Dot Net Perls

Problem

Follow steps to use TableLayoutPanel in Windows Forms to position our controls more precisely. We require an attractive and functional GUI that resizes properly when users change the size of the window. Some controls, such as a TextBox, may need to be aligned to the bottom or right of spaces.

Solution

Here we use .NET 3.5, but really this applies to many different configurations. First, to make a TableLayoutPanel, expand the toolbox on the left side. Double click on the TableLayoutPanel icon in the left, and then open the Properties pane on the right.

Skeleton

You should see a four-pane panel now, which you can position controls within. You will need to modify the number of columns and rows, and then you can also change row spans and column spans. Here are some properties that are available when using TableLayoutPanel.

Anchor

When you click on the space next to Anchor in the Property pane on the right, you will see a box that looks like a +. Click on the rectangles that make up the + and anchor the control that is within the table panel cell to that edge. Here are those steps again.

• Properties panel on the right
  In the screenshot and in Visual Studio 2008, the properties panel is in the right bottom part of the environment.
• Click on the control
  You must focus the control you want to anchor by first clicking on it.
• Scroll to Anchor
  Scroll down in the properties pane until you see the bold word 'Anchor'. When you click on that part, you will see the rectangular plus popup.

The TextBox you made will now expand to fill the entire width. To create a multi-line TextBox that fills the entire cell, first set the TextBox as multiline, and then add Top and Bottom in the Anchor menu by clicking on the up and down parts of the +. Here are some more things you can do with the TableLayoutPanel.

Lesson

TableLayoutPanel may solve almost all of the control alignment problems you have. TableLayoutPanel is quite flexible and can greatly enhance your program's UI, but it requires a planning step before dragging controls to your form. The cost of TableLayoutPanel is far less than the cost of having to individually adjust each control's layout.

Conclusion

The absolute worst thing you can do is make the layout rigid. Having a rigid layout makes life hard for you, as the designer, and the user who is trying to use the program in a slightly different configuration. Eliminate tedious pixel adjustments and use TableLayoutPanel.

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