docs-desktop/dotnet-desktop-guide/framework/winforms/controls/how-to-create-a-read-only-text-box-windows-forms.md

title, description, ms.date, helpviewer_keywords, ms.assetid

title	description	ms.date	helpviewer_keywords	ms.assetid
How to: Create a Read-Only Text Box	Learn about transforming an editable Windows Forms text box into a read-only Windows Forms text box.	03/30/2017	TextBox control [Windows Forms], read-only read-only text boxes text boxes [Windows Forms], read-only	60baa9ab-fa57-44ad-bb7c-61b05aa64296

How to: Create a Read-Only Text Box (Windows Forms)

You can transform an editable Windows Forms text box into a read-only control. For example, the text box may display a value that is usually edited but may not be currently, due to the state of the application.

To create a read-only text box

1. Set the xref:System.Windows.Forms.TextBox control's xref:System.Windows.Forms.TextBoxBase.ReadOnly%2A property to true. With the property set to true, users can still scroll and highlight text in a text box without allowing changes. A Copy command is functional in a text box, but Cut and Paste commands are not.

   Note

   The xref:System.Windows.Forms.TextBoxBase.ReadOnly%2A property only affects user interaction at run time. You can still change text box contents programmatically at run time by changing the xref:System.Windows.Forms.TextBox.Text%2A property of the text box.

See also

• xref:System.Windows.Forms.TextBox
• TextBox Control Overview
• How to: Control the Insertion Point in a Windows Forms TextBox Control
• How to: Create a Password Text Box with the Windows Forms TextBox Control
• How to: Put Quotation Marks in a String
• How to: Select Text in the Windows Forms TextBox Control
• How to: View Multiple Lines in the Windows Forms TextBox Control
• TextBox Control