c# - How to create many labels and textboxes dynamically depending on the value of an integer variable?

Question

Is there any way to dynamically create and display 'n' Labels with 'n' corresponding Textboxs when we know value of 'n' after for example, clicking "Display" button.

Let me know if anything make you don't understand my question. Thank you!

I am working with VS C# Express 2010 Windows Form.

Answer 1

I would create a user control which holds a Label and a Text Box in it and simply create instances of that user control 'n' times. If you want to know a better way to do it and use properties to get access to the values of Label and Text Box from the user control, please let me know.

Simple way to do it would be:

int n = 4; // Or whatever value - n has to be global so that the event handler can access it

private void btnDisplay_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    TextBox[] textBoxes = new TextBox[n];
    Label[] labels = new Label[n];

    for (int i = 0; i < n; i++)
    {
        textBoxes[i] = new TextBox();
        // Here you can modify the value of the textbox which is at textBoxes[i]

        labels[i] = new Label();
        // Here you can modify the value of the label which is at labels[i]
    }

    // This adds the controls to the form (you will need to specify thier co-ordinates etc. first)
    for (int i = 0; i < n; i++)
    {
        this.Controls.Add(textBoxes[i]);
        this.Controls.Add(labels[i]);
    }
}

The code above assumes that you have a button btnDisplay and it has a onClick event assigned to btnDisplay_Click event handler. You also need to know the value of n and need a way of figuring out where to place all controls. Controls should have a width and height specified as well.

To do it using a User Control simply do this.

Okay, first of all go and create a new user control and put a text box and label in it.

Lets say they are called txtSomeTextBox and lblSomeLabel. In the code behind add this code:

public string GetTextBoxValue() 
{ 
    return this.txtSomeTextBox.Text; 
} 

public string GetLabelValue() 
{ 
    return this.lblSomeLabel.Text; 
} 

public void SetTextBoxValue(string newText) 
{ 
    this.txtSomeTextBox.Text = newText; 
} 

public void SetLabelValue(string newText) 
{ 
    this.lblSomeLabel.Text = newText; 
}

Now the code to generate the user control will look like this (MyUserControl is the name you have give to your user control):

private void btnDisplay_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    MyUserControl[] controls = new MyUserControl[n];

    for (int i = 0; i < n; i++)
    {
        controls[i] = new MyUserControl();

        controls[i].setTextBoxValue("some value to display in text");
        controls[i].setLabelValue("some value to display in label");
        // Now if you write controls[i].getTextBoxValue() it will return "some value to display in text" and controls[i].getLabelValue() will return "some value to display in label". These value will also be displayed in the user control.
    }

    // This adds the controls to the form (you will need to specify thier co-ordinates etc. first)
    for (int i = 0; i < n; i++)
    {
        this.Controls.Add(controls[i]);
    }
}

Of course you can create more methods in the usercontrol to access properties and set them. Or simply if you have to access a lot, just put in these two variables and you can access the textbox and label directly:

public TextBox myTextBox;
public Label myLabel;

In the constructor of the user control do this:

myTextBox = this.txtSomeTextBox;
myLabel = this.lblSomeLabel;

Then in your program if you want to modify the text value of either just do this.

control[i].myTextBox.Text = "some random text"; // Same applies to myLabel

Hope it helped :)