---
title: Controls to Use
description: Learn about controls and components that can be used on Windows Forms. You can also add ActiveX and custom controls to Windows Forms.
ms.date: "03/30/2017"
helpviewer_keywords: 
  - "controls [Windows Forms]"
  - "Windows Forms controls, list of"
ms.assetid: dec51976-eae0-4398-a537-20bca7974722
---
# Controls to Use on Windows Forms

The following is an alphabetic list of controls and components that can be used on Windows Forms. In addition to the Windows Forms controls covered in this section, you can add ActiveX and custom controls to Windows Forms. If you do not find the control you need listed here, you can also create your own. For details, see [Developing Windows Forms Controls at Design Time](developing-windows-forms-controls-at-design-time.md). For more information about choosing the control you need, see [Windows Forms Controls by Function](windows-forms-controls-by-function.md).  
  
> [!NOTE]
> Visual Basic controls are based on classes provided by the .NET Framework.  
  
## In This Section  

 [Windows Forms Controls by Function](windows-forms-controls-by-function.md)  
 Lists and describes Windows Forms controls based on the .NET Framework.  
  
 [Controls with Built-In Owner-Drawing Support](controls-with-built-in-owner-drawing-support.md)  
 Describes how to alter aspects of a control's appearance that are not available through properties.  
  
 [BackgroundWorker Component](backgroundworker-component.md)  
 Enables a form or control to run an operation asynchronously.  
  
 [BindingNavigator Control](bindingnavigator-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Provides the navigation and manipulation user interface (UI) for controls that are bound to data.  
  
 [BindingSource Component](bindingsource-component.md)  
 Encapsulates a data source for binding to controls.  
  
 [Button Control](button-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Presents a standard button that the user can click to perform actions.  
  
 [CheckBox Control](checkbox-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Indicates whether a condition is on or off.  
  
 [CheckedListBox Control](checkedlistbox-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Displays a list of items with a check box next to each item.  
  
 [ColorDialog Component](colordialog-component-windows-forms.md)  
 Allows the user to select a color from a palette in a pre-configured dialog box and to add custom colors to that palette.  
  
 [ComboBox Control](combobox-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Displays data in a drop-down combo box.  
  
 [ContextMenu Component](contextmenu-component-windows-forms.md)  
 Provides users with an easily accessible menu of frequently used commands that are associated with the selected object. Although <xref:System.Windows.Forms.ContextMenuStrip> replaces and adds functionality to the <xref:System.Windows.Forms.ContextMenu> control of previous versions, <xref:System.Windows.Forms.ContextMenu> is retained for both backward compatibility and future use if so desired.  
  
 [ContextMenuStrip Control](contextmenustrip-control.md)  
 Represents a shortcut menu. Although <xref:System.Windows.Forms.ContextMenuStrip> replaces and adds functionality to the <xref:System.Windows.Forms.ContextMenu> control of previous versions, <xref:System.Windows.Forms.ContextMenu> is retained for both backward compatibility and future use if so desired.  
  
 [DataGrid Control](datagrid-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Displays tabular data from a dataset and allows for updates to the data source.  
  
 [DataGridView Control](datagridview-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Provides a flexible, extensible system for displaying and editing tabular data.  
  
 [DateTimePicker Control](datetimepicker-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Allows the user to select a single item from a list of dates or times.  
  
 [Dialog-Box Controls and Components](dialog-box-controls-and-components-windows-forms.md)  
 Describes a set of controls that allow users to perform standard interactions with the application or system.  
  
 [DomainUpDown Control](domainupdown-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Displays text strings that a user can browse through and select from.  
  
 [ErrorProvider Component](errorprovider-component-windows-forms.md)  
 Displays error information to the user in a non-intrusive way.  
  
 [FileDialog Class](filedialog-class.md)
 Provides base-class functionality for file dialog boxes.

 [FlowLayoutPanel Control](flowlayoutpanel-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Represents a panel that dynamically lays out its contents horizontally or vertically.  
  
 [FolderBrowserDialog Component](folderbrowserdialog-component-windows-forms.md)  
 Displays an interface with which users can browse and select a directory or create a new one.  
  
 [FontDialog Component](fontdialog-component-windows-forms.md)  
 Exposes the fonts that are currently installed on the system.  
  
 [GroupBox Control](groupbox-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Provides an identifiable grouping for other controls.  
  
 [HelpProvider Component](helpprovider-component-windows-forms.md)  
 Associates an HTML Help file with a Windows-based application.  
  
 [HScrollBar and VScrollBar Controls](hscrollbar-and-vscrollbar-controls-windows-forms.md)  
 Provide navigation through a list of items or a large amount of information by scrolling either horizontally or vertically within an application or control.  
  
 [ImageList Component](imagelist-component-windows-forms.md)  
 Displays images on other controls.  
  
 [Label Control](label-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Displays text that cannot be edited by the user.  
  
 [LinkLabel Control](linklabel-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Allows you to add Web-style links to Windows Forms applications.  
  
 [ListBox Control](listbox-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Allows the user to select one or more items from a predefined list.  
  
 [ListView Control](listview-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Displays a list of items with icons, in the manner of Windows Explorer.  
  
 [MainMenu Component](mainmenu-component-windows-forms.md)  
 Displays a menu at run time. Although <xref:System.Windows.Forms.MenuStrip> replaces and adds functionality to the <xref:System.Windows.Forms.MainMenu> control of previous versions, <xref:System.Windows.Forms.MainMenu> is retained for both backward compatibility and future use if you choose.  
  
 [MaskedTextBox Control](maskedtextbox-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Constrains the format of user input in a form.  
  
 [MenuStrip Control](menustrip-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Provides a menu system for a form. Although <xref:System.Windows.Forms.MenuStrip> replaces and adds functionality to the <xref:System.Windows.Forms.MainMenu> control of previous versions, <xref:System.Windows.Forms.MainMenu> is retained for both backward compatibility and future use if you choose.  
  
 [MonthCalendar Control](monthcalendar-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Presents an intuitive graphical interface for users to view and set date information.  
  
 [NotifyIcon Component](notifyicon-component-windows-forms.md)  
 Displays icons for processes that run in the background and would not otherwise have user interfaces.  
  
 [NumericUpDown Control](numericupdown-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Displays numerals that a user can browse through and select from.  
  
 [OpenFileDialog Component](openfiledialog-component-windows-forms.md)  
 Allows users to open files by using a pre-configured dialog box.  
  
 [PageSetupDialog Component](pagesetupdialog-component-windows-forms.md)  
 Sets page details for printing through a pre-configured dialog box.  
  
 [Panel Control](panel-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Provide an identifiable grouping for other controls, and allows for scrolling.  
  
 [PictureBox Control](picturebox-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Displays graphics in bitmap, GIF, JPEG, metafile, or icon format.  
  
 [PrintDialog Component](printdialog-component-windows-forms.md)  
 Selects a printer, chooses the pages to print, and determines other print-related settings.  
  
 [PrintDocument Component](printdocument-component-windows-forms.md)  
 Sets the properties that describe what to print, and prints the document in Windows-based applications.  
  
 [PrintPreviewControl Control](printpreviewcontrol-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Allows you to create your own `PrintPreview` component or dialog box instead of using the pre-configured version.  
  
 [PrintPreviewDialog Control](printpreviewdialog-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Displays a document as it will appear when it is printed.  
  
 [ProgressBar Control](progressbar-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Graphically indicates the progress of an action towards completion.  
  
 [RadioButton Control](radiobutton-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Presents a set of two or more mutually exclusive options to the user.  
  
 [RichTextBox Control](richtextbox-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Allows users to enter, display, and manipulate text with formatting.  
  
 [SaveFileDialog Component](savefiledialog-component-windows-forms.md)  
 Selects files to save and where to save them.  
  
 [SoundPlayer Class](soundplayer-class.md)
 Enables you to easily include sounds in your applications.
  
 [SplitContainer Control](splitcontainer-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Allows the user to resize a docked control.  
  
 [Splitter Control](splitter-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Allows the user to resize a docked control (.NET Framework version 1.x).  
  
 [StatusBar Control](statusbar-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Displays status information related to the control that has focus. Although <xref:System.Windows.Forms.StatusStrip> replaces and extends the <xref:System.Windows.Forms.StatusBar> control of previous versions, <xref:System.Windows.Forms.StatusBar> is retained for both backward compatibility and future use if you choose.  
  
 [StatusStrip Control](statusstrip-control.md)  
 Represents a Windows status bar control. Although <xref:System.Windows.Forms.StatusStrip> replaces and extends the <xref:System.Windows.Forms.StatusBar> control of previous versions, <xref:System.Windows.Forms.StatusBar> is retained for both backward compatibility and future use if you choose.  
  
 [TabControl Control](tabcontrol-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Displays multiple tabs that can contain pictures or other controls.  
  
 [TableLayoutPanel Control](tablelayoutpanel-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Represents a panel that dynamically lays out its contents in a grid composed of rows and columns.  
  
 [TextBox Control](textbox-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Allows editable, multiline input from the user.  
  
 [Timer Component](timer-component-windows-forms.md)  
 Raises an event at regular intervals.  
  
 [ToolBar Control](toolbar-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Displays menus and bitmapped buttons that activate commands. You can extend the functionality of the control and modify its appearance and behavior. Although <xref:System.Windows.Forms.ToolStrip> replaces and adds functionality to the <xref:System.Windows.Forms.ToolBar> control of previous versions, <xref:System.Windows.Forms.ToolBar> is retained for both backward compatibility and future use if you choose.  
  
 [ToolStrip Control](toolstrip-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Creates custom toolbars and menus in your Windows Forms applications. Although <xref:System.Windows.Forms.ToolStrip> replaces and adds functionality to the <xref:System.Windows.Forms.ToolBar> control of previous versions, <xref:System.Windows.Forms.ToolBar> is retained for both backward compatibility and future use if you choose.  
  
 [ToolStripContainer Control](toolstripcontainer-control.md)  
 Provides panels on each side of a form for docking, rafting, and arranging <xref:System.Windows.Forms.ToolStrip> controls, and a central <xref:System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripContentPanel> for traditional controls.  
  
 [ToolStripPanel Control](toolstrippanel-control.md)  
 Provides one panel for docking, rafting and arranging <xref:System.Windows.Forms.ToolStrip> controls.  
  
 [ToolStripProgressBar Control Overview](toolstripprogressbar-control-overview.md)  
 Graphically indicates the progress of an action towards completion. The <xref:System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripProgressBar> is typically contained in a <xref:System.Windows.Forms.StatusStrip>.  
  
 [ToolStripStatusLabel Control](toolstripstatuslabel-control.md)  
 Represents a panel in a <xref:System.Windows.Forms.StatusStrip> control.  
  
 [ToolTip Component](tooltip-component-windows-forms.md)  
 Displays text when the user points at other controls.  
  
 [TrackBar Control](trackbar-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Allows navigation through a large amount of information or visually adjusting a numeric setting.  
  
 [TreeView Control](treeview-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Displays a hierarchy of nodes that can be expanded or collapsed.  
  
 [WebBrowser Control](webbrowser-control-windows-forms.md)  
 Hosts Web pages and provides Internet Web browsing capabilities to your application.  
  
 [Windows Forms Controls Used to List Options](windows-forms-controls-used-to-list-options.md)  
 Describes a set of controls used to provide users with a list of options to choose from.  
  
## Related Sections  

 [Windows Forms Controls](index.md)  
 Explains the use of Windows Forms controls, and describes important concepts for working with them.  
  
 [Developing Windows Forms Controls at Design Time](developing-windows-forms-controls-at-design-time.md)  
 Provides links to step-by-step topics, recommendations for which kind of control to create, and other information about creating your own control.  
  
 [Controls and Programmable Objects Compared in Various Languages and Libraries](/previous-versions/visualstudio/visual-studio-2010/0061wezk(v=vs.100))  
 Provides a table that maps controls in Visual Basic 6.0 to the corresponding control in Visual Basic .NET. Note that controls are now classes in the .NET Framework.  
  
 [How to: Add ActiveX Controls to Windows Forms](how-to-add-activex-controls-to-windows-forms.md)  
 Describes how to use ActiveX controls on Windows Forms.
