dim sb As New System.Text.StringBuilder()

Dim i As Integer
For i = 0 To selectedColumnCount - 1

sb.Append("Column: ")
sb.Append(dataGridView1.SelectedColumns(i).Index.ToString())
sb.Append(Environment.NewLine)

Next i

sb.Append("Total: " + selectedColumnCount.ToString())

MessageBox.Show(sb.ToString(), "Selected Columns")

End If

End Sub

C# Copy Code

private void selectedColumnsButton_Click(object sender, System.EventArgs e)

{
Int32 selectedColumnCount = dataGridView1.Columns
.GetColumnCount(DataGridViewElementStates.Selected);
if (selectedColumnCount > 0)
{
System.Text.StringBuilder sb = new System.Text.StringBuilder();

for (int i = 0; i < selectedColumnCount; i++)

{
sb.Append("Column: ");
sb.Append(dataGridView1.SelectedColumns[i].Index
.ToString());
sb.Append(Environment.NewLine);
}

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How to: Get the Selected Cells, Rows, and Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridVie... Page 4 of 4

sb.Append("Total: " + selectedColumnCount.ToString());

MessageBox.Show(sb.ToString(), "Selected Columns");
}
}

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z Button [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.button(VS.80).aspx ]
controls named selectedCellsButton, selectedRowsButton, and selectedColumnsButton, each
with handlers for the Click [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.control.click(VS.80).aspx ] event attached.
z A DataGridView control named dataGridView1.

z References to the System [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system(VS.80).aspx ] ,

System.Windows.Forms [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms
(VS.80).aspx ] , and System.Text [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.text
(VS.80).aspx ] assemblies.

Robust Programming

The collections described in this topic do not perform efficiently when large numbers of cells, rows, or
columns are selected. For more information about using these collections with large amounts of data,
see Best Practices for Scaling the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ha5xt0d9(VS.80).aspx ] .

See Also

Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
SelectionMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.selectionmode(VS.80).aspx ]
AreAllCellsSelected [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.areallcellsselected(VS.80).aspx ]
SelectedCells [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.selectedcells
(VS.80).aspx ]
SelectedRows [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.selectedrows(VS.80).aspx ]
SelectedColumns [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.selectedcolumns(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Selection and Clipboard Use with the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171614(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/x8x9zk5a(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
How to: Enable Users to Copy Multiple Cells to the Clipboard from the Windows Forms ... Page 1 of 4

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Enable Users to Copy Multiple Cells to the Clipboard
from the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
When you enable cell copying, you make the data in your DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control easily accessible to other applications
through the Clipboard [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.clipboard
(VS.80).aspx ] . The values of the selected cells are converted to strings and added to the Clipboard as tab-
delimited text values for pasting into applications like Notepad and Excel, and as an HTML-formatted table
for pasting into applications like Word.

You can configure cell copying to copy cell values only, to include row and column header text in the
Clipboard data, or to include header text only when users select entire rows or columns.

Depending on the selection mode, users can select multiple disconnected groups of cells. When a user
copies cells to the Clipboard, rows and columns with no selected cells are not copied. All other rows or
columns become rows and columns in the table of data copied to the Clipboard. Unselected cells in these
rows or columns are copied as blank placeholders to the Clipboard.

To enable cell copying

z Set the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.ClipboardCopyMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.clipboardcopymode(VS.80).aspx ] property.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Me.DataGridView1.ClipboardCopyMode = _
DataGridViewClipboardCopyMode.EnableWithoutHeaderText

C# Copy Code

this.DataGridView1.ClipboardCopyMode =
DataGridViewClipboardCopyMode.EnableWithoutHeaderText;

Example

The following complete code example demonstrates how cells are copied to the Clipboard. This example
includes a button that copies the selected cells to the Clipboard using the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.GetClipboardContent [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.getclipboardcontent(VS.80).aspx ] method and displays
the Clipboard contents in a text box.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Imports System
Imports System.Windows.Forms

Public Class Form1

Inherits Form

Private WithEvents DataGridView1 As New DataGridView()

Private WithEvents PasteButton As New Button()
Private TextBox1 As New TextBox()

<STAThreadAttribute()> _
Public Shared Sub Main()
Application.Run(New Form1())
End Sub

Public Sub New()

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How to: Enable Users to Copy Multiple Cells to the Clipboard from the Windows Forms ... Page 2 of 4

Me.DataGridView1.AllowUserToAddRows = False
Me.DataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
Me.Controls.Add(Me.DataGridView1)

Me.PasteButton.Text = "paste selected cells"

Me.PasteButton.Dock = DockStyle.Top
Me.Controls.Add(Me.PasteButton)

Me.TextBox1.Multiline = True
Me.TextBox1.Height = 100
Me.TextBox1.Dock = DockStyle.Bottom
Me.Controls.Add(Me.TextBox1)

Me.Text = "DataGridView Clipboard demo"

End Sub

Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Me.Load

' Initialize the DataGridView control.

Me.DataGridView1.ColumnCount = 5
Me.DataGridView1.Rows.Add(New String() {"A", "B", "C", "D", "E"})
Me.DataGridView1.Rows.Add(New String() {"F", "G", "H", "I", "J"})
Me.DataGridView1.Rows.Add(New String() {"K", "L", "M", "N", "O"})
Me.DataGridView1.Rows.Add(New String() {"P", "Q", "R", "S", "T"})
Me.DataGridView1.Rows.Add(New String() {"U", "V", "W", "X", "Y"})
Me.DataGridView1.AutoResizeColumns()
Me.DataGridView1.ClipboardCopyMode = _
DataGridViewClipboardCopyMode.EnableWithoutHeaderText

End Sub

Private Sub PasteButton_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles PasteButton.Click

If Me.DataGridView1.GetCellCount( _
DataGridViewElementStates.Selected) > 0 Then

Try

' Add the selection to the clipboard.

Clipboard.SetDataObject( _
Me.DataGridView1.GetClipboardContent())

' Replace the text box contents with the clipboard text.
Me.TextBox1.Text = Clipboard.GetText()

Catch ex As System.Runtime.InteropServices.ExternalException
Me.TextBox1.Text = _
"The Clipboard could not be accessed. Please try again."
End Try

End If

End Sub

End Class

C# Copy Code

using System;
using System.Windows.Forms;

public class Form1 : Form

{
private DataGridView DataGridView1 = new DataGridView();
private Button PasteButton = new Button();
private TextBox TextBox1 = new TextBox();

[STAThreadAttribute()]
public static void Main()
{
Application.Run(new Form1());
}

public Form1()
{
this.DataGridView1.AllowUserToAddRows = false;
this.DataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill;

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How to: Enable Users to Copy Multiple Cells to the Clipboard from the Windows Forms ... Page 3 of 4

this.Controls.Add(this.DataGridView1);

this.PasteButton.Text = "paste selected cells";

this.PasteButton.Dock = DockStyle.Top;
this.PasteButton.Click += new EventHandler(PasteButton_Click);
this.Controls.Add(this.PasteButton);

this.TextBox1.Multiline = true;
this.TextBox1.Height = 100;
this.TextBox1.Dock = DockStyle.Bottom;
this.Controls.Add(this.TextBox1);

this.Load += new EventHandler(Form1_Load);

this.Text = "DataGridView Clipboard demo";
}

private void Form1_Load(object sender, System.EventArgs e)

{
// Initialize the DataGridView control.
this.DataGridView1.ColumnCount = 5;
this.DataGridView1.Rows.Add(new string[] { "A", "B", "C", "D", "E" });
this.DataGridView1.Rows.Add(new string[] { "F", "G", "H", "I", "J" });
this.DataGridView1.Rows.Add(new string[] { "K", "L", "M", "N", "O" });
this.DataGridView1.Rows.Add(new string[] { "P", "Q", "R", "S", "T" });
this.DataGridView1.Rows.Add(new string[] { "U", "V", "W", "X", "Y" });
this.DataGridView1.AutoResizeColumns();
this.DataGridView1.ClipboardCopyMode =
DataGridViewClipboardCopyMode.EnableWithoutHeaderText;
}

private void PasteButton_Click(object sender, System.EventArgs e)

{
if (this.DataGridView1
.GetCellCount(DataGridViewElementStates.Selected) > 0)
{
try
{
// Add the selection to the clipboard.
Clipboard.SetDataObject(
this.DataGridView1.GetClipboardContent());

// Replace the text box contents with the clipboard text.

this.TextBox1.Text = Clipboard.GetText();
}
catch (System.Runtime.InteropServices.ExternalException)
{
this.TextBox1.Text =
"The Clipboard could not be accessed. Please try again.";
}
}
}

Compiling the Code

This code requires:

z References to the N:System and N:System.Windows.Forms assemblies.

For information about building this example from the command line for Visual Basic or Visual C#, see
Building from the Command Line (Visual Basic) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/25fz1td5
(VS.80).aspx ] or Command-Line Building [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/78f4aasd
(VS.80).aspx ] . You can also build this example in Visual Studio by pasting the code into a new project.
For more information, see How to: Compile and Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using
Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/bb129228(vs.80).aspx ] and How to: Compile and
Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/bb129228(vs.90).aspx ] .

See Also

Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dec5efh1(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
How to: Enable Users to Copy Multiple Cells to the Clipboard from the Windows Forms ... Page 4 of 4

ClipboardCopyMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.clipboardcopymode(VS.80).aspx ]
GetClipboardContent [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.getclipboardcontent(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Selection and Clipboard Use with the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171614(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dec5efh1(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
Programming with Cells, Rows, and Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Con... Page 1 of 2

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

Programming with Cells, Rows, and Columns in the Windows
Forms DataGridView Control
This section provides topics that demonstrate various programming tasks involving cell, row, and column
objects.

In This Section

How to: Add ToolTips to Individual Cells in a Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/2249cf0a(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to handle the CellFormatting [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellformatting(VS.80).aspx ] event to provide
different ToolTips for individual cells.

How to: Perform a Custom Action Based on Changes in a Cell of a Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ewk0cc1s(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to handle the CellValueChanged [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellvaluechanged(VS.80).aspx ] and
CellStateChanged [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellstatechanged(VS.80).aspx ] events.

How to: Manipulate Bands in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/2346by52(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to program with objects of type DataGridViewBand [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewband(VS.80).aspx ] , which is the base type for rows
and columns.

How to: Manipulate Rows in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ddtce152(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to program with objects of type DataGridViewRow.

How to: Manipulate Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/wc06dx4f(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to program with objects of type DataGridViewColumn.

How to: Work with Image Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/x0tz73t0(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to program with the DataGridViewImageColumn class.

Reference

DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides reference documentation for the DataGridView control.

DataGridViewCell [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcell
(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides reference documentation for the DataGridViewCell class.

DataGridViewRow [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrow
(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides reference documentation for the DataGridViewRow class.

DataGridViewColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides reference documentation for the DataGridViewColumn class.

Related Sections

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171616(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
Programming with Cells, Rows, and Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Con... Page 2 of 2

Basic Column, Row, and Cell Features in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171596(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides topics that describe commonly used cell, row, and column properties.

See Also

Concepts
Column Types in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/bxt3k60s(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
DataGridView Control (Windows Forms) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/e0ywh3cz
(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171616(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
How to: Add ToolTips to Individual Cells in a Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 3

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Add ToolTips to Individual Cells in a Windows Forms
DataGridView Control
By default, ToolTips are used to display the values of DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] cells that are too small to show their entire
contents. You can override this behavior, however, to set ToolTip-text values for individual cells. This is
useful to display to users additional information about a cell or to provide to users an alternate description
of the cell contents. For example, if you have a row that displays status icons, you may want to provide
text explanations using ToolTips.

You can also disable the display of cell-level ToolTips by setting the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.ShowCellToolTips [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.showcelltooltips(VS.80).aspx ] property to false.

To add a ToolTip to a cell

z Set the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCell.ToolTipText [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcell.tooltiptext(VS.80).aspx ] property.

Visual Basic Copy Code

' Sets the ToolTip text for cells in the Rating column.
Sub dataGridView1_CellFormatting(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As DataGridViewCellFormattingEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.CellFormatting

If e.ColumnIndex = Me.dataGridView1.Columns("Rating").Index _
AndAlso (e.Value IsNot Nothing) Then

With Me.dataGridView1.Rows(e.RowIndex).Cells(e.ColumnIndex)

If e.Value.Equals("*") Then
.ToolTipText = "very bad"
ElseIf e.Value.Equals("**") Then
.ToolTipText = "bad"
ElseIf e.Value.Equals("***") Then
.ToolTipText = "good"
ElseIf e.Value.Equals("****") Then
.ToolTipText = "very good"
End If

End With

End If

End Sub 'dataGridView1_CellFormatting

C# Copy Code

// Sets the ToolTip text for cells in the Rating column.

void dataGridView1_CellFormatting(object sender,
DataGridViewCellFormattingEventArgs e)
{
if ( (e.ColumnIndex == this.dataGridView1.Columns["Rating"].Index)
&& e.Value != null )
{
DataGridViewCell cell =
this.dataGridView1.Rows[e.RowIndex].Cells[e.ColumnIndex];
if (e.Value.Equals("*"))
{
cell.ToolTipText = "very bad";
}
else if (e.Value.Equals("**"))
{
cell.ToolTipText = "bad";

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How to: Add ToolTips to Individual Cells in a Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 3

}
else if (e.Value.Equals("***"))
{
cell.ToolTipText = "good";
}
else if (e.Value.Equals("****"))
{
cell.ToolTipText = "very good";
}
}
}

C++ Copy Code

// Sets the ToolTip text for cells in the Rating column.

void dataGridView1_CellFormatting(Object^ /*sender*/,
DataGridViewCellFormattingEventArgs^ e)
{
if ( (e->ColumnIndex == this->dataGridView1->Columns["Rating"]->Index)
&& e->Value != nullptr )
{
DataGridViewCell^ cell =
this->dataGridView1->Rows[e->RowIndex]->Cells[e->ColumnIndex];
if (e->Value->Equals("*"))
{
cell->ToolTipText = "very bad";
}
else if (e->Value->Equals("**"))
{
cell->ToolTipText = "bad";
}
else if (e->Value->Equals("***"))
{
cell->ToolTipText = "good";
}
else if (e->Value->Equals("****"))
{
cell->ToolTipText = "very good";
}
}
}

Compiling the Code

z This example requires:

z A DataGridView control named dataGridView1 that contains a column named Rating for
displaying string values of one through four asterisk ("*") symbols. The CellFormatting
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellformatting
(VS.80).aspx ] event of the control must be associated with the event handler method shown in
the example.
z References to the System [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system(VS.80).aspx ] and
System.Windows.Forms [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms
(VS.80).aspx ] assemblies.

Robust Programming

When you bind the DataGridView control to an external data source or provide your own data source
by implementing virtual mode, you might encounter performance issues. To avoid a performance
penalty when working with large amounts of data, handle the CellToolTipTextNeeded
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.celltooltiptextneeded
(VS.80).aspx ] event rather than setting the ToolTipText property of multiple cells. When you handle
this event, getting the value of a cell ToolTipText property raises the event and returns the value of
the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCellToolTipTextNeededEventArgs.ToolTipText
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcelltooltiptextneededeventargs.tooltiptext(VS.80).aspx ]
property as specified in the event handler.

See Also

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/2249cf0a(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
How to: Add ToolTips to Individual Cells in a Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 3 of 3

Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.ShowCellToolTips [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.showcelltooltips(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.CellToolTipTextNeeded [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.celltooltiptextneeded(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewCell [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcell
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCell.ToolTipText [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcell.tooltiptext(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Programming with Cells, Rows, and Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171616(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/2249cf0a(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
How to: Perform a Custom Action Based on Changes in a Cell of a Windows Forms Data... Page 1 of 2

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Perform a Custom Action Based on Changes in a Cell of
a Windows Forms DataGridView Control
The DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ] control has a number of events you can use to detect changes in the state of
DataGridView cells. Two of the most commonly used are the CellValueChanged
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellvaluechanged
(VS.80).aspx ] and CellStateChanged [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellstatechanged(VS.80).aspx ] events.

To detect changes in the values of DataGridView cells

z Write a handler for the CellValueChanged event.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub dataGridView1_CellValueChanged(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As DataGridViewCellEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.CellValueChanged

Dim msg As String = String.Format( _

"Cell at row {0}, column {1} value changed", _
e.RowIndex, e.ColumnIndex)
MessageBox.Show(msg, "Cell Value Changed")

End Sub

C# Copy Code

private void dataGridView1_CellValueChanged(object sender,

DataGridViewCellEventArgs e)
{
string msg = String.Format(
"Cell at row {0}, column {1} value changed",
e.RowIndex, e.ColumnIndex);
MessageBox.Show(msg, "Cell Value Changed");
}

To detect changes in the states of DataGridView cells

z Write a handler for the CellStateChanged event.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub dataGridView1_CellStateChanged(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As DataGridViewCellStateChangedEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.CellStateChanged

Dim state As DataGridViewElementStates = e.StateChanged

Dim msg As String = String.Format( _
"Row {0}, Column {1}, {2}", _
e.Cell.RowIndex, e.Cell.ColumnIndex, e.StateChanged)
MessageBox.Show(msg, "Cell State Changed")

End Sub

C# Copy Code

private void dataGridView1_CellStateChanged(object sender,

DataGridViewCellStateChangedEventArgs e)

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How to: Perform a Custom Action Based on Changes in a Cell of a Windows Forms Data... Page 2 of 2

{
DataGridViewElementStates state = e.StateChanged;
string msg = String.Format("Row {0}, Column {1}, {2}",
e.Cell.RowIndex, e.Cell.ColumnIndex, e.StateChanged);
MessageBox.Show(msg, "Cell State Changed");
}

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z A DataGridView control named dataGridView1. For C#, the event handlers must be connected to
the corresponding events.
z References to the System [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system(VS.80).aspx ] and
System.Windows.Forms [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms
(VS.80).aspx ] assemblies.

See Also

Tasks
Walkthrough: Validating Data in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ykdxa0bc(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.CellValueChanged [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellvaluechanged(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.CellStateChanged [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellstatechanged(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Programming with Cells, Rows, and Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171616(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ewk0cc1s(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
How to: Manipulate Bands in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 8

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Manipulate Bands in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control
The following code example shows various ways to manipulate DataGridView
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] rows and
columns using properties of the DataGridViewBand [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewband(VS.80).aspx ] class from which the DataGridViewRow
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrow(VS.80).aspx ] and
DataGridViewColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn(VS.80).aspx ] classes derive.

Example

Visual Basic Copy Code

Imports System.Windows.Forms
Imports System.Drawing

Public Class DataGridViewBandDemo

Inherits Form

#Region "Form setup"

Public Sub New()
MyBase.New()
InitializeComponent()

AddButton(Button1, "Reset")
AddButton(Button2, "Change Column 3 Header")
AddButton(Button3, "Change Meatloaf Recipe")
AddAdditionalButtons()
End Sub

Friend WithEvents dataGridView As DataGridView

Friend WithEvents Button1 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button2 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button3 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button4 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button5 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button6 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button7 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button8 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button9 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button10 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents FlowLayoutPanel1 As FlowLayoutPanel _
= New FlowLayoutPanel()

Private Sub InitializeComponent()

FlowLayoutPanel1.Location = New Point(454, 0)
FlowLayoutPanel1.AutoSize = True
FlowLayoutPanel1.FlowDirection = FlowDirection.TopDown
FlowLayoutPanel1.Name = "flowlayoutpanel"
ClientSize = New System.Drawing.Size(614, 360)
Controls.Add(FlowLayoutPanel1)
Text = Me.GetType.Name
AutoSize = True
End Sub
#End Region

#Region "setup DataGridView"

Private thirdColumnHeader As String = "Main Ingredients"
Private boringMeatloaf As String = "ground beef"
Private boringMeatloafRanking As String = "*"
Private boringRecipe As Boolean
Private shortMode As Boolean

Private Sub InitializeDataGridView(ByVal ignored As Object, _

ByVal ignoredToo As EventArgs) Handles Me.Load

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How to: Manipulate Bands in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 8

dataGridView = New System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView

Controls.Add(dataGridView)
dataGridView.Size = New Size(300, 200)

' Create an unbound DataGridView by declaring a

' column count.
dataGridView.ColumnCount = 4
AdjustDataGridViewSizing()

' Set the column header style.

Dim columnHeaderStyle As New DataGridViewCellStyle
columnHeaderStyle.BackColor = Color.Aqua
columnHeaderStyle.Font = _
New Font("Verdana", 10, FontStyle.Bold)
dataGridView.ColumnHeadersDefaultCellStyle = _
columnHeaderStyle

' Set the column header names.

dataGridView.Columns(0).Name = "Recipe"
dataGridView.Columns(1).Name = "Category"
dataGridView.Columns(2).Name = thirdColumnHeader
dataGridView.Columns(3).Name = "Rating"

' Populate the rows.

Dim row1 As String() = New String() _
{"Meatloaf", "Main Dish", boringMeatloaf, _
boringMeatloafRanking}
Dim row2 As String() = New String() _
{"Key Lime Pie", "Dessert", _
"lime juice, evaporated milk", _
"****"}
Dim row3 As String() = New String() _
{"Orange-Salsa Pork Chops", "Main Dish", _
"pork chops, salsa, orange juice", "****"}
Dim row4 As String() = New String() _
{"Black Bean and Rice Salad", "Salad", _
"black beans, brown rice", _
"****"}
Dim row5 As String() = New String() _
{"Chocolate Cheesecake", "Dessert", "cream cheese", _
"***"}
Dim row6 As String() = New String() _
{"Black Bean Dip", "Appetizer", _
"black beans, sour cream", _
"***"}
Dim rows As Object() = New Object() {row1, row2, _
row3, row4, row5, row6}

Dim rowArray As String()

For Each rowArray In rows
dataGridView.Rows.Add(rowArray)
Next

PostRowCreation()

shortMode = False
boringRecipe = True
End Sub

Protected Sub AddButton(ByVal button As Button, _

ByVal buttonLabel As String)

FlowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(button)
button.TabIndex = FlowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Count
button.Text = buttonLabel
button.AutoSize = True
End Sub

' Reset columns to initial disorderly arrangement.

Private Sub ResetToDisorder(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) _
Handles Button1.Click
Controls.Remove(dataGridview)
dataGridView.Dispose()
InitializeDataGridView(Nothing, Nothing)
End Sub

' Change the header in column three.

Private Sub Button2_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) _
Handles Button2.Click

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How to: Manipulate Bands in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 3 of 8

Toggle(shortMode)
If shortMode Then dataGridView.Columns(2).HeaderText = _
"S" _
Else dataGridView.Columns(2).HeaderText = _
thirdColumnHeader
End Sub

Private Shared Sub Toggle(ByRef toggleThis As Boolean)

toggleThis = Not toggleThis
End Sub

' Change the meatloaf recipe.

Private Sub Button3_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) _
Handles Button3.Click

Toggle(boringRecipe)
If boringRecipe Then
SetMeatloaf(boringMeatloaf, boringMeatloafRanking)
Else
Dim greatMeatloafRecipe As String = "1 lb. lean ground beef, " _
& "1/2 cup bread crumbs, 1/4 cup ketchup," _
& "1/3 tsp onion powder, " _
& "1 clove of garlic, 1/2 pack onion soup mix " _
& " dash of your favorite BBQ Sauce"
SetMeatloaf(greatMeatloafRecipe, "***")
End If
End Sub

Private Sub SetMeatloaf(ByVal recipe As String, _

ByVal rating As String)

dataGridView.Rows(0).Cells(2).Value = recipe
dataGridView.Rows(0).Cells(3).Value = rating
End Sub
#End Region

#Region "demonstration code"

Private Sub AddAdditionalButtons()
AddButton(Button4, "Freeze First Row")
AddButton(Button5, "Freeze Second Column")
AddButton(Button6, "Hide Salad Row")
AddButton(Button7, "Disable First Column Resizing")
AddButton(Button8, "Make ReadOnly")
AddButton(Button9, "Style Using Tag")
End Sub

Private Sub AdjustDataGridViewSizing()

dataGridView.AutoSizeRowsMode = _
DataGridViewAutoSizeRowsMode.AllCells
dataGridView.ColumnHeadersHeightSizeMode = _
DataGridViewColumnHeadersHeightSizeMode.AutoSize
End Sub

' Freeze the first row.

Private Sub Button4_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button4.Click

FreezeBand(dataGridView.Rows(0))
End Sub

Private Sub FreezeColumn(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button5.Click

FreezeBand(dataGridView.Columns(1))
End Sub

Private Shared Sub FreezeBand(ByVal band As DataGridViewBand)

band.Frozen = True
Dim style As DataGridViewCellStyle = New DataGridViewCellStyle()
style.BackColor = Color.WhiteSmoke
band.DefaultCellStyle = style

End Sub

' Hide a band of cells.

Private Sub Button6_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button6.Click

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How to: Manipulate Bands in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 4 of 8

Dim band As DataGridViewBand = dataGridView.Rows(3)

band.Visible = False
End Sub

' Turn off user's ability to resize a column.

Private Sub Button7_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button7.Click

Dim band As DataGridViewBand = dataGridView.Columns(0)

band.Resizable = DataGridViewTriState.False
End Sub

' Make the the entire DataGridView read only.

Private Sub Button8_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button8.Click

For Each band As DataGridViewBand In dataGridView.Columns

band.ReadOnly = True
Next
End Sub

Private Sub PostRowCreation()

SetBandColor(dataGridView.Columns(0), Color.CadetBlue)
SetBandColor(dataGridView.Rows(1), Color.Coral)
SetBandColor(dataGridView.Columns(2), Color.DodgerBlue)
End Sub

Private Shared Sub SetBandColor(ByVal band As DataGridViewBand, _

ByVal color As Color)
band.Tag = color
End Sub

' Color the bands by the value stored in their tag.

Private Sub Button9_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button9.Click

For Each band As DataGridViewBand In dataGridView.Columns

If band.Tag IsNot Nothing Then
band.DefaultCellStyle.BackColor = _
CType(band.Tag, Color)
End If
Next

For Each band As DataGridViewBand In dataGridView.Rows

If band.Tag IsNot Nothing Then
band.DefaultCellStyle.BackColor = _
CType(band.Tag, Color)
End If
Next
End Sub
#End Region

<STAThreadAttribute()> _
Public Shared Sub Main()
Application.Run(New DataGridViewBandDemo())
End Sub
End Class

C# Copy Code

using System.Drawing;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using System;

public class DataGridViewBandDemo : Form

{
#region "form setup"
public DataGridViewBandDemo()
{
InitializeComponent();

AddButton(Button1, "Reset",
new EventHandler(Button1_Click));
AddButton(Button2, "Change Column 3 Header",
new EventHandler(Button2_Click));
AddButton(Button3, "Change Meatloaf Recipe",
new EventHandler(Button3_Click));
AddAdditionalButtons();

InitializeDataGridView();

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How to: Manipulate Bands in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 5 of 8

DataGridView dataGridView;
Button Button1 = new Button();
Button Button2 = new Button();
Button Button3 = new Button();
Button Button4 = new Button();
Button Button5 = new Button();
Button Button6 = new Button();
Button Button7 = new Button();
Button Button8 = new Button();
Button Button9 = new Button();
Button Button10 = new Button();
FlowLayoutPanel FlowLayoutPanel1 = new FlowLayoutPanel();

private void InitializeComponent()

{
FlowLayoutPanel1.Location = new Point(454, 0);
FlowLayoutPanel1.AutoSize = true;
FlowLayoutPanel1.FlowDirection = FlowDirection.TopDown;
AutoSize = true;
ClientSize = new System.Drawing.Size(614, 360);
FlowLayoutPanel1.Name = "flowlayoutpanel";
Controls.Add(this.FlowLayoutPanel1);
Text = this.GetType().Name;
}
#endregion

#region "setup DataGridView"

private string thirdColumnHeader = "Main Ingredients";

private string boringMeatloaf = "ground beef";
private string boringMeatloafRanking = "*";
private bool boringRecipe;
private bool shortMode;

private void InitializeDataGridView()

{
dataGridView = new System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView();
Controls.Add(dataGridView);
dataGridView.Size = new Size(300, 200);

// Create an unbound DataGridView by declaring a

// column count.
dataGridView.ColumnCount = 4;
AdjustDataGridViewSizing();

// Set the column header style.

DataGridViewCellStyle columnHeaderStyle =
new DataGridViewCellStyle();
columnHeaderStyle.BackColor = Color.Aqua;
columnHeaderStyle.Font =
new Font("Verdana", 10, FontStyle.Bold);
dataGridView.ColumnHeadersDefaultCellStyle =
columnHeaderStyle;

// Set the column header names.

dataGridView.Columns[0].Name = "Recipe";
dataGridView.Columns[1].Name = "Category";
dataGridView.Columns[2].Name = thirdColumnHeader;
dataGridView.Columns[3].Name = "Rating";

// Populate the rows.

string[] row1 = new string[]{"Meatloaf",
"Main Dish", boringMeatloaf, boringMeatloafRanking}
string[] row2 = new string[]{"Key Lime Pie",
"Dessert", "lime juice, evaporated milk", "****"};
string[] row3 = new string[]{"Orange-Salsa Pork Chops",
"Main Dish", "pork chops, salsa, orange juice", "**
string[] row4 = new string[]{"Black Bean and Rice Salad",
"Salad", "black beans, brown rice", "****"};
string[] row5 = new string[]{"Chocolate Cheesecake",
"Dessert", "cream cheese", "***"};
string[] row6 = new string[]{"Black Bean Dip", "Appetizer",
"black beans, sour cream", "***"};
object[] rows = new object[] { row1, row2, row3, row4, row5, row6 };

foreach (string[] rowArray in rows)

{
dataGridView.Rows.Add(rowArray);
}

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How to: Manipulate Bands in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 6 of 8

PostRowCreation();

shortMode = false;
boringRecipe = true;
}

void AddButton(Button button, string buttonLabel,

EventHandler handler)
{
FlowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(button);
button.TabIndex = FlowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Count;
button.Text = buttonLabel;
button.AutoSize = true;
button.Click += handler;
}

// Reset columns to initial disorderly arrangement.

private void Button1_Click(object sender, System.EventArgs e)
{
Controls.Remove(dataGridView);
dataGridView.Dispose();
InitializeDataGridView();
}

// Change the header in column three.

private void Button2_Click(object sender,
System.EventArgs e)
{
Toggle(ref shortMode);
if (shortMode)
{ dataGridView.Columns[2].HeaderText = "S"; }
else
{ dataGridView.Columns[2].HeaderText = thirdColumnHeader; }
}

private static void Toggle(ref bool toggleThis)

{
toggleThis = !toggleThis;
}

// Change the meatloaf recipe.

private void Button3_Click(object sender,
System.EventArgs e)
{
Toggle(ref boringRecipe);
if (boringRecipe)
{
SetMeatloaf(boringMeatloaf, boringMeatloafRanking);
}
else
{
string greatMeatloafRecipe =
"1 lb. lean ground beef, " +
"1/2 cup bread crumbs, 1/4 cup ketchup," +
"1/3 tsp onion powder, " +
"1 clove of garlic, 1/2 pack onion soup mix " +
" dash of your favorite BBQ Sauce";
SetMeatloaf(greatMeatloafRecipe, "***");
}
}

private void SetMeatloaf(string recipe, string rating)

{
dataGridView.Rows[0].Cells[2].Value = recipe;
dataGridView.Rows[0].Cells[3].Value = rating;
}
#endregion

#region "demonstration code"

private void AddAdditionalButtons()
{
AddButton(Button4, "Freeze First Row",
new EventHandler(Button4_Click));
AddButton(Button5, "Freeze Second Column",
new EventHandler(Button5_Click));
AddButton(Button6, "Hide Salad Row",
new EventHandler(Button6_Click));
AddButton(Button7, "Disable First Column Resizing",
new EventHandler(Button7_Click));

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How to: Manipulate Bands in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 7 of 8

AddButton(Button8, "Make ReadOnly",

new EventHandler(Button8_Click));
AddButton(Button9, "Style Using Tag",
new EventHandler(Button9_Click));
}

private void AdjustDataGridViewSizing()

{
dataGridView.AutoSizeRowsMode =
DataGridViewAutoSizeRowsMode.AllCells;
dataGridView.ColumnHeadersHeightSizeMode =
DataGridViewColumnHeadersHeightSizeMode.AutoSize;
}

// Freeze the first row.

private void Button4_Click(object sender, System.EventArgs e)
{

FreezeBand(dataGridView.Rows[0]);
}

private void Button5_Click(object sender, System.EventArgs e)

{

FreezeBand(dataGridView.Columns[1]);
}

private static void FreezeBand(DataGridViewBand band)

{
band.Frozen = true;
DataGridViewCellStyle style = new DataGridViewCellStyle();
style.BackColor = Color.WhiteSmoke;
band.DefaultCellStyle = style;
}

// Hide a band of cells.

private void Button6_Click(object sender, System.EventArgs e)
{

DataGridViewBand band = dataGridView.Rows[3];

band.Visible = false;
}

// Turn off user's ability to resize a column.

private void Button7_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{

DataGridViewBand band = dataGridView.Columns[0];

band.Resizable = DataGridViewTriState.False;
}

// Make the the entire DataGridView read only.

private void Button8_Click(object sender, System.EventArgs e)
{
foreach (DataGridViewBand band in dataGridView.Columns)
{
band.ReadOnly = true;
}
}

private void PostRowCreation()

{
SetBandColor(dataGridView.Columns[0], Color.CadetBlue);
SetBandColor(dataGridView.Rows[1], Color.Coral);
SetBandColor(dataGridView.Columns[2], Color.DodgerBlue);
}

private static void SetBandColor(DataGridViewBand band, Color color)

{
band.Tag = color;
}

// Color the bands by the value stored in their tag.

private void Button9_Click(object sender, System.EventArgs e)
{

foreach (DataGridViewBand band in dataGridView.Columns)

{
if (band.Tag != null)
{
band.DefaultCellStyle.BackColor = (Color)band.Tag;

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How to: Manipulate Bands in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 8 of 8

}
}

foreach (DataGridViewBand band in dataGridView.Rows)

{
if (band.Tag != null)
{
band.DefaultCellStyle.BackColor = (Color)band.Tag;
}
}
}
#endregion

[STAThreadAttribute()]
public static void Main()
{
Application.Run(new DataGridViewBandDemo());
}
}

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z References to the System, System.Drawing, and System.Windows.Forms assemblies.

For information about building this example from the command line for Visual Basic or Visual C#, see
Building from the Command Line (Visual Basic) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/25fz1td5
(VS.80).aspx ] or Command-Line Building [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/78f4aasd
(VS.80).aspx ] . You can also build this example in Visual Studio by pasting the code into a new project.
For more information, see How to: Compile and Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using
Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/bb129228(vs.80).aspx ] and How to: Compile and
Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/bb129228(vs.90).aspx ] .

See Also

Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewBand [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewband
(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewRow [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrow
(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Programming with Cells, Rows, and Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171616(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/2346by52(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
How to: Manipulate Rows in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 8

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Manipulate Rows in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control
The following code example shows the various ways to manipulate DataGridView
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] rows using
properties of the DataGridViewRow [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrow(VS.80).aspx ] class.

Example

Visual Basic Copy Code

Imports System.Windows.Forms
Imports System.Drawing

Public Class DataGridViewRowDemo

Inherits Form

#Region "Form setup"

Public Sub New()
MyBase.New()
InitializeComponent()

AddButton(Button1, "Reset")
AddButton(Button2, "Change Column 3 Header")
AddButton(Button3, "Change Meatloaf Recipe")
AddAdditionalButtons()
End Sub

Friend WithEvents dataGridView As DataGridView

Friend WithEvents Button1 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button2 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button3 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button4 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button5 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button6 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button7 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button8 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button9 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button10 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents FlowLayoutPanel1 As FlowLayoutPanel _
= New FlowLayoutPanel()

Private Sub InitializeComponent()

FlowLayoutPanel1.Location = New Point(454, 0)
FlowLayoutPanel1.AutoSize = True
FlowLayoutPanel1.FlowDirection = FlowDirection.TopDown
FlowLayoutPanel1.Name = "flowlayoutpanel"
ClientSize = New System.Drawing.Size(614, 360)
Controls.Add(FlowLayoutPanel1)
Text = Me.GetType.Name
AutoSize = True
End Sub
#End Region

#Region "setup DataGridView"

Private thirdColumnHeader As String = "Main Ingredients"
Private boringMeatloaf As String = "ground beef"
Private boringMeatloafRanking As String = "*"
Private boringRecipe As Boolean
Private shortMode As Boolean

Private Sub InitializeDataGridView(ByVal ignored As Object, _

ByVal ignoredToo As EventArgs) Handles Me.Load

dataGridView = New System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView

Controls.Add(dataGridView)
dataGridView.Size = New Size(300, 200)

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How to: Manipulate Rows in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 8

' Create an unbound DataGridView by declaring a

' column count.
dataGridView.ColumnCount = 4
dataGridView.ColumnHeadersVisible = True
AdjustDataGridViewSizing()

' Set the column header style.

Dim columnHeaderStyle As New DataGridViewCellStyle
columnHeaderStyle.BackColor = Color.Aqua
columnHeaderStyle.Font = _
New Font("Verdana", 10, FontStyle.Bold)
dataGridView.ColumnHeadersDefaultCellStyle = _
columnHeaderStyle

' Set the column header names.

dataGridView.Columns(0).Name = "Recipe"
dataGridView.Columns(1).Name = "Category"
dataGridView.Columns(2).Name = thirdColumnHeader
dataGridView.Columns(3).Name = "Rating"

' Populate the rows.

Dim row1 As String() = New String() _
{"Meatloaf", "Main Dish", boringMeatloaf, _
boringMeatloafRanking}
Dim row2 As String() = New String() _
{"Key Lime Pie", "Dessert", _
"lime juice, evaporated milk", _
"****"}
Dim row3 As String() = New String() _
{"Orange-Salsa Pork Chops", "Main Dish", _
"pork chops, salsa, orange juice", "****"}
Dim row4 As String() = New String() _
{"Black Bean and Rice Salad", "Salad", _
"black beans, brown rice", _
"****"}
Dim row5 As String() = New String() _
{"Chocolate Cheesecake", "Dessert", "cream cheese", _
"***"}
Dim row6 As String() = New String() _
{"Black Bean Dip", "Appetizer", _
"black beans, sour cream", _
"***"}
Dim rows As Object() = New Object() {row1, row2, _
row3, row4, row5, row6}

Dim rowArray As String()

For Each rowArray In rows
dataGridView.Rows.Add(rowArray)
Next

shortMode = False
boringRecipe = True
End Sub

Private Sub AddButton(ByVal button As Button, _

ByVal buttonLabel As String)

FlowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(button)
button.TabIndex = FlowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Count
button.Text = buttonLabel
button.AutoSize = True
End Sub

' Reset columns to initial disorderly arrangement.

Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) _
Handles Button1.Click
Controls.Remove(dataGridview)
dataGridView.Dispose()
InitializeDataGridView(Nothing, Nothing)
End Sub

' Change column 3 header.

Private Sub Button2_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) _
Handles Button2.Click

Toggle(shortMode)
If shortMode Then dataGridView.Columns(2).HeaderText = _
"S" _

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How to: Manipulate Rows in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 3 of 8

Else dataGridView.Columns(2).HeaderText = _
thirdColumnHeader
End Sub

Private Shared Sub Toggle(ByRef toggleThis As Boolean)

toggleThis = Not toggleThis
End Sub

' Change meatloaf recipe.

Private Sub Button3_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) _
Handles Button3.Click

Toggle(boringRecipe)
If boringRecipe Then
SetMeatloaf(boringMeatloaf, boringMeatloafRanking)
Else
Dim greatMeatloafRecipe As String = "1 lb. lean ground beef, " _
& "1/2 cup bread crumbs, 1/4 cup ketchup," _
& "1/3 tsp onion powder, " _
& "1 clove of garlic, 1/2 pack onion soup mix " _
& " dash of your favorite BBQ Sauce"
SetMeatloaf(greatMeatloafRecipe, "***")
End If
End Sub

Private Sub SetMeatloaf(ByVal recipe As String, _

ByVal rating As String)

dataGridView.Rows(0).Cells(2).Value = recipe
dataGridView.Rows(0).Cells(3).Value = rating
End Sub
#End Region

#Region "demonstration code"

Private Sub AddAdditionalButtons()
AddButton(Button4, "Set Row Two Minimum Height")
AddButton(Button5, "Set Row One Height")
AddButton(Button6, "Label Rows")
AddButton(Button7, "Turn on Extra Edge")
AddButton(Button8, "Give Cheesecake an Excellent Rating")
End Sub

Private Sub AdjustDataGridViewSizing()

dataGridView.ColumnHeadersHeightSizeMode = _
DataGridViewColumnHeadersHeightSizeMode.AutoSize
dataGridView.Columns(ratingColumn).Width = 50
End Sub

' Set minimum height.

Private Sub Button4_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button4.Click

Dim secondRow As Integer = 1

Dim row As DataGridViewRow = dataGridView.Rows(secondRow)
row.MinimumHeight = 40
End Sub

' Set height.

Private Sub Button5_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button5.Click

Dim row As DataGridViewRow = dataGridView.Rows(0)

row.Height = 15
End Sub

' Set row labels.

Private Sub Button6_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button6.Click

Dim rowNumber As Integer = 1

For Each row As DataGridViewRow In dataGridView.Rows
If row.IsNewRow Then Continue For
row.HeaderCell.Value = "Row " & rowNumber
rowNumber = rowNumber + 1
Next
dataGridView.AutoResizeRowHeadersWidth( _
DataGridViewRowHeadersWidthSizeMode.AutoSizeToAllHeaders)
End Sub

' Set a thick horizontal edge.

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How to: Manipulate Rows in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 4 of 8

Private Sub Button7_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button7.Click

Dim secondRow As Integer = 1

Dim row As DataGridViewRow = dataGridView.Rows(secondRow)
row.DividerHeight = 10

End Sub

' Give cheescake excellent rating.

Private Sub Button8_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button8.Click

UpdateStars(dataGridView.Rows(4), "******************")
End Sub

Private ratingColumn As Integer = 3

Private Sub UpdateStars(ByVal row As DataGridViewRow, _

ByVal stars As String)

row.Cells(ratingColumn).Value = stars

' Resize the column width to account for the new value.
row.DataGridView.AutoResizeColumn(ratingColumn, _
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnMode.DisplayedCells)

End Sub
#End Region

<STAThreadAttribute()> _
Public Shared Sub Main()
Application.Run(New DataGridViewRowDemo())
End Sub

End Class

C# Copy Code

using System.Windows.Forms;
using System;
using System.Drawing;

public class DataGridViewRowDemo : Form

{
#region "form setup"
public DataGridViewRowDemo()
{
InitializeComponent();

AddButton(Button1, "Reset",
new EventHandler(Button1_Click));
AddButton(Button2, "Change Column 3 Header",
new EventHandler(Button2_Click));
AddButton(Button3, "Change Meatloaf Recipe",
new EventHandler(Button3_Click));
AddAdditionalButtons();

InitializeDataGridView();
}

private DataGridView dataGridView;

private Button Button1 = new Button();
private Button Button2 = new Button();
private Button Button3 = new Button();
private Button Button4 = new Button();
private Button Button5 = new Button();
private Button Button6 = new Button();
private Button Button7 = new Button();
private Button Button8 = new Button();
private Button Button9 = new Button();
private Button Button10 = new Button();
private FlowLayoutPanel FlowLayoutPanel1 = new FlowLayoutPanel();

private void InitializeComponent()

{
FlowLayoutPanel1.Location = new Point(454, 0);
FlowLayoutPanel1.AutoSize = true;
FlowLayoutPanel1.FlowDirection = FlowDirection.TopDown;
AutoSize = true;

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How to: Manipulate Rows in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 5 of 8

ClientSize = new System.Drawing.Size(614, 360);

FlowLayoutPanel1.Name = "flowlayoutpanel";
Controls.Add(this.FlowLayoutPanel1);
Text = this.GetType().Name;
}
#endregion

#region "setup DataGridView"

private string thirdColumnHeader = "Main Ingredients";

private string boringMeatloaf = "ground beef";
private string boringMeatloafRanking = "*";
private bool boringRecipe;
private bool shortMode;

private void InitializeDataGridView()

{
dataGridView = new System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView();
Controls.Add(dataGridView);
dataGridView.Size = new Size(300, 200);

// Create an unbound DataGridView by declaring a

// column count.
dataGridView.ColumnCount = 4;
dataGridView.ColumnHeadersVisible = true;
AdjustDataGridViewSizing();

// Set the column header style.

DataGridViewCellStyle columnHeaderStyle =
new DataGridViewCellStyle();
columnHeaderStyle.BackColor = Color.Aqua;
columnHeaderStyle.Font =
new Font("Verdana", 10, FontStyle.Bold);
dataGridView.ColumnHeadersDefaultCellStyle =
columnHeaderStyle;

// Set the column header names.

dataGridView.Columns[0].Name = "Recipe";
dataGridView.Columns[1].Name = "Category";
dataGridView.Columns[2].Name = thirdColumnHeader;
dataGridView.Columns[3].Name = "Rating";

// Populate the rows.

string[] row1 = new string[]{"Meatloaf",
"Main Dish", boringMeatloaf, boringMeatloafRank
string[] row2 = new string[]{"Key Lime Pie",
"Dessert", "lime juice, evaporated milk", "****
string[] row3 = new string[]{"Orange-Salsa Pork Chops",
"Main Dish", "pork chops, salsa, orange juice",
string[] row4 = new string[]{"Black Bean and Rice Salad",
"Salad", "black beans, brown rice", "****"};
string[] row5 = new string[]{"Chocolate Cheesecake",
"Dessert", "cream cheese", "***"};
string[] row6 = new string[]{"Black Bean Dip", "Appetizer",
"black beans, sour cream", "***"};
object[] rows = new object[] { row1, row2, row3, row4, row5, row6 };

foreach (string[] rowArray in rows)

{
dataGridView.Rows.Add(rowArray);
}

shortMode = false;
boringRecipe = true;
}

private void AddButton(Button button, string buttonLabel,

EventHandler handler)
{
FlowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(button);
button.TabIndex = FlowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Count;
button.Text = buttonLabel;
button.AutoSize = true;
button.Click += handler;
}

// Reset columns to initial disorderly arrangement.

private void Button1_Click(object sender, System.EventArgs e)
{
Controls.Remove(dataGridView);
dataGridView.Dispose();

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How to: Manipulate Rows in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 6 of 8

InitializeDataGridView();
}

// Change column 3 header.

private void Button2_Click(object sender,
System.EventArgs e)
{
Toggle(ref shortMode);
if (shortMode)
{ dataGridView.Columns[2].HeaderText = "S"; }
else
{ dataGridView.Columns[2].HeaderText = thirdColumnHeader; }
}

private static void Toggle(ref bool toggleThis)

{
toggleThis = !toggleThis;
}

// Change meatloaf recipe.

private void Button3_Click(object sender,
System.EventArgs e)
{
Toggle(ref boringRecipe);
if (boringRecipe)
{
SetMeatloaf(boringMeatloaf, boringMeatloafRanking);
}
else
{
string greatMeatloafRecipe =
"1 lb. lean ground beef, " +
"1/2 cup bread crumbs, 1/4 cup ketchup," +
"1/3 tsp onion powder, " +
"1 clove of garlic, 1/2 pack onion soup mix " +
" dash of your favorite BBQ Sauce";
SetMeatloaf(greatMeatloafRecipe, "***");
}
}

private void SetMeatloaf(string recipe, string rating)

{
dataGridView.Rows[0].Cells[2].Value = recipe;
dataGridView.Rows[0].Cells[3].Value = rating;
}
#endregion

#region "demonstration code"

private void AddAdditionalButtons()
{
AddButton(Button4, "Set Row Two Minimum Height",
new EventHandler(Button4_Click));
AddButton(Button5, "Set Row One Height",
new EventHandler(Button5_Click));
AddButton(Button6, "Label Rows",
new EventHandler(Button6_Click));
AddButton(Button7, "Turn on Extra Edge",
new EventHandler(Button7_Click));
AddButton(Button8, "Give Cheesecake an Excellent Rating",
new EventHandler(Button8_Click));
}

private void AdjustDataGridViewSizing()

{
dataGridView.ColumnHeadersHeightSizeMode =
DataGridViewColumnHeadersHeightSizeMode.AutoSize;
dataGridView.Columns[ratingColumn].Width = 50;
}

// Set minimum height.

private void Button4_Click(object sender, System.EventArgs e)
{

int secondRow = 1;
DataGridViewRow row = dataGridView.Rows[secondRow];
row.MinimumHeight = 40;
}

// Set height.
private void Button5_Click(object sender, System.EventArgs e)
{

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How to: Manipulate Rows in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 7 of 8

DataGridViewRow row = dataGridView.Rows[0];

row.Height = 15;
}

// Set row labels.

private void Button6_Click(object sender, System.EventArgs e)
{

int rowNumber = 1;
foreach (DataGridViewRow row in dataGridView.Rows)
{
if (row.IsNewRow) continue;
row.HeaderCell.Value = "Row " + rowNumber;
rowNumber = rowNumber + 1;
}
dataGridView.AutoResizeRowHeadersWidth(
DataGridViewRowHeadersWidthSizeMode.AutoSizeToAllHeaders);
}

// Set a thick horizontal edge.

private void Button7_Click(object sender,
System.EventArgs e)
{
int secondRow = 1;
DataGridViewRow row = dataGridView.Rows[secondRow];
row.DividerHeight = 10;
}

// Give cheescake excellent rating.

private void Button8_Click(object sender,
System.EventArgs e)
{
UpdateStars(dataGridView.Rows[4], "******************");
}

int ratingColumn = 3;

private void UpdateStars(DataGridViewRow row, string stars)

{

row.Cells[ratingColumn].Value = stars;

// Resize the column width to account for the new value.

row.DataGridView.AutoResizeColumn(ratingColumn,
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnMode.DisplayedCells);
}
#endregion

[STAThreadAttribute()]
public static void Main()
{
Application.Run(new DataGridViewRowDemo());
}
}

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z References to the System, System.Drawing, and System.Windows.Forms assemblies.

For information about building this example from the command line for Visual Basic or Visual C#, see
Building from the Command Line (Visual Basic) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/25fz1td5
(VS.80).aspx ] or Command-Line Building [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/78f4aasd
(VS.80).aspx ] . You can also build this example in Visual Studio by pasting the code into a new project.
For more information, see How to: Compile and Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using
Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/bb129228(vs.80).aspx ] and How to: Compile and
Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/bb129228(vs.90).aspx ] .

See Also

Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ddtce152(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
How to: Manipulate Rows in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 8 of 8

(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewBand [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewband
(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewRow [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrow
(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Programming with Cells, Rows, and Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171616(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ddtce152(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
How to: Manipulate Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 11

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Manipulate Columns in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control
The following code example shows the various ways to manipulate DataGridView
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] columns
using properties of the DataGridViewColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn(VS.80).aspx ] class.

Example

Visual Basic Copy Code

Imports System.Windows.Forms
Imports System.Drawing

Public Class DataGridViewColumnDemo

Inherits Form

#Region "set up form"

Public Sub New()
InitializeComponent()

AddButton(Button1, "Reset")
AddButton(Button2, "Change Column 3 Header")
AddButton(Button3, "Change Meatloaf Recipe")
AddAdditionalButtons()
End Sub

Friend WithEvents dataGridView As DataGridView

Friend WithEvents Button1 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button2 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button3 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button4 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button5 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button6 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button7 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button8 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button9 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button10 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents FlowLayoutPanel1 As FlowLayoutPanel _
= New FlowLayoutPanel()

Private Sub InitializeComponent()

FlowLayoutPanel1.Location = New Point(454, 0)
FlowLayoutPanel1.AutoSize = True
FlowLayoutPanel1.FlowDirection = FlowDirection.TopDown
FlowLayoutPanel1.Name = "flowlayoutpanel"
ClientSize = New System.Drawing.Size(614, 360)
Controls.Add(FlowLayoutPanel1)
Text = Me.GetType.Name
AutoSize = True
End Sub
#End Region

#Region "set up DataGridView"

Private thirdColumnHeader As String = "Main Ingredients"
Private boringMeatloaf As String = "ground beef"
Private boringMeatloafRanking As String = "*"
Private boringRecipe As Boolean
Private shortMode As Boolean

Private Sub InitializeDataGridView(ByVal ignored As Object, _

ByVal ignoredToo As EventArgs) Handles Me.Load

dataGridView = New System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView

Controls.Add(dataGridView)
dataGridView.Size = New Size(300, 200)

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How to: Manipulate Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 11

' Create an unbound DataGridView by declaring a

' column count.
dataGridView.ColumnCount = 4
AdjustDataGridViewSizing()

' Set the column header style.

Dim columnHeaderStyle As New DataGridViewCellStyle
columnHeaderStyle.BackColor = Color.Aqua
columnHeaderStyle.Font = _
New Font("Verdana", 10, FontStyle.Bold)
dataGridView.ColumnHeadersDefaultCellStyle = _
columnHeaderStyle

' Set the column header names.

dataGridView.Columns(0).Name = "Recipe"
dataGridView.Columns(1).Name = "Category"
dataGridView.Columns(2).Name = thirdColumnHeader
dataGridView.Columns(3).Name = "Rating"

PostColumnCreation()

' Populate the rows.

Dim row1 As String() = New String() _
{"Meatloaf", "Main Dish", boringMeatloaf, _
boringMeatloafRanking}
Dim row2 As String() = New String() _
{"Key Lime Pie", "Dessert", _
"lime juice, evaporated milk", _
"****"}
Dim row3 As String() = New String() _
{"Orange-Salsa Pork Chops", "Main Dish", _
"pork chops, salsa, orange juice", "****"}
Dim row4 As String() = New String() _
{"Black Bean and Rice Salad", "Salad", _
"black beans, brown rice", _
"****"}
Dim row5 As String() = New String() _
{"Chocolate Cheesecake", "Dessert", "cream cheese", _
"***"}
Dim row6 As String() = New String() _
{"Black Bean Dip", "Appetizer", _
"black beans, sour cream", _
"***"}
Dim rows As Object() = New Object() {row1, row2, _
row3, row4, row5, row6}

Dim rowArray As String()

For Each rowArray In rows
dataGridView.Rows.Add(rowArray)
Next

shortMode = False
boringRecipe = True
End Sub

Private Sub AddButton(ByVal button As Button, _

ByVal buttonLabel As String)

FlowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(button)
button.TabIndex = FlowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Count
button.Text = buttonLabel
button.AutoSize = True
End Sub

Private Sub ResetToDisorder(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.EventArgs) _
Handles Button1.Click
Controls.Remove(dataGridview)
dataGridView.Dispose()
InitializeDataGridView(Nothing, Nothing)
End Sub

Private Sub ChangeColumn3Header(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.EventArgs) _
Handles Button2.Click

Toggle(shortMode)
If shortMode Then dataGridView.Columns(2).HeaderText = _
"S" _
Else dataGridView.Columns(2).HeaderText = _
thirdColumnHeader

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How to: Manipulate Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 3 of 11

End Sub

Private Shared Sub Toggle(ByRef toggleThis As Boolean)

toggleThis = Not toggleThis
End Sub

Private Sub ChangeMeatloafRecipe(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.EventArgs) _
Handles Button3.Click

Toggle(boringRecipe)
If boringRecipe Then
SetMeatloaf(boringMeatloaf, boringMeatloafRanking)
Else
Dim greatMeatloafRecipe As String = "1 lb. lean ground beef, " _
& "1/2 cup bread crumbs, 1/4 cup ketchup," _
& "1/3 tsp onion powder, " _
& "1 clove of garlic, 1/2 pack onion soup mix " _
& " dash of your favorite BBQ Sauce"
SetMeatloaf(greatMeatloafRecipe, "***")
End If
End Sub

Private Sub SetMeatloaf(ByVal recipe As String, _

ByVal rating As String)

dataGridView.Rows(0).Cells(2).Value = recipe
dataGridView.Rows(0).Cells(3).Value = rating
End Sub
#End Region

#Region "demonstration code"

Private Sub PostColumnCreation()
AddContextLabel()
AddCriteriaLabel()
CustomizeCellsInThirdColumn()
AddContextMenu()
SetDefaultCellInFirstColumn()
ToolTips()
End Sub

Private criteriaLabel As String = "Column 3 sizing criteria: "

Private Sub AddCriteriaLabel()
AddLabelToPanelIfNotAlreadyThere(criteriaLabel, _
criteriaLabel & _
dataGridView.Columns(2).AutoSizeMode.ToString() _
& ".")
End Sub

Private Sub AddContextLabel()

Dim labelName As String = "label"
AddLabelToPanelIfNotAlreadyThere(labelName, _
"Use shortcut menu to change cell color.")
End Sub

Private Sub AddLabelToPanelIfNotAlreadyThere( _

ByVal labelName As String, _
ByVal labelText As String)

Dim label As Label

If FlowLayoutPanel1.Controls(labelName) Is Nothing Then
label = New Label()
label.AutoSize = True
label.Name = labelName
label.BackColor = Color.Bisque
FlowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(label)
Else
label = CType(FlowLayoutPanel1.Controls(labelName), Label)
End If
label.Text = labelText
End Sub

Private Sub CustomizeCellsInThirdColumn()

Dim thirdColumn As Integer = 2

Dim column As DataGridViewColumn = _
dataGridView.Columns(thirdColumn)
Dim cell As DataGridViewCell = _
New DataGridViewTextBoxCell()

cell.Style.BackColor = Color.Wheat

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How to: Manipulate Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 4 of 11

column.CellTemplate = cell
End Sub

WithEvents toolStripItem1 As New ToolStripMenuItem()

Private Sub AddContextMenu()

toolStripItem1.Text = "Redden"
Dim strip As New ContextMenuStrip()
For Each column As DataGridViewColumn _
In dataGridView.Columns()

column.ContextMenuStrip = strip
column.ContextMenuStrip.Items.Add(toolStripItem1)
Next
End Sub
' Change the cell's color.
Private Sub toolStripItem1_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal args As EventArgs) _
Handles toolStripItem1.Click

dataGridView.Rows(mouseLocation.RowIndex) _
.Cells(mouseLocation.ColumnIndex) _
.Style.BackColor = Color.Red
End Sub

Private mouseLocation As DataGridViewCellEventArgs

' Deal with hovering over a cell.

Private Sub dataGridView_CellMouseEnter(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal location As DataGridViewCellEventArgs) _
Handles DataGridView.CellMouseEnter

mouseLocation = location
End Sub

Private Sub SetDefaultCellInFirstColumn()

Dim firstColumn As DataGridViewColumn = _
dataGridView.Columns(0)
Dim cellStyle As DataGridViewCellStyle = _
New DataGridViewCellStyle()
cellStyle.BackColor = Color.Thistle

firstColumn.DefaultCellStyle = cellStyle
End Sub

Private Sub ToolTips()

Dim firstColumn As DataGridViewColumn = _
dataGridView.Columns(0)
Dim thirdColumn As DataGridViewColumn = _
dataGridView.Columns(2)
firstColumn.ToolTipText = _
"This is column uses a default cell."
thirdColumn.ToolTipText = _
"This is column uses a template cell." _
& " Changes to one cell's style changes them all."
End Sub

Private Sub AddAdditionalButtons()

AddButton(Button4, "Set Minimum Width of Column Two")
AddButton(Button5, "Set Width of Column One")
AddButton(Button6, "Autosize Third Column")
AddButton(Button7, "Add Thick Vertical Edge")
AddButton(Button8, "Style and Number Columns")
AddButton(Button9, "Change Column Header Text")
AddButton(Button10, "Swap First and Last Columns")
End Sub

Private Sub AdjustDataGridViewSizing()

dataGridView.ColumnHeadersHeightSizeMode = _
DataGridViewColumnHeadersHeightSizeMode.AutoSize
End Sub

'Set the minimum width.

Private Sub Button4_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button4.Click

Dim column As DataGridViewColumn = dataGridView.Columns(1)

column.MinimumWidth = 40
End Sub

' Set the width.

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How to: Manipulate Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 5 of 11

Private Sub Button5_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button5.Click

Dim column As DataGridViewColumn = dataGridView.Columns(0)

column.Width = 60
End Sub

' AutoSize the third column.

Private Sub Button6_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button6.Click

Dim column As DataGridViewColumn = dataGridView.Columns(2)

column.AutoSizeMode = DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnMode.DisplayedCells
End Sub

' Set the vertical edge.

Private Sub Button7_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button7.Click

Dim thirdColumn As Integer = 2

Dim column As DataGridViewColumn = _
dataGridView.Columns(thirdColumn)
column.DividerWidth = 10

End Sub

' Style and number columns.

Private Sub Button8_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal args As EventArgs) Handles Button8.Click

Dim style As DataGridViewCellStyle = _

New DataGridViewCellStyle()
style.Alignment = _
DataGridViewContentAlignment.MiddleCenter
style.ForeColor = Color.IndianRed
style.BackColor = Color.Ivory

For Each column As DataGridViewColumn _

In dataGridView.Columns

column.HeaderCell.Value = _
column.Index.ToString
column.HeaderCell.Style = style
Next
End Sub

' Change the text in the column header.

Private Sub Button9_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal args As EventArgs) Handles Button9.Click

For Each column As DataGridViewColumn _

In dataGridView.Columns

column.HeaderText = String.Concat("Column ", _

column.Index.ToString)
Next
End Sub

' Swap the last column with the first.

Private Sub Button10_Click(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal args As EventArgs) Handles Button10.Click

Dim columnCollection As DataGridViewColumnCollection = _

dataGridView.Columns

Dim firstVisibleColumn As DataGridViewColumn = _

columnCollection.GetFirstColumn(DataGridViewElementStates.Visible)
Dim lastVisibleColumn As DataGridViewColumn = _
columnCollection.GetLastColumn(DataGridViewElementStates.Visible, _
Nothing)

Dim firstColumn_sIndex As Integer = firstVisibleColumn.DisplayIndex

firstVisibleColumn.DisplayIndex = _
lastVisibleColumn.DisplayIndex
lastVisibleColumn.DisplayIndex = firstColumn_sIndex
End Sub

' Updated the criteria label.

Private Sub dataGridView_AutoSizeColumnCriteriaChanged( _
ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal args As DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnModeEventArgs) _

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How to: Manipulate Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 6 of 11

Handles DataGridView.AutoSizeColumnModeChanged

args.Column.DataGridView.Parent. _
Controls("flowlayoutpanel"). _
Controls(criteriaLabel).Text = _
criteriaLabel & args.Column.AutoSizeMode.ToString
End Sub
#End Region

<STAThreadAttribute()> _
Public Shared Sub Main()
Application.Run(New DataGridViewColumnDemo())
End Sub

End Class

C# Copy Code

using System.Windows.Forms;
using System;
using System.Drawing;

public class DataGridViewColumnDemo : Form

{
#region "set up form"
public DataGridViewColumnDemo()
{
InitializeComponent();

AddButton(Button1, "Reset",
new EventHandler(ResetToDisorder));
AddButton(Button2, "Change Column 3 Header",
new EventHandler(ChangeColumn3Header));
AddButton(Button3, "Change Meatloaf Recipe",
new EventHandler(ChangeMeatloafRecipe));
AddAdditionalButtons();

InitializeDataGridView();
}

DataGridView dataGridView;
Button Button1 = new Button();
Button Button2 = new Button();
Button Button3 = new Button();
Button Button4 = new Button();
Button Button5 = new Button();
Button Button6 = new Button();
Button Button7 = new Button();
Button Button8 = new Button();
Button Button9 = new Button();
Button Button10 = new Button();
FlowLayoutPanel FlowLayoutPanel1 = new FlowLayoutPanel();

private void InitializeComponent()

{
FlowLayoutPanel1.Location = new Point(454, 0);
FlowLayoutPanel1.AutoSize = true;
FlowLayoutPanel1.FlowDirection = FlowDirection.TopDown;
FlowLayoutPanel1.Name = "flowlayoutpanel";
ClientSize = new System.Drawing.Size(614, 360);
Controls.Add(this.FlowLayoutPanel1);
Text = this.GetType().Name;
AutoSize = true;
}
#endregion

#region "set up DataGridView"

private string thirdColumnHeader = "Main Ingredients";

private string boringMeatloaf = "ground beef";
private string boringMeatloafRanking = "*";
private bool boringRecipe;
private bool shortMode;

private void InitializeDataGridView()

{
dataGridView = new System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView();
Controls.Add(dataGridView);
dataGridView.Size = new Size(300, 200);

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How to: Manipulate Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 7 of 11

// Create an unbound DataGridView by declaring a

// column count.
dataGridView.ColumnCount = 4;
AdjustDataGridViewSizing();

// Set the column header style.

DataGridViewCellStyle columnHeaderStyle =
new DataGridViewCellStyle();
columnHeaderStyle.BackColor = Color.Aqua;
columnHeaderStyle.Font =
new Font("Verdana", 10, FontStyle.Bold);
dataGridView.ColumnHeadersDefaultCellStyle =
columnHeaderStyle;

// Set the column header names.

dataGridView.Columns[0].Name = "Recipe";
dataGridView.Columns[1].Name = "Category";
dataGridView.Columns[2].Name = thirdColumnHeader;
dataGridView.Columns[3].Name = "Rating";

PostColumnCreation();

// Populate the rows.

string[] row1 = new string[]{"Meatloaf",
"Main Dish", boringMeatloaf, boringMeatloafRanking}
string[] row2 = new string[]{"Key Lime Pie",
"Dessert", "lime juice, evaporated milk", "****"};
string[] row3 = new string[]{"Orange-Salsa Pork Chops",
"Main Dish", "pork chops, salsa, orange juice", "**
string[] row4 = new string[]{"Black Bean and Rice Salad",
"Salad", "black beans, brown rice", "****"};
string[] row5 = new string[]{"Chocolate Cheesecake",
"Dessert", "cream cheese", "***"};
string[] row6 = new string[]{"Black Bean Dip", "Appetizer",
"black beans, sour cream", "***"};
object[] rows = new object[] { row1, row2, row3, row4, row5, row6 };

foreach (string[] rowArray in rows)

{
dataGridView.Rows.Add(rowArray);
}

shortMode = false;
boringRecipe = true;
}

private void AddButton(Button button, string buttonLabel,

EventHandler handler)
{
FlowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(button);
button.TabIndex = FlowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Count;
button.Text = buttonLabel;
button.AutoSize = true;
button.Click += handler;
}

private void ResetToDisorder(object sender, System.EventArgs e)

{
Controls.Remove(dataGridView);
dataGridView.Dispose();
InitializeDataGridView();
}

private void ChangeColumn3Header(object sender,

System.EventArgs e)
{
Toggle(ref shortMode);
if (shortMode)
{ dataGridView.Columns[2].HeaderText = "S"; }
else
{ dataGridView.Columns[2].HeaderText = thirdColumnHeader; }
}

private static void Toggle(ref bool toggleThis)

{
toggleThis = !toggleThis;
}

private void ChangeMeatloafRecipe(object sender,

System.EventArgs e)
{

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How to: Manipulate Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 8 of 11

Toggle(ref boringRecipe);
if (boringRecipe)
{
SetMeatloaf(boringMeatloaf, boringMeatloafRanking);
}
else
{
string greatMeatloafRecipe =
"1 lb. lean ground beef, " +
"1/2 cup bread crumbs, 1/4 cup ketchup," +
"1/3 tsp onion powder, " +
"1 clove of garlic, 1/2 pack onion soup mix " +
" dash of your favorite BBQ Sauce";
SetMeatloaf(greatMeatloafRecipe, "***");
}
}

private void SetMeatloaf(string recipe, string rating)

{
dataGridView.Rows[0].Cells[2].Value = recipe;
dataGridView.Rows[0].Cells[3].Value = rating;
}
#endregion

#region "demonstration code"

private void PostColumnCreation()
{
AddContextLabel();
AddCriteriaLabel();
CustomizeCellsInThirdColumn();
AddContextMenu();
SetDefaultCellInFirstColumn();
ToolTips();

dataGridView.CellMouseEnter +=
dataGridView_CellMouseEnter;
dataGridView.AutoSizeColumnModeChanged +=
dataGridView_AutoSizeColumnModeChanged;
}

private string criteriaLabel = "Column 3 sizing criteria: ";

private void AddCriteriaLabel()
{
AddLabelToPanelIfNotAlreadyThere(criteriaLabel,
criteriaLabel +
dataGridView.Columns[2].AutoSizeMode.ToString() +
".");
}

private void AddContextLabel()

{
string labelName = "label";
AddLabelToPanelIfNotAlreadyThere(labelName,
"Use shortcut menu to change cell color.");
}

private void AddLabelToPanelIfNotAlreadyThere(

string labelName, string labelText)
{
Label label;
if (FlowLayoutPanel1.Controls[labelName] == null)
{
label = new Label();
label.AutoSize = true;
label.Name = labelName;
label.BackColor = Color.Bisque;
FlowLayoutPanel1.Controls.Add(label);
}
else
{
label = (Label)FlowLayoutPanel1.Controls[labelName];
}
label.Text = labelText;
}

private void CustomizeCellsInThirdColumn()

{
int thirdColumn = 2;
DataGridViewColumn column =
dataGridView.Columns[thirdColumn];
DataGridViewCell cell = new DataGridViewTextBoxCell();

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How to: Manipulate Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 9 of 11

cell.Style.BackColor = Color.Wheat;
column.CellTemplate = cell;
}

ToolStripMenuItem toolStripItem1 = new ToolStripMenuItem();

private void AddContextMenu()

{
toolStripItem1.Text = "Redden";
toolStripItem1.Click += new EventHandler(toolStripItem1_Click);
ContextMenuStrip strip = new ContextMenuStrip();
foreach (DataGridViewColumn column in dataGridView.Columns)
{

column.ContextMenuStrip = strip;
column.ContextMenuStrip.Items.Add(toolStripItem1);
}
}

private DataGridViewCellEventArgs mouseLocation;

// Change the cell's color.

private void toolStripItem1_Click(object sender, EventArgs args)
{
dataGridView.Rows[mouseLocation.RowIndex]
.Cells[mouseLocation.ColumnIndex].Style.BackColor
= Color.Red;
}

// Deal with hovering over a cell.

private void dataGridView_CellMouseEnter(object sender,
DataGridViewCellEventArgs location)
{
mouseLocation = location;
}

private void SetDefaultCellInFirstColumn()

{
DataGridViewColumn firstColumn = dataGridView.Columns[0];
DataGridViewCellStyle cellStyle =
new DataGridViewCellStyle();
cellStyle.BackColor = Color.Thistle;

firstColumn.DefaultCellStyle = cellStyle;
}

private void ToolTips()

{
DataGridViewColumn firstColumn = dataGridView.Columns[0];
DataGridViewColumn thirdColumn = dataGridView.Columns[2];
firstColumn.ToolTipText =
"This column uses a default cell.";
thirdColumn.ToolTipText =
"This column uses a template cell." +
" Style changes to one cell apply to all cells.";
}

private void AddAdditionalButtons()

{
AddButton(Button4, "Set Minimum Width of Column Two",
new EventHandler(Button4_Click));
AddButton(Button5, "Set Width of Column One",
new EventHandler(Button5_Click));
AddButton(Button6, "Autosize Third Column",
new EventHandler(Button6_Click));
AddButton(Button7, "Add Thick Vertical Edge",
new EventHandler(Button7_Click));
AddButton(Button8, "Style and Number Columns",
new EventHandler(Button8_Click));
AddButton(Button9, "Change Column Header Text",
new EventHandler(Button9_Click));
AddButton(Button10, "Swap First and Last Columns",
new EventHandler(Button10_Click));
}

private void AdjustDataGridViewSizing()

{
dataGridView.ColumnHeadersHeightSizeMode =
DataGridViewColumnHeadersHeightSizeMode.AutoSize;

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How to: Manipulate Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 10 of 11

//Set the minimum width.

private void Button4_Click(object sender,
System.EventArgs e)
{
DataGridViewColumn column = dataGridView.Columns[1];
column.MinimumWidth = 40;
}

// Set the width.

private void Button5_Click(object sender, System.EventArgs e)
{
DataGridViewColumn column = dataGridView.Columns[0];
column.Width = 60;
}

// AutoSize the third column.

private void Button6_Click(object sender,
System.EventArgs e)
{
DataGridViewColumn column = dataGridView.Columns[2];
column.AutoSizeMode = DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnMode.DisplayedCells;
}

// Set the vertical edge.

private void Button7_Click(object sender,
System.EventArgs e)
{
int thirdColumn = 2;
DataGridViewColumn column =
dataGridView.Columns[thirdColumn];
column.DividerWidth = 10;
}

// Style and number columns.

private void Button8_Click(object sender,
EventArgs args)
{
DataGridViewCellStyle style = new DataGridViewCellStyle();
style.Alignment =
DataGridViewContentAlignment.MiddleCenter;
style.ForeColor = Color.IndianRed;
style.BackColor = Color.Ivory;

foreach (DataGridViewColumn column in dataGridView.Columns)

{
column.HeaderCell.Value = column.Index.ToString();
column.HeaderCell.Style = style;
}
}

// Change the text in the column header.

private void Button9_Click(object sender,
EventArgs args)
{
foreach (DataGridViewColumn column in dataGridView.Columns)
{

column.HeaderText = String.Concat("Column ",

column.Index.ToString());
}
}

// Swap the last column with the first.

private void Button10_Click(object sender, EventArgs args)
{
DataGridViewColumnCollection columnCollection = dataGridView.Columns;

DataGridViewColumn firstVisibleColumn =
columnCollection.GetFirstColumn(DataGridViewElementStates.Visible);
DataGridViewColumn lastVisibleColumn =
columnCollection.GetLastColumn(
DataGridViewElementStates.Visible, DataGridViewElementStates.None);

int firstColumn_sIndex = firstVisibleColumn.DisplayIndex;

firstVisibleColumn.DisplayIndex = lastVisibleColumn.DisplayIndex;
lastVisibleColumn.DisplayIndex = firstColumn_sIndex;
}

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How to: Manipulate Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 11 of 11

// Updated the criteria label.

private void dataGridView_AutoSizeColumnModeChanged(object sender,
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnModeEventArgs args)
{
args.Column.DataGridView.Parent.
Controls["flowlayoutpanel"].Controls[criteriaLabel].
Text = criteriaLabel
+ args.Column.AutoSizeMode.ToString();
}
#endregion

[STAThreadAttribute()]
public static void Main()
{
Application.Run(new DataGridViewColumnDemo());
}

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z References to the System, System.Drawing, and System.Windows.Forms assemblies.

For information about building this example from the command line for Visual Basic or Visual C#, see
Building from the Command Line (Visual Basic) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/25fz1td5
(VS.80).aspx ] or Command-Line Building [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/78f4aasd
(VS.80).aspx ] . You can also build this example in Visual Studio by pasting the code into a new project.
For more information, see How to: Compile and Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using
Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/bb129228(vs.80).aspx ] and How to: Compile and
Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/bb129228(vs.90).aspx ] .

See Also

Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewBand [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewband
(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewRow [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrow
(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Programming with Cells, Rows, and Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171616(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/wc06dx4f(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
How to: Work with Image Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 11

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Work with Image Columns in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control
The following code example shows how to use the DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] image columns in an interactive user
interface (UI). The example also demonstrates image sizing and layout possibilities with the
DataGridViewImageColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewimagecolumn(VS.80).aspx ] .

Example

Visual Basic Copy Code

Imports System.IO
Imports System.Windows.Forms
Imports System.Drawing
Imports System

Public Class TicTacToe

Inherits System.Windows.Forms.Form

Friend WithEvents dataGridView1 As DataGridView

Friend WithEvents Button1 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents turn As Label = New Label()
Friend WithEvents Button2 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button3 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button4 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Button5 As Button = New Button()
Friend WithEvents Panel1 As FlowLayoutPanel = New FlowLayoutPanel()

#Region "bitmaps"
Private oImage As Byte() = { _
&H42, &H4D, &HC6, &H0, &H0, &H0, &H0, &H0, _
&H0, &H0, &H76, &H0, &H0, &H0, &H28, &H0, _
&H0, &H0, &HB, &H0, &H0, &H0, &HA, &H0, _
&H0, &H0, &H1, &H0, &H4, &H0, &H0, &H0, _
&H0, &H0, &H50, &H0, &H0, &H0, &H0, &H0, _
&H0, &H0, &H0, &H0, &H0, &H0, &H10, &H0, _
&H0, &H0, &H10, &H0, &H0, &H0, &H0, &H0, _
&H0, &H0, &H0, &H0, &H80, &H0, &H0, &H80, _
&H0, &H0, &H0, &H80, &H80, &H0, &H80, &H0, _
&H0, &H0, &H80, &H0, &H80, &H0, &H80, &H80, _
&H0, &H0, &HC0, &HC0, &HC0, &H0, &H80, &H80, _
&H80, &H0, &H0, &H0, &HFF, &H0, &H0, &HFF, _
&H0, &H0, &H0, &HFF, &HFF, &H0, &HFF, &H0, _
&H0, &H0, &HFF, &H0, &HFF, &H0, &HFF, &HFF, _
&H0, &H0, &HFF, &HFF, &HFF, &H0, &HFF, &HFF, _
&H0, &HF, &HFF, &HF0, &H0, &H0, &HFF, &H0, _
&HFF, &HF0, &HF, &HF0, &H0, &H0, &HF0, &HFF, _
&HFF, &HFF, &HF0, &HF0, &H0, &H0, &HF0, &HFF, _
&HFF, &HFF, &HF0, &HF0, &H0, &H0, &HF, &HFF, _
&HFF, &HFF, &HFF, &H0, &H0, &H0, &HF, &HFF, _
&HFF, &HFF, &HFF, &H0, &H0, &H0, &HF0, &HFF, _
&HFF, &HFF, &HF0, &HF0, &H0, &H0, &HF0, &HFF, _
&HFF, &HFF, &HF0, &HF0, &H0, &H0, &HFF, &H0, _
&HFF, &HF0, &HF, &HF0, &H0, &H0, &HFF, &HFF, _
&H0, &HF, &HFF, &HF0, &H0, &H0}

Private xImage As Byte() = { _

&H42, &H4D, &HC6, &H0, &H0, &H0, &H0, &H0, _
&H0, &H0, &H76, &H0, &H0, &H0, &H28, &H0, _
&H0, &H0, &HB, &H0, &H0, &H0, &HA, &H0, _
&H0, &H0, &H1, &H0, &H4, &H0, &H0, &H0, _
&H0, &H0, &H50, &H0, &H0, &H0, &H0, &H0, _
&H0, &H0, &H0, &H0, &H0, &H0, &H10, &H0, _
&H0, &H0, &H10, &H0, &H0, &H0, &H0, &H0, _
&H0, &H0, &H0, &H0, &H80, &H0, &H0, &H80, _
&H0, &H0, &H0, &H80, &H80, &H0, &H80, &H0, _

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How to: Work with Image Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 11

&H0, &H0, &H80, &H0, &H80, &H0, &H80, &H80, _

&H0, &H0, &HC0, &HC0, &HC0, &H0, &H80, &H80, _
&H80, &H0, &H0, &H0, &HFF, &H0, &H0, &HFF, _
&H0, &H0, &H0, &HFF, &HFF, &H0, &HFF, &H0, _
&H0, &H0, &HFF, &H0, &HFF, &H0, &HFF, &HFF, _
&H0, &H0, &HFF, &HFF, &HFF, &H0, &HF0, &HFF, _
&HFF, &HFF, &HF0, &HF0, &H0, &H0, &HFF, &HF, _
&HFF, &HFF, &HF, &HF0, &H0, &H0, &HFF, &HF0, _
&HFF, &HF0, &HFF, &HF0, &H0, &H0, &HFF, &HFF, _
&HF, &HF, &HFF, &HF0, &H0, &H0, &HFF, &HFF, _
&HF, &HF, &HFF, &HF0, &H0, &H0, &HFF, &HFF, _
&HF, &HF, &HFF, &HF0, &H0, &H0, &HFF, &HF0, _
&HFF, &HF0, &HFF, &HF0, &H0, &H0, &HFF, &HF, _
&HFF, &HFF, &HF, &HF0, &H0, &H0, &HF0, &HFF, _
&HFF, &HFF, &HF0, &HF0, &H0, &H0, &HFF, &HFF, _
&HFF, &HFF, &HFF, &HF0, &H0, &H0}

Private blankImage As Byte() = { _

&H42, &H4D, &HC6, &H0, &H0, &H0, &H0, &H0, _
&H0, &H0, &H76, &H0, &H0, &H0, &H28, &H0, _
&H0, &H0, &HB, &H0, &H0, &H0, &HA, &H0, _
&H0, &H0, &H1, &H0, &H4, &H0, &H0, &H0, _
&H0, &H0, &H50, &H0, &H0, &H0, &H0, &H0, _
&H0, &H0, &H0, &H0, &H0, &H0, &H10, &H0, _
&H0, &H0, &H10, &H0, &H0, &H0, &H0, &H0, _
&H0, &H0, &H0, &H0, &H80, &H0, &H0, &H80, _
&H0, &H0, &H0, &H80, &H80, &H0, &H80, &H0, _
&H0, &H0, &H80, &H0, &H80, &H0, &H80, &H80, _
&H0, &H0, &HC0, &HC0, &HC0, &H0, &H80, &H80, _
&H80, &H0, &H0, &H0, &HFF, &H0, &H0, &HFF, _
&H0, &H0, &H0, &HFF, &HFF, &H0, &HFF, &H0, _
&H0, &H0, &HFF, &H0, &HFF, &H0, &HFF, &HFF, _
&H0, &H0, &HFF, &HFF, &HFF, &H0, &HFF, &HFF, _
&HFF, &HFF, &HFF, &HF0, &H0, &H0, &HFF, &HFF, _
&HFF, &HFF, &HFF, &HF0, &H0, &H0, &HFF, &HFF, _
&HFF, &HFF, &HFF, &HF0, &H0, &H0, &HFF, &HFF, _
&HFF, &HFF, &HFF, &HF0, &H0, &H0, &HFF, &HFF, _
&HFF, &HFF, &HFF, &HF0, &H0, &H0, &HFF, &HFF, _
&HFF, &HFF, &HFF, &HF0, &H0, &H0, &HFF, &HFF, _
&HFF, &HFF, &HFF, &HF0, &H0, &H0, &HFF, &HFF, _
&HFF, &HFF, &HFF, &HF0, &H0, &H0, &HFF, &HFF, _
&HFF, &HFF, &HFF, &HF0, &H0, &H0, &HFF, &HFF, _
&HFF, &HFF, &HFF, &HF0, &H0, &H0}
#End Region

Private blank As Bitmap = New Bitmap( _

New MemoryStream(blankImage))
Private x As Bitmap = New Bitmap(New MemoryStream(xImage))
Private o As Bitmap = New Bitmap(New MemoryStream(oImage))
Private xString As String = "X's turn"
Private oString As String = "O's turn"
Private gameOverString As String = "Game Over"
Private bitmapPadding As Integer = 6

Private Sub InitializeDataGridView(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As EventArgs) Handles Me.Load
SuspendLayout()
Panel1.SuspendLayout()

ConfigureForm()
SizeGrid()
CreateColumns()
CreateRows()

ResumeLayout(False)
Panel1.ResumeLayout(False)
End Sub

Private Sub ConfigureForm()

AutoSize = True
turn.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(75, 34)
turn.TextAlign = ContentAlignment.MiddleLeft
turn.Text = xString

Panel1.FlowDirection = FlowDirection.TopDown
Panel1.Location = New System.Drawing.Point(0, 8)
Panel1.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(120, 196)

ClientSize = New System.Drawing.Size(355, 200)

Controls.Add(Me.Panel1)
Text = "TicTacToe"

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How to: Work with Image Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 3 of 11

dataGridView1 = New System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView

dataGridView1.Location = New Point(120, 0)
dataGridView1.AllowUserToAddRows = False
Controls.Add(dataGridView1)
SetupButtons()
End Sub

Private Sub SetupButtons()

SetupButton(Button1, "Restart")
Panel1.Controls.Add(Me.turn)
SetupButton(Button2, "Increase Cell Size")
SetupButton(Button3, "Stretch Images")
SetupButton(Button4, "Zoom Images")
SetupButton(Button5, "Normal Images")
End Sub

Private Sub SetupButton(ByVal button As Button, _

ByVal buttonLabel As String)

Panel1.Controls.Add(button)
button.Text = buttonLabel
button.AutoSize = True

End Sub

Private Sub CreateColumns()

Dim imageColumn As DataGridViewImageColumn

Dim columnCount As Integer = 0
Do
Dim unMarked As Bitmap = blank
imageColumn = New DataGridViewImageColumn()

' Add twice the padding for the left and

' right sides of the cell.
imageColumn.Width = x.Width + 2 * bitmapPadding + 1

imageColumn.Image = unMarked
imageColumn.ImageLayout = DataGridViewImageCellLayout.NotSet
imageColumn.Description = "default image layout"
dataGridView1.Columns.Add(imageColumn)
columnCount = columnCount + 1
Loop While columnCount < 3
End Sub

Private Sub CreateRows()

dataGridView1.Rows.Add()
dataGridView1.Rows.Add()
dataGridView1.Rows.Add()
End Sub

Private Sub SizeGrid()

dataGridView1.ColumnHeadersVisible = False
dataGridView1.RowHeadersVisible = False
dataGridView1.AllowUserToResizeColumns = False
dataGridView1.AllowUserToResizeRows = False
dataGridView1.BorderStyle = BorderStyle.None

' Add twice the padding for the top and bottom of the cell.
dataGridView1.RowTemplate.Height = x.Height + _
2 * bitmapPadding + 1

dataGridView1.AutoSize = True
End Sub

Private Sub reset(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As EventArgs) _
Handles Button1.Click

dataGridView1.Dispose()
InitializeDataGridView(Nothing, Nothing)
End Sub

Private Sub dataGridView1_CellClick(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As DataGridViewCellEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.CellClick

If turn.Text.Equals(gameOverString) Then Return

Dim cell As DataGridViewImageCell = _

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How to: Work with Image Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 4 of 11

CType(dataGridView1.Rows(e.RowIndex). _
Cells(e.ColumnIndex), DataGridViewImageCell)
If (cell.Value Is blank) Then
If IsOsTurn() Then
cell.Value = o
Else
cell.Value = x
End If
ToggleTurn()
ToolTip(e)
End If
If IsAWin() Then
turn.Text = gameOverString
End If
End Sub

Private Sub dataGridView1_CellMouseEnter(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As DataGridViewCellEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.CellMouseEnter

Dim markingUnderMouse As Bitmap = _

CType(dataGridView1.Rows(e.RowIndex). _
Cells(e.ColumnIndex).Value, Bitmap)

If markingUnderMouse Is blank Then

dataGridView1.Cursor = Cursors.Default
ElseIf markingUnderMouse Is o OrElse markingUnderMouse Is x Then
dataGridView1.Cursor = Cursors.No
ToolTip(e)
End If
End Sub

Private Sub ToolTip( _

ByVal e As DataGridViewCellEventArgs)

Dim cell As DataGridViewImageCell = _

CType(dataGridView1.Rows(e.RowIndex). _
Cells(e.ColumnIndex), DataGridViewImageCell)
Dim imageColumn As DataGridViewImageColumn = _
CType(dataGridView1.Columns(cell.ColumnIndex), _
DataGridViewImageColumn)

cell.ToolTipText = imageColumn.Description
End Sub

Private Sub dataGridView1_CellMouseLeave(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As DataGridViewCellEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.CellMouseLeave

dataGridView1.Cursor = Cursors.Default
End Sub

Private Sub Stretch(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As EventArgs) Handles Button3.Click

For Each column As DataGridViewImageColumn _

In dataGridView1.Columns
column.ImageLayout = DataGridViewImageCellLayout.Stretch
column.Description = "Stretched image layout"
Next
End Sub

Private Sub ZoomToImage(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As EventArgs) Handles Button4.Click

For Each column As DataGridViewImageColumn _

In dataGridView1.Columns
column.ImageLayout = DataGridViewImageCellLayout.Zoom
column.Description = "Zoomed image layout"
Next
End Sub

Private Sub NormalImage(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As EventArgs) Handles Button5.Click

For Each column As DataGridViewImageColumn _

In dataGridView1.Columns
column.ImageLayout = DataGridViewImageCellLayout.Normal
column.Description = "Normal image layout"
Next
End Sub

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How to: Work with Image Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 5 of 11

Private Sub MakeCellsLarger(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As EventArgs) Handles Button2.Click

For Each column As DataGridViewImageColumn _

In dataGridView1.Columns
column.Width = column.Width * 2
Next
For Each row As DataGridViewRow In dataGridView1.Rows
If row.IsNewRow Then Continue For
row.Height = CInt(row.Height * 1.5)
Next
End Sub

Private Function IsAWin() As Boolean

If ARowIsSame() OrElse AColumnIsSame() OrElse ADiagonalIsSame() Then
Return True
Else
Return False
End If
End Function

Private Function ARowIsSame() As Boolean

Dim marking As Bitmap = Nothing
If marking Is blank Then Return False
For Each row As DataGridViewRow In dataGridView1.Rows
If row.IsNewRow Then Continue For
marking = CType(row.Cells(0).Value, Bitmap)
If marking IsNot blank Then
If marking Is row.Cells(1).Value AndAlso _
marking Is row.Cells(2).Value Then Return True
End If
Next
Return False
End Function

Private Function AColumnIsSame() As Boolean

Dim columnIndex As Integer = 0

Dim marking As Bitmap
Do
marking = CType(dataGridView1.Rows(0).Cells(columnIndex).Value, _
Bitmap)
If marking IsNot blank Then
If marking Is _
dataGridView1.Rows(1).Cells(columnIndex).Value _
AndAlso marking Is _
dataGridView1.Rows(2).Cells(columnIndex).Value _
Then Return True
End If
columnIndex = columnIndex + 1
Loop While columnIndex < _
dataGridView1.Columns.GetColumnCount( _
DataGridViewElementStates.Visible)
Return False
End Function

Private Function ADiagonalIsSame() As Boolean

If LeftToRightDiagonalIsSame() Then Return True

If RightToLeftDiagonalIsSame() Then Return True
Return False
End Function

Private Function LeftToRightDiagonalIsSame() As Boolean

Return IsDiagonalSame(0, 2)
End Function

Private Function RightToLeftDiagonalIsSame() As Boolean

Return IsDiagonalSame(2, 0)
End Function

Private Function IsDiagonalSame(ByVal startingColumn As Integer, _

ByVal lastColumn As Integer) As Boolean

Dim marking As Bitmap = CType( _

dataGridView1.Rows(0).Cells(startingColumn).Value, Bitmap)
If marking Is blank Then Return False
If marking Is dataGridView1.Rows(1).Cells(1).Value AndAlso _
marking Is dataGridView1.Rows(2).Cells(lastColumn).Value _
Then Return True

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How to: Work with Image Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 6 of 11

End Function

Private Sub ToggleTurn()

If turn.Text.Equals(xString) Then turn.Text = oString _
Else turn.Text = xString
End Sub

Private Function IsOsTurn() As Boolean

If turn.Text.Equals(oString) Then Return True _
Else : Return False
End Function

<STAThread> Public Shared Sub Main()

Application.Run(New TicTacToe())
End Sub

End Class

C# Copy Code

using System.IO;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using System.Drawing;
using System;

public class TicTacToe : System.Windows.Forms.Form

{
public TicTacToe()
{
blank = new Bitmap(new MemoryStream(blankImage));
x = new Bitmap(new MemoryStream(xImage));
o = new Bitmap(new MemoryStream(oImage));

this.AutoSize = true;
SetupButtons();
InitializeDataGridView(null, null);
}

private DataGridView dataGridView1;

private Button Button1 = new Button();
private Label turn = new Label();
private Button Button2 = new Button();
private Button Button3 = new Button();
private Button Button4 = new Button();
private Button Button5 = new Button();
private FlowLayoutPanel Panel1 = new FlowLayoutPanel();

#region "bitmaps"
private byte[] oImage = new byte[] {
0x42, 0x4D, 0xC6, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x76,
0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x28, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0xB, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0xA,
0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x1, 0x0, 0x4, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x50,
0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x10,
0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x10, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0,
0x0, 0x80, 0x0, 0x0, 0x80, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x80, 0x80, 0x0,
0x80, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x80, 0x0, 0x80, 0x0, 0x80, 0x80, 0x0,
0x0, 0xC0, 0xC0, 0xC0, 0x0, 0x80, 0x80, 0x80, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0,
0xFF, 0x0, 0x0, 0xFF, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x0, 0xFF,
0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0xFF, 0x0, 0xFF, 0x0, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x0, 0x0,
0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x0, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x0, 0xF, 0xFF, 0xF0,
0x0, 0x0, 0xFF, 0x0, 0xFF, 0xF0, 0xF, 0xF0, 0x0, 0x0, 0xF0,
0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF0, 0xF0, 0x0, 0x0, 0xF0, 0xFF, 0xFF,
0xFF, 0xF0, 0xF0, 0x0, 0x0, 0xF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF,
0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0xF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0,
0xF0, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF0, 0xF0, 0x0, 0x0, 0xF0, 0xFF,
0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF0, 0xF0, 0x0, 0x0, 0xFF, 0x0, 0xFF, 0xF0,
0xF, 0xF0, 0x0, 0x0, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x0, 0xF, 0xFF, 0xF0, 0x0,
0x0};

private byte[] xImage = new byte[]{

0x42, 0x4D, 0xC6, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0,
0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x76, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x28, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0,
0xB, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0xA, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x1, 0x0, 0x4, 0x0,
0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x50, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0,
0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x10, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x10, 0x0, 0x0,
0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x80, 0x0, 0x0, 0x80,
0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x80, 0x80, 0x0, 0x80, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x80,
0x0, 0x80, 0x0, 0x80, 0x80, 0x0, 0x0, 0xC0, 0xC0, 0xC0, 0x0,
0x80, 0x80, 0x80, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0xFF, 0x0, 0x0, 0xFF, 0x0,
0x0, 0x0, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x0, 0xFF, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0xFF, 0x0,

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How to: Work with Image Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 7 of 11

0xFF, 0x0, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x0, 0x0, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x0,
0xF0, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF0, 0xF0, 0x0, 0x0, 0xFF, 0xF,
0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF, 0xF0, 0x0, 0x0, 0xFF, 0xF0, 0xFF, 0xF0,
0xFF, 0xF0, 0x0, 0x0, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF, 0xF, 0xFF, 0xF0, 0x0,
0x0, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF, 0xF, 0xFF, 0xF0, 0x0, 0x0, 0xFF, 0xFF,
0xF, 0xF, 0xFF, 0xF0, 0x0, 0x0, 0xFF, 0xF0, 0xFF, 0xF0,
0xFF, 0xF0, 0x0, 0x0, 0xFF, 0xF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF, 0xF0, 0x0,
0x0, 0xF0, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF0, 0xF0, 0x0, 0x0, 0xFF,
0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF0, 0x0, 0x0};

private byte[] blankImage = new byte[] {

0x42, 0x4D, 0xC6, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x76,
0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x28, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0xB, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0xA,
0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x1, 0x0, 0x4, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x50,
0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x10,
0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x10, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0,
0x0, 0x80, 0x0, 0x0, 0x80, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x80, 0x80, 0x0,
0x80, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x80, 0x0, 0x80, 0x0, 0x80, 0x80, 0x0,
0x0, 0xC0, 0xC0, 0xC0, 0x0, 0x80, 0x80, 0x80, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0,
0xFF, 0x0, 0x0, 0xFF, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x0, 0xFF,
0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0xFF, 0x0, 0xFF, 0x0, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x0, 0x0,
0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x0, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF0,
0x0, 0x0, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF0, 0x0, 0x0,
0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF0, 0x0, 0x0, 0xFF, 0xFF,
0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF0, 0x0, 0x0, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF,
0xFF, 0xF0, 0x0, 0x0, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF0,
0x0, 0x0, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF0, 0x0, 0x0,
0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF0, 0x0, 0x0, 0xFF, 0xFF,
0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xF0, 0x0, 0x0, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF,
0xFF, 0xF0, 0x0, 0x0};
#endregion

private Bitmap blank;

private Bitmap x;
private Bitmap o;
private string xString = "X's turn";
private string oString = "O's turn";
private string gameOverString = "Game Over";
private int bitmapPadding = 6;

private void InitializeDataGridView(object sender,

EventArgs e)
{
this.Panel1.SuspendLayout();
this.SuspendLayout();

ConfigureForm();
SizeGrid();
CreateColumns();
CreateRows();

this.Panel1.ResumeLayout(false);
this.ResumeLayout(false);
}

private void ConfigureForm()

{
AutoSize = true;
turn.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(75, 34);
turn.TextAlign = ContentAlignment.MiddleLeft;
turn.Text = xString;

Panel1.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(0, 8);

Panel1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(120, 196);
Panel1.FlowDirection = FlowDirection.TopDown;

ClientSize = new System.Drawing.Size(355, 200);

Controls.Add(this.Panel1);
Text = "TicTacToe";

dataGridView1 = new System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView();

dataGridView1.Location = new Point(120, 0);
dataGridView1.AllowUserToAddRows = false;
dataGridView1.CellClick += new
DataGridViewCellEventHandler(dataGridView1_CellClick);
dataGridView1.CellMouseEnter += new
DataGridViewCellEventHandler(dataGridView1_CellMouseEnter);
dataGridView1.CellMouseLeave += new
DataGridViewCellEventHandler(dataGridView1_CellMouseLeave);

Controls.Add(dataGridView1);

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How to: Work with Image Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 8 of 11

private void SetupButtons()

{
Button1.AutoSize = true;
SetupButton(Button1, "Restart", new EventHandler(Reset));
Panel1.Controls.Add(turn);
SetupButton(Button2, "Increase Cell Size", new EventHandler(MakeCellsLarger));
SetupButton(Button3, "Stretch Images", new EventHandler(Stretch));
SetupButton(Button4, "Zoom Images", new EventHandler(ZoomToImage));
SetupButton(Button5, "Normal Images", new EventHandler(NormalImage));
}

private void SetupButton(Button button, string buttonLabel, EventHandler handler)

{
Panel1.Controls.Add(button);
button.Text = buttonLabel;
button.AutoSize = true;
button.Click += handler;
}

private void CreateColumns()

{
DataGridViewImageColumn imageColumn;
int columnCount = 0;
do
{
Bitmap unMarked = blank;
imageColumn = new DataGridViewImageColumn();

//Add twice the padding for the left and

//right sides of the cell.
imageColumn.Width = x.Width + 2 * bitmapPadding + 1;

imageColumn.Image = unMarked;
dataGridView1.Columns.Add(imageColumn);
columnCount = columnCount + 1;
}
while (columnCount < 3);
}

private void CreateRows()

{
dataGridView1.Rows.Add();
dataGridView1.Rows.Add();
dataGridView1.Rows.Add();
}

private void SizeGrid()

{
dataGridView1.ColumnHeadersVisible = false;
dataGridView1.RowHeadersVisible = false;
dataGridView1.AllowUserToResizeColumns = false;;
dataGridView1.AllowUserToResizeRows = false;
dataGridView1.BorderStyle = BorderStyle.None;

//Add twice the padding for the top of the cell

//and the bottom.
dataGridView1.RowTemplate.Height = x.Height +
2 * bitmapPadding + 1;

dataGridView1.AutoSize = true;
}

private void Reset(object sender, System.EventArgs e)

{
dataGridView1.Dispose();
InitializeDataGridView(null, null);
}

private void dataGridView1_CellClick(object sender,

DataGridViewCellEventArgs e)
{

if (turn.Text.Equals(gameOverString)) { return; }

DataGridViewImageCell cell = (DataGridViewImageCell)

dataGridView1.Rows[e.RowIndex].Cells[e.ColumnIndex];

if (cell.Value == blank)
{

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How to: Work with Image Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 9 of 11

if (IsOsTurn())
{
cell.Value = o;
}
else
{
cell.Value = x;
}
ToggleTurn();
}
if (IsAWin())
{
turn.Text = gameOverString;
}
}

private void dataGridView1_CellMouseEnter(object sender,

DataGridViewCellEventArgs e)
{
Bitmap markingUnderMouse = (Bitmap)dataGridView1.
Rows[e.RowIndex].
Cells[e.ColumnIndex].Value;

if (markingUnderMouse == blank)
{
dataGridView1.Cursor = Cursors.Default;
}
else if (markingUnderMouse == o || markingUnderMouse == x)
{
dataGridView1.Cursor = Cursors.No;
ToolTip(e, true);
}
}

private void ToolTip(DataGridViewCellEventArgs e, bool showTip)

{
DataGridViewImageCell cell = (DataGridViewImageCell)
dataGridView1
.Rows[e.RowIndex].Cells[e.ColumnIndex];
DataGridViewImageColumn imageColumn =
(DataGridViewImageColumn)
dataGridView1.Columns[cell.ColumnIndex];

if (showTip) cell.ToolTipText = imageColumn.Description;

else { cell.ToolTipText = String.Empty; }
}

private void dataGridView1_CellMouseLeave(object sender,

DataGridViewCellEventArgs e)
{
ToolTip(e, false);
dataGridView1.Cursor = Cursors.Default;
}

private void Stretch(object sender, EventArgs e)

{
foreach (DataGridViewImageColumn column in
dataGridView1.Columns)
{
column.ImageLayout = DataGridViewImageCellLayout.Stretch;
column.Description = "Stretched";
}
}

private void ZoomToImage(object sender, EventArgs e)

{

foreach (DataGridViewImageColumn column in

dataGridView1.Columns)
{
column.ImageLayout = DataGridViewImageCellLayout.Zoom;
column.Description = "Zoomed";
}
}

private void NormalImage(object sender, EventArgs e)

{

foreach (DataGridViewImageColumn column in

dataGridView1.Columns)
{

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How to: Work with Image Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 10 of 11

column.ImageLayout = DataGridViewImageCellLayout.Normal;
column.Description = "Normal";
}
}

private void MakeCellsLarger(object sender, EventArgs e)

{
foreach (DataGridViewImageColumn column in
dataGridView1.Columns)
{
column.Width = column.Width * 2;
}
foreach (DataGridViewRow row in dataGridView1.Rows)
{
if (row.IsNewRow) break;
row.Height = (int)(row.Height * 1.5);
}
}

private bool IsAWin()

{
if (ARowIsSame() || AColumnIsSame() || ADiagonalIsSame())
return true;
else return false;
}

private bool ARowIsSame()

{
Bitmap marking = null;

foreach (DataGridViewRow row in dataGridView1.Rows)

{
if (row.IsNewRow) break;
marking = (Bitmap)row.Cells[0].Value;
if (marking != blank)
{
if (marking == row.Cells[1].Value &&
marking == row.Cells[2].Value) return true;
}
}
return false;
}

private bool AColumnIsSame()

{
int columnIndex = 0;
Bitmap marking;
do
{
marking = (Bitmap)
dataGridView1.Rows[0].Cells[columnIndex].Value;
if (marking != blank)
{
if (marking == (Bitmap)dataGridView1.Rows[1]
.Cells[columnIndex].Value
&& marking == (Bitmap)dataGridView1.Rows[2].
Cells[columnIndex].Value) return true;
}
columnIndex = columnIndex + 1;
}
while (columnIndex < dataGridView1.Columns.GetColumnCount(
DataGridViewElementStates.Visible));
return false;
}

private bool ADiagonalIsSame()

{
if (LeftToRightDiagonalIsSame()) { return true; }
if (RightToLeftDiagonalIsSame()) { return true; }
return false;
}

private bool LeftToRightDiagonalIsSame()

{
return IsDiagonalSame(0, 2);
}

private bool RightToLeftDiagonalIsSame()

{
return IsDiagonalSame(2, 0);
}

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How to: Work with Image Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 11 of 11

private bool IsDiagonalSame(int startingColumn, int lastColumn)

{
Bitmap marking = (Bitmap)dataGridView1.Rows[0]
.Cells[startingColumn].Value;

if (marking == blank) return false;

if (marking == dataGridView1.Rows[1].Cells[1]
.Value && marking == dataGridView1.Rows[2]
.Cells[lastColumn].Value) return true;

return false;
}

private void ToggleTurn()

{
if (turn.Text.Equals(xString)) { turn.Text = oString; }
else { turn.Text = xString; }
}

private bool IsOsTurn()

{
if (turn.Text.Equals(oString)) return true;
return false;
}

[STAThread]
public static void Main()
{
Application.Run(new TicTacToe());
}

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z References to the System and System.Windows.Forms assemblies.

For information about building this example from the command line for Visual Basic or Visual C#, see
Building from the Command Line (Visual Basic) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/25fz1td5
(VS.80).aspx ] or Command-Line Building [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/78f4aasd
(VS.80).aspx ] . You can also build this example in Visual Studio by pasting the code into a new project.
For more information, see How to: Compile and Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using
Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/bb129228(vs.80).aspx ] and How to: Compile and
Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/bb129228(vs.90).aspx ] .

See Also

Tasks
How to: Display Images in Cells of the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/2ab8kd75(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewImageColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewimagecolumn(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Programming with Cells, Rows, and Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171616(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/x0tz73t0(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
Customizing the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 2

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

Customizing the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
The DataGridView control provides several properties that you can use to adjust the appearance and basic
behavior (look and feel) of its cells, rows, and columns. If you have special needs that go beyond the
capabilities of the DataGridViewCellStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle(VS.80).aspx ] class, however, you can also
implement owner drawing for the control or extend its capabilities by creating custom cells, columns, and
rows.

To paint cells and rows yourself, you can handle various DataGridView painting events. To modify existing
functionality or provide new functionality, you can create your own types derived from the existing
DataGridViewCell, DataGridViewColumn, and DataGridViewRow types. You can also provide new
editing capabilities by creating derived types that display a control of your choosing when a cell is in edit
mode.

In This Section

How to: Customize the Appearance of Cells in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hta8z9sz(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to handle the CellPainting [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellpainting(VS.80).aspx ] event in order to paint
cells manually.

How to: Customize the Appearance of Rows in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/85kxk29c(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to handle the RowPrePaint [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowprepaint(VS.80).aspx ] and RowPostPaint
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowpostpaint
(VS.80).aspx ] events in order to paint rows with a custom, gradient background and content that
spans multiple columns.

How to: Customize Cells and Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control by Extending Their
Behavior and Appearance [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/7fb61s43(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to create custom types derived from DataGridViewCell and DataGridViewColumn
in order to highlight cells when the mouse pointer rests on them.

How to: Disable Buttons in a Button Column in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171619(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to create custom types derived from DataGridViewButtonCell
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewbuttoncell
(VS.80).aspx ] and DataGridViewButtonColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewbuttoncolumn(VS.80).aspx ] in order to display
disabled buttons in a button column.

How to: Host Controls in Windows Forms DataGridView Cells [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/7tas5c80(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to implement the IDataGridViewEditingControl interface and create custom types
derived from DataGridViewCell and DataGridViewColumn in order to display a DateTimePicker
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datetimepicker(VS.80).aspx ]
control when a cell is in edit mode.

Reference

DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides reference documentation for the DataGridView control.

DataGridViewCell [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcell
(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides reference documentation for the DataGridViewCell class.

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Customizing the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 2

DataGridViewRow [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrow
(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides reference documentation for the DataGridViewRow class.

DataGridViewColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides reference documentation for the DataGridViewColumn class.

IDataGridViewEditingControl [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.idatagridvieweditingcontrol(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides reference documentation for the IDataGridViewEditingControl interface.

Related Sections

Basic Formatting and Styling in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171598(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides topics that describe how to modify the basic appearance of the control and the display
formatting of cell data.

See Also

Concepts
Column Types in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/bxt3k60s(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
DataGridView Control (Windows Forms) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/e0ywh3cz
(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171618(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
How to: Customize the Appearance of Cells in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 3

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Customize the Appearance of Cells in the Windows
Forms DataGridView Control
You can customize the appearance of any cell by handling the DataGridView
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control's
CellPainting [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellpainting
(VS.80).aspx ] event. You can extract the DataGridView control's Graphics
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.drawing.graphics(VS.80).aspx ] from the Graphics
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellpaintingeventargs.graphics(VS.80).aspx ] property of the
DataGridViewCellPaintingEventArgs [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellpaintingeventargs(VS.80).aspx ] . With this Graphics,
you can affect the appearance of the entire DataGridView control, but you will usually want to affect only
the appearance of the cell that is currently being painted. The ClipBounds
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellpaintingeventargs.clipbounds(VS.80).aspx ] property of
the DataGridViewCellPaintingEventArgs enables you to restrict your painting operations to the cell that
is currently being painted.

In the following code example, you will paint all the cells in a ContactName column using the
DataGridView control's color scheme. Each cell's text content is painted in Crimson
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.drawing.color.crimson(VS.80).aspx ] , and an inset
rectangle is drawn in the same color as the DataGridView control's GridColor
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.gridcolor(VS.80).aspx ]
property.

Example

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub dataGridView1_CellPainting(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCellPaintingEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.CellPainting

If Me.dataGridView1.Columns("ContactName").Index = _
e.ColumnIndex AndAlso e.RowIndex >= 0 Then

Dim newRect As New Rectangle(e.CellBounds.X + 1, e.CellBounds.Y + 1, _

e.CellBounds.Width - 4, e.CellBounds.Height - 4)
Dim backColorBrush As New SolidBrush(e.CellStyle.BackColor)
Dim gridBrush As New SolidBrush(Me.dataGridView1.GridColor)
Dim gridLinePen As New Pen(gridBrush)

Try

' Erase the cell.

e.Graphics.FillRectangle(backColorBrush, e.CellBounds)

' Draw the grid lines (only the right and bottom lines;
' DataGridView takes care of the others).
e.Graphics.DrawLine(gridLinePen, e.CellBounds.Left, _
e.CellBounds.Bottom - 1, e.CellBounds.Right - 1, _
e.CellBounds.Bottom - 1)
e.Graphics.DrawLine(gridLinePen, e.CellBounds.Right - 1, _
e.CellBounds.Top, e.CellBounds.Right - 1, _
e.CellBounds.Bottom)

' Draw the inset highlight box.

e.Graphics.DrawRectangle(Pens.Blue, newRect)

' Draw the text content of the cell, ignoring alignment.

If (e.Value IsNot Nothing) Then
e.Graphics.DrawString(CStr(e.Value), e.CellStyle.Font, _
Brushes.Crimson, e.CellBounds.X + 2, e.CellBounds.Y + 2, _
StringFormat.GenericDefault)

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How to: Customize the Appearance of Cells in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 3

End If
e.Handled = True

Finally
gridLinePen.Dispose()
gridBrush.Dispose()
backColorBrush.Dispose()
End Try

End If

End Sub

C# Copy Code

private void dataGridView1_CellPainting(object sender,

System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCellPaintingEventArgs e)
{
if (this.dataGridView1.Columns["ContactName"].Index ==
e.ColumnIndex && e.RowIndex >= 0)
{
Rectangle newRect = new Rectangle(e.CellBounds.X + 1,
e.CellBounds.Y + 1, e.CellBounds.Width - 4,
e.CellBounds.Height - 4);

using (
Brush gridBrush = new SolidBrush(this.dataGridView1.GridColor),
backColorBrush = new SolidBrush(e.CellStyle.BackColor))
{
using (Pen gridLinePen = new Pen(gridBrush))
{
// Erase the cell.
e.Graphics.FillRectangle(backColorBrush, e.CellBounds);

// Draw the grid lines (only the right and bottom lines;
// DataGridView takes care of the others).
e.Graphics.DrawLine(gridLinePen, e.CellBounds.Left,
e.CellBounds.Bottom - 1, e.CellBounds.Right - 1,
e.CellBounds.Bottom - 1);
e.Graphics.DrawLine(gridLinePen, e.CellBounds.Right - 1,
e.CellBounds.Top, e.CellBounds.Right - 1,
e.CellBounds.Bottom);

// Draw the inset highlight box.

e.Graphics.DrawRectangle(Pens.Blue, newRect);

// Draw the text content of the cell, ignoring alignment.

if (e.Value != null)
{
e.Graphics.DrawString((String)e.Value, e.CellStyle.Font,
Brushes.Crimson, e.CellBounds.X + 2,
e.CellBounds.Y + 2, StringFormat.GenericDefault);
}
e.Handled = true;
}
}
}
}

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z A DataGridView control named dataGridView1 with a ContactName column such as the one in
the Customers table in the Northwind sample database.
z References to the System, System.Windows.Forms, and System.Drawing assemblies.

See Also

Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
CellPainting [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellpainting

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How to: Customize the Appearance of Cells in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 3 of 3

(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Customizing the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171618(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hta8z9sz(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
How to: Customize the Appearance of Rows in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 7

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Customize the Appearance of Rows in the Windows
Forms DataGridView Control
You can control the appearance of DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] rows by handling one or both of the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.RowPrePaint [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowprepaint(VS.80).aspx ] and
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.RowPostPaint [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowpostpaint(VS.80).aspx ] events. These events are
designed so that you can paint only what you want to while letting the DataGridView control paint the
rest. For example, if you want to paint a custom background, you can handle the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.RowPrePaint event and let the individual cells paint their own
foreground content. Alternately, you can let the cells paint themselves and add custom foreground content
in a handler for the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.RowPostPaint event. You can also disable
cell painting and paint everything yourself in a System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.RowPrePaint
event handler.

The following code example implements handlers for both events in order to provide a gradient selection
background and some custom foreground content that spans multiple columns.

Example

Visual Basic Copy Code

Imports System
Imports System.Drawing
Imports System.Windows.Forms

Class DataGridViewRowPainting
Inherits Form
Private WithEvents dataGridView1 As New DataGridView()
Private oldRowIndex As Int32 = 0
Private Const CUSTOM_CONTENT_HEIGHT As Int32 = 30

<STAThreadAttribute()> _
Public Shared Sub Main()

Application.Run(New DataGridViewRowPainting())

End Sub 'Main

Public Sub New()

Me.dataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
Me.Controls.Add(Me.dataGridView1)
Me.Text = "DataGridView row painting demo"

End Sub 'New

Sub DataGridViewRowPainting_Load(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As EventArgs) Handles Me.Load

' Set a cell padding to provide space for the top of the focus
' rectangle and for the content that spans multiple columns.
Dim newPadding As New Padding(0, 1, 0, CUSTOM_CONTENT_HEIGHT)
Me.dataGridView1.RowTemplate.DefaultCellStyle.Padding = newPadding

' Set the selection background color to transparent so

' the cell won't paint over the custom selection background.
Me.dataGridView1.RowTemplate.DefaultCellStyle.SelectionBackColor = _
Color.Transparent

' Set the row height to accommodate the normal cell content and the
' content that spans multiple columns.
Me.dataGridView1.RowTemplate.Height += CUSTOM_CONTENT_HEIGHT

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How to: Customize the Appearance of Rows in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 7

' Initialize other DataGridView properties.

Me.dataGridView1.AllowUserToAddRows = False
Me.dataGridView1.EditMode = DataGridViewEditMode.EditOnKeystrokeOrF2
Me.dataGridView1.CellBorderStyle = DataGridViewCellBorderStyle.None
Me.dataGridView1.SelectionMode = DataGridViewSelectionMode.FullRowSelect

' Set the column header names.

Me.dataGridView1.ColumnCount = 4
Me.dataGridView1.Columns(0).Name = "Recipe"
Me.dataGridView1.Columns(0).SortMode = _
DataGridViewColumnSortMode.NotSortable
Me.dataGridView1.Columns(1).Name = "Category"
Me.dataGridView1.Columns(2).Name = "Main Ingredients"
Me.dataGridView1.Columns(3).Name = "Rating"

' Hide the column that contains the content that spans
' multiple columns.
Me.dataGridView1.Columns(2).Visible = False

' Populate the rows of the DataGridView.

Dim row1() As String = {"Meatloaf", "Main Dish", _
"1 lb. lean ground beef, 1/2 cup bread crumbs, " + _
"1/4 cup ketchup, 1/3 tsp onion powder, 1 clove of garlic, " + _
"1/2 pack onion soup mix, dash of your favorite BBQ Sauce", "****"}
Dim row2() As String = {"Key Lime Pie", "Dessert", _
"lime juice, whipped cream, eggs, evaporated milk", "****"}
Dim row3() As String = {"Orange-Salsa Pork Chops", "Main Dish", _
"pork chops, salsa, orange juice, pineapple", "****"}
Dim row4() As String = {"Black Bean and Rice Salad", "Salad", _
"black beans, brown rice", "****"}
Dim row5() As String = {"Chocolate Cheesecake", "Dessert", _
"cream cheese, unsweetened chocolate", "***"}
Dim row6() As String = {"Black Bean Dip", "Appetizer", _
"black beans, sour cream, salsa, chips", "***"}
Dim rows() As Object = {row1, row2, row3, row4, row5, row6}
Dim rowArray As String()
For Each rowArray In rows
Me.dataGridView1.Rows.Add(rowArray)
Next rowArray

' Adjust the row heights to accommodate the normal cell content.
Me.dataGridView1.AutoResizeRows( _
DataGridViewAutoSizeRowsMode.AllCellsExceptHeaders)
End Sub 'DataGridViewRowPainting_Load

' Forces the control to repaint itself when the user

' manually changes the width of a column.
Sub dataGridView1_ColumnWidthChanged(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As DataGridViewColumnEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.ColumnWidthChanged

Me.dataGridView1.Invalidate()

End Sub 'dataGridView1_ColumnWidthChanged

' Forces the row to repaint itself when the user changes the
' current cell. This is necessary to refresh the focus rectangle.
Sub dataGridView1_CurrentCellChanged(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As EventArgs) Handles dataGridView1.CurrentCellChanged

If oldRowIndex <> -1 Then

Me.dataGridView1.InvalidateRow(oldRowIndex)
End If
oldRowIndex = Me.dataGridView1.CurrentCellAddress.Y

End Sub 'dataGridView1_CurrentCellChanged

' Paints the custom selection background for selected rows.

Sub dataGridView1_RowPrePaint(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As DataGridViewRowPrePaintEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.RowPrePaint

' Do not automatically paint the focus rectangle.

e.PaintParts = e.PaintParts And Not DataGridViewPaintParts.Focus

' Determine whether the cell should be painted with the

' custom selection background.
If (e.State And DataGridViewElementStates.Selected) = _
DataGridViewElementStates.Selected Then

' Calculate the bounds of the row.

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How to: Customize the Appearance of Rows in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 3 of 7

Dim rowBounds As New Rectangle( _

Me.dataGridView1.RowHeadersWidth, e.RowBounds.Top, _
Me.dataGridView1.Columns.GetColumnsWidth( _
DataGridViewElementStates.Visible) - _
Me.dataGridView1.HorizontalScrollingOffset + 1, _
e.RowBounds.Height)

' Paint the custom selection background.

Dim backbrush As New _
System.Drawing.Drawing2D.LinearGradientBrush(rowBounds, _
Me.dataGridView1.DefaultCellStyle.SelectionBackColor, _
e.InheritedRowStyle.ForeColor, _
System.Drawing.Drawing2D.LinearGradientMode.Horizontal)
Try
e.Graphics.FillRectangle(backbrush, rowBounds)
Finally
backbrush.Dispose()
End Try
End If

End Sub 'dataGridView1_RowPrePaint

' Paints the content that spans multiple columns and the focus rectangle.
Sub dataGridView1_RowPostPaint(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As DataGridViewRowPostPaintEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.RowPostPaint

' Calculate the bounds of the row.

Dim rowBounds As New Rectangle(Me.dataGridView1.RowHeadersWidth, _
e.RowBounds.Top, Me.dataGridView1.Columns.GetColumnsWidth( _
DataGridViewElementStates.Visible) - _
Me.dataGridView1.HorizontalScrollingOffset + 1, e.RowBounds.Height)

Dim forebrush As SolidBrush = Nothing

Try
' Determine the foreground color.
If (e.State And DataGridViewElementStates.Selected) = _
DataGridViewElementStates.Selected Then

forebrush = New SolidBrush(e.InheritedRowStyle.SelectionForeColor)

Else
forebrush = New SolidBrush(e.InheritedRowStyle.ForeColor)
End If

' Get the content that spans multiple columns.

Dim recipe As Object = _
Me.dataGridView1.Rows.SharedRow(e.RowIndex).Cells(2).Value

If (recipe IsNot Nothing) Then

Dim text As String = recipe.ToString()

' Calculate the bounds for the content that spans multiple
' columns, adjusting for the horizontal scrolling position
' and the current row height, and displaying only whole
' lines of text.
Dim textArea As Rectangle = rowBounds
textArea.X -= Me.dataGridView1.HorizontalScrollingOffset
textArea.Width += Me.dataGridView1.HorizontalScrollingOffset
textArea.Y += rowBounds.Height - e.InheritedRowStyle.Padding.Bottom
textArea.Height -= rowBounds.Height - e.InheritedRowStyle.Padding.Bottom
textArea.Height = (textArea.Height \ e.InheritedRowStyle.Font.Height) * _
e.InheritedRowStyle.Font.Height

' Calculate the portion of the text area that needs painting.
Dim clip As RectangleF = textArea
clip.Width -= Me.dataGridView1.RowHeadersWidth + 1 - clip.X
clip.X = Me.dataGridView1.RowHeadersWidth + 1
Dim oldClip As RectangleF = e.Graphics.ClipBounds
e.Graphics.SetClip(clip)

' Draw the content that spans multiple columns.

e.Graphics.DrawString(text, e.InheritedRowStyle.Font, forebrush, _
textArea)

e.Graphics.SetClip(oldClip)
End If
Finally
forebrush.Dispose()
End Try

If Me.dataGridView1.CurrentCellAddress.Y = e.RowIndex Then

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How to: Customize the Appearance of Rows in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 4 of 7

' Paint the focus rectangle.

e.DrawFocus(rowBounds, True)
End If

End Sub 'dataGridView1_RowPostPaint

' Adjusts the padding when the user changes the row height so that
' the normal cell content is fully displayed and any extra
' height is used for the content that spans multiple columns.
Sub dataGridView1_RowHeightChanged(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As DataGridViewRowEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.RowHeightChanged

' Calculate the new height of the normal cell content.

Dim preferredNormalContentHeight As Int32 = _
e.Row.GetPreferredHeight(e.Row.Index, _
DataGridViewAutoSizeRowMode.AllCellsExceptHeader, True) - _
e.Row.DefaultCellStyle.Padding.Bottom()

' Specify a new padding.

Dim newPadding As Padding = e.Row.DefaultCellStyle.Padding
newPadding.Bottom = e.Row.Height - preferredNormalContentHeight
e.Row.DefaultCellStyle.Padding = newPadding

End Sub

End Class 'DataGridViewRowPainting

C# Copy Code

using System;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Windows.Forms;

class DataGridViewRowPainting : Form

{
private DataGridView dataGridView1 = new DataGridView();
private Int32 oldRowIndex = 0;
private const Int32 CUSTOM_CONTENT_HEIGHT = 30;

[STAThreadAttribute()]
public static void Main()
{
Application.Run(new DataGridViewRowPainting());
}

public DataGridViewRowPainting()
{
this.dataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill;
this.Controls.Add(this.dataGridView1);
this.Load += new EventHandler(DataGridViewRowPainting_Load);
this.Text = "DataGridView row painting demo";
}

void DataGridViewRowPainting_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)

{
// Set a cell padding to provide space for the top of the focus
// rectangle and for the content that spans multiple columns.
Padding newPadding = new Padding(0, 1, 0, CUSTOM_CONTENT_HEIGHT);
this.dataGridView1.RowTemplate.DefaultCellStyle.Padding = newPadding;

// Set the selection background color to transparent so

// the cell won't paint over the custom selection background.
this.dataGridView1.RowTemplate.DefaultCellStyle.SelectionBackColor =
Color.Transparent;

// Set the row height to accommodate the content that

// spans multiple columns.
this.dataGridView1.RowTemplate.Height += CUSTOM_CONTENT_HEIGHT;

// Initialize other DataGridView properties.

this.dataGridView1.AllowUserToAddRows = false;
this.dataGridView1.EditMode = DataGridViewEditMode.EditOnKeystrokeOrF2;
this.dataGridView1.CellBorderStyle = DataGridViewCellBorderStyle.None;
this.dataGridView1.SelectionMode =
DataGridViewSelectionMode.FullRowSelect;

// Set the column header names.

this.dataGridView1.ColumnCount = 4;
this.dataGridView1.Columns[0].Name = "Recipe";

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this.dataGridView1.Columns[0].SortMode =
DataGridViewColumnSortMode.NotSortable;
this.dataGridView1.Columns[1].Name = "Category";
this.dataGridView1.Columns[2].Name = "Main Ingredients";
this.dataGridView1.Columns[3].Name = "Rating";

// Hide the column that contains the content that spans

// multiple columns.
this.dataGridView1.Columns[2].Visible = false;

// Populate the rows of the DataGridView.

string[] row1 = new string[]{"Meatloaf", "Main Dish",
"1 lb. lean ground beef, 1/2 cup bread crumbs, " +
"1/4 cup ketchup, 1/3 tsp onion powder, 1 clove of garlic, " +
"1/2 pack onion soup mix, dash of your favorite BBQ Sauce",
"****"};
string[] row2 = new string[]{"Key Lime Pie", "Dessert",
"lime juice, whipped cream, eggs, evaporated milk", "****"};
string[] row3 = new string[]{"Orange-Salsa Pork Chops",
"Main Dish", "pork chops, salsa, orange juice, pineapple", "****"};
string[] row4 = new string[]{"Black Bean and Rice Salad",
"Salad", "black beans, brown rice", "****"};
string[] row5 = new string[]{"Chocolate Cheesecake",
"Dessert", "cream cheese, unsweetened chocolate", "***"};
string[] row6 = new string[]{"Black Bean Dip", "Appetizer",
"black beans, sour cream, salsa, chips", "***"};
object[] rows = new object[] { row1, row2, row3, row4, row5, row6 };
foreach (string[] rowArray in rows)
{
this.dataGridView1.Rows.Add(rowArray);
}

// Adjust the row heights to accommodate the normal cell content.

this.dataGridView1.AutoResizeRows(
DataGridViewAutoSizeRowsMode.AllCellsExceptHeaders);

// Attach handlers to DataGridView events.

this.dataGridView1.ColumnWidthChanged += new
DataGridViewColumnEventHandler(dataGridView1_ColumnWidthChanged);
this.dataGridView1.RowPrePaint += new
DataGridViewRowPrePaintEventHandler(dataGridView1_RowPrePaint);
this.dataGridView1.RowPostPaint += new
DataGridViewRowPostPaintEventHandler(dataGridView1_RowPostPaint);
this.dataGridView1.CurrentCellChanged += new
EventHandler(dataGridView1_CurrentCellChanged);
this.dataGridView1.RowHeightChanged += new
DataGridViewRowEventHandler(dataGridView1_RowHeightChanged);
}

// Forces the control to repaint itself when the user

// manually changes the width of a column.
void dataGridView1_ColumnWidthChanged(object sender,
DataGridViewColumnEventArgs e)
{
this.dataGridView1.Invalidate();
}

// Forces the row to repaint itself when the user changes the
// current cell. This is necessary to refresh the focus rectangle.
void dataGridView1_CurrentCellChanged(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
if (oldRowIndex != -1)
{
this.dataGridView1.InvalidateRow(oldRowIndex);
}
oldRowIndex = this.dataGridView1.CurrentCellAddress.Y;
}

// Paints the custom selection background for selected rows.

void dataGridView1_RowPrePaint(object sender,
DataGridViewRowPrePaintEventArgs e)
{
// Do not automatically paint the focus rectangle.
e.PaintParts &= ~DataGridViewPaintParts.Focus;

// Determine whether the cell should be painted

// with the custom selection background.
if ((e.State & DataGridViewElementStates.Selected) ==
DataGridViewElementStates.Selected)
{
// Calculate the bounds of the row.

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Rectangle rowBounds = new Rectangle(

this.dataGridView1.RowHeadersWidth, e.RowBounds.Top,
this.dataGridView1.Columns.GetColumnsWidth(
DataGridViewElementStates.Visible) -
this.dataGridView1.HorizontalScrollingOffset + 1,
e.RowBounds.Height);

// Paint the custom selection background.

using (Brush backbrush =
new System.Drawing.Drawing2D.LinearGradientBrush(rowBounds,
this.dataGridView1.DefaultCellStyle.SelectionBackColor,
e.InheritedRowStyle.ForeColor,
System.Drawing.Drawing2D.LinearGradientMode.Horizontal))
{
e.Graphics.FillRectangle(backbrush, rowBounds);
}
}
}

// Paints the content that spans multiple columns and the focus rectangle.
void dataGridView1_RowPostPaint(object sender,
DataGridViewRowPostPaintEventArgs e)
{
// Calculate the bounds of the row.
Rectangle rowBounds = new Rectangle(
this.dataGridView1.RowHeadersWidth, e.RowBounds.Top,
this.dataGridView1.Columns.GetColumnsWidth(
DataGridViewElementStates.Visible) -
this.dataGridView1.HorizontalScrollingOffset + 1,
e.RowBounds.Height);

SolidBrush forebrush = null;

try
{
// Determine the foreground color.
if ((e.State & DataGridViewElementStates.Selected) ==
DataGridViewElementStates.Selected)
{
forebrush = new SolidBrush(e.InheritedRowStyle.SelectionForeColor);
}
else
{
forebrush = new SolidBrush(e.InheritedRowStyle.ForeColor);
}

// Get the content that spans multiple columns.

object recipe =
this.dataGridView1.Rows.SharedRow(e.RowIndex).Cells[2].Value;

if (recipe != null)
{
String text = recipe.ToString();

// Calculate the bounds for the content that spans multiple

// columns, adjusting for the horizontal scrolling position
// and the current row height, and displaying only whole
// lines of text.
Rectangle textArea = rowBounds;
textArea.X -= this.dataGridView1.HorizontalScrollingOffset;
textArea.Width += this.dataGridView1.HorizontalScrollingOffset;
textArea.Y += rowBounds.Height - e.InheritedRowStyle.Padding.Bottom;
textArea.Height -= rowBounds.Height -
e.InheritedRowStyle.Padding.Bottom;
textArea.Height = (textArea.Height / e.InheritedRowStyle.Font.Height) *
e.InheritedRowStyle.Font.Height;

// Calculate the portion of the text area that needs painting.

RectangleF clip = textArea;
clip.Width -= this.dataGridView1.RowHeadersWidth + 1 - clip.X;
clip.X = this.dataGridView1.RowHeadersWidth + 1;
RectangleF oldClip = e.Graphics.ClipBounds;
e.Graphics.SetClip(clip);

// Draw the content that spans multiple columns.

e.Graphics.DrawString(
text, e.InheritedRowStyle.Font, forebrush, textArea);

e.Graphics.SetClip(oldClip);
}
}
finally

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How to: Customize the Appearance of Rows in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 7 of 7

{
forebrush.Dispose();
}

if (this.dataGridView1.CurrentCellAddress.Y == e.RowIndex)
{
// Paint the focus rectangle.
e.DrawFocus(rowBounds, true);
}
}

// Adjusts the padding when the user changes the row height so that
// the normal cell content is fully displayed and any extra
// height is used for the content that spans multiple columns.
void dataGridView1_RowHeightChanged(object sender,
DataGridViewRowEventArgs e)
{
// Calculate the new height of the normal cell content.
Int32 preferredNormalContentHeight =
e.Row.GetPreferredHeight(e.Row.Index,
DataGridViewAutoSizeRowMode.AllCellsExceptHeader, true) -
e.Row.DefaultCellStyle.Padding.Bottom;

// Specify a new padding.

Padding newPadding = e.Row.DefaultCellStyle.Padding;
newPadding.Bottom = e.Row.Height - preferredNormalContentHeight;
e.Row.DefaultCellStyle.Padding = newPadding;
}
}

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z References to the System, System.Drawing, and System.Windows.Forms assemblies.

For information about building this example from the command line for Visual Basic or Visual C#, see
Building from the Command Line (Visual Basic) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/25fz1td5
(VS.80).aspx ] or Command-Line Building [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/78f4aasd
(VS.80).aspx ] . You can also build this example in Visual Studio by pasting the code into a new project.
For more information, see How to: Compile and Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using
Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/bb129228(vs.80).aspx ] and How to: Compile and
Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/bb129228(vs.90).aspx ] .

See Also

Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.RowPrePaint [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowprepaint(VS.80).aspx ]
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.RowPostPaint [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowpostpaint(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
DataGridView Control Architecture (Windows Forms) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dkdz8z4e
(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Customizing the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171618(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

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How to: Customize Cells and Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control by ... Page 1 of 7

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Customize Cells and Columns in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control by Extending Their Behavior and
Appearance
The DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ] control provides a number of ways to customize its appearance and behavior using
properties, events, and companion classes. Occasionally, you may have requirements for your cells that go
beyond what these features can provide. You can create your own custom DataGridViewCell
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcell(VS.80).aspx ] class to
provide extended functionality.

You create a custom DataGridViewCell class by deriving from the DataGridViewCell base class or one of
its derived classes. Although you can display any type of cell in any type of column, you will typically also
create a custom DataGridViewColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn(VS.80).aspx ] class specialized for displaying your
cell type. Column classes derive from DataGridViewColumn or one of its derived types.

In the following code example, you will create a custom cell class called DataGridViewRolloverCell that
detects when the mouse enters and leaves the cell boundaries. While the mouse is within the cell's bounds,
an inset rectangle is drawn. This new type derives from DataGridViewTextBoxCell
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewtextboxcell(VS.80).aspx ]
and behaves in all other respects as its base class. The companion column class is called
DataGridViewRolloverColumn.

To use these classes, create a form containing a DataGridView control, add one or more
DataGridViewRolloverColumn objects to the Columns [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.columns(VS.80).aspx ] collection, and populate the control
with rows containing values.

Note

This example will not work correctly if you add empty rows. Empty rows are created, for example,
when you add rows to the control by setting the RowCount [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowcount(VS.80).aspx ] property. This is because the
rows added in this case are automatically shared, which means that DataGridViewRolloverCell
objects are not instantiated until you click on individual cells, thereby causing the associated rows to
become unshared.

Because this type of cell customization requires unshared rows, it is not appropriate for use with large data
sets. For more information about row sharing, see Best Practices for Scaling the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ha5xt0d9(VS.80).aspx ] .

Note

When you derive from DataGridViewCell or DataGridViewColumn and add new properties to the
derived class, be sure to override the Clone method to copy the new properties during cloning
operations. You should also call the base class's Clone method so that the properties of the base class
are copied to the new cell or column.

To customize cells and columns in the DataGridView control

1. Derive a new cell class, called DataGridViewRolloverCell, from the DataGridViewTextBoxCell

type.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Public Class DataGridViewRolloverCell

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How to: Customize Cells and Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control by ... Page 2 of 7

Inherits DataGridViewTextBoxCell
<br /><span space="preserve">...</span><br />End Class

C# Copy Code

public class DataGridViewRolloverCell : DataGridViewTextBoxCell

{
<br /><span space="preserve">...</span><br />}

2. Override the Paint [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewtextboxcell.paint(VS.80).aspx ] method in the
DataGridViewRolloverCell class. In the override, first call the base class implementation, which
handles the hosted text box functionality. Then use the control's PointToClient
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.control.pointtoclient
(VS.80).aspx ] method to transform the cursor position (in screen coordinates) to the
DataGridView client area's coordinates. If the mouse coordinates fall within the bounds of the cell,
draw the inset rectangle.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Protected Overrides Sub Paint( _

ByVal graphics As Graphics, _
ByVal clipBounds As Rectangle, _
ByVal cellBounds As Rectangle, _
ByVal rowIndex As Integer, _
ByVal elementState As DataGridViewElementStates, _
ByVal value As Object, _
ByVal formattedValue As Object, _
ByVal errorText As String, _
ByVal cellStyle As DataGridViewCellStyle, _
ByVal advancedBorderStyle As DataGridViewAdvancedBorderStyle, _
ByVal paintParts As DataGridViewPaintParts)

' Call the base class method to paint the default cell appearance.
MyBase.Paint(graphics, clipBounds, cellBounds, rowIndex, elementState, _
value, formattedValue, errorText, cellStyle, _
advancedBorderStyle, paintParts)

' Retrieve the client location of the mouse pointer.

Dim cursorPosition As Point = _
Me.DataGridView.PointToClient(Cursor.Position)

' If the mouse pointer is over the current cell, draw a custom border.
If cellBounds.Contains(cursorPosition) Then
Dim newRect As New Rectangle(cellBounds.X + 1, _
cellBounds.Y + 1, cellBounds.Width - 4, _
cellBounds.Height - 4)
graphics.DrawRectangle(Pens.Red, newRect)
End If

End Sub

C# Copy Code

protected override void Paint(

Graphics graphics,
Rectangle clipBounds,
Rectangle cellBounds,

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int rowIndex,
DataGridViewElementStates cellState,
object value,
object formattedValue,
string errorText,
DataGridViewCellStyle cellStyle,
DataGridViewAdvancedBorderStyle advancedBorderStyle,
DataGridViewPaintParts paintParts)
{
// Call the base class method to paint the default cell appearance.
base.Paint(graphics, clipBounds, cellBounds, rowIndex, cellState,
value, formattedValue, errorText, cellStyle,
advancedBorderStyle, paintParts);

// Retrieve the client location of the mouse pointer.

Point cursorPosition =
this.DataGridView.PointToClient(Cursor.Position);

// If the mouse pointer is over the current cell, draw a custom border.
if (cellBounds.Contains(cursorPosition))
{
Rectangle newRect = new Rectangle(cellBounds.X + 1,
cellBounds.Y + 1, cellBounds.Width - 4,
cellBounds.Height - 4);
graphics.DrawRectangle(Pens.Red, newRect);
}
}

3. Override the OnMouseEnter [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcell.onmouseenter(VS.80).aspx ] and OnMouseLeave
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcell.onmouseleave
(VS.80).aspx ] methods in the DataGridViewRolloverCell class to force cells to repaint themselves
when the mouse pointer enters or leaves them.

Visual Basic Copy Code

' Force the cell to repaint itself when the mouse pointer enters it.
Protected Overrides Sub OnMouseEnter(ByVal rowIndex As Integer)
Me.DataGridView.InvalidateCell(Me)
End Sub

' Force the cell to repaint itself when the mouse pointer leaves it.
Protected Overrides Sub OnMouseLeave(ByVal rowIndex As Integer)
Me.DataGridView.InvalidateCell(Me)
End Sub

C# Copy Code

// Force the cell to repaint itself when the mouse pointer enters it.
protected override void OnMouseEnter(int rowIndex)
{
this.DataGridView.InvalidateCell(this);
}

// Force the cell to repaint itself when the mouse pointer leaves it.
protected override void OnMouseLeave(int rowIndex)
{
this.DataGridView.InvalidateCell(this);

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4. Derive a new class, called DataGridViewRolloverCellColumn, from the DataGridViewColumn

type. In the constructor, assign a new DataGridViewRolloverCell object to its CellTemplate
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn.celltemplate
(VS.80).aspx ] property.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Public Class DataGridViewRolloverCellColumn

Inherits DataGridViewColumn

Public Sub New()

Me.CellTemplate = New DataGridViewRolloverCell()
End Sub

End Class

C# Copy Code

public class DataGridViewRolloverCellColumn : DataGridViewColumn

{
public DataGridViewRolloverCellColumn()
{
this.CellTemplate = new DataGridViewRolloverCell();
}
}

Example

The complete code example includes a small test form that demonstrates the behavior of the custom
cell type.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Imports System
Imports System.Drawing
Imports System.Windows.Forms

Class Form1
Inherits Form

<STAThreadAttribute()> _
Public Shared Sub Main()
Application.Run(New Form1())
End Sub

Public Sub New()

Dim dataGridView1 As New DataGridView()
Dim col As New DataGridViewRolloverCellColumn()
dataGridView1.Columns.Add(col)
dataGridView1.Rows.Add(New String() {""})
dataGridView1.Rows.Add(New String() {""})
dataGridView1.Rows.Add(New String() {""})
dataGridView1.Rows.Add(New String() {""})
Me.Controls.Add(dataGridView1)
Me.Text = "DataGridView rollover-cell demo"
End Sub

End Class

Public Class DataGridViewRolloverCell

Inherits DataGridViewTextBoxCell

Protected Overrides Sub Paint( _

ByVal graphics As Graphics, _
ByVal clipBounds As Rectangle, _

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ByVal cellBounds As Rectangle, _

ByVal rowIndex As Integer, _
ByVal elementState As DataGridViewElementStates, _
ByVal value As Object, _
ByVal formattedValue As Object, _
ByVal errorText As String, _
ByVal cellStyle As DataGridViewCellStyle, _
ByVal advancedBorderStyle As DataGridViewAdvancedBorderStyle, _
ByVal paintParts As DataGridViewPaintParts)

' Call the base class method to paint the default cell appearance.
MyBase.Paint(graphics, clipBounds, cellBounds, rowIndex, elementState, _
value, formattedValue, errorText, cellStyle, _
advancedBorderStyle, paintParts)

' Retrieve the client location of the mouse pointer.

Dim cursorPosition As Point = _
Me.DataGridView.PointToClient(Cursor.Position)

' If the mouse pointer is over the current cell, draw a custom border.
If cellBounds.Contains(cursorPosition) Then
Dim newRect As New Rectangle(cellBounds.X + 1, _
cellBounds.Y + 1, cellBounds.Width - 4, _
cellBounds.Height - 4)
graphics.DrawRectangle(Pens.Red, newRect)
End If

End Sub

' Force the cell to repaint itself when the mouse pointer enters it.
Protected Overrides Sub OnMouseEnter(ByVal rowIndex As Integer)
Me.DataGridView.InvalidateCell(Me)
End Sub

' Force the cell to repaint itself when the mouse pointer leaves it.
Protected Overrides Sub OnMouseLeave(ByVal rowIndex As Integer)
Me.DataGridView.InvalidateCell(Me)
End Sub

End Class

Public Class DataGridViewRolloverCellColumn

Inherits DataGridViewColumn

Public Sub New()

Me.CellTemplate = New DataGridViewRolloverCell()
End Sub

End Class

C# Copy Code

using System;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Windows.Forms;

class Form1 : Form

{
[STAThreadAttribute()]
public static void Main()
{
Application.Run(new Form1());
}

public Form1()
{
DataGridView dataGridView1 = new DataGridView();
DataGridViewRolloverCellColumn col =
new DataGridViewRolloverCellColumn();
dataGridView1.Columns.Add(col);
dataGridView1.Rows.Add(new string[] { "" });
dataGridView1.Rows.Add(new string[] { "" });
dataGridView1.Rows.Add(new string[] { "" });
dataGridView1.Rows.Add(new string[] { "" });
this.Controls.Add(dataGridView1);
this.Text = "DataGridView rollover-cell demo";
}
}

public class DataGridViewRolloverCell : DataGridViewTextBoxCell

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How to: Customize Cells and Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control by ... Page 6 of 7

{
protected override void Paint(
Graphics graphics,
Rectangle clipBounds,
Rectangle cellBounds,
int rowIndex,
DataGridViewElementStates cellState,
object value,
object formattedValue,
string errorText,
DataGridViewCellStyle cellStyle,
DataGridViewAdvancedBorderStyle advancedBorderStyle,
DataGridViewPaintParts paintParts)
{
// Call the base class method to paint the default cell appearance.
base.Paint(graphics, clipBounds, cellBounds, rowIndex, cellState,
value, formattedValue, errorText, cellStyle,
advancedBorderStyle, paintParts);

// Retrieve the client location of the mouse pointer.

Point cursorPosition =
this.DataGridView.PointToClient(Cursor.Position);

// If the mouse pointer is over the current cell, draw a custom border.
if (cellBounds.Contains(cursorPosition))
{
Rectangle newRect = new Rectangle(cellBounds.X + 1,
cellBounds.Y + 1, cellBounds.Width - 4,
cellBounds.Height - 4);
graphics.DrawRectangle(Pens.Red, newRect);
}
}

// Force the cell to repaint itself when the mouse pointer enters it.
protected override void OnMouseEnter(int rowIndex)
{
this.DataGridView.InvalidateCell(this);
}

// Force the cell to repaint itself when the mouse pointer leaves it.
protected override void OnMouseLeave(int rowIndex)
{
this.DataGridView.InvalidateCell(this);
}

public class DataGridViewRolloverCellColumn : DataGridViewColumn

{
public DataGridViewRolloverCellColumn()
{
this.CellTemplate = new DataGridViewRolloverCell();
}
}

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z References to the System, System.Windows.Forms, and System.Drawing assemblies.

For information about building this example from the command line for Visual Basic or Visual C#, see
Building from the Command Line (Visual Basic) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/25fz1td5
(VS.80).aspx ] or Command-Line Building [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/78f4aasd
(VS.80).aspx ] . You can also build this example in Visual Studio by pasting the code into a new project.
For more information, see How to: Compile and Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using
Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/bb129228(vs.80).aspx ] and How to: Compile and
Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/bb129228(vs.90).aspx ] .

See Also

Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/7fb61s43(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
How to: Customize Cells and Columns in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control by ... Page 7 of 7

(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewCell [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcell
(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
DataGridView Control Architecture (Windows Forms) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dkdz8z4e
(VS.80).aspx ]
Column Types in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/bxt3k60s(VS.80).aspx ]
Best Practices for Scaling the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ha5xt0d9(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Customizing the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171618(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/7fb61s43(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
How to: Disable Buttons in a Button Column in the Windows Forms DataGridView Cont... Page 1 of 7

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Disable Buttons in a Button Column in the Windows
Forms DataGridView Control
The DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ] control includes the DataGridViewButtonCell [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewbuttoncell(VS.80).aspx ] class for displaying cells with a user
interface (UI) like a button. However, DataGridViewButtonCell does not provide a way to disable the
appearance of the button displayed by the cell.

The following code example demonstrates how to customize the DataGridViewButtonCell class to display
buttons that can appear disabled. The example defines a new cell type, DataGridViewDisableButtonCell,
that derives from DataGridViewButtonCell. This cell type provides a new Enabled property that can be
set to false to draw a disabled button in the cell. The example also defines a new column type,
DataGridViewDisableButtonColumn, that displays DataGridViewDisableButtonCell objects. To
demonstrate this new cell and column type, the current value of each DataGridViewCheckBoxCell
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcheckboxcell(VS.80).aspx ]
in the parent DataGridView determines whether the Enabled property of the
DataGridViewDisableButtonCell in the same row is true or false.

Note

When you derive from DataGridViewCell [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcell(VS.80).aspx ] or DataGridViewColumn
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn(VS.80).aspx ]
and add new properties to the derived class, be sure to override the Clone method to copy the new
properties during cloning operations. You should also call the base class's Clone method so that the
properties of the base class are copied to the new cell or column.

Example

Visual Basic Copy Code

Imports System
Imports System.Drawing
Imports System.Windows.Forms
Imports System.Windows.Forms.VisualStyles

Class Form1
Inherits Form
Private WithEvents dataGridView1 As New DataGridView()

<STAThread()> _
Public Shared Sub Main()
Application.EnableVisualStyles()
Application.Run(New Form1())
End Sub

Public Sub New()

Me.AutoSize = True
End Sub

Public Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs) _

Handles Me.Load

Dim column0 As New DataGridViewCheckBoxColumn()

Dim column1 As New DataGridViewDisableButtonColumn()
column0.Name = "CheckBoxes"
column1.Name = "Buttons"
dataGridView1.Columns.Add(column0)
dataGridView1.Columns.Add(column1)

dataGridView1.RowCount = 8
dataGridView1.AutoSize = True

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dataGridView1.AllowUserToAddRows = False
dataGridView1.ColumnHeadersDefaultCellStyle.Alignment = _
DataGridViewContentAlignment.MiddleCenter

' Set the text for each button.

Dim i As Integer
For i = 0 To dataGridView1.RowCount - 1
dataGridView1.Rows(i).Cells("Buttons").Value = _
"Button " + i.ToString()
Next i

Me.Controls.Add(dataGridView1)

End Sub

' This event handler manually raises the CellValueChanged event

' by calling the CommitEdit method.
Sub dataGridView1_CurrentCellDirtyStateChanged( _
ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.CurrentCellDirtyStateChanged

If dataGridView1.IsCurrentCellDirty Then
dataGridView1.CommitEdit(DataGridViewDataErrorContexts.Commit)
End If
End Sub

' If a check box cell is clicked, this event handler disables

' or enables the button in the same row as the clicked cell.
Public Sub dataGridView1_CellValueChanged(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As DataGridViewCellEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.CellValueChanged

If dataGridView1.Columns(e.ColumnIndex).Name = "CheckBoxes" Then

Dim buttonCell As DataGridViewDisableButtonCell = _
CType(dataGridView1.Rows(e.RowIndex).Cells("Buttons"), _
DataGridViewDisableButtonCell)

Dim checkCell As DataGridViewCheckBoxCell = _

CType(dataGridView1.Rows(e.RowIndex).Cells("CheckBoxes"), _
DataGridViewCheckBoxCell)
buttonCell.Enabled = Not CType(checkCell.Value, [Boolean])

dataGridView1.Invalidate()
End If
End Sub

' If the user clicks on an enabled button cell, this event handler
' reports that the button is enabled.
Sub dataGridView1_CellClick(ByVal sender As Object, _
ByVal e As DataGridViewCellEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.CellClick

If dataGridView1.Columns(e.ColumnIndex).Name = "Buttons" Then

Dim buttonCell As DataGridViewDisableButtonCell = _
CType(dataGridView1.Rows(e.RowIndex).Cells("Buttons"), _
DataGridViewDisableButtonCell)

If buttonCell.Enabled Then
MsgBox(dataGridView1.Rows(e.RowIndex). _
Cells(e.ColumnIndex).Value.ToString() + _
" is enabled")
End If
End If
End Sub

End Class

Public Class DataGridViewDisableButtonColumn

Inherits DataGridViewButtonColumn

Public Sub New()

Me.CellTemplate = New DataGridViewDisableButtonCell()
End Sub
End Class

Public Class DataGridViewDisableButtonCell

Inherits DataGridViewButtonCell

Private enabledValue As Boolean

Public Property Enabled() As Boolean
Get

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How to: Disable Buttons in a Button Column in the Windows Forms DataGridView Cont... Page 3 of 7

Return enabledValue
End Get
Set(ByVal value As Boolean)
enabledValue = value
End Set
End Property

' Override the Clone method so that the Enabled property is copied.
Public Overrides Function Clone() As Object
Dim Cell As DataGridViewDisableButtonCell = _
CType(MyBase.Clone(), DataGridViewDisableButtonCell)
Cell.Enabled = Me.Enabled
Return Cell
End Function

' By default, enable the button cell.

Public Sub New()
Me.enabledValue = True
End Sub

Protected Overrides Sub Paint(ByVal graphics As Graphics, _

ByVal clipBounds As Rectangle, ByVal cellBounds As Rectangle, _
ByVal rowIndex As Integer, _
ByVal elementState As DataGridViewElementStates, _
ByVal value As Object, ByVal formattedValue As Object, _
ByVal errorText As String, _
ByVal cellStyle As DataGridViewCellStyle, _
ByVal advancedBorderStyle As DataGridViewAdvancedBorderStyle, _
ByVal paintParts As DataGridViewPaintParts)

' The button cell is disabled, so paint the border,

' background, and disabled button for the cell.
If Not Me.enabledValue Then

' Draw the background of the cell, if specified.

If (paintParts And DataGridViewPaintParts.Background) = _
DataGridViewPaintParts.Background Then

Dim cellBackground As New SolidBrush(cellStyle.BackColor)

graphics.FillRectangle(cellBackground, cellBounds)
cellBackground.Dispose()
End If

' Draw the cell borders, if specified.

If (paintParts And DataGridViewPaintParts.Border) = _
DataGridViewPaintParts.Border Then

PaintBorder(graphics, clipBounds, cellBounds, cellStyle, _

advancedBorderStyle)
End If

' Calculate the area in which to draw the button.

Dim buttonArea As Rectangle = cellBounds
Dim buttonAdjustment As Rectangle = _
Me.BorderWidths(advancedBorderStyle)
buttonArea.X += buttonAdjustment.X
buttonArea.Y += buttonAdjustment.Y
buttonArea.Height -= buttonAdjustment.Height
buttonArea.Width -= buttonAdjustment.Width

' Draw the disabled button.

ButtonRenderer.DrawButton(graphics, buttonArea, _
PushButtonState.Disabled)

' Draw the disabled button text.

If TypeOf Me.FormattedValue Is String Then
TextRenderer.DrawText(graphics, CStr(Me.FormattedValue), _
Me.DataGridView.Font, buttonArea, SystemColors.GrayText)
End If

Else
' The button cell is enabled, so let the base class
' handle the painting.
MyBase.Paint(graphics, clipBounds, cellBounds, rowIndex, _
elementState, value, formattedValue, errorText, _
cellStyle, advancedBorderStyle, paintParts)
End If
End Sub

End Class

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How to: Disable Buttons in a Button Column in the Windows Forms DataGridView Cont... Page 4 of 7

C# Copy Code

using System;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using System.Windows.Forms.VisualStyles;

class Form1 : Form

{
private DataGridView dataGridView1 = new DataGridView();

[STAThread]
public static void Main()
{
Application.EnableVisualStyles();
Application.Run(new Form1());
}

public Form1()
{
this.AutoSize = true;
this.Load += new EventHandler(Form1_Load);
}

public void Form1_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)

{
DataGridViewCheckBoxColumn column0 =
new DataGridViewCheckBoxColumn();
DataGridViewDisableButtonColumn column1 =
new DataGridViewDisableButtonColumn();
column0.Name = "CheckBoxes";
column1.Name = "Buttons";
dataGridView1.Columns.Add(column0);
dataGridView1.Columns.Add(column1);
dataGridView1.RowCount = 8;
dataGridView1.AutoSize = true;
dataGridView1.AllowUserToAddRows = false;
dataGridView1.ColumnHeadersDefaultCellStyle.Alignment =
DataGridViewContentAlignment.MiddleCenter;

// Set the text for each button.

for (int i = 0; i < dataGridView1.RowCount; i++)
{
dataGridView1.Rows[i].Cells["Buttons"].Value =
"Button " + i.ToString();
}

dataGridView1.CellValueChanged +=
new DataGridViewCellEventHandler(dataGridView1_CellValueChanged);
dataGridView1.CurrentCellDirtyStateChanged +=
new EventHandler(dataGridView1_CurrentCellDirtyStateChanged);
dataGridView1.CellClick +=
new DataGridViewCellEventHandler(dataGridView1_CellClick);

this.Controls.Add(dataGridView1);
}

// This event handler manually raises the CellValueChanged event

// by calling the CommitEdit method.
void dataGridView1_CurrentCellDirtyStateChanged(object sender,
EventArgs e)
{
if (dataGridView1.IsCurrentCellDirty)
{
dataGridView1.CommitEdit(DataGridViewDataErrorContexts.Commit);
}
}

// If a check box cell is clicked, this event handler disables

// or enables the button in the same row as the clicked cell.
public void dataGridView1_CellValueChanged(object sender,
DataGridViewCellEventArgs e)
{
if (dataGridView1.Columns[e.ColumnIndex].Name == "CheckBoxes")
{
DataGridViewDisableButtonCell buttonCell =
(DataGridViewDisableButtonCell)dataGridView1.
Rows[e.RowIndex].Cells["Buttons"];

DataGridViewCheckBoxCell checkCell =

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How to: Disable Buttons in a Button Column in the Windows Forms DataGridView Cont... Page 5 of 7

(DataGridViewCheckBoxCell)dataGridView1.
Rows[e.RowIndex].Cells["CheckBoxes"];
buttonCell.Enabled = !(Boolean)checkCell.Value;

dataGridView1.Invalidate();
}
}

// If the user clicks on an enabled button cell, this event handler

// reports that the button is enabled.
void dataGridView1_CellClick(object sender,
DataGridViewCellEventArgs e)
{
if (dataGridView1.Columns[e.ColumnIndex].Name == "Buttons")
{
DataGridViewDisableButtonCell buttonCell =
(DataGridViewDisableButtonCell)dataGridView1.
Rows[e.RowIndex].Cells["Buttons"];

if (buttonCell.Enabled)
{
MessageBox.Show(dataGridView1.Rows[e.RowIndex].
Cells[e.ColumnIndex].Value.ToString() +
" is enabled");
}
}
}
}

public class DataGridViewDisableButtonColumn : DataGridViewButtonColumn

{
public DataGridViewDisableButtonColumn()
{
this.CellTemplate = new DataGridViewDisableButtonCell();
}
}

public class DataGridViewDisableButtonCell : DataGridViewButtonCell

{
private bool enabledValue;
public bool Enabled
{
get
{
return enabledValue;
}
set
{
enabledValue = value;
}
}

// Override the Clone method so that the Enabled property is copied.

public override object Clone()
{
DataGridViewDisableButtonCell cell =
(DataGridViewDisableButtonCell)base.Clone();
cell.Enabled = this.Enabled;
return cell;
}

// By default, enable the button cell.

public DataGridViewDisableButtonCell()
{
this.enabledValue = true;
}

protected override void Paint(Graphics graphics,

Rectangle clipBounds, Rectangle cellBounds, int rowIndex,
DataGridViewElementStates elementState, object value,
object formattedValue, string errorText,
DataGridViewCellStyle cellStyle,
DataGridViewAdvancedBorderStyle advancedBorderStyle,
DataGridViewPaintParts paintParts)
{
// The button cell is disabled, so paint the border,
// background, and disabled button for the cell.
if (!this.enabledValue)
{
// Draw the cell background, if specified.
if ((paintParts & DataGridViewPaintParts.Background) ==

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How to: Disable Buttons in a Button Column in the Windows Forms DataGridView Cont... Page 6 of 7

DataGridViewPaintParts.Background)
{
SolidBrush cellBackground =
new SolidBrush(cellStyle.BackColor);
graphics.FillRectangle(cellBackground, cellBounds);
cellBackground.Dispose();
}

// Draw the cell borders, if specified.

if ((paintParts & DataGridViewPaintParts.Border) ==
DataGridViewPaintParts.Border)
{
PaintBorder(graphics, clipBounds, cellBounds, cellStyle,
advancedBorderStyle);
}

// Calculate the area in which to draw the button.

Rectangle buttonArea = cellBounds;
Rectangle buttonAdjustment =
this.BorderWidths(advancedBorderStyle);
buttonArea.X += buttonAdjustment.X;
buttonArea.Y += buttonAdjustment.Y;
buttonArea.Height -= buttonAdjustment.Height;
buttonArea.Width -= buttonAdjustment.Width;

// Draw the disabled button.

ButtonRenderer.DrawButton(graphics, buttonArea,
PushButtonState.Disabled);

// Draw the disabled button text.

if (this.FormattedValue is String)
{
TextRenderer.DrawText(graphics,
(string)this.FormattedValue,
this.DataGridView.Font,
buttonArea, SystemColors.GrayText);
}
}
else
{
// The button cell is enabled, so let the base class
// handle the painting.
base.Paint(graphics, clipBounds, cellBounds, rowIndex,
elementState, value, formattedValue, errorText,
cellStyle, advancedBorderStyle, paintParts);
}
}
}

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z References to the System, System.Drawing, System.Windows.Forms and

System.Windows.Forms.VisualStyles assemblies.
For information about building this example from the command line for Visual Basic or Visual C#, see
Building from the Command Line (Visual Basic) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/25fz1td5
(VS.80).aspx ] or Command-Line Building [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/78f4aasd
(VS.80).aspx ] . You can also build this example in Visual Studio by pasting the code into a new project.
For more information, see How to: Compile and Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using
Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/bb129228(vs.80).aspx ] and How to: Compile and
Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/bb129228(vs.90).aspx ] .

See Also

Concepts
DataGridView Control Architecture (Windows Forms) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dkdz8z4e
(VS.80).aspx ]
Column Types in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/bxt3k60s(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171619(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
How to: Disable Buttons in a Button Column in the Windows Forms DataGridView Cont... Page 7 of 7

Customizing the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/ms171618(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171619(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
How to: Host Controls in Windows Forms DataGridView Cells Page 1 of 8

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Host Controls in Windows Forms DataGridView Cells
The DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ] control provides several column types, enabling your users to enter and edit values in a
variety of ways. If these column types do not meet your data-entry needs, however, you can create your
own column types with cells that host controls of your choosing. To do this, you must define classes that
derive from DataGridViewColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn(VS.80).aspx ] and DataGridViewCell
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcell(VS.80).aspx ] . You
must also define a class that derives from Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.control(VS.80).aspx ] and implements the IDataGridViewEditingControl
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.idatagridvieweditingcontrol
(VS.80).aspx ] interface.

The following code example shows how to create a calendar column. The cells of this column display dates
in ordinary text box cells, but when the user edits a cell, a DateTimePicker
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datetimepicker(VS.80).aspx ] control
appears. In order to avoid having to implement text box display functionality again, the CalendarCell class
derives from the DataGridViewTextBoxCell [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewtextboxcell(VS.80).aspx ] class rather than inheriting the
DataGridViewCell class directly.

Note

When you derive from DataGridViewCell or DataGridViewColumn and add new properties to the
derived class, be sure to override the Clone method to copy the new properties during cloning
operations. You should also call the base class's Clone method so that the properties of the base class
are copied to the new cell or column.

Example

Visual Basic Copy Code

Imports System
Imports System.Windows.Forms

Public Class CalendarColumn

Inherits DataGridViewColumn

Public Sub New()

MyBase.New(New CalendarCell())
End Sub

Public Overrides Property CellTemplate() As DataGridViewCell

Get
Return MyBase.CellTemplate
End Get
Set(ByVal value As DataGridViewCell)

' Ensure that the cell used for the template is a CalendarCell.
If (value IsNot Nothing) AndAlso _
Not value.GetType().IsAssignableFrom(GetType(CalendarCell)) _
Then
Throw New InvalidCastException("Must be a CalendarCell")
End If
MyBase.CellTemplate = value

End Set
End Property

End Class

Public Class CalendarCell

Inherits DataGridViewTextBoxCell

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How to: Host Controls in Windows Forms DataGridView Cells Page 2 of 8

Public Sub New()

' Use the short date format.
Me.Style.Format = "d"
End Sub

Public Overrides Sub InitializeEditingControl(ByVal rowIndex As Integer, _

ByVal initialFormattedValue As Object, _
ByVal dataGridViewCellStyle As DataGridViewCellStyle)

' Set the value of the editing control to the current cell value.
MyBase.InitializeEditingControl(rowIndex, initialFormattedValue, _
dataGridViewCellStyle)

Dim ctl As CalendarEditingControl = _

CType(DataGridView.EditingControl, CalendarEditingControl)
ctl.Value = CType(Me.Value, DateTime)

End Sub

Public Overrides ReadOnly Property EditType() As Type

Get
' Return the type of the editing contol that CalendarCell uses.
Return GetType(CalendarEditingControl)
End Get
End Property

Public Overrides ReadOnly Property ValueType() As Type

Get
' Return the type of the value that CalendarCell contains.
Return GetType(DateTime)
End Get
End Property

Public Overrides ReadOnly Property DefaultNewRowValue() As Object

Get
' Use the current date and time as the default value.
Return DateTime.Now
End Get
End Property

End Class

Class CalendarEditingControl
Inherits DateTimePicker
Implements IDataGridViewEditingControl

Private dataGridViewControl As DataGridView

Private valueIsChanged As Boolean = False
Private rowIndexNum As Integer

Public Sub New()

Me.Format = DateTimePickerFormat.Short
End Sub

Public Property EditingControlFormattedValue() As Object _

Implements IDataGridViewEditingControl.EditingControlFormattedValue

Get
Return Me.Value.ToShortDateString()
End Get

Set(ByVal value As Object)

If TypeOf value Is String Then
Me.Value = DateTime.Parse(CStr(value))
End If
End Set

End Property

Public Function GetEditingControlFormattedValue(ByVal context _

As DataGridViewDataErrorContexts) As Object _
Implements IDataGridViewEditingControl.GetEditingControlFormattedValue

Return Me.Value.ToShortDateString()

End Function

Public Sub ApplyCellStyleToEditingControl(ByVal dataGridViewCellStyle As _

DataGridViewCellStyle) _
Implements IDataGridViewEditingControl.ApplyCellStyleToEditingControl

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How to: Host Controls in Windows Forms DataGridView Cells Page 3 of 8

Me.Font = dataGridViewCellStyle.Font
Me.CalendarForeColor = dataGridViewCellStyle.ForeColor
Me.CalendarMonthBackground = dataGridViewCellStyle.BackColor

End Sub

Public Property EditingControlRowIndex() As Integer _

Implements IDataGridViewEditingControl.EditingControlRowIndex

Get
Return rowIndexNum
End Get
Set(ByVal value As Integer)
rowIndexNum = value
End Set

End Property

Public Function EditingControlWantsInputKey(ByVal key As Keys, _

ByVal dataGridViewWantsInputKey As Boolean) As Boolean _
Implements IDataGridViewEditingControl.EditingControlWantsInputKey

' Let the DateTimePicker handle the keys listed.

Select Case key And Keys.KeyCode
Case Keys.Left, Keys.Up, Keys.Down, Keys.Right, _
Keys.Home, Keys.End, Keys.PageDown, Keys.PageUp

Return True

Case Else
Return False
End Select

End Function

Public Sub PrepareEditingControlForEdit(ByVal selectAll As Boolean) _

Implements IDataGridViewEditingControl.PrepareEditingControlForEdit

' No preparation needs to be done.

End Sub

Public ReadOnly Property RepositionEditingControlOnValueChange() _

As Boolean Implements _
IDataGridViewEditingControl.RepositionEditingControlOnValueChange

Get
Return False
End Get

End Property

Public Property EditingControlDataGridView() As DataGridView _

Implements IDataGridViewEditingControl.EditingControlDataGridView

Get
Return dataGridViewControl
End Get
Set(ByVal value As DataGridView)
dataGridViewControl = value
End Set

End Property

Public Property EditingControlValueChanged() As Boolean _

Implements IDataGridViewEditingControl.EditingControlValueChanged

Get
Return valueIsChanged
End Get
Set(ByVal value As Boolean)
valueIsChanged = value
End Set

End Property

Public ReadOnly Property EditingControlCursor() As Cursor _

Implements IDataGridViewEditingControl.EditingPanelCursor

Get

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How to: Host Controls in Windows Forms DataGridView Cells Page 4 of 8

Return MyBase.Cursor
End Get

End Property

Protected Overrides Sub OnValueChanged(ByVal eventargs As EventArgs)

' Notify the DataGridView that the contents of the cell have changed.
valueIsChanged = True
Me.EditingControlDataGridView.NotifyCurrentCellDirty(True)
MyBase.OnValueChanged(eventargs)

End Sub

End Class

Public Class Form1

Inherits Form

Private dataGridView1 As New DataGridView()

<STAThreadAttribute()> _
Public Shared Sub Main()
Application.Run(New Form1())
End Sub

Public Sub New()

Me.dataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
Me.Controls.Add(Me.dataGridView1)
Me.Text = "DataGridView calendar column demo"
End Sub

Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs) _

Handles Me.Load

Dim col As New CalendarColumn()

Me.dataGridView1.Columns.Add(col)
Me.dataGridView1.RowCount = 5
Dim row As DataGridViewRow
For Each row In Me.dataGridView1.Rows
row.Cells(0).Value = DateTime.Now
Next row

End Sub

End Class

C# Copy Code

using System;
using System.Windows.Forms;

public class CalendarColumn : DataGridViewColumn

{
public CalendarColumn() : base(new CalendarCell())
{
}

public override DataGridViewCell CellTemplate

{
get
{
return base.CellTemplate;
}
set
{
// Ensure that the cell used for the template is a CalendarCell.
if (value != null &&
!value.GetType().IsAssignableFrom(typeof(CalendarCell)))
{
throw new InvalidCastException("Must be a CalendarCell");
}
base.CellTemplate = value;
}
}
}

public class CalendarCell : DataGridViewTextBoxCell

{

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How to: Host Controls in Windows Forms DataGridView Cells Page 5 of 8

public CalendarCell()
: base()
{
// Use the short date format.
this.Style.Format = "d";
}

public override void InitializeEditingControl(int rowIndex, object

initialFormattedValue, DataGridViewCellStyle dataGridViewCellStyle)
{
// Set the value of the editing control to the current cell value.
base.InitializeEditingControl(rowIndex, initialFormattedValue,
dataGridViewCellStyle);
CalendarEditingControl ctl =
DataGridView.EditingControl as CalendarEditingControl;
ctl.Value = (DateTime)this.Value;
}

public override Type EditType

{
get
{
// Return the type of the editing contol that CalendarCell uses.
return typeof(CalendarEditingControl);
}
}

public override Type ValueType

{
get
{
// Return the type of the value that CalendarCell contains.
return typeof(DateTime);
}
}

public override object DefaultNewRowValue

{
get
{
// Use the current date and time as the default value.
return DateTime.Now;
}
}
}

class CalendarEditingControl : DateTimePicker, IDataGridViewEditingControl

{
DataGridView dataGridView;
private bool valueChanged = false;
int rowIndex;

public CalendarEditingControl()
{
this.Format = DateTimePickerFormat.Short;
}

// Implements the IDataGridViewEditingControl.EditingControlFormattedValue

// property.
public object EditingControlFormattedValue
{
get
{
return this.Value.ToShortDateString();
}
set
{
if (value is String)
{
this.Value = DateTime.Parse((String)value);
}
}
}

// Implements the
// IDataGridViewEditingControl.GetEditingControlFormattedValue method.
public object GetEditingControlFormattedValue(
DataGridViewDataErrorContexts context)
{
return EditingControlFormattedValue;
}

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How to: Host Controls in Windows Forms DataGridView Cells Page 6 of 8

// Implements the
// IDataGridViewEditingControl.ApplyCellStyleToEditingControl method.
public void ApplyCellStyleToEditingControl(
DataGridViewCellStyle dataGridViewCellStyle)
{
this.Font = dataGridViewCellStyle.Font;
this.CalendarForeColor = dataGridViewCellStyle.ForeColor;
this.CalendarMonthBackground = dataGridViewCellStyle.BackColor;
}

// Implements the IDataGridViewEditingControl.EditingControlRowIndex

// property.
public int EditingControlRowIndex
{
get
{
return rowIndex;
}
set
{
rowIndex = value;
}
}

// Implements the IDataGridViewEditingControl.EditingControlWantsInputKey

// method.
public bool EditingControlWantsInputKey(
Keys key, bool dataGridViewWantsInputKey)
{
// Let the DateTimePicker handle the keys listed.
switch (key & Keys.KeyCode)
{
case Keys.Left:
case Keys.Up:
case Keys.Down:
case Keys.Right:
case Keys.Home:
case Keys.End:
case Keys.PageDown:
case Keys.PageUp:
return true;
default:
return false;
}
}

// Implements the IDataGridViewEditingControl.PrepareEditingControlForEdit

// method.
public void PrepareEditingControlForEdit(bool selectAll)
{
// No preparation needs to be done.
}

// Implements the IDataGridViewEditingControl

// .RepositionEditingControlOnValueChange property.
public bool RepositionEditingControlOnValueChange
{
get
{
return false;
}
}

// Implements the IDataGridViewEditingControl

// .EditingControlDataGridView property.
public DataGridView EditingControlDataGridView
{
get
{
return dataGridView;
}
set
{
dataGridView = value;
}
}

// Implements the IDataGridViewEditingControl

// .EditingControlValueChanged property.
public bool EditingControlValueChanged

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How to: Host Controls in Windows Forms DataGridView Cells Page 7 of 8

{
get
{
return valueChanged;
}
set
{
valueChanged = value;
}
}

// Implements the IDataGridViewEditingControl

// .EditingPanelCursor property.
public Cursor EditingPanelCursor
{
get
{
return base.Cursor;
}
}

protected override void OnValueChanged(EventArgs eventargs)

{
// Notify the DataGridView that the contents of the cell
// have changed.
valueChanged = true;
this.EditingControlDataGridView.NotifyCurrentCellDirty(true);
base.OnValueChanged(eventargs);
}
}

public class Form1 : Form

{
private DataGridView dataGridView1 = new DataGridView();

[STAThreadAttribute()]
public static void Main()
{
Application.Run(new Form1());
}

public Form1()
{
this.dataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill;
this.Controls.Add(this.dataGridView1);
this.Load += new EventHandler(Form1_Load);
this.Text = "DataGridView calendar column demo";
}

private void Form1_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)

{
CalendarColumn col = new CalendarColumn();
this.dataGridView1.Columns.Add(col);
this.dataGridView1.RowCount = 5;
foreach (DataGridViewRow row in this.dataGridView1.Rows)
{
row.Cells[0].Value = DateTime.Now;
}
}
}

Compiling the Code

The following example requires:

z References to the System and System.Windows.Forms assemblies.

For information about building this example from the command line for Visual Basic or Visual C#, see
Building from the Command Line (Visual Basic) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/25fz1td5
(VS.80).aspx ] or Command-Line Building [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/78f4aasd
(VS.80).aspx ] . You can also build this example in Visual Studio by pasting the code into a new project.
For more information, see How to: Compile and Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using
Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/bb129228(vs.80).aspx ] and How to: Compile and
Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/bb129228(vs.90).aspx ] .

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How to: Host Controls in Windows Forms DataGridView Cells Page 8 of 8

See Also

Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumn(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewCell [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcell
(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGridViewTextBoxCell [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewtextboxcell(VS.80).aspx ]
IDataGridViewEditingControl [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.idatagridvieweditingcontrol(VS.80).aspx ]
DateTimePicker [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datetimepicker
(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
DataGridView Control Architecture (Windows Forms) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dkdz8z4e
(VS.80).aspx ]
Column Types in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/bxt3k60s(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Customizing the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171618(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/7tas5c80(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
Performance Tuning in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 1

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

Performance Tuning in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control
When working with large amounts of data, the DataGridView control can consume a large amount of
memory in overhead, unless you use it carefully. On clients with limited memory, you can avoid some of
this overhead by avoiding features that have a high memory cost. You can also manage some or all of the
data maintenance and retrieval tasks yourself using virtual mode in order to customize the memory usage
for your scenario.

In This Section

Best Practices for Scaling the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ha5xt0d9(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to use the DataGridView control in a way that avoids unnecessary memory usage
and performance penalties when working with large amounts of data.

Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/ms171622(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to use virtual mode to supplement or replace the standard data-binding mechanism.

Walkthrough: Implementing Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/15a31akc(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to implement handlers for several virtual-mode events. Also demonstrates how to
implement row-level rollback and commit for user edits.

Implementing Virtual Mode with Just-In-Time Data Loading in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171624(VS.80).aspx ]
Describes how to load data on demand, which is useful when you have more data to display than the
available client memory can store.

Reference

DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides reference documentation for the DataGridView control.

VirtualMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.virtualmode
(VS.80).aspx ]
Provides reference documentation for the VirtualMode property.

See Also

Concepts
Data Display Modes in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/cd28yf6d(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
DataGridView Control (Windows Forms) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/e0ywh3cz
(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171621(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
Best Practices for Scaling the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 6

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

Best Practices for Scaling the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control
The DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ] control is designed to provide maximum scalability. If you need to display large amounts of
data, you should follow the guidelines described in this topic to avoid consuming large amounts of memory
or degrading the responsiveness of the user interface (UI). This topic discusses the following issues:

z Using cell styles efficiently

z Using shortcut menus efficiently

z Using automatic resizing efficiently

z Using the selected cells, rows, and columns collections efficiently

z Using shared rows

z Preventing rows from becoming unshared

If you have special performance needs, you can implement virtual mode and provide your own data
management operations. For more information, see Data Display Modes in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cd28yf6d(VS.80).aspx ] .

Using Cell Styles Efficiently

Each cell, row, and column can have its own style information. Style information is stored in
DataGridViewCellStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle(VS.80).aspx ] objects. Creating cell style objects for
many individual DataGridView elements can be inefficient, especially when working with large amounts of
data. To avoid a performance impact, use the following guidelines:

z Avoid setting cell style properties for individual DataGridViewCell [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcell(VS.80).aspx ] or DataGridViewRow
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrow(VS.80).aspx ]
objects. This includes the row object specified by the RowTemplate [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowtemplate(VS.80).aspx ] property. Each new row
that is cloned from the row template will receive its own copy of the template's cell style object. For
maximum scalability, set cell style properties at the DataGridView level. For example, set the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.DefaultCellStyle [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.defaultcellstyle(VS.80).aspx ] property rather than the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCell.Style [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcell.style(VS.80).aspx ] property.
z If some cells require formatting other than default formatting, use the same DataGridViewCellStyle
instance across groups of cells, rows, or columns. Avoid directly setting properties of type
DataGridViewCellStyle on individual cells, rows, and columns. For an example of cell style sharing,
see How to: Set Default Cell Styles for the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/k4sab6f9(VS.80).aspx ] . You can also avoid a
performance penalty when setting cell styles individually by handling the CellFormatting
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellformatting
(VS.80).aspx ] event handler. For an example, see How to: Customize Data Formatting in the
Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/z1cc356h
(VS.80).aspx ] .
z When determining a cell's style, use the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCell.InheritedStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcell.inheritedstyle
(VS.80).aspx ] property rather than the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCell.Style
property. Accessing the Style property creates a new instance of the DataGridViewCellStyle class if
the property has not already been used. Additionally, this object might not contain the complete style
information for the cell if some styles are inherited from the row, column, or control. For more
information about cell style inheritance, see Cell Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/1yef90x0(VS.80).aspx ] .

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Best Practices for Scaling the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 6

Using Shortcut Menus Efficiently

Each cell, row, and column can have its own shortcut menu. Shortcut menus in the DataGridView control
are represented by ContextMenuStrip [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.contextmenustrip(VS.80).aspx ] controls. Just as with cell style objects,
creating shortcut menus for many individual DataGridView elements will negatively impact performance.
To avoid this penalty, use the following guidelines:

z Avoid creating shortcut menus for individual cells and rows. This includes the row template, which is
cloned along with its shortcut menu when new rows are added to the control. For maximum
scalability, use only the control's ContextMenuStrip [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.control.contextmenustrip(VS.80).aspx ] property to specify a single
shortcut menu for the entire control.
z If you require multiple shortcut menus for multiple rows or cells, handle the
CellContextMenuStripNeeded [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellcontextmenustripneeded(VS.80).aspx ] or
RowContextMenuStripNeeded [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowcontextmenustripneeded(VS.80).aspx ] events.
These events let you manage the shortcut menu objects yourself, allowing you to tune performance.

Using Automatic Resizing Efficiently

Rows, columns, and headers can be automatically resized as cell content changes so that the entire
contents of cells are displayed without clipping. Changing sizing modes can also resize rows, columns, and
headers. To determine the correct size, the DataGridView control must examine the value of each cell that
it must accommodate. When working with large data sets, this analysis can negatively impact the
performance of the control when automatic resizing occurs. To avoid performance penalties, use the
following guidelines:

z Avoid using automatic sizing on a DataGridView control with a large set of rows. If you do use
automatic sizing, only resize based on the displayed rows. Use only the displayed rows in virtual mode
as well.
For rows and columns, use the DisplayedCells or DisplayedCellsExceptHeaders field of the
DataGridViewAutoSizeRowsMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewautosizerowsmode(VS.80).aspx ] ,
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewautosizecolumnsmode(VS.80).aspx ] , and
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewautosizecolumnmode(VS.80).aspx ] enumerations.
For row headers, use the AutoSizeToDisplayedHeaders [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms159167(VS.80).aspx ] or AutoSizeToFirstHeader [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms159167(VS.80).aspx ] field of the DataGridViewRowHeadersWidthSizeMode
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms159167(VS.80).aspx ] enumeration.
z For maximum scalability, turn off automatic sizing and use programmatic resizing.

For more information, see Sizing Options in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/74b2wakt(VS.80).aspx ] .

Using the Selected Cells, Rows, and Columns Collections Efficiently

The SelectedCells [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.selectedcells(VS.80).aspx ] collection does not perform
efficiently with large selections. The SelectedRows [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.selectedrows(VS.80).aspx ] and SelectedColumns
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.selectedcolumns
(VS.80).aspx ] collections can also be inefficient, although to a lesser degree because there are many fewer
rows than cells in a typical DataGridView control, and many fewer columns than rows. To avoid
performance penalties when working with these collections, use the following guidelines:

z To determine whether all the cells in the DataGridView have been selected before you access the
contents of the SelectedCells collection, check the return value of the AreAllCellsSelected
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.areallcellsselected

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Best Practices for Scaling the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 3 of 6

(VS.80).aspx ] method. Note, however, that this method can cause rows to become unshared. For
more information, see the next section.
z Avoid using the Count [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.collections.icollection.count
(VS.80).aspx ] property of the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewSelectedCellCollection
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewselectedcellcollection
(VS.80).aspx ] to determine the number of selected cells. Instead, use the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.GetCellCount
(System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewElementStates) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.getcellcount(VS.80).aspx ] method and pass in the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewElementStates.Selected [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewelementstates(VS.80).aspx ] value. Similarly, use the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewRowCollection.GetRowCount
(System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewElementStates) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrowcollection.getrowcount(VS.80).aspx ] and
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewColumnCollection.GetColumnCount
(System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewElementStates) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcolumncollection.getcolumncount(VS.80).aspx ]
methods to determine the number of selected elements, rather than accessing the selected row and
column collections.
z Avoid cell-based selection modes. Instead, set the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.SelectionMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.selectionmode(VS.80).aspx ] property to
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewSelectionMode.FullRowSelect [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/3c89df86(VS.80).aspx ] or
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewSelectionMode.FullColumnSelect
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/3c89df86(VS.80).aspx ] .

Using Shared Rows

Efficient memory use is achieved in the DataGridView control through shared rows. Rows will share as
much information about their appearance and behavior as possible by sharing instances of the
DataGridViewRow class.

While sharing row instances saves memory, rows can easily become unshared. For example, whenever a
user interacts directly with a cell, its row becomes unshared. Because this cannot be avoided, the guidelines
in this topic are useful only when working with very large amounts of data and only when users will interact
with a relatively small part of the data each time your program is run.

A row cannot be shared in an unbound DataGridView control if any of its cells contain values. When the
DataGridView control is bound to an external data source or when you implement virtual mode and
provide your own data source, the cell values are stored outside the control rather than in cell objects,
allowing the rows to be shared.

A row object can only be shared if the state of all its cells can be determined from the state of the row and
the states of the columns containing the cells. If you change the state of a cell so that it can no longer be
deduced from the state of its row and column, the row cannot be shared.

For example, a row cannot be shared in any of the following situations:

z The row contains a single selected cell that is not in a selected column.

z The row contains a cell with its ToolTipText [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcell.tooltiptext(VS.80).aspx ] or ContextMenuStrip
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcell.contextmenustrip
(VS.80).aspx ] properties set.
z The row contains a DataGridViewComboBoxCell [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcomboboxcell(VS.80).aspx ] with its Items
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcomboboxcell.items
(VS.80).aspx ] property set.
In bound mode or virtual mode, you can provide ToolTips and shortcut menus for individual cells by
handling the CellToolTipTextNeeded [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.celltooltiptextneeded(VS.80).aspx ] and
CellContextMenuStripNeeded events.

The DataGridView control will automatically attempt to use shared rows whenever rows are added to the
DataGridViewRowCollection [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

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Best Practices for Scaling the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 4 of 6

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrowcollection(VS.80).aspx ] . Use the following guidelines to

ensure that rows are shared:

z Avoid calling the Add(Object[]) overload of the Add [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrowcollection.add(VS.80).aspx ] method and the Insert
(Object[]) overload of the Insert [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrowcollection.insert(VS.80).aspx ] method of the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.Rows [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rows(VS.80).aspx ] collection. These overloads
automatically create unshared rows.
z Be sure that the row specified in the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.RowTemplate
property can be shared in the following cases:
When calling the Add() or Add(Int32) overloads of the Add method or the Insert
(Int32,Int32) overload of the Insert method of the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.Rows collection.
When increasing the value of the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.RowCount
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowcount
(VS.80).aspx ] property.
When setting the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.DataSource
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.datasource
(VS.80).aspx ] property.
z Be sure that the row indicated by the indexSource parameter can be shared when calling the
AddCopy [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrowcollection.addcopy(VS.80).aspx ] , AddCopies
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrowcollection.addcopies(VS.80).aspx ] , InsertCopy
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrowcollection.insertcopy(VS.80).aspx ] , and
InsertCopies [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrowcollection.insertcopies(VS.80).aspx ] methods of the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.Rows collection.
z Be sure that the specified row or rows can be shared when calling the Add(DataGridViewRow)
overload of the Add method, the AddRange [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrowcollection.addrange(VS.80).aspx ] method, the
Insert(Int32,DataGridViewRow) overload of the Insert method, and the InsertRange
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrowcollection.insertrange(VS.80).aspx ] method of the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.Rows collection.
To determine whether a row is shared, use the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewRowCollection.SharedRow(System.Int32)
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrowcollection.sharedrow
(VS.80).aspx ] method to retrieve the row object, and then check the object's Index
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewband.index(VS.80).aspx ]
property. Shared rows always have an Index property value of –1.

Preventing Rows from Becoming Unshared

Shared rows can become unshared as a result of code or user action. To avoid a performance impact, you
should avoid causing rows to become unshared. During application development, you can handle the
RowUnshared [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowunshared(VS.80).aspx ] event to determine when rows
become unshared. This is useful when debugging row-sharing problems.

To prevent rows from becoming unshared, use the following guidelines:

z Avoid indexing the Rows collection or iterating through it with a foreach loop. You will not typically
need to access rows directly. DataGridView methods that operate on rows take row index arguments
rather than row instances. Additionally, handlers for row-related events receive event argument
objects with row properties that you can use to manipulate rows without causing them to become
unshared.
z If you need to access a row object, use the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewRowCollection.SharedRow(System.Int32) method and

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Best Practices for Scaling the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 5 of 6

pass in the row's actual index. Note, however, that modifying a shared row object retrieved through
this method will modify all the rows that share this object. The row for new records is not shared with
other rows, however, so it will not be affected when you modify any other row. Note also that different
rows represented by a shared row may have different shortcut menus. To retrieve the correct shortcut
menu from a shared row instance, use the GetContextMenuStrip [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrow.getcontextmenustrip(VS.80).aspx ] method and
pass in the row's actual index. If you access the shared row's ContextMenuStrip
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrow.contextmenustrip
(VS.80).aspx ] property instead, it will use the shared row index of -1 and will not retrieve the correct
shortcut menu.
z Avoid indexing the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewRow.Cells [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrow.cells(VS.80).aspx ] collection. Accessing a cell
directly will cause its parent row to become unshared, instantiating a new DataGridViewRow.
Handlers for cell-related events receive event argument objects with cell properties that you can use
to manipulate cells without causing rows to become unshared. You can also use the
CurrentCellAddress [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.currentcelladdress(VS.80).aspx ] property to retrieve
the row and column indexes of the current cell without accessing the cell directly.
z Avoid cell-based selection modes. These modes cause rows to become unshared. Instead, set the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.SelectionMode property to
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewSelectionMode.FullRowSelect or
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewSelectionMode.FullColumnSelect.
z Do not handle the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewRowCollection.CollectionChanged
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrowcollection.collectionchanged(VS.80).aspx ] or
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.RowStateChanged [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowstatechanged(VS.80).aspx ] events. These events
cause rows to become unshared. Also, do not call the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewRowCollection.OnCollectionChanged
(System.ComponentModel.CollectionChangeEventArgs) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrowcollection.oncollectionchanged(VS.80).aspx ] or
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.OnRowStateChanged
(System.Int32,System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewRowStateChangedEventArgs)
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.onrowstatechanged
(VS.80).aspx ] methods, which raise these events.
z Do not access the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.SelectedCells collection when the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.SelectionMode property value is FullColumnSelect,
ColumnHeaderSelect [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/3c89df86(VS.80).aspx ] ,
FullRowSelect, or RowHeaderSelect [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/3c89df86
(VS.80).aspx ] . This causes all selected rows to become unshared.
z Do not call the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AreAllCellsSelected(System.Boolean)
method. This method can cause rows to become unshared.
z Do not call the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.SelectAll [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.selectall(VS.80).aspx ] method when the
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.SelectionMode property value is CellSelect
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/3c89df86(VS.80).aspx ] . This causes all rows to become
unshared.
z Do not set the ReadOnly [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcell.readonly(VS.80).aspx ] or Selected
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcell.selected
(VS.80).aspx ] property of a cell to false when the corresponding property in its column is set to
true. This causes all rows to become unshared.
z Do not access the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewRowCollection.List
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewrowcollection.list
(VS.80).aspx ] property. This causes all rows to become unshared.
z Do not call the Sort(IComparer) overload of the Sort [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.sort(VS.80).aspx ] method. Sorting with a custom
comparer causes all rows to become unshared.

See Also

Tasks

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Best Practices for Scaling the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 6 of 6

How to: Set Default Cell Styles for the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/k4sab6f9(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171622(VS.80).aspx ]
Data Display Modes in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/cd28yf6d(VS.80).aspx ]
Cell Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/1yef90x0(VS.80).aspx ]
Sizing Options in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/74b2wakt(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Performance Tuning in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171621(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

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Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 4

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
With virtual mode, you can manage the interaction between the DataGridView
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control and
a custom data cache. To implement virtual mode, set the VirtualMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.virtualmode(VS.80).aspx ] property to true and handle one
or more of the events described in this topic. You will typically handle at least the CellValueNeeded event,
which enables the control look up values in the data cache.

Bound Mode and Virtual Mode

Virtual mode is necessary only when you need to supplement or replace bound mode. In bound mode, you
set the DataSource [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.datasource(VS.80).aspx ] property and the control
automatically loads the data from the specified source and submits user changes back to it. You can control
which of the bound columns are displayed, and the data source itself typically handles operations such as
sorting.

Supplementing Bound Mode

You can supplement bound mode by displaying unbound columns along with the bound columns. This is
sometimes called "mixed mode" and is useful for displaying things like calculated values or user-interface
(UI) controls.

Because unbound columns are outside the data source, they are ignored by the data source's sorting
operations. Therefore, when you enable sorting in mixed mode, you must manage the unbound data in a
local cache and implement virtual mode to let the DataGridView control interact with it.

For more information about using virtual mode to maintain the values in unbound columns, see the
examples in the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCheckBoxColumn.ThreeState
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcheckboxcolumn.threestate(VS.80).aspx ] property and
System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewComboBoxColumn [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcomboboxcolumn(VS.80).aspx ] class reference topics.

Replacing Bound Mode

If bound mode does not meet your performance needs, you can manage all your data in a custom cache
through virtual-mode event handlers. For example, you can use virtual mode to implement a just-in-time
data loading mechanism that retrieves only as much data from a networked database as is necessary for
optimal performance. This scenario is particularly useful when working with large amounts of data over a
slow network connection or with client machines that have a limited amount of RAM or storage space.

For more information about using virtual mode in a just-in-time scenario, see Implementing Virtual Mode
with Just-In-Time Data Loading in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171624(VS.80).aspx ] .

Virtual-Mode Events

If your data is read-only, the CellValueNeeded event may be the only event you will need to handle.
Additional virtual-mode events let you enable specific functionality like user edits, row addition and
deletion, and row-level transactions.

Some standard DataGridView events (such as events that occur when users add or delete rows, or when
cell values are edited, parsed, validated, or formatted) are useful in virtual mode, as well. You can also
handle events that let you maintain values not typically stored in a bound data source, such as cell ToolTip
text, cell and row error text, cell and row shortcut menu data, and row height data.

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Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 4

For more information about implementing virtual mode to manage read/write data with a row-level commit
scope, see Walkthrough: Implementing Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/15a31akc(VS.80).aspx ] .

For an example that implements virtual mode with a cell-level commit scope, see the VirtualMode
property reference topic.

The following events occur only when the VirtualMode property is set to true.

Event Description

CellValueNeeded [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en- Used by the control to retrieve a cell va

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellvalueneeded cache for display. This event occurs on
(VS.80).aspx ] columns.

CellValuePushed [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en- Used by the control to commit user inp

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellvaluepushed cache. This event occurs only for cells
(VS.80).aspx ]
Call the UpdateCellValue [ http://msdn
us/library/system.windows.forms.datag
(VS.80).aspx ] method when changing
of a CellValuePushed event handler t
current value is displayed in the contro
automatic sizing modes currently in eff

NewRowNeeded [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en- Used by the control to indicate the nee

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.newrowneeded data cache.
(VS.80).aspx ]

RowDirtyStateNeeded [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en- Used by the control to determine wheth

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowdirtystateneeded uncommitted changes.
(VS.80).aspx ]

CancelRowEdit [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en- Used by the control to indicate that a r

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cancelrowedit cached values.
(VS.80).aspx ]

The following events are useful in virtual mode, but can be used regardless of the VirtualMode property
setting.

Events Description

UserDeletingRow [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en- Used by the control to indicate

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.userdeletingrow letting you update the data cac
(VS.80).aspx ]

UserDeletedRow [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.userdeletedrow
(VS.80).aspx ]

RowsRemoved [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowsremoved(VS.80).aspx ]

RowsAdded [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowsadded(VS.80).aspx ]

CellFormatting [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en- Used by the control to format c

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellformatting and validate user input.
(VS.80).aspx ]

CellParsing [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellparsing(VS.80).aspx ]

CellValidating [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

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Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 3 of 4

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellvalidating(VS.80).aspx ]

CellValidated [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellvalidated(VS.80).aspx ]

RowValidating [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowvalidating(VS.80).aspx ]

RowValidated [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowvalidated(VS.80).aspx ]

CellToolTipTextNeeded [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en- Used by the control to retrieve

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.celltooltiptextneeded DataSource property is set or
(VS.80).aspx ]
Cell ToolTips are displayed only
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/
us/library/system.windows.form
(VS.80).aspx ] property value i

CellErrorTextNeeded [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en- Used by the control to retrieve

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellerrortextneeded DataSource property is set or
(VS.80).aspx ]
Call the UpdateCellErrorText [ h
RowErrorTextNeeded [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en- us/library/system.windows.form
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowerrortextneeded (VS.80).aspx ] method or the U
(VS.80).aspx ] [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/
us/library/system.windows.form
(VS.80).aspx ] method when y
to ensure that the current valu

Cell and row error glyphs are d

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/
us/library/system.windows.form
(VS.80).aspx ] and ShowRowE
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/
us/library/system.windows.form
(VS.80).aspx ] property values

CellContextMenuStripNeeded [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en- Used by the control to retrieve

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellcontextmenustripneeded [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/
(VS.80).aspx ] us/library/system.windows.form
when the control DataSource
RowContextMenuStripNeeded [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en- property is true.
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowcontextmenustripneeded
(VS.80).aspx ]

RowHeightInfoNeeded [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en- Used by the control to retrieve

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowheightinfoneeded the data cache. Call the Update
(VS.80).aspx ] [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/
us/library/system.windows.form
RowHeightInfoPushed [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en- (VS.80).aspx ] method when c
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowheightinfopushed information outside of a RowH
(VS.80).aspx ] ensure that the current value is

Best Practices in Virtual Mode

If you are implementing virtual mode in order to work efficiently with large amounts of data, you will also
want to ensure that you are working efficiently with the DataGridView control itself. For more information
about the efficient use of cell styles, automatic sizing, selections, and row sharing, see Best Practices for
Scaling the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ha5xt0d9
(VS.80).aspx ] .

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Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 4 of 4

See Also

Tasks
Walkthrough: Implementing Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/15a31akc(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
VirtualMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.virtualmode
(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
Best Practices for Scaling the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ha5xt0d9(VS.80).aspx ]
Implementing Virtual Mode with Just-In-Time Data Loading in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171624(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Performance Tuning in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171621(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171622(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
Walkthrough: Implementing Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 13

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

Walkthrough: Implementing Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control
When you want to display very large quantities of tabular data in a DataGridView
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control, you
can set the VirtualMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.virtualmode(VS.80).aspx ] property to true and explicitly
manage the control's interaction with its data store. This lets you fine-tune the performance of the control
in this situation.

The DataGridView control provides several events that you can handle to interact with a custom data
store. This walkthrough guides you through the process of implementing these event handlers. The code
example in this topic uses a very simple data source for illustration purposes. In a production setting, you
will typically load only the rows you need to display into a cache, and handle DataGridView events to
interact with and update the cache. For more information, see Implementing Virtual Mode with Just-In-Time
Data Loading in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171624(VS.80).aspx ]

To copy the code in this topic as a single listing, see How to: Implement Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/2b177d6d(VS.80).aspx ] .

Creating the Form

To implement virtual mode

1. Create a class that derives from Form [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.form(VS.80).aspx ] and contains a DataGridView control.
The following code contains some basic initialization. It declares some variables that will be used
in later steps, provides a Main method, and provides a simple form layout in the class
constructor.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Imports System
Imports System.Windows.Forms

Public Class Form1

Inherits Form

Private WithEvents dataGridView1 As New DataGridView()

' Declare an ArrayList to serve as the data store.

Private customers As New System.Collections.ArrayList()

' Declare a Customer object to store data for a row being edited.
Private customerInEdit As Customer

' Declare a variable to store the index of a row being edited.

' A value of -1 indicates that there is no row currently in edit.
Private rowInEdit As Integer = -1

' Declare a variable to indicate the commit scope.

' Set this value to false to use cell-level commit scope.
Private rowScopeCommit As Boolean = True

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Walkthrough: Implementing Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 13

<STAThreadAttribute()> _
Public Shared Sub Main()
Application.Run(New Form1())
End Sub

Public Sub New()

' Initialize the form.
Me.dataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
Me.Controls.Add(Me.dataGridView1)
Me.Text = "DataGridView virtual-mode demo (row-level commit scope)"
End Sub
<br /><span space="preserve">...</span><br />
End Class

C# Copy Code

using System;
using System.Windows.Forms;

public class Form1 : Form

{
private DataGridView dataGridView1 = new DataGridView();

// Declare an ArrayList to serve as the data store.

private System.Collections.ArrayList customers =
new System.Collections.ArrayList();

// Declare a Customer object to store data for a row being edited.

private Customer customerInEdit;

// Declare a variable to store the index of a row being edited.

// A value of -1 indicates that there is no row currently in edit.
private int rowInEdit = -1;

// Declare a variable to indicate the commit scope.

// Set this value to false to use cell-level commit scope.
private bool rowScopeCommit = true;

[STAThreadAttribute()]
public static void Main()
{
Application.Run(new Form1());
}

public Form1()
{
// Initialize the form.
this.dataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill;
this.Controls.Add(this.dataGridView1);
this.Load += new EventHandler(Form1_Load);
this.Text = "DataGridView virtual-mode demo (row-level commit scope)";
}
<br /><span space="preserve">...</span><br />}

2. Implement a handler for your form's Load [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.form.load(VS.80).aspx ] event that initializes the
DataGridView control and populates the data store with sample values.

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Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs) _

Handles Me.Load

' Enable virtual mode.

Me.dataGridView1.VirtualMode = True

' Add columns to the DataGridView.

Dim companyNameColumn As New DataGridViewTextBoxColumn()
With companyNameColumn
.HeaderText = "Company Name"
.Name = "Company Name"
End With
Dim contactNameColumn As New DataGridViewTextBoxColumn()
With contactNameColumn
.HeaderText = "Contact Name"
.Name = "Contact Name"
End With
Me.dataGridView1.Columns.Add(companyNameColumn)
Me.dataGridView1.Columns.Add(contactNameColumn)
Me.dataGridView1.AutoSizeColumnsMode = _
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.AllCells

' Add some sample entries to the data store.

Me.customers.Add(New Customer("Bon app'", "Laurence Lebihan"))
Me.customers.Add(New Customer("Bottom-Dollar Markets", _
"Elizabeth Lincoln"))
Me.customers.Add(New Customer("B's Beverages", "Victoria Ashworth"))

' Set the row count, including the row for new records.
Me.dataGridView1.RowCount = 4

End Sub

C# Copy Code

private void Form1_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)

{
// Enable virtual mode.
this.dataGridView1.VirtualMode = true;

// Connect the virtual-mode events to event handlers.

this.dataGridView1.CellValueNeeded += new
DataGridViewCellValueEventHandler(dataGridView1_CellValueNeeded);
this.dataGridView1.CellValuePushed += new
DataGridViewCellValueEventHandler(dataGridView1_CellValuePushed);
this.dataGridView1.NewRowNeeded += new
DataGridViewRowEventHandler(dataGridView1_NewRowNeeded);
this.dataGridView1.RowValidated += new
DataGridViewCellEventHandler(dataGridView1_RowValidated);
this.dataGridView1.RowDirtyStateNeeded += new
QuestionEventHandler(dataGridView1_RowDirtyStateNeeded);
this.dataGridView1.CancelRowEdit += new
QuestionEventHandler(dataGridView1_CancelRowEdit);
this.dataGridView1.UserDeletingRow += new
DataGridViewRowCancelEventHandler(dataGridView1_UserDeletingRow);

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// Add columns to the DataGridView.

DataGridViewTextBoxColumn companyNameColumn = new
DataGridViewTextBoxColumn();
companyNameColumn.HeaderText = "Company Name";
companyNameColumn.Name = "Company Name";
DataGridViewTextBoxColumn contactNameColumn = new
DataGridViewTextBoxColumn();
contactNameColumn.HeaderText = "Contact Name";
contactNameColumn.Name = "Contact Name";
this.dataGridView1.Columns.Add(companyNameColumn);
this.dataGridView1.Columns.Add(contactNameColumn);
this.dataGridView1.AutoSizeColumnsMode =
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.AllCells;

// Add some sample entries to the data store.

this.customers.Add(new Customer(
"Bon app'", "Laurence Lebihan"));
this.customers.Add(new Customer(
"Bottom-Dollar Markets", "Elizabeth Lincoln"));
this.customers.Add(new Customer(
"B's Beverages", "Victoria Ashworth"));

// Set the row count, including the row for new records.
this.dataGridView1.RowCount = 4;
}

3. Implement a handler for the CellValueNeeded [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellvalueneeded(VS.80).aspx ] event that
retrieves the requested cell value from the data store or the Customer object currently in edit.
This event occurs whenever the DataGridView control needs to paint a cell.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub dataGridView1_CellValueNeeded(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCellValueEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.CellValueNeeded

' If this is the row for new records, no values are needed.
If e.RowIndex = Me.dataGridView1.RowCount - 1 Then
Return
End If

Dim customerTmp As Customer = Nothing

' Store a reference to the Customer object for the row being painted.
If e.RowIndex = rowInEdit Then
customerTmp = Me.customerInEdit
Else
customerTmp = CType(Me.customers(e.RowIndex), Customer)
End If

' Set the cell value to paint using the Customer object retrieved.
Select Case Me.dataGridView1.Columns(e.ColumnIndex).Name
Case "Company Name"
e.Value = customerTmp.CompanyName

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Walkthrough: Implementing Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 5 of 13

Case "Contact Name"

e.Value = customerTmp.ContactName
End Select

End Sub

C# Copy Code

private void dataGridView1_CellValueNeeded(object sender,

System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCellValueEventArgs e)
{
// If this is the row for new records, no values are needed.
if (e.RowIndex == this.dataGridView1.RowCount - 1) return;

Customer customerTmp = null;

// Store a reference to the Customer object for the row being painted.
if (e.RowIndex == rowInEdit)
{
customerTmp = this.customerInEdit;
}
else
{
customerTmp = (Customer)this.customers[e.RowIndex];
}

// Set the cell value to paint using the Customer object retrieved.
switch (this.dataGridView1.Columns[e.ColumnIndex].Name)
{
case "Company Name":
e.Value = customerTmp.CompanyName;
break;

case "Contact Name":

e.Value = customerTmp.ContactName;
break;
}
}

4. Implement a handler for the CellValuePushed [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellvaluepushed(VS.80).aspx ] event that stores
an edited cell value in the Customer object representing the edited row. This event occurs
whenever the user commits a cell value change.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub dataGridView1_CellValuePushed(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCellValueEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.CellValuePushed

Dim customerTmp As Customer = Nothing

' Store a reference to the Customer object for the row being edited.
If e.RowIndex < Me.customers.Count Then

' If the user is editing a new row, create a new Customer object.
If Me.customerInEdit Is Nothing Then
Me.customerInEdit = New Customer( _

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CType(Me.customers(e.RowIndex), Customer).CompanyName, _
CType(Me.customers(e.RowIndex), Customer).ContactName)
End If
customerTmp = Me.customerInEdit
Me.rowInEdit = e.RowIndex

Else
customerTmp = Me.customerInEdit
End If

' Set the appropriate Customer property to the cell value entered.
Dim newValue As String = TryCast(e.Value, String)
Select Case Me.dataGridView1.Columns(e.ColumnIndex).Name
Case "Company Name"
customerTmp.CompanyName = newValue
Case "Contact Name"
customerTmp.ContactName = newValue
End Select

End Sub

C# Copy Code

private void dataGridView1_CellValuePushed(object sender,

System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCellValueEventArgs e)
{
Customer customerTmp = null;

// Store a reference to the Customer object for the row being edited.
if (e.RowIndex < this.customers.Count)
{
// If the user is editing a new row, create a new Customer object.
if (this.customerInEdit == null)
{
this.customerInEdit = new Customer(
((Customer)this.customers[e.RowIndex]).CompanyName,
((Customer)this.customers[e.RowIndex]).ContactName);
}
customerTmp = this.customerInEdit;
this.rowInEdit = e.RowIndex;
}
else
{
customerTmp = this.customerInEdit;
}

// Set the appropriate Customer property to the cell value entered.

String newValue = e.Value as String;
switch (this.dataGridView1.Columns[e.ColumnIndex].Name)
{
case "Company Name":
customerTmp.CompanyName = newValue;
break;

case "Contact Name":

customerTmp.ContactName = newValue;
break;

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}
}

5. Implement a handler for the NewRowNeeded [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.newrowneeded(VS.80).aspx ] event that creates
a new Customer object representing a newly created row.
This event occurs whenever the user enters the row for new records.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub dataGridView1_NewRowNeeded(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewRowEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.NewRowNeeded

' Create a new Customer object when the user edits

' the row for new records.
Me.customerInEdit = New Customer()
Me.rowInEdit = Me.dataGridView1.Rows.Count - 1

End Sub

C# Copy Code

private void dataGridView1_NewRowNeeded(object sender,

System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewRowEventArgs e)
{
// Create a new Customer object when the user edits
// the row for new records.
this.customerInEdit = new Customer();
this.rowInEdit = this.dataGridView1.Rows.Count - 1;
}

6. Implement a handler for the RowValidated [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowvalidated(VS.80).aspx ] event that saves new
or modified rows to the data store.
This event occurs whenever the user changes the current row.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub dataGridView1_RowValidated(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCellEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.RowValidated

' Save row changes if any were made and release the edited
' Customer object if there is one.
If e.RowIndex >= Me.customers.Count AndAlso _
e.RowIndex <> Me.dataGridView1.Rows.Count - 1 Then

' Add the new Customer object to the data store.

Me.customers.Add(Me.customerInEdit)
Me.customerInEdit = Nothing
Me.rowInEdit = -1

ElseIf (Me.customerInEdit IsNot Nothing) AndAlso _

e.RowIndex < Me.customers.Count Then

' Save the modified Customer object in the data store.

Me.customers(e.RowIndex) = Me.customerInEdit
Me.customerInEdit = Nothing

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Walkthrough: Implementing Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 8 of 13

Me.rowInEdit = -1

ElseIf Me.dataGridView1.ContainsFocus Then

Me.customerInEdit = Nothing
Me.rowInEdit = -1

End If

End Sub

C# Copy Code

private void dataGridView1_RowValidated(object sender,

System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCellEventArgs e)
{
// Save row changes if any were made and release the edited
// Customer object if there is one.
if (e.RowIndex >= this.customers.Count &&
e.RowIndex != this.dataGridView1.Rows.Count - 1)
{
// Add the new Customer object to the data store.
this.customers.Add(this.customerInEdit);
this.customerInEdit = null;
this.rowInEdit = -1;
}
else if (this.customerInEdit != null &&
e.RowIndex < this.customers.Count)
{
// Save the modified Customer object in the data store.
this.customers[e.RowIndex] = this.customerInEdit;
this.customerInEdit = null;
this.rowInEdit = -1;
}
else if (this.dataGridView1.ContainsFocus)
{
this.customerInEdit = null;
this.rowInEdit = -1;
}
}

7. Implement a handler for the RowDirtyStateNeeded [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowdirtystateneeded(VS.80).aspx ] event that
indicates whether the CancelRowEdit [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cancelrowedit(VS.80).aspx ] event will occur
when the user signals row reversion by pressing ESC twice in edit mode or once outside of edit
mode.
By default, CancelRowEdit occurs upon row reversion when any cells in the current row have
been modified unless the System.Windows.Forms.QuestionEventArgs.Response
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.questioneventargs.response
(VS.80).aspx ] property is set to true in the RowDirtyStateNeeded event handler. This event
is useful when the commit scope is determined at run time.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub dataGridView1_RowDirtyStateNeeded(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.QuestionEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.RowDirtyStateNeeded

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Walkthrough: Implementing Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 9 of 13

If Not rowScopeCommit Then

' In cell-level commit scope, indicate whether the value

' of the current cell has been modified.
e.Response = Me.dataGridView1.IsCurrentCellDirty

End If

End Sub

C# Copy Code

private void dataGridView1_RowDirtyStateNeeded(object sender,

System.Windows.Forms.QuestionEventArgs e)
{
if (!rowScopeCommit)
{
// In cell-level commit scope, indicate whether the value
// of the current cell has been modified.
e.Response = this.dataGridView1.IsCurrentCellDirty;
}
}

8. Implement a handler for the CancelRowEdit event that discards the values of the Customer
object representing the current row.
This event occurs when the user signals row reversion by pressing ESC twice in edit mode or
once outside of edit mode. This event does not occur if no cells in the current row have been
modified or if the value of the System.Windows.Forms.QuestionEventArgs.Response
property has been set to false in a RowDirtyStateNeeded event handler.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub dataGridView1_CancelRowEdit(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.QuestionEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.CancelRowEdit

If Me.rowInEdit = Me.dataGridView1.Rows.Count - 2 AndAlso _

Me.rowInEdit = Me.customers.Count Then

' If the user has canceled the edit of a newly created row,
' replace the corresponding Customer object with a new, empty one.
Me.customerInEdit = New Customer()

Else

' If the user has canceled the edit of an existing row,

' release the corresponding Customer object.
Me.customerInEdit = Nothing
Me.rowInEdit = -1

End If

End Sub

C# Copy Code

private void dataGridView1_CancelRowEdit(object sender,

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System.Windows.Forms.QuestionEventArgs e)
{
if (this.rowInEdit == this.dataGridView1.Rows.Count - 2 &&
this.rowInEdit == this.customers.Count)
{
// If the user has canceled the edit of a newly created row,
// replace the corresponding Customer object with a new, empty one.
this.customerInEdit = new Customer();
}
else
{
// If the user has canceled the edit of an existing row,
// release the corresponding Customer object.
this.customerInEdit = null;
this.rowInEdit = -1;
}
}

9. Implement a handler for the UserDeletingRow [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.userdeletingrow(VS.80).aspx ] event that deletes
an existing Customer object from the data store or discards an unsaved Customer object
representing a newly created row.
This event occurs whenever the user deletes a row by clicking a row header and pressing the
DELETE key.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Private Sub dataGridView1_UserDeletingRow(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewRowCancelEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.UserDeletingRow

If e.Row.Index < Me.customers.Count Then

' If the user has deleted an existing row, remove the

' corresponding Customer object from the data store.
Me.customers.RemoveAt(e.Row.Index)

End If

If e.Row.Index = Me.rowInEdit Then

' If the user has deleted a newly created row, release

' the corresponding Customer object.
Me.rowInEdit = -1
Me.customerInEdit = Nothing

End If

End Sub

C# Copy Code

private void dataGridView1_UserDeletingRow(object sender,

System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewRowCancelEventArgs e)
{
if (e.Row.Index < this.customers.Count)
{
// If the user has deleted an existing row, remove the

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// corresponding Customer object from the data store.

this.customers.RemoveAt(e.Row.Index);
}

if (e.Row.Index == this.rowInEdit)
{
// If the user has deleted a newly created row, release
// the corresponding Customer object.
this.rowInEdit = -1;
this.customerInEdit = null;
}
}

10. Implement a simple Customers class to represent the data items used by this code example.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Public Class Customer

Private companyNameValue As String

Private contactNameValue As String

Public Sub New()

' Leave fields empty.
End Sub

Public Sub New(ByVal companyName As String, ByVal contactName As String)

companyNameValue = companyName
contactNameValue = contactName
End Sub

Public Property CompanyName() As String

Get
Return companyNameValue
End Get
Set(ByVal value As String)
companyNameValue = value
End Set
End Property

Public Property ContactName() As String

Get
Return contactNameValue
End Get
Set(ByVal value As String)
contactNameValue = value
End Set
End Property

End Class

C# Copy Code

public class Customer

{
private String companyNameValue;
private String contactNameValue;

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public Customer()
{
// Leave fields empty.
}

public Customer(String companyName, String contactName)

{
companyNameValue = companyName;
contactNameValue = contactName;
}

public String CompanyName

{
get
{
return companyNameValue;
}
set
{
companyNameValue = value;
}
}

public String ContactName

{
get
{
return contactNameValue;
}
set
{
contactNameValue = value;
}
}
}

Testing the Application

You can now test the form to make sure it behaves as expected.

To test the form

z Compile and run the application.

You will see a DataGridView control populated with three customer records. You can modify the
values of multiple cells in a row and press ESC twice in edit mode and once outside of edit mode to
revert the entire row to its original values. When you modify, add, or delete rows in the control,
Customer objects in the data store are modified, added, or deleted as well.
Next Steps
This application gives you a basic understanding of the events you must handle to implement virtual
mode in the DataGridView control. You can improve this basic application in a number of ways:

z Implement a data store that caches values from an external database. The cache should retrieve
and discard values as necessary so that it only contains what is necessary for display while
consuming a small amount of memory on the client computer.
z Fine-tune the performance of the data store depending on your requirements. For example, you
might want to compensate for slow network connections rather than client-computer memory
limitations by using a larger cache size and minimizing the number of database queries.
For more information about caching values from an external database, see How to: Implement Virtual

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Mode with Just-In-Time Data Loading in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171625(VS.80).aspx ] .

See Also
Tasks
How to: Implement Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/2b177d6d(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
VirtualMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.virtualmode(VS.80).aspx ]
CellValueNeeded [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellvalueneeded(VS.80).aspx ]
CellValuePushed [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellvaluepushed(VS.80).aspx ]
NewRowNeeded [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.newrowneeded(VS.80).aspx ]
RowValidated [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowvalidated(VS.80).aspx ]
RowDirtyStateNeeded [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowdirtystateneeded(VS.80).aspx ]
CancelRowEdit [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cancelrowedit(VS.80).aspx ]
UserDeletingRow [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.userdeletingrow(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
Best Practices for Scaling the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ha5xt0d9(VS.80).aspx ]
Implementing Virtual Mode with Just-In-Time Data Loading in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171624(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Performance Tuning in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171621(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

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How to: Implement Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 8

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Implement Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control
The following code example demonstrates how to manage large sets of data using a DataGridView
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control with
its VirtualMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.virtualmode(VS.80).aspx ] property set to true.

For a complete explanation of this code example, see Walkthrough: Implementing Virtual Mode in the
Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/15a31akc
(VS.80).aspx ] .

Example

Visual Basic Copy Code

Imports System
Imports System.Windows.Forms

Public Class Form1

Inherits Form

Private WithEvents dataGridView1 As New DataGridView()

' Declare an ArrayList to serve as the data store.

Private customers As New System.Collections.ArrayList()

' Declare a Customer object to store data for a row being edited.
Private customerInEdit As Customer

' Declare a variable to store the index of a row being edited.

' A value of -1 indicates that there is no row currently in edit.
Private rowInEdit As Integer = -1

' Declare a variable to indicate the commit scope.

' Set this value to false to use cell-level commit scope.
Private rowScopeCommit As Boolean = True

<STAThreadAttribute()> _
Public Shared Sub Main()
Application.Run(New Form1())
End Sub

Public Sub New()

' Initialize the form.
Me.dataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
Me.Controls.Add(Me.dataGridView1)
Me.Text = "DataGridView virtual-mode demo (row-level commit scope)"
End Sub

Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs) _

Handles Me.Load

' Enable virtual mode.

Me.dataGridView1.VirtualMode = True

' Add columns to the DataGridView.

Dim companyNameColumn As New DataGridViewTextBoxColumn()
With companyNameColumn
.HeaderText = "Company Name"
.Name = "Company Name"
End With
Dim contactNameColumn As New DataGridViewTextBoxColumn()
With contactNameColumn
.HeaderText = "Contact Name"
.Name = "Contact Name"
End With
Me.dataGridView1.Columns.Add(companyNameColumn)

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How to: Implement Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 8

Me.dataGridView1.Columns.Add(contactNameColumn)
Me.dataGridView1.AutoSizeColumnsMode = _
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.AllCells

' Add some sample entries to the data store.

Me.customers.Add(New Customer("Bon app'", "Laurence Lebihan"))
Me.customers.Add(New Customer("Bottom-Dollar Markets", _
"Elizabeth Lincoln"))
Me.customers.Add(New Customer("B's Beverages", "Victoria Ashworth"))

' Set the row count, including the row for new records.
Me.dataGridView1.RowCount = 4

End Sub

Private Sub dataGridView1_CellValueNeeded(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCellValueEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.CellValueNeeded

' If this is the row for new records, no values are needed.
If e.RowIndex = Me.dataGridView1.RowCount - 1 Then
Return
End If

Dim customerTmp As Customer = Nothing

' Store a reference to the Customer object for the row being painted.
If e.RowIndex = rowInEdit Then
customerTmp = Me.customerInEdit
Else
customerTmp = CType(Me.customers(e.RowIndex), Customer)
End If

' Set the cell value to paint using the Customer object retrieved.
Select Case Me.dataGridView1.Columns(e.ColumnIndex).Name
Case "Company Name"
e.Value = customerTmp.CompanyName

Case "Contact Name"

e.Value = customerTmp.ContactName
End Select

End Sub

Private Sub dataGridView1_CellValuePushed(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCellValueEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.CellValuePushed

Dim customerTmp As Customer = Nothing

' Store a reference to the Customer object for the row being edited.
If e.RowIndex < Me.customers.Count Then

' If the user is editing a new row, create a new Customer object.
If Me.customerInEdit Is Nothing Then
Me.customerInEdit = New Customer( _
CType(Me.customers(e.RowIndex), Customer).CompanyName, _
CType(Me.customers(e.RowIndex), Customer).ContactName)
End If
customerTmp = Me.customerInEdit
Me.rowInEdit = e.RowIndex

Else
customerTmp = Me.customerInEdit
End If

' Set the appropriate Customer property to the cell value entered.
Dim newValue As String = TryCast(e.Value, String)
Select Case Me.dataGridView1.Columns(e.ColumnIndex).Name
Case "Company Name"
customerTmp.CompanyName = newValue
Case "Contact Name"
customerTmp.ContactName = newValue
End Select

End Sub

Private Sub dataGridView1_NewRowNeeded(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewRowEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.NewRowNeeded

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' Create a new Customer object when the user edits

' the row for new records.
Me.customerInEdit = New Customer()
Me.rowInEdit = Me.dataGridView1.Rows.Count - 1

End Sub

Private Sub dataGridView1_RowValidated(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCellEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.RowValidated

' Save row changes if any were made and release the edited
' Customer object if there is one.
If e.RowIndex >= Me.customers.Count AndAlso _
e.RowIndex <> Me.dataGridView1.Rows.Count - 1 Then

' Add the new Customer object to the data store.

Me.customers.Add(Me.customerInEdit)
Me.customerInEdit = Nothing
Me.rowInEdit = -1

ElseIf (Me.customerInEdit IsNot Nothing) AndAlso _

e.RowIndex < Me.customers.Count Then

' Save the modified Customer object in the data store.

Me.customers(e.RowIndex) = Me.customerInEdit
Me.customerInEdit = Nothing
Me.rowInEdit = -1

ElseIf Me.dataGridView1.ContainsFocus Then

Me.customerInEdit = Nothing
Me.rowInEdit = -1

End If

End Sub

Private Sub dataGridView1_RowDirtyStateNeeded(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.QuestionEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.RowDirtyStateNeeded

If Not rowScopeCommit Then

' In cell-level commit scope, indicate whether the value

' of the current cell has been modified.
e.Response = Me.dataGridView1.IsCurrentCellDirty

End If

End Sub

Private Sub dataGridView1_CancelRowEdit(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.QuestionEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.CancelRowEdit

If Me.rowInEdit = Me.dataGridView1.Rows.Count - 2 AndAlso _

Me.rowInEdit = Me.customers.Count Then

' If the user has canceled the edit of a newly created row,
' replace the corresponding Customer object with a new, empty one.
Me.customerInEdit = New Customer()

Else

' If the user has canceled the edit of an existing row,

' release the corresponding Customer object.
Me.customerInEdit = Nothing
Me.rowInEdit = -1

End If

End Sub

Private Sub dataGridView1_UserDeletingRow(ByVal sender As Object, _

ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewRowCancelEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.UserDeletingRow

If e.Row.Index < Me.customers.Count Then

' If the user has deleted an existing row, remove the

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' corresponding Customer object from the data store.

Me.customers.RemoveAt(e.Row.Index)

End If

If e.Row.Index = Me.rowInEdit Then

' If the user has deleted a newly created row, release

' the corresponding Customer object.
Me.rowInEdit = -1
Me.customerInEdit = Nothing

End If

End Sub

End Class

Public Class Customer

Private companyNameValue As String

Private contactNameValue As String

Public Sub New()

' Leave fields empty.
End Sub

Public Sub New(ByVal companyName As String, ByVal contactName As String)

companyNameValue = companyName
contactNameValue = contactName
End Sub

Public Property CompanyName() As String

Get
Return companyNameValue
End Get
Set(ByVal value As String)
companyNameValue = value
End Set
End Property

Public Property ContactName() As String

Get
Return contactNameValue
End Get
Set(ByVal value As String)
contactNameValue = value
End Set
End Property

End Class

C# Copy Code

using System;
using System.Windows.Forms;

public class Form1 : Form

{
private DataGridView dataGridView1 = new DataGridView();

// Declare an ArrayList to serve as the data store.

private System.Collections.ArrayList customers =
new System.Collections.ArrayList();

// Declare a Customer object to store data for a row being edited.

private Customer customerInEdit;

// Declare a variable to store the index of a row being edited.

// A value of -1 indicates that there is no row currently in edit.
private int rowInEdit = -1;

// Declare a variable to indicate the commit scope.

// Set this value to false to use cell-level commit scope.
private bool rowScopeCommit = true;

[STAThreadAttribute()]
public static void Main()
{
Application.Run(new Form1());

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public Form1()
{
// Initialize the form.
this.dataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill;
this.Controls.Add(this.dataGridView1);
this.Load += new EventHandler(Form1_Load);
this.Text = "DataGridView virtual-mode demo (row-level commit scope)";
}

private void Form1_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)

{
// Enable virtual mode.
this.dataGridView1.VirtualMode = true;

// Connect the virtual-mode events to event handlers.

this.dataGridView1.CellValueNeeded += new
DataGridViewCellValueEventHandler(dataGridView1_CellValueNeeded);
this.dataGridView1.CellValuePushed += new
DataGridViewCellValueEventHandler(dataGridView1_CellValuePushed);
this.dataGridView1.NewRowNeeded += new
DataGridViewRowEventHandler(dataGridView1_NewRowNeeded);
this.dataGridView1.RowValidated += new
DataGridViewCellEventHandler(dataGridView1_RowValidated);
this.dataGridView1.RowDirtyStateNeeded += new
QuestionEventHandler(dataGridView1_RowDirtyStateNeeded);
this.dataGridView1.CancelRowEdit += new
QuestionEventHandler(dataGridView1_CancelRowEdit);
this.dataGridView1.UserDeletingRow += new
DataGridViewRowCancelEventHandler(dataGridView1_UserDeletingRow);

// Add columns to the DataGridView.

DataGridViewTextBoxColumn companyNameColumn = new
DataGridViewTextBoxColumn();
companyNameColumn.HeaderText = "Company Name";
companyNameColumn.Name = "Company Name";
DataGridViewTextBoxColumn contactNameColumn = new
DataGridViewTextBoxColumn();
contactNameColumn.HeaderText = "Contact Name";
contactNameColumn.Name = "Contact Name";
this.dataGridView1.Columns.Add(companyNameColumn);
this.dataGridView1.Columns.Add(contactNameColumn);
this.dataGridView1.AutoSizeColumnsMode =
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.AllCells;

// Add some sample entries to the data store.

this.customers.Add(new Customer(
"Bon app'", "Laurence Lebihan"));
this.customers.Add(new Customer(
"Bottom-Dollar Markets", "Elizabeth Lincoln"));
this.customers.Add(new Customer(
"B's Beverages", "Victoria Ashworth"));

// Set the row count, including the row for new records.
this.dataGridView1.RowCount = 4;
}

private void dataGridView1_CellValueNeeded(object sender,

System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCellValueEventArgs e)
{
// If this is the row for new records, no values are needed.
if (e.RowIndex == this.dataGridView1.RowCount - 1) return;

Customer customerTmp = null;

// Store a reference to the Customer object for the row being painted.
if (e.RowIndex == rowInEdit)
{
customerTmp = this.customerInEdit;
}
else
{
customerTmp = (Customer)this.customers[e.RowIndex];
}

// Set the cell value to paint using the Customer object retrieved.
switch (this.dataGridView1.Columns[e.ColumnIndex].Name)
{
case "Company Name":
e.Value = customerTmp.CompanyName;

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break;

case "Contact Name":

e.Value = customerTmp.ContactName;
break;
}
}

private void dataGridView1_CellValuePushed(object sender,

System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCellValueEventArgs e)
{
Customer customerTmp = null;

// Store a reference to the Customer object for the row being edited.
if (e.RowIndex < this.customers.Count)
{
// If the user is editing a new row, create a new Customer object.
if (this.customerInEdit == null)
{
this.customerInEdit = new Customer(
((Customer)this.customers[e.RowIndex]).CompanyName,
((Customer)this.customers[e.RowIndex]).ContactName);
}
customerTmp = this.customerInEdit;
this.rowInEdit = e.RowIndex;
}
else
{
customerTmp = this.customerInEdit;
}

// Set the appropriate Customer property to the cell value entered.

String newValue = e.Value as String;
switch (this.dataGridView1.Columns[e.ColumnIndex].Name)
{
case "Company Name":
customerTmp.CompanyName = newValue;
break;

case "Contact Name":

customerTmp.ContactName = newValue;
break;
}
}

private void dataGridView1_NewRowNeeded(object sender,

System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewRowEventArgs e)
{
// Create a new Customer object when the user edits
// the row for new records.
this.customerInEdit = new Customer();
this.rowInEdit = this.dataGridView1.Rows.Count - 1;
}

private void dataGridView1_RowValidated(object sender,

System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewCellEventArgs e)
{
// Save row changes if any were made and release the edited
// Customer object if there is one.
if (e.RowIndex >= this.customers.Count &&
e.RowIndex != this.dataGridView1.Rows.Count - 1)
{
// Add the new Customer object to the data store.
this.customers.Add(this.customerInEdit);
this.customerInEdit = null;
this.rowInEdit = -1;
}
else if (this.customerInEdit != null &&
e.RowIndex < this.customers.Count)
{
// Save the modified Customer object in the data store.
this.customers[e.RowIndex] = this.customerInEdit;
this.customerInEdit = null;
this.rowInEdit = -1;
}
else if (this.dataGridView1.ContainsFocus)
{
this.customerInEdit = null;
this.rowInEdit = -1;
}
}

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private void dataGridView1_RowDirtyStateNeeded(object sender,

System.Windows.Forms.QuestionEventArgs e)
{
if (!rowScopeCommit)
{
// In cell-level commit scope, indicate whether the value
// of the current cell has been modified.
e.Response = this.dataGridView1.IsCurrentCellDirty;
}
}

private void dataGridView1_CancelRowEdit(object sender,

System.Windows.Forms.QuestionEventArgs e)
{
if (this.rowInEdit == this.dataGridView1.Rows.Count - 2 &&
this.rowInEdit == this.customers.Count)
{
// If the user has canceled the edit of a newly created row,
// replace the corresponding Customer object with a new, empty one.
this.customerInEdit = new Customer();
}
else
{
// If the user has canceled the edit of an existing row,
// release the corresponding Customer object.
this.customerInEdit = null;
this.rowInEdit = -1;
}
}

private void dataGridView1_UserDeletingRow(object sender,

System.Windows.Forms.DataGridViewRowCancelEventArgs e)
{
if (e.Row.Index < this.customers.Count)
{
// If the user has deleted an existing row, remove the
// corresponding Customer object from the data store.
this.customers.RemoveAt(e.Row.Index);
}

if (e.Row.Index == this.rowInEdit)
{
// If the user has deleted a newly created row, release
// the corresponding Customer object.
this.rowInEdit = -1;
this.customerInEdit = null;
}
}
}

public class Customer

{
private String companyNameValue;
private String contactNameValue;

public Customer()
{
// Leave fields empty.
}

public Customer(String companyName, String contactName)

{
companyNameValue = companyName;
contactNameValue = contactName;
}

public String CompanyName

{
get
{
return companyNameValue;
}
set
{
companyNameValue = value;
}
}

public String ContactName

{

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How to: Implement Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 8 of 8

get
{
return contactNameValue;
}
set
{
contactNameValue = value;
}
}
}

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z References to the System and System.Windows.Forms assemblies.

For information about building this example from the command line for Visual Basic or Visual C#, see
Building from the Command Line (Visual Basic) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/25fz1td5
(VS.80).aspx ] or Command-Line Building [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/78f4aasd
(VS.80).aspx ] . You can also build this example in Visual Studio by pasting the code into a new project.
For more information, see How to: Compile and Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using
Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/bb129228(vs.80).aspx ] and How to: Compile and
Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/bb129228(vs.90).aspx ] .

See Also

Tasks
Walkthrough: Implementing Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/15a31akc(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
VirtualMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.virtualmode
(VS.80).aspx ]
CellValueNeeded [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellvalueneeded(VS.80).aspx ]
CellValuePushed [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellvaluepushed(VS.80).aspx ]
NewRowNeeded [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.newrowneeded(VS.80).aspx ]
RowValidated [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowvalidated(VS.80).aspx ]
RowDirtyStateNeeded [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rowdirtystateneeded(VS.80).aspx ]
CancelRowEdit [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cancelrowedit(VS.80).aspx ]
UserDeletingRow [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.userdeletingrow(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171622(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Performance Tuning in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171621(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

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Implementing Virtual Mode with Just-In-Time Data Loading in the Windows Forms Data... Page 1 of 12

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

Implementing Virtual Mode with Just-In-Time Data Loading in the
Windows Forms DataGridView Control
One reason to implement virtual mode in the DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control is to retrieve data only as it is needed.
This is called just-in-time data loading.

If you are working with a very large table in a remote database, for example, you might want to avoid
startup delays by retrieving only the data that is necessary for display and retrieving additional data only
when the user scrolls new rows into view. If the client computers running your application have a limited
amount of memory available for storing data, you might also want to discard unused data when retrieving
new values from the database.

The following sections describe how to use a DataGridView control with a just-in-time cache.

To copy the code in this topic as a single listing, see How to: Implement Virtual Mode with Just-In-Time
Data Loading in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171625(VS.80).aspx ] .

The Form

The following code example defines a form containing a read-only DataGridView control that interacts
with a Cache object through a CellValueNeeded [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellvalueneeded(VS.80).aspx ] event handler. The Cache
object manages the locally stored values and uses a DataRetriever object to retrieve values from the
Orders table of the sample Northwind database. The DataRetriever object, which implements the
IDataPageRetriever interface required by the Cache class, is also used to initialize the DataGridView
control rows and columns.

The IDataPageRetriever, DataRetriever, and Cache types are described later in this topic.

Note

Storing sensitive information, such as a password, within the connection string can affect the security
of your application. Using Windows Authentication (also known as integrated security) is a more
secure way to control access to a database. For more information, see Securing Connection Strings
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/89211k9b(VS.80).aspx ] .

Visual Basic Copy Code

Public Class VirtualJustInTimeDemo

Inherits System.Windows.Forms.Form

Private WithEvents dataGridView1 As New DataGridView()

Private memoryCache As Cache

' Specify a connection string. Replace the given value with a

' valid connection string for a Northwind SQL Server sample
' database accessible to your system.
Private connectionString As String = _
"Initial Catalog=NorthWind;Data Source=localhost;" & _
"Integrated Security=SSPI;Persist Security Info=False"
Private table As String = "Orders"

Private Sub VirtualJustInTimeDemo_Load( _

ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs) _
Handles Me.Load

' Initialize the form.

With Me
.AutoSize = True
.Controls.Add(Me.dataGridView1)
.Text = "DataGridView virtual-mode just-in-time demo"

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End With

' Complete the initialization of the DataGridView.

With Me.dataGridView1
.Size = New Size(800, 250)
.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
.VirtualMode = True
.ReadOnly = True
.AllowUserToAddRows = False
.AllowUserToOrderColumns = False
.SelectionMode = DataGridViewSelectionMode.FullRowSelect
End With

' Create a DataRetriever and use it to create a Cache object

' and to initialize the DataGridView columns and rows.
Try
Dim retriever As New DataRetriever(connectionString, table)
memoryCache = New Cache(retriever, 16)
For Each column As DataColumn In retriever.Columns
dataGridView1.Columns.Add( _
column.ColumnName, column.ColumnName)
Next
Me.dataGridView1.RowCount = retriever.RowCount
Catch ex As SqlException
MessageBox.Show("Connection could not be established. " & _
"Verify that the connection string is valid.")
Application.Exit()
End Try

' Adjust the column widths based on the displayed values.

Me.dataGridView1.AutoResizeColumns( _
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.DisplayedCells)

End Sub

Private Sub dataGridView1_CellValueNeeded( _

ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As DataGridViewCellValueEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.CellValueNeeded

e.Value = memoryCache.RetrieveElement(e.RowIndex, e.ColumnIndex)

End Sub

<STAThreadAttribute()> _
Public Shared Sub Main()
Application.Run(New VirtualJustInTimeDemo())
End Sub

End Class

C# Copy Code

public class VirtualJustInTimeDemo : System.Windows.Forms.Form

{
private DataGridView dataGridView1 = new DataGridView();
private Cache memoryCache;

// Specify a connection string. Replace the given value with a

// valid connection string for a Northwind SQL Server sample
// database accessible to your system.
private string connectionString =
"Initial Catalog=NorthWind;Data Source=localhost;" +
"Integrated Security=SSPI;Persist Security Info=False";
private string table = "Orders";

protected override void OnLoad(EventArgs e)

{
// Initialize the form.
this.AutoSize = true;
this.Controls.Add(this.dataGridView1);
this.Text = "DataGridView virtual-mode just-in-time demo";

// Complete the initialization of the DataGridView.

this.dataGridView1.Size = new Size(800, 250);
this.dataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill;
this.dataGridView1.VirtualMode = true;
this.dataGridView1.ReadOnly = true;
this.dataGridView1.AllowUserToAddRows = false;
this.dataGridView1.AllowUserToOrderColumns = false;
this.dataGridView1.SelectionMode =

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DataGridViewSelectionMode.FullRowSelect;
this.dataGridView1.CellValueNeeded += new
DataGridViewCellValueEventHandler(dataGridView1_CellValueNeeded);

// Create a DataRetriever and use it to create a Cache object

// and to initialize the DataGridView columns and rows.
try
{
DataRetriever retriever =
new DataRetriever(connectionString, table);
memoryCache = new Cache(retriever, 16);
foreach (DataColumn column in retriever.Columns)
{
dataGridView1.Columns.Add(
column.ColumnName, column.ColumnName);
}
this.dataGridView1.RowCount = retriever.RowCount;
}
catch (SqlException)
{
MessageBox.Show("Connection could not be established. " +
"Verify that the connection string is valid.");
Application.Exit();
}

// Adjust the column widths based on the displayed values.

this.dataGridView1.AutoResizeColumns(
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.DisplayedCells);

base.OnLoad(e);
}

private void dataGridView1_CellValueNeeded(object sender,

DataGridViewCellValueEventArgs e)
{
e.Value = memoryCache.RetrieveElement(e.RowIndex, e.ColumnIndex);
}

[STAThreadAttribute()]
public static void Main()
{
Application.Run(new VirtualJustInTimeDemo());
}

The IDataPageRetriever Interface

The following code example defines the IDataPageRetriever interface, which is implemented by the
DataRetriever class. The only method declared in this interface is the SupplyPageOfData method, which
requires an initial row index and a count of the number of rows in a single page of data. These values are
used by the implementer to retrieve a subset of data from a data source.

A Cache object uses an implementation of this interface during construction to load two initial pages of
data. Whenever an uncached value is needed, the cache discards one of these pages and requests a new
page containing the value from the IDataPageRetriever.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Public Interface IDataPageRetriever

Function SupplyPageOfData( _
ByVal lowerPageBoundary As Integer, ByVal rowsPerPage As Integer) _
As DataTable

End Interface

C# Copy Code

public interface IDataPageRetriever

{
DataTable SupplyPageOfData(int lowerPageBoundary, int rowsPerPage);
}

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The DataRetriever Class

The following code example defines the DataRetriever class, which implements the IDataPageRetriever
interface to retrieve pages of data from a server. The DataRetriever class also provides Columns and
RowCount properties, which the DataGridView control uses to create the necessary columns and to add
the appropriate number of empty rows to the Rows [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.rows(VS.80).aspx ] collection. Adding the empty rows is
necessary so that the control will behave as though it contains all the data in the table. This means that the
scroll box in the scroll bar will have the appropriate size, and the user will be able to access any row in the
table. The rows are filled by the CellValueNeeded event handler only when they are scrolled into view.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Public Class DataRetriever

Implements IDataPageRetriever

Private tableName As String

Private command As SqlCommand

Public Sub New( _

ByVal connectionString As String, ByVal tableName As String)

Dim connection As New SqlConnection(connectionString)

connection.Open()
command = connection.CreateCommand()
Me.tableName = tableName

End Sub

Private rowCountValue As Integer = -1

Public ReadOnly Property RowCount() As Integer

Get
' Return the existing value if it has already been determined.
If Not rowCountValue = -1 Then
Return rowCountValue
End If

' Retrieve the row count from the database.

command.CommandText = "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM " & tableName
rowCountValue = CInt(command.ExecuteScalar())
Return rowCountValue
End Get
End Property

Private columnsValue As DataColumnCollection

Public ReadOnly Property Columns() As DataColumnCollection

Get
' Return the existing value if it has already been determined.
If columnsValue IsNot Nothing Then
Return columnsValue
End If

' Retrieve the column information from the database.

command.CommandText = "SELECT * FROM " & tableName
Dim adapter As New SqlDataAdapter()
adapter.SelectCommand = command
Dim table As New DataTable()
table.Locale = System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture
adapter.FillSchema(table, SchemaType.Source)
columnsValue = table.Columns
Return columnsValue
End Get
End Property

Private commaSeparatedListOfColumnNamesValue As String = Nothing

Private ReadOnly Property CommaSeparatedListOfColumnNames() As String

Get
' Return the existing value if it has already been determined.
If commaSeparatedListOfColumnNamesValue IsNot Nothing Then
Return commaSeparatedListOfColumnNamesValue
End If

' Store a list of column names for use in the

' SupplyPageOfData method.

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Dim commaSeparatedColumnNames As New System.Text.StringBuilder()

Dim firstColumn As Boolean = True
For Each column As DataColumn In Columns
If Not firstColumn Then
commaSeparatedColumnNames.Append(", ")
End If
commaSeparatedColumnNames.Append(column.ColumnName)
firstColumn = False
Next

commaSeparatedListOfColumnNamesValue = _
commaSeparatedColumnNames.ToString()
Return commaSeparatedListOfColumnNamesValue
End Get
End Property

' Declare variables to be reused by the SupplyPageOfData method.

Private columnToSortBy As String
Private adapter As New SqlDataAdapter()

Public Function SupplyPageOfData( _

ByVal lowerPageBoundary As Integer, ByVal rowsPerPage As Integer) _
As DataTable Implements IDataPageRetriever.SupplyPageOfData

' Store the name of the ID column. This column must contain unique
' values so the SQL below will work properly.
If columnToSortBy Is Nothing Then
columnToSortBy = Me.Columns(0).ColumnName
End If

If Not Me.Columns(columnToSortBy).Unique Then

Throw New InvalidOperationException(String.Format( _
"Column {0} must contain unique values.", columnToSortBy))
End If

' Retrieve the specified number of rows from the database, starting
' with the row specified by the lowerPageBoundary parameter.
command.CommandText = _
"Select Top " & rowsPerPage & " " & _
CommaSeparatedListOfColumnNames & " From " & tableName & _
" WHERE " & columnToSortBy & " NOT IN (SELECT TOP " & _
lowerPageBoundary & " " & columnToSortBy & " From " & _
tableName & " Order By " & columnToSortBy & _
") Order By " & columnToSortBy
adapter.SelectCommand = command

Dim table As New DataTable()

table.Locale = System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture
adapter.Fill(table)
Return table

End Function

End Class

C# Copy Code

public class DataRetriever : IDataPageRetriever

{
private string tableName;
private SqlCommand command;

public DataRetriever(string connectionString, string tableName)

{
SqlConnection connection = new SqlConnection(connectionString);
connection.Open();
command = connection.CreateCommand();
this.tableName = tableName;
}

private int rowCountValue = -1;

public int RowCount

{
get
{
// Return the existing value if it has already been determined.
if (rowCountValue != -1)
{
return rowCountValue;

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// Retrieve the row count from the database.

command.CommandText = "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM " + tableName;
rowCountValue = (int)command.ExecuteScalar();
return rowCountValue;
}
}

private DataColumnCollection columnsValue;

public DataColumnCollection Columns

{
get
{
// Return the existing value if it has already been determined.
if (columnsValue != null)
{
return columnsValue;
}

// Retrieve the column information from the database.

command.CommandText = "SELECT * FROM " + tableName;
SqlDataAdapter adapter = new SqlDataAdapter();
adapter.SelectCommand = command;
DataTable table = new DataTable();
table.Locale = System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture;
adapter.FillSchema(table, SchemaType.Source);
columnsValue = table.Columns;
return columnsValue;
}
}

private string commaSeparatedListOfColumnNamesValue = null;

private string CommaSeparatedListOfColumnNames

{
get
{
// Return the existing value if it has already been determined.
if (commaSeparatedListOfColumnNamesValue != null)
{
return commaSeparatedListOfColumnNamesValue;
}

// Store a list of column names for use in the

// SupplyPageOfData method.
System.Text.StringBuilder commaSeparatedColumnNames =
new System.Text.StringBuilder();
bool firstColumn = true;
foreach (DataColumn column in Columns)
{
if (!firstColumn)
{
commaSeparatedColumnNames.Append(", ");
}
commaSeparatedColumnNames.Append(column.ColumnName);
firstColumn = false;
}

commaSeparatedListOfColumnNamesValue =
commaSeparatedColumnNames.ToString();
return commaSeparatedListOfColumnNamesValue;
}
}

// Declare variables to be reused by the SupplyPageOfData method.

private string columnToSortBy;
private SqlDataAdapter adapter = new SqlDataAdapter();

public DataTable SupplyPageOfData(int lowerPageBoundary, int rowsPerPage)

{
// Store the name of the ID column. This column must contain unique
// values so the SQL below will work properly.
if (columnToSortBy == null)
{
columnToSortBy = this.Columns[0].ColumnName;
}

if (!this.Columns[columnToSortBy].Unique)
{

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throw new InvalidOperationException(String.Format(

"Column {0} must contain unique values.", columnToSortBy));
}

// Retrieve the specified number of rows from the database, starting

// with the row specified by the lowerPageBoundary parameter.
command.CommandText = "Select Top " + rowsPerPage + " " +
CommaSeparatedListOfColumnNames + " From " + tableName +
" WHERE " + columnToSortBy + " NOT IN (SELECT TOP " +
lowerPageBoundary + " " + columnToSortBy + " From " +
tableName + " Order By " + columnToSortBy +
") Order By " + columnToSortBy;
adapter.SelectCommand = command;

DataTable table = new DataTable();

table.Locale = System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture;
adapter.Fill(table);
return table;
}

The Cache Class

The following code example defines the Cache class, which manages two pages of data populated through
an IDataPageRetriever implementation. The Cache class defines an inner DataPage structure, which
contains a DataTable [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.data.datatable(VS.80).aspx ] to
store the values in a single cache page and which calculates the row indexes that represent the upper and
lower boundaries of the page.

The Cache class loads two pages of data at construction time. Whenever the CellValueNeeded event
requests a value, the Cache object determines if the value is available in one of its two pages and, if so,
returns it. If the value is not available locally, the Cache object determines which of its two pages is
farthest from the currently displayed rows and replaces the page with a new one containing the requested
value, which it then returns.

Assuming that the number of rows in a data page is the same as the number of rows that can be displayed
on screen at once, this model allows users paging through the table to efficiently return to the most
recently viewed page.

Visual Basic Copy Code

Public Class Cache

Private Shared RowsPerPage As Integer

' Represents one page of data.

Public Structure DataPage

Public table As DataTable

Private lowestIndexValue As Integer
Private highestIndexValue As Integer

Public Sub New(ByVal table As DataTable, ByVal rowIndex As Integer)

Me.table = table
lowestIndexValue = MapToLowerBoundary(rowIndex)
highestIndexValue = MapToUpperBoundary(rowIndex)
System.Diagnostics.Debug.Assert(lowestIndexValue >= 0)
System.Diagnostics.Debug.Assert(highestIndexValue >= 0)

End Sub

Public ReadOnly Property LowestIndex() As Integer

Get
Return lowestIndexValue
End Get
End Property

Public ReadOnly Property HighestIndex() As Integer

Get
Return highestIndexValue
End Get
End Property

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Public Shared Function MapToLowerBoundary( _

ByVal rowIndex As Integer) As Integer

' Return the lowest index of a page containing the given index.
Return (rowIndex \ RowsPerPage) * RowsPerPage

End Function

Private Shared Function MapToUpperBoundary( _

ByVal rowIndex As Integer) As Integer

' Return the highest index of a page containing the given index.
Return MapToLowerBoundary(rowIndex) + RowsPerPage - 1

End Function

End Structure

Private cachePages As DataPage()

Private dataSupply As IDataPageRetriever

Public Sub New(ByVal dataSupplier As IDataPageRetriever, _

ByVal rowsPerPage As Integer)

dataSupply = dataSupplier
Cache.RowsPerPage = rowsPerPage
LoadFirstTwoPages()

End Sub

' Sets the value of the element parameter if the value is in the cache.
Private Function IfPageCached_ThenSetElement(ByVal rowIndex As Integer, _
ByVal columnIndex As Integer, ByRef element As String) As Boolean

If IsRowCachedInPage(0, rowIndex) Then

element = cachePages(0).table.Rows(rowIndex Mod RowsPerPage) _
.Item(columnIndex).ToString()
Return True
ElseIf IsRowCachedInPage(1, rowIndex) Then
element = cachePages(1).table.Rows(rowIndex Mod RowsPerPage) _
.Item(columnIndex).ToString()
Return True
End If

Return False

End Function

Public Function RetrieveElement(ByVal rowIndex As Integer, _

ByVal columnIndex As Integer) As String

Dim element As String = Nothing

If IfPageCached_ThenSetElement(rowIndex, columnIndex, element) Then
Return element
Else
Return RetrieveData_CacheIt_ThenReturnElement( _
rowIndex, columnIndex)
End If

End Function

Private Sub LoadFirstTwoPages()

cachePages = New DataPage() { _

New DataPage(dataSupply.SupplyPageOfData( _
DataPage.MapToLowerBoundary(0), RowsPerPage), 0), _
New DataPage(dataSupply.SupplyPageOfData( _
DataPage.MapToLowerBoundary(RowsPerPage), _
RowsPerPage), RowsPerPage) _
}

End Sub

Private Function RetrieveData_CacheIt_ThenReturnElement( _

ByVal rowIndex As Integer, ByVal columnIndex As Integer) As String

' Retrieve a page worth of data containing the requested value.

Dim table As DataTable = dataSupply.SupplyPageOfData( _
DataPage.MapToLowerBoundary(rowIndex), RowsPerPage)

' Replace the cached page furthest from the requested cell

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' with a new page containing the newly retrieved data.

cachePages(GetIndexToUnusedPage(rowIndex)) = _
New DataPage(table, rowIndex)

Return RetrieveElement(rowIndex, columnIndex)

End Function

' Returns the index of the cached page most distant from the given index
' and therefore least likely to be reused.
Private Function GetIndexToUnusedPage(ByVal rowIndex As Integer) _
As Integer

If rowIndex > cachePages(0).HighestIndex AndAlso _

rowIndex > cachePages(1).HighestIndex Then

Dim offsetFromPage0 As Integer = _

rowIndex - cachePages(0).HighestIndex
Dim offsetFromPage1 As Integer = _
rowIndex - cachePages(1).HighestIndex
If offsetFromPage0 < offsetFromPage1 Then
Return 1
End If
Return 0
Else
Dim offsetFromPage0 As Integer = _
cachePages(0).LowestIndex - rowIndex
Dim offsetFromPage1 As Integer = _
cachePages(1).LowestIndex - rowIndex
If offsetFromPage0 < offsetFromPage1 Then
Return 1
End If
Return 0
End If

End Function

' Returns a value indicating whether the given row index is contained
' in the given DataPage.
Private Function IsRowCachedInPage( _
ByVal pageNumber As Integer, ByVal rowIndex As Integer) As Boolean

Return rowIndex <= cachePages(pageNumber).HighestIndex AndAlso _

rowIndex >= cachePages(pageNumber).LowestIndex

End Function

End Class

C# Copy Code

public class Cache

{
private static int RowsPerPage;

// Represents one page of data.

public struct DataPage
{
public DataTable table;
private int lowestIndexValue;
private int highestIndexValue;

public DataPage(DataTable table, int rowIndex)

{
this.table = table;
lowestIndexValue = MapToLowerBoundary(rowIndex);
highestIndexValue = MapToUpperBoundary(rowIndex);
System.Diagnostics.Debug.Assert(lowestIndexValue >= 0);
System.Diagnostics.Debug.Assert(highestIndexValue >= 0);
}

public int LowestIndex

{
get
{
return lowestIndexValue;
}
}

public int HighestIndex

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{
get
{
return highestIndexValue;
}
}

public static int MapToLowerBoundary(int rowIndex)

{
// Return the lowest index of a page containing the given index.
return (rowIndex / RowsPerPage) * RowsPerPage;
}

private static int MapToUpperBoundary(int rowIndex)

{
// Return the highest index of a page containing the given index.
return MapToLowerBoundary(rowIndex) + RowsPerPage - 1;
}
}

private DataPage[] cachePages;

private IDataPageRetriever dataSupply;

public Cache(IDataPageRetriever dataSupplier, int rowsPerPage)

{
dataSupply = dataSupplier;
Cache.RowsPerPage = rowsPerPage;
LoadFirstTwoPages();
}

// Sets the value of the element parameter if the value is in the cache.
private bool IfPageCached_ThenSetElement(int rowIndex,
int columnIndex, ref string element)
{
if (IsRowCachedInPage(0, rowIndex))
{
element = cachePages[0].table
.Rows[rowIndex % RowsPerPage][columnIndex].ToString();
return true;
}
else if (IsRowCachedInPage(1, rowIndex))
{
element = cachePages[1].table
.Rows[rowIndex % RowsPerPage][columnIndex].ToString();
return true;
}

return false;
}

public string RetrieveElement(int rowIndex, int columnIndex)

{
string element = null;

if (IfPageCached_ThenSetElement(rowIndex, columnIndex, ref element))

{
return element;
}
else
{
return RetrieveData_CacheIt_ThenReturnElement(
rowIndex, columnIndex);
}
}

private void LoadFirstTwoPages()

{
cachePages = new DataPage[]{
new DataPage(dataSupply.SupplyPageOfData(
DataPage.MapToLowerBoundary(0), RowsPerPage), 0),
new DataPage(dataSupply.SupplyPageOfData(
DataPage.MapToLowerBoundary(RowsPerPage),
RowsPerPage), RowsPerPage)};
}

private string RetrieveData_CacheIt_ThenReturnElement(

int rowIndex, int columnIndex)
{
// Retrieve a page worth of data containing the requested value.
DataTable table = dataSupply.SupplyPageOfData(
DataPage.MapToLowerBoundary(rowIndex), RowsPerPage);

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// Replace the cached page furthest from the requested cell

// with a new page containing the newly retrieved data.
cachePages[GetIndexToUnusedPage(rowIndex)] = new DataPage(table, rowIndex);

return RetrieveElement(rowIndex, columnIndex);

}

// Returns the index of the cached page most distant from the given index
// and therefore least likely to be reused.
private int GetIndexToUnusedPage(int rowIndex)
{
if (rowIndex > cachePages[0].HighestIndex &&
rowIndex > cachePages[1].HighestIndex)
{
int offsetFromPage0 = rowIndex - cachePages[0].HighestIndex;
int offsetFromPage1 = rowIndex - cachePages[1].HighestIndex;
if (offsetFromPage0 < offsetFromPage1)
{
return 1;
}
return 0;
}
else
{
int offsetFromPage0 = cachePages[0].LowestIndex - rowIndex;
int offsetFromPage1 = cachePages[1].LowestIndex - rowIndex;
if (offsetFromPage0 < offsetFromPage1)
{
return 1;
}
return 0;
}

// Returns a value indicating whether the given row index is contained

// in the given DataPage.
private bool IsRowCachedInPage(int pageNumber, int rowIndex)
{
return rowIndex <= cachePages[pageNumber].HighestIndex &&
rowIndex >= cachePages[pageNumber].LowestIndex;
}

Additional Considerations

The previous code examples are provided as a demonstration of just-in-time data loading. You will need to
modify the code for your own needs to achieve maximum efficiency. At minimum, you will need to choose
an appropriate value for the number of rows per page of data in the cache. This value is passed into the
Cache constructor. The number of rows per page should be no less than the number of rows that can be
displayed simultaneously in your DataGridView control.

For best results, you will need to conduct performance testing and usability testing to determine the
requirements of your system and your users. Several factors that you will need to take into consideration
include the amount of memory in the client machines running your application, the available bandwidth of
the network connection used, and the latency of the server used. The bandwidth and latency should be
determined at times of peak usage.

To improve the scrolling performance of your application, you can increase the amount of data stored
locally. To improve startup time, however, you must avoid loading too much data initially. You may want to
modify the Cache class to increase the number of data pages it can store. Using more data pages can
improve scrolling efficiency, but you will need to determine the ideal number of rows in a data page,
depending on the available bandwidth and the server latency. With smaller pages, the server will be
accessed more frequently, but will take less time to return the requested data. If latency is more of an
issue than bandwidth, you may want to use larger data pages.

See Also

Tasks
Walkthrough: Implementing Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/15a31akc(VS.80).aspx ]

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How to: Implement Virtual Mode with Just-In-Time Data Loading in the Windows Forms DataGridView
Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171625(VS.80).aspx ]
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
VirtualMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.virtualmode
(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
Best Practices for Scaling the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ha5xt0d9(VS.80).aspx ]
Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171622(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Performance Tuning in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171621(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

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©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

How to: Implement Virtual Mode with Just-In-Time Data Loading
in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
The following code example shows how to use virtual mode in the DataGridView
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control with
a data cache that loads data from a server only when it is needed. This example is described in detail in
Implementing Virtual Mode with Just-In-Time Data Loading in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171624(VS.80).aspx ] .

Example

Visual Basic Copy Code

Imports System.Data
Imports System.Data.SqlClient
Imports System.Drawing
Imports System.Windows.Forms

Public Class VirtualJustInTimeDemo

Inherits System.Windows.Forms.Form

Private WithEvents dataGridView1 As New DataGridView()

Private memoryCache As Cache

' Specify a connection string. Replace the given value with a

' valid connection string for a Northwind SQL Server sample
' database accessible to your system.
Private connectionString As String = _
"Initial Catalog=NorthWind;Data Source=localhost;" & _
"Integrated Security=SSPI;Persist Security Info=False"
Private table As String = "Orders"

Private Sub VirtualJustInTimeDemo_Load( _

ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs) _
Handles Me.Load

' Initialize the form.

With Me
.AutoSize = True
.Controls.Add(Me.dataGridView1)
.Text = "DataGridView virtual-mode just-in-time demo"
End With

' Complete the initialization of the DataGridView.

With Me.dataGridView1
.Size = New Size(800, 250)
.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
.VirtualMode = True
.ReadOnly = True
.AllowUserToAddRows = False
.AllowUserToOrderColumns = False
.SelectionMode = DataGridViewSelectionMode.FullRowSelect
End With

' Create a DataRetriever and use it to create a Cache object

' and to initialize the DataGridView columns and rows.
Try
Dim retriever As New DataRetriever(connectionString, table)
memoryCache = New Cache(retriever, 16)
For Each column As DataColumn In retriever.Columns
dataGridView1.Columns.Add( _
column.ColumnName, column.ColumnName)
Next
Me.dataGridView1.RowCount = retriever.RowCount
Catch ex As SqlException
MessageBox.Show("Connection could not be established. " & _
"Verify that the connection string is valid.")
Application.Exit()

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End Try

' Adjust the column widths based on the displayed values.

Me.dataGridView1.AutoResizeColumns( _
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.DisplayedCells)

End Sub

Private Sub dataGridView1_CellValueNeeded( _

ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As DataGridViewCellValueEventArgs) _
Handles dataGridView1.CellValueNeeded

e.Value = memoryCache.RetrieveElement(e.RowIndex, e.ColumnIndex)

End Sub

<STAThreadAttribute()> _
Public Shared Sub Main()
Application.Run(New VirtualJustInTimeDemo())
End Sub

End Class

Public Interface IDataPageRetriever

Function SupplyPageOfData( _
ByVal lowerPageBoundary As Integer, ByVal rowsPerPage As Integer) _
As DataTable

End Interface

Public Class DataRetriever

Implements IDataPageRetriever

Private tableName As String

Private command As SqlCommand

Public Sub New( _

ByVal connectionString As String, ByVal tableName As String)

Dim connection As New SqlConnection(connectionString)

connection.Open()
command = connection.CreateCommand()
Me.tableName = tableName

End Sub

Private rowCountValue As Integer = -1

Public ReadOnly Property RowCount() As Integer

Get
' Return the existing value if it has already been determined.
If Not rowCountValue = -1 Then
Return rowCountValue
End If

' Retrieve the row count from the database.

command.CommandText = "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM " & tableName
rowCountValue = CInt(command.ExecuteScalar())
Return rowCountValue
End Get
End Property

Private columnsValue As DataColumnCollection

Public ReadOnly Property Columns() As DataColumnCollection

Get
' Return the existing value if it has already been determined.
If columnsValue IsNot Nothing Then
Return columnsValue
End If

' Retrieve the column information from the database.

command.CommandText = "SELECT * FROM " & tableName
Dim adapter As New SqlDataAdapter()
adapter.SelectCommand = command
Dim table As New DataTable()
table.Locale = System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture
adapter.FillSchema(table, SchemaType.Source)
columnsValue = table.Columns
Return columnsValue

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End Get
End Property

Private commaSeparatedListOfColumnNamesValue As String = Nothing

Private ReadOnly Property CommaSeparatedListOfColumnNames() As String

Get
' Return the existing value if it has already been determined.
If commaSeparatedListOfColumnNamesValue IsNot Nothing Then
Return commaSeparatedListOfColumnNamesValue
End If

' Store a list of column names for use in the

' SupplyPageOfData method.
Dim commaSeparatedColumnNames As New System.Text.StringBuilder()
Dim firstColumn As Boolean = True
For Each column As DataColumn In Columns
If Not firstColumn Then
commaSeparatedColumnNames.Append(", ")
End If
commaSeparatedColumnNames.Append(column.ColumnName)
firstColumn = False
Next

commaSeparatedListOfColumnNamesValue = _
commaSeparatedColumnNames.ToString()
Return commaSeparatedListOfColumnNamesValue
End Get
End Property

' Declare variables to be reused by the SupplyPageOfData method.

Private columnToSortBy As String
Private adapter As New SqlDataAdapter()

Public Function SupplyPageOfData( _

ByVal lowerPageBoundary As Integer, ByVal rowsPerPage As Integer) _
As DataTable Implements IDataPageRetriever.SupplyPageOfData

' Store the name of the ID column. This column must contain unique
' values so the SQL below will work properly.
If columnToSortBy Is Nothing Then
columnToSortBy = Me.Columns(0).ColumnName
End If

If Not Me.Columns(columnToSortBy).Unique Then

Throw New InvalidOperationException(String.Format( _
"Column {0} must contain unique values.", columnToSortBy))
End If

' Retrieve the specified number of rows from the database, starting
' with the row specified by the lowerPageBoundary parameter.
command.CommandText = _
"Select Top " & rowsPerPage & " " & _
CommaSeparatedListOfColumnNames & " From " & tableName & _
" WHERE " & columnToSortBy & " NOT IN (SELECT TOP " & _
lowerPageBoundary & " " & columnToSortBy & " From " & _
tableName & " Order By " & columnToSortBy & _
") Order By " & columnToSortBy
adapter.SelectCommand = command

Dim table As New DataTable()

table.Locale = System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture
adapter.Fill(table)
Return table

End Function

End Class

Public Class Cache

Private Shared RowsPerPage As Integer

' Represents one page of data.

Public Structure DataPage

Public table As DataTable

Private lowestIndexValue As Integer
Private highestIndexValue As Integer

Public Sub New(ByVal table As DataTable, ByVal rowIndex As Integer)

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Me.table = table
lowestIndexValue = MapToLowerBoundary(rowIndex)
highestIndexValue = MapToUpperBoundary(rowIndex)
System.Diagnostics.Debug.Assert(lowestIndexValue >= 0)
System.Diagnostics.Debug.Assert(highestIndexValue >= 0)

End Sub

Public ReadOnly Property LowestIndex() As Integer

Get
Return lowestIndexValue
End Get
End Property

Public ReadOnly Property HighestIndex() As Integer

Get
Return highestIndexValue
End Get
End Property

Public Shared Function MapToLowerBoundary( _

ByVal rowIndex As Integer) As Integer

' Return the lowest index of a page containing the given index.
Return (rowIndex \ RowsPerPage) * RowsPerPage

End Function

Private Shared Function MapToUpperBoundary( _

ByVal rowIndex As Integer) As Integer

' Return the highest index of a page containing the given index.
Return MapToLowerBoundary(rowIndex) + RowsPerPage - 1

End Function

End Structure

Private cachePages As DataPage()

Private dataSupply As IDataPageRetriever

Public Sub New(ByVal dataSupplier As IDataPageRetriever, _

ByVal rowsPerPage As Integer)

dataSupply = dataSupplier
Cache.RowsPerPage = rowsPerPage
LoadFirstTwoPages()

End Sub

' Sets the value of the element parameter if the value is in the cache.
Private Function IfPageCached_ThenSetElement(ByVal rowIndex As Integer, _
ByVal columnIndex As Integer, ByRef element As String) As Boolean

If IsRowCachedInPage(0, rowIndex) Then

element = cachePages(0).table.Rows(rowIndex Mod RowsPerPage) _
.Item(columnIndex).ToString()
Return True
ElseIf IsRowCachedInPage(1, rowIndex) Then
element = cachePages(1).table.Rows(rowIndex Mod RowsPerPage) _
.Item(columnIndex).ToString()
Return True
End If

Return False

End Function

Public Function RetrieveElement(ByVal rowIndex As Integer, _

ByVal columnIndex As Integer) As String

Dim element As String = Nothing

If IfPageCached_ThenSetElement(rowIndex, columnIndex, element) Then
Return element
Else
Return RetrieveData_CacheIt_ThenReturnElement( _
rowIndex, columnIndex)
End If

End Function

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Private Sub LoadFirstTwoPages()

cachePages = New DataPage() { _

New DataPage(dataSupply.SupplyPageOfData( _
DataPage.MapToLowerBoundary(0), RowsPerPage), 0), _
New DataPage(dataSupply.SupplyPageOfData( _
DataPage.MapToLowerBoundary(RowsPerPage), _
RowsPerPage), RowsPerPage) _
}

End Sub

Private Function RetrieveData_CacheIt_ThenReturnElement( _

ByVal rowIndex As Integer, ByVal columnIndex As Integer) As String

' Retrieve a page worth of data containing the requested value.

Dim table As DataTable = dataSupply.SupplyPageOfData( _
DataPage.MapToLowerBoundary(rowIndex), RowsPerPage)

' Replace the cached page furthest from the requested cell
' with a new page containing the newly retrieved data.
cachePages(GetIndexToUnusedPage(rowIndex)) = _
New DataPage(table, rowIndex)

Return RetrieveElement(rowIndex, columnIndex)

End Function

' Returns the index of the cached page most distant from the given index
' and therefore least likely to be reused.
Private Function GetIndexToUnusedPage(ByVal rowIndex As Integer) _
As Integer

If rowIndex > cachePages(0).HighestIndex AndAlso _

rowIndex > cachePages(1).HighestIndex Then

Dim offsetFromPage0 As Integer = _

rowIndex - cachePages(0).HighestIndex
Dim offsetFromPage1 As Integer = _
rowIndex - cachePages(1).HighestIndex
If offsetFromPage0 < offsetFromPage1 Then
Return 1
End If
Return 0
Else
Dim offsetFromPage0 As Integer = _
cachePages(0).LowestIndex - rowIndex
Dim offsetFromPage1 As Integer = _
cachePages(1).LowestIndex - rowIndex
If offsetFromPage0 < offsetFromPage1 Then
Return 1
End If
Return 0
End If

End Function

' Returns a value indicating whether the given row index is contained
' in the given DataPage.
Private Function IsRowCachedInPage( _
ByVal pageNumber As Integer, ByVal rowIndex As Integer) As Boolean

Return rowIndex <= cachePages(pageNumber).HighestIndex AndAlso _

rowIndex >= cachePages(pageNumber).LowestIndex

End Function

End Class

C# Copy Code

using System;
using System.Data;
using System.Data.SqlClient;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Windows.Forms;

public class VirtualJustInTimeDemo : System.Windows.Forms.Form

{

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private DataGridView dataGridView1 = new DataGridView();

private Cache memoryCache;

// Specify a connection string. Replace the given value with a

// valid connection string for a Northwind SQL Server sample
// database accessible to your system.
private string connectionString =
"Initial Catalog=NorthWind;Data Source=localhost;" +
"Integrated Security=SSPI;Persist Security Info=False";
private string table = "Orders";

protected override void OnLoad(EventArgs e)

{
// Initialize the form.
this.AutoSize = true;
this.Controls.Add(this.dataGridView1);
this.Text = "DataGridView virtual-mode just-in-time demo";

// Complete the initialization of the DataGridView.

this.dataGridView1.Size = new Size(800, 250);
this.dataGridView1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill;
this.dataGridView1.VirtualMode = true;
this.dataGridView1.ReadOnly = true;
this.dataGridView1.AllowUserToAddRows = false;
this.dataGridView1.AllowUserToOrderColumns = false;
this.dataGridView1.SelectionMode =
DataGridViewSelectionMode.FullRowSelect;
this.dataGridView1.CellValueNeeded += new
DataGridViewCellValueEventHandler(dataGridView1_CellValueNeeded);

// Create a DataRetriever and use it to create a Cache object

// and to initialize the DataGridView columns and rows.
try
{
DataRetriever retriever =
new DataRetriever(connectionString, table);
memoryCache = new Cache(retriever, 16);
foreach (DataColumn column in retriever.Columns)
{
dataGridView1.Columns.Add(
column.ColumnName, column.ColumnName);
}
this.dataGridView1.RowCount = retriever.RowCount;
}
catch (SqlException)
{
MessageBox.Show("Connection could not be established. " +
"Verify that the connection string is valid.");
Application.Exit();
}

// Adjust the column widths based on the displayed values.

this.dataGridView1.AutoResizeColumns(
DataGridViewAutoSizeColumnsMode.DisplayedCells);

base.OnLoad(e);
}

private void dataGridView1_CellValueNeeded(object sender,

DataGridViewCellValueEventArgs e)
{
e.Value = memoryCache.RetrieveElement(e.RowIndex, e.ColumnIndex);
}

[STAThreadAttribute()]
public static void Main()
{
Application.Run(new VirtualJustInTimeDemo());
}

public interface IDataPageRetriever

{
DataTable SupplyPageOfData(int lowerPageBoundary, int rowsPerPage);
}

public class DataRetriever : IDataPageRetriever

{
private string tableName;
private SqlCommand command;

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public DataRetriever(string connectionString, string tableName)

{
SqlConnection connection = new SqlConnection(connectionString);
connection.Open();
command = connection.CreateCommand();
this.tableName = tableName;
}

private int rowCountValue = -1;

public int RowCount

{
get
{
// Return the existing value if it has already been determined.
if (rowCountValue != -1)
{
return rowCountValue;
}

// Retrieve the row count from the database.

command.CommandText = "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM " + tableName;
rowCountValue = (int)command.ExecuteScalar();
return rowCountValue;
}
}

private DataColumnCollection columnsValue;

public DataColumnCollection Columns

{
get
{
// Return the existing value if it has already been determined.
if (columnsValue != null)
{
return columnsValue;
}

// Retrieve the column information from the database.

command.CommandText = "SELECT * FROM " + tableName;
SqlDataAdapter adapter = new SqlDataAdapter();
adapter.SelectCommand = command;
DataTable table = new DataTable();
table.Locale = System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture;
adapter.FillSchema(table, SchemaType.Source);
columnsValue = table.Columns;
return columnsValue;
}
}

private string commaSeparatedListOfColumnNamesValue = null;

private string CommaSeparatedListOfColumnNames

{
get
{
// Return the existing value if it has already been determined.
if (commaSeparatedListOfColumnNamesValue != null)
{
return commaSeparatedListOfColumnNamesValue;
}

// Store a list of column names for use in the

// SupplyPageOfData method.
System.Text.StringBuilder commaSeparatedColumnNames =
new System.Text.StringBuilder();
bool firstColumn = true;
foreach (DataColumn column in Columns)
{
if (!firstColumn)
{
commaSeparatedColumnNames.Append(", ");
}
commaSeparatedColumnNames.Append(column.ColumnName);
firstColumn = false;
}

commaSeparatedListOfColumnNamesValue =
commaSeparatedColumnNames.ToString();

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return commaSeparatedListOfColumnNamesValue;
}
}

// Declare variables to be reused by the SupplyPageOfData method.

private string columnToSortBy;
private SqlDataAdapter adapter = new SqlDataAdapter();

public DataTable SupplyPageOfData(int lowerPageBoundary, int rowsPerPage)

{
// Store the name of the ID column. This column must contain unique
// values so the SQL below will work properly.
if (columnToSortBy == null)
{
columnToSortBy = this.Columns[0].ColumnName;
}

if (!this.Columns[columnToSortBy].Unique)
{
throw new InvalidOperationException(String.Format(
"Column {0} must contain unique values.", columnToSortBy));
}

// Retrieve the specified number of rows from the database, starting

// with the row specified by the lowerPageBoundary parameter.
command.CommandText = "Select Top " + rowsPerPage + " " +
CommaSeparatedListOfColumnNames + " From " + tableName +
" WHERE " + columnToSortBy + " NOT IN (SELECT TOP " +
lowerPageBoundary + " " + columnToSortBy + " From " +
tableName + " Order By " + columnToSortBy +
") Order By " + columnToSortBy;
adapter.SelectCommand = command;

DataTable table = new DataTable();

table.Locale = System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture;
adapter.Fill(table);
return table;
}

public class Cache

{
private static int RowsPerPage;

// Represents one page of data.

public struct DataPage
{
public DataTable table;
private int lowestIndexValue;
private int highestIndexValue;

public DataPage(DataTable table, int rowIndex)

{
this.table = table;
lowestIndexValue = MapToLowerBoundary(rowIndex);
highestIndexValue = MapToUpperBoundary(rowIndex);
System.Diagnostics.Debug.Assert(lowestIndexValue >= 0);
System.Diagnostics.Debug.Assert(highestIndexValue >= 0);
}

public int LowestIndex

{
get
{
return lowestIndexValue;
}
}

public int HighestIndex

{
get
{
return highestIndexValue;
}
}

public static int MapToLowerBoundary(int rowIndex)

{
// Return the lowest index of a page containing the given index.
return (rowIndex / RowsPerPage) * RowsPerPage;

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private static int MapToUpperBoundary(int rowIndex)

{
// Return the highest index of a page containing the given index.
return MapToLowerBoundary(rowIndex) + RowsPerPage - 1;
}
}

private DataPage[] cachePages;

private IDataPageRetriever dataSupply;

public Cache(IDataPageRetriever dataSupplier, int rowsPerPage)

{
dataSupply = dataSupplier;
Cache.RowsPerPage = rowsPerPage;
LoadFirstTwoPages();
}

// Sets the value of the element parameter if the value is in the cache.
private bool IfPageCached_ThenSetElement(int rowIndex,
int columnIndex, ref string element)
{
if (IsRowCachedInPage(0, rowIndex))
{
element = cachePages[0].table
.Rows[rowIndex % RowsPerPage][columnIndex].ToString();
return true;
}
else if (IsRowCachedInPage(1, rowIndex))
{
element = cachePages[1].table
.Rows[rowIndex % RowsPerPage][columnIndex].ToString();
return true;
}

return false;
}

public string RetrieveElement(int rowIndex, int columnIndex)

{
string element = null;

if (IfPageCached_ThenSetElement(rowIndex, columnIndex, ref element))

{
return element;
}
else
{
return RetrieveData_CacheIt_ThenReturnElement(
rowIndex, columnIndex);
}
}

private void LoadFirstTwoPages()

{
cachePages = new DataPage[]{
new DataPage(dataSupply.SupplyPageOfData(
DataPage.MapToLowerBoundary(0), RowsPerPage), 0),
new DataPage(dataSupply.SupplyPageOfData(
DataPage.MapToLowerBoundary(RowsPerPage),
RowsPerPage), RowsPerPage)};
}

private string RetrieveData_CacheIt_ThenReturnElement(

int rowIndex, int columnIndex)
{
// Retrieve a page worth of data containing the requested value.
DataTable table = dataSupply.SupplyPageOfData(
DataPage.MapToLowerBoundary(rowIndex), RowsPerPage);

// Replace the cached page furthest from the requested cell

// with a new page containing the newly retrieved data.
cachePages[GetIndexToUnusedPage(rowIndex)] = new DataPage(table, rowIndex);

return RetrieveElement(rowIndex, columnIndex);

}

// Returns the index of the cached page most distant from the given index
// and therefore least likely to be reused.
private int GetIndexToUnusedPage(int rowIndex)

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How to: Implement Virtual Mode with Just-In-Time Data Loading in the Windows For... Page 10 of 11

{
if (rowIndex > cachePages[0].HighestIndex &&
rowIndex > cachePages[1].HighestIndex)
{
int offsetFromPage0 = rowIndex - cachePages[0].HighestIndex;
int offsetFromPage1 = rowIndex - cachePages[1].HighestIndex;
if (offsetFromPage0 < offsetFromPage1)
{
return 1;
}
return 0;
}
else
{
int offsetFromPage0 = cachePages[0].LowestIndex - rowIndex;
int offsetFromPage1 = cachePages[1].LowestIndex - rowIndex;
if (offsetFromPage0 < offsetFromPage1)
{
return 1;
}
return 0;
}

// Returns a value indicating whether the given row index is contained

// in the given DataPage.
private bool IsRowCachedInPage(int pageNumber, int rowIndex)
{
return rowIndex <= cachePages[pageNumber].HighestIndex &&
rowIndex >= cachePages[pageNumber].LowestIndex;
}

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

z References to the System, System.Data, System.Xml, and System.Windows.Forms assemblies.

z Access to a server with the Northwind SQL Server sample database installed.

For information about building this example from the command line for Visual Basic or Visual C#, see
Building from the Command Line (Visual Basic) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/25fz1td5
(VS.80).aspx ] or Command-Line Building [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/78f4aasd
(VS.80).aspx ] . You can also build this example in Visual Studio by pasting the code into a new project.
For more information, see How to: Compile and Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using
Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/bb129228(vs.80).aspx ] and How to: Compile and
Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using Visual Studio [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/bb129228(vs.90).aspx ] .

Security

Storing sensitive information, such as a password, within the connection string can affect the security of
your application. Using Windows Authentication (also known as integrated security) is a more secure way to
control access to a database. For more information, see Securing Connection Strings
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/89211k9b(VS.80).aspx ] .

See Also

Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
VirtualMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.virtualmode
(VS.80).aspx ]
CellValueNeeded [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellvalueneeded(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
Implementing Virtual Mode with Just-In-Time Data Loading in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171624(VS.80).aspx ]

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Virtual Mode in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/ms171622(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
Performance Tuning in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171621(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

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Default Keyboard and Mouse Handling in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 1 of 5

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

Default Keyboard and Mouse Handling in the Windows Forms
DataGridView Control
The following tables describe how users can interact with the DataGridView
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview(VS.80).aspx ] control
through a keyboard and a mouse.

Note

To customize keyboard behavior, you can handle standard keyboard events such as KeyDown
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.control.keydown(VS.80).aspx ] .
In edit mode, however, the hosted editing control receives the keyboard input and the keyboard
events do not occur for the DataGridView control. To handle editing control events, attach your
handlers to the editing control in an EditingControlShowing [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.editingcontrolshowing(VS.80).aspx ] event handler.
Alternatively, you can customize keyboard behavior in a DataGridView subclass by overriding the
ProcessDialogKey [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.processdialogkey(VS.80).aspx ] and
ProcessDataGridViewKey [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.processdatagridviewkey(VS.80).aspx ] methods.

Default Keyboard Handling

Basic navigation and entry keys

Key or key
combination Description

DOWN ARROW Moves the focus to the cell directly below the current cell. If the focus is in
the last row, does nothing.

LEFT ARROW Moves the focus to the previous cell in the row. If the focus is in the first cell
in the row, does nothing.

RIGHT ARROW Moves the focus to the next cell in the row. If the focus is in the last cell in
the row, does nothing.

UP ARROW Moves the focus to the cell directly above the current cell. If the focus is in
the first row, does nothing.

HOME Moves the focus to the first cell in the current row.

END Moves the focus to the last cell in the current row.

PAGE DOWN Scrolls the control downward by the number of rows that are fully displayed.
Moves the focus to the last fully displayed row without changing columns.

PAGE UP Scrolls the control upward by the number of rows that are fully displayed.
Moves focus to the first displayed row without changing columns.

TAB If the StandardTab [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.standardtab(VS.80).aspx ]
property value is false, moves the focus to the next cell in the current row.
If the focus is already in the last cell of the row, moves the focus to the first

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Default Keyboard and Mouse Handling in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 2 of 5

cell in the next row. If the focus is in the last cell in the control, moves the
focus to the next control in the tab order of the parent container.

If the StandardTab property value is true, moves the focus to the next
control in the tab order of the parent container.

SHIFT+TAB If the StandardTab property value is false, moves the focus to the previous
cell in the current row. If the focus is already in the first cell of the row,
moves the focus to the last cell in the previous row. If the focus is in the first
cell in the control, moves the focus to the previous control in the tab order of
the parent container.

If the StandardTab property value is true, moves the focus to the previous
control in the tab order of the parent container.

CTRL+TAB If the StandardTab property value is false, moves the focus to the next
control in the tab order of the parent container.

If the StandardTab property value is true, moves the focus to the next cell
in the current row. If the focus is already in the last cell of the row, moves
the focus to the first cell in the next row. If the focus is in the last cell in the
control, moves the focus to the next control in the tab order of the parent
container.

CTRL+SHIFT+TAB If the StandardTab property value is false, moves the focus to the previous
control in the tab order of the parent container.

If the StandardTab property value is true, moves the focus to the previous
cell in the current row. If the focus is already in the first cell of the row,
moves the focus to the last cell in the previous row. If the focus is in the first
cell in the control, moves the focus to the previous control in the tab order of
the parent container.

CTRL+ARROW Moves the focus to the farthest cell in the direction of the arrow.

CTRL+HOME Moves the focus to the first cell in the control.

CTRL+END Moves the focus to the last cell in the control.

CTRL+PAGE Same as PAGE DOWN or PAGE UP.

DOWN/UP

F2 Puts the current cell into cell edit mode if the EditMode
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.editmode(VS.80).aspx ]
property value is EditOnF2 [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridvieweditmode(VS.80).aspx ] or
EditOnKeystrokeOrF2 [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridvieweditmode(VS.80).aspx ] .

F4 If the current cell is a DataGridViewComboBoxCell

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcomboboxcell(VS.80).aspx ] ,
puts the cell into edit mode and displays the drop-down list.

ALT+UP/DOWN If the current cell is a DataGridViewComboBoxCell, puts the cell into edit
ARROW mode and displays the drop-down list.

SPACE If the current cell is a DataGridViewButtonCell

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Default Keyboard and Mouse Handling in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 3 of 5

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewbuttoncell(VS.80).aspx ] ,
DataGridViewLinkCell [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewlinkcell(VS.80).aspx ] , or
DataGridViewCheckBoxCell [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcheckboxcell(VS.80).aspx ] ,
raises the CellClick [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellclick(VS.80).aspx ] and
CellContentClick [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellcontentclick(VS.80).aspx ]
events. If the current cell is a DataGridViewButtonCell, also presses the
button. If the current cell is a DataGridViewCheckBoxCell, also changes
the check state.

ENTER Commits any changes to the current cell and row and moves the focus to the
cell directly below the current cell. If the focus is in the last row, commits
any changes without moving the focus.

ESC If the control is in edit mode, cancels the edit. If the control is not in edit
mode, reverts any changes that have been made to the current row if the
control is bound to a data source that supports editing or virtual mode has
been implemented with row-level commit scope.

BACKSPACE Deletes the character before the insertion point when editing a cell.

DELETE Deletes the character after the insertion point when editing a cell.

CTRL+ENTER Commits any changes to the current cell without moving the focus. Also
commits any changes to the current row if the control is bound to a data
source that supports editing or virtual mode has been implemented with
row-level commit scope.

CTRL+0 Enters a System.DBNull.Value [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-

us/library/system.dbnull.value(VS.80).aspx ] value into the current cell if the
cell can be edited. By default, the display value for a DBNull
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.dbnull(VS.80).aspx ] cell
value is the value of the NullValue [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle.nullvalue
(VS.80).aspx ] property of the DataGridViewCellStyle
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridviewcellstyle(VS.80).aspx ] in
effect for the current cell.

Selection Keys
If the MultiSelect [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.multiselect(VS.80).aspx ] property is set to false and
the SelectionMode [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.selectionmode(VS.80).aspx ] property is set to CellSelect
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/3c89df86(VS.80).aspx ] , changing the current cell by using
the navigation keys changes the selection to the new cell. The SHIFT, CTRL, and ALT keys do not affect
this behavior.

If the SelectionMode is set to RowHeaderSelect [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/3c89df86

(VS.80).aspx ] or ColumnHeaderSelect [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/3c89df86
(VS.80).aspx ] , the same behavior occurs but with the following additions.

Key or key combination Description

SHIFT+SPACEBAR Selects the full row or column (the same as clicking the row or
column header).

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Default Keyboard and Mouse Handling in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 4 of 5

navigation key (arrow key, If a full row or column is selected, changing the current cell to a
PAGE UP/DOWN, HOME, END) new row or column moves the selection to the full new row or
column (depending on the selection mode).

If MultiSelect is set to false and SelectionMode is set to FullRowSelect

[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/3c89df86(VS.80).aspx ] or FullColumnSelect
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/3c89df86(VS.80).aspx ] , changing the current cell to a
new row or column by using the keyboard moves the selection to the full new row or column. The
SHIFT, CTRL, and ALT keys do not affect this behavior.

If MultiSelect is set to true, the navigation behavior does not change, but navigating with the
keyboard while pressing SHIFT (including CTRL+SHIFT) will modify a multi-cell selection. Before
navigation begins, the control marks the current cell as an anchor cell. When you navigate while
pressing SHIFT, the selection includes all cells between the anchor cell and the current cell. Other cells
in the control will remain selected if they were already selected, but they may become unselected if the
keyboard navigation temporarily puts them between the anchor cell and the current cell.

If MultiSelect is set to true and SelectionMode is set to FullRowSelect or FullColumnSelect, the

behavior of the anchor cell and current cell is the same, but only full rows or columns become selected
or unselected.

Default Mouse Handling

Basic Mouse Handling

Note

Clicking a cell with the left mouse button always changes the current cell. Clicking a cell with the
right mouse button opens a shortcut menu, when one is available.

Mouse
action Description

Left Makes the clicked cell the current cell, and raises the
mouse System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.CellMouseDown
button [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
down us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellmousedown(VS.80).aspx ] event.

Left Raises the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.CellMouseUp

mouse [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
button up us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellmouseup(VS.80).aspx ] event

Left Raises the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.CellClick and

mouse System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.CellMouseClick
button [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
click us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.cellmouseclick(VS.80).aspx ] events

Left If the System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.AllowUserToOrderColumns

mouse [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
button us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview.allowusertoordercolumns
down, and (VS.80).aspx ] property is true, moves the column so that it can be dropped into a
drag on a new position.
column
header
cell

Mouse Selection
No selection behavior is associated with the middle mouse button or the mouse wheel.

If the MultiSelect property is set to false and the SelectionMode property is set to CellSelect, the
following behavior occurs.

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Default Keyboard and Mouse Handling in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control Page 5 of 5

Mouse action Description

Click left mouse Selects only the current cell if the user clicks a cell. No selection behavior if
button the user clicks a row or column header.

Click right mouse Displays a shortcut menu if one is available.

button

The same behavior occurs when the SelectionMode is set to RowHeaderSelect or

ColumnHeaderSelect, except that, depending on the selection mode, clicking a row or column header
will select the full row or column and set the current cell to the first cell in the row or column.

If SelectionMode is set to FullRowSelect or FullColumnSelect, clicking any cell in a row or column

will select the full row or column.

If MultiSelect is set to true, clicking a cell while pressing CTRL or SHIFT will modify a multi-cell
selection.

When you click a cell while pressing CTRL, the cell will change its selection state while all other cells
retain their current selection state.

When you click a cell or a series of cells while pressing SHIFT, the selection includes all cells between
the current cell and an anchor cell located at the position of the current cell before the first click. When
you click and drag the pointer across multiple cells, the anchor cell is the cell clicked at the beginning of
the drag operation. Subsequent clicks while pressing SHIFT change the current cell, but not the anchor
cell. Other cells in the control will remain selected if they were already selected, but they may become
unselected if mouse navigation temporarily puts them between the anchor cell and the current cell.

If MultiSelect is set to true and SelectionMode is set to RowHeaderSelect or

ColumnHeaderSelect, clicking a row or column header (depending on the selection mode) while
pressing SHIFT will modify an existing selection of full rows or columns if such a selection exists.
Otherwise, it will clear the selection and start a new selection of full rows or columns. Clicking a row or
column header while pressing CTRL, however, will add or remove the clicked row or column from the
current selection without otherwise modifying the current selection.

If MultiSelect is set to true and SelectionMode is set to FullRowSelect or FullColumnSelect,

clicking a cell while pressing SHIFT or CTRL behaves the same way except that only full rows and
columns are affected.

See Also
Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
DataGridView Control (Windows Forms) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/e0ywh3cz
(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/tb9t9a2t(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007
Differences Between the Windows Forms DataGridView and DataGrid Controls Page 1 of 2

©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.

Windows Forms Programming

Differences Between the Windows Forms DataGridView and
DataGrid Controls
The DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ] control is a new control that replaces the DataGrid [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.datagrid(VS.80).aspx ] control. The DataGridView control provides
numerous basic and advanced features that are missing in the DataGrid control. Additionally, the
architecture of the DataGridView control makes it much easier to extend and customize than the
DataGrid control.

The following table describes a few of the primary features available in the DataGridView control that are
missing from the DataGrid control.

DataGridView
control feature Description

Multiple column The DataGridView control provides more built-in column types than the
types DataGrid control. These column types meet the needs of most common
scenarios, but are also easier to extend or replace than the column types in
the DataGrid control. For more information, see Column Types in the
Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/bxt3k60s(VS.80).aspx ] .

Multiple ways to The DataGrid control is limited to displaying data from an external data
display data source. The DataGridView control, however, can display unbound data stored
in the control, data from a bound data source, or bound and unbound data
together. You can also implement virtual mode in the DataGridView control
to provide custom data management. For more information, see Data Display
Modes in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cd28yf6d(VS.80).aspx ] .

Multiple ways to The DataGridView control provides many properties and events that enable
customize the you to specify how data is formatted and displayed. For example, you can
display of data change the appearance of cells, rows, and columns depending on the data
they contain, or you can replace data of one data type with equivalent data of
another type. For more information, see Data Formatting in the Windows
Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/hezscd0d(VS.80).aspx ] .

Multiple options for The DataGridView control enables you to work with individual grid
changing cell, row, components in numerous ways. For example, you can freeze rows and
column, and header columns to prevent them from scrolling; hide rows, columns, and headers;
appearance and change the way row, column, and header sizes are adjusted; change the way
behavior users make selections; and provide ToolTips and shortcut menus for individual
cells, rows, and columns.

The DataGrid control is retained for backward compatibility and for special needs. For nearly all purposes,
you should use the DataGridView control. The only feature that is available in the DataGrid control that is
not available in the DataGridView control is the hierarchical display of information from two related tables
in a single control. You must use two DataGridView controls to display information from two tables that
are in a master/detail relationship.

Upgrading to the DataGridView Control

If you have existing applications that use the DataGrid control in a simple data-bound scenario without
customizations, you can simply replace the old control with the new control. Both controls use the standard

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Differences Between the Windows Forms DataGridView and DataGrid Controls Page 2 of 2

Windows Forms data-binding architecture, so the DataGridView control will display your bound data with
no additional configuration needed. You might want to consider taking advantage of data-binding
improvements, however, by binding your data to a BindingSource [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/system.windows.forms.bindingsource(VS.80).aspx ] component, which you can then bind to the
DataGridView control. For more information, see BindingSource Component
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/h974h4y2(VS.80).aspx ] .

Because the DataGridView control has an entirely new architecture, there is no straightforward conversion
path that will enable you to use DataGrid customizations with the DataGridView control. Many DataGrid
customizations are unnecessary with the DataGridView control, however, because of the built-in features
available in the new control. If you have created custom column types for the DataGrid control that you
want to use with the DataGridView control, you will have to implement them again using the new
architecture. For more information, see Customizing the Windows Forms DataGridView Control
[ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171618(VS.80).aspx ] .

See Also

Reference
DataGridView [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagridview
(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGrid [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.datagrid(VS.80).aspx ]
BindingSource [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.bindingsource
(VS.80).aspx ]
Concepts
Column Types in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/bxt3k60s(VS.80).aspx ]
Cell Styles in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/1yef90x0(VS.80).aspx ]
Data Display Modes in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/cd28yf6d(VS.80).aspx ]
Data Formatting in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/hezscd0d(VS.80).aspx ]
Sizing Options in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/74b2wakt(VS.80).aspx ]
Column Sort Modes in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/95scxcdy(VS.80).aspx ]
Selection Modes in the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/8x6w9028(VS.80).aspx ]
Other Resources
DataGridView Control (Windows Forms) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/e0ywh3cz
(VS.80).aspx ]
DataGrid Control (Windows Forms) [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/keb37h7b(VS.80).aspx ]
BindingSource Component [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/h974h4y2(VS.80).aspx ]
Customizing the Windows Forms DataGridView Control [ http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/ms171618(VS.80).aspx ]

Community Content

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms171628(vs.80,d=printer).aspx 5/24/2007