---
title: Set the Background of a Panel
description: Learn how to set the background color and background image of a Windows Forms panel using the Designer.
ms.date: "03/30/2017"
dev_langs: 
  - "csharp"
  - "vb"
  - "cpp"
helpviewer_keywords: 
  - "background colors [Windows Forms], Windows Forms Panel controls"
  - "background images [Windows Forms], Windows Forms Panel controls"
  - "Panel control [Windows Forms], background"
  - "colors [Windows Forms], Windows Forms Panel controls"
ms.assetid: 096cbd8d-45cc-47b8-b1ef-a27f60ea8be0
---
# How to: Set the Background of a Windows Forms Panel
A Windows Forms <xref:System.Windows.Forms.Panel> control can display both a background color and a background image. The <xref:System.Windows.Forms.Control.BackColor%2A> property sets the background color for the contained controls, such as labels and radio buttons. If the <xref:System.Windows.Forms.Control.BackgroundImage%2A> property is not set, the <xref:System.Windows.Forms.Control.BackColor%2A> selection will fill the entire panel. If the <xref:System.Windows.Forms.Control.BackgroundImage%2A> property is set, the image will be displayed behind the contained controls.  
  
### To set the background programmatically  
  
1. Set the panel's <xref:System.Windows.Forms.Control.BackColor%2A> property to a value of type <xref:System.Drawing.Color?displayProperty=nameWithType>.  
  
    ```vb  
    Panel1.BackColor = Color.AliceBlue  
    ```  
  
    ```csharp  
    panel1.BackColor = Color.AliceBlue;  
    ```  
  
    ```cpp  
    panel1->BackColor = Color::AliceBlue;  
    ```  
  
2. Set the panel's <xref:System.Windows.Forms.Control.BackgroundImage%2A> property using the <xref:System.Drawing.Image.FromFile%2A> method of the <xref:System.Drawing.Image?displayProperty=nameWithType> class.  
  
    ```vb  
    ' You should replace the bolded image
    ' in the sample below with an image of your own choosing.  
    Panel1.BackgroundImage = Image.FromFile _  
        (System.Environment.GetFolderPath _  
        (System.Environment.SpecialFolder.Personal) _  
        & "\Image.gif")  
    ```  
  
    ```csharp  
    // You should replace the bolded image
    // in the sample below with an image of your own choosing.  
    // Note the escape character used (@) when specifying the path.  
    panel1.BackgroundImage = Image.FromFile  
       (System.Environment.GetFolderPath  
       (System.Environment.SpecialFolder.Personal)  
       + @"\Image.gif");  
    ```  
  
    ```cpp  
    // You should replace the bolded image
    // in the sample below with an image of your own choosing.  
    panel1->BackgroundImage = Image::FromFile(String::Concat(  
       System::Environment::GetFolderPath  
       (System::Environment::SpecialFolder::Personal),  
       "\\Image.gif"));  
    ```  
  
## See also

- <xref:System.Windows.Forms.Control.BackColor%2A>
- <xref:System.Windows.Forms.Control.BackgroundImage%2A>
- [Panel Control](panel-control-windows-forms.md)
- [Panel Control Overview](panel-control-overview-windows-forms.md)