docs-desktop/dotnet-desktop-guide/framework/wpf/advanced/walkthrough-binding-to-data-in-hybrid-applications.md

title, ms.date, dev_langs, helpviewer_keywords, ms.assetid

title	ms.date	dev_langs	helpviewer_keywords	ms.assetid
Walkthrough: Binding to Data in Hybrid Applications	03/30/2017	csharp vb	hybrid applications [WPF interoperability] data binding [WPF interoperability]	18997e71-745a-4425-9c69-2cbce1d8669e

Walkthrough: Binding to Data in Hybrid Applications

Binding a data source to a control is essential for providing users with access to underlying data, whether you are using Windows Forms or [!INCLUDETLA2#tla_winclient]. This walkthrough shows how you can use data binding in hybrid applications that include both Windows Forms and [!INCLUDETLA2#tla_winclient] controls.

Tasks illustrated in this walkthrough include:

• Creating the project.

• Defining the data template.

• Specifying the form layout.

• Specifying data bindings.

• Displaying data by using interoperation.

• Adding the data source to the project.

• Binding to the data source.

For a complete code listing of the tasks illustrated in this walkthrough, see Data Binding in Hybrid Applications Sample.

When you are finished, you will have an understanding of data binding features in hybrid applications.

Prerequisites

You need the following components to complete this walkthrough:

• Visual Studio.

• Access to the Northwind sample database running on Microsoft SQL Server.

Creating the Project

To create and set up the project

1. Create a WPF Application project named WPFWithWFAndDatabinding.

2. In Solution Explorer, add references to the following assemblies.

   • WindowsFormsIntegration

   • System.Windows.Forms

3. Open MainWindow.xaml in the WPF Designer.

4. In the xref:System.Windows.Window element, add the following Windows Forms namespaces mapping.

   xmlns:wf="clr-namespace:System.Windows.Forms;assembly=System.Windows.Forms"
   

5. Name the default xref:System.Windows.Controls.Grid element mainGrid by assigning the xref:System.Windows.FrameworkElement.Name%2A property.

   [!code-xamlWPFWithWFAndDatabinding#8]

Defining the Data Template

The master list of customers is displayed in a xref:System.Windows.Controls.ListBox control. The following code example defines a xref:System.Windows.DataTemplate object named ListItemsTemplate that controls the visual tree of the xref:System.Windows.Controls.ListBox control. This xref:System.Windows.DataTemplate is assigned to the xref:System.Windows.Controls.ListBox control's xref:System.Windows.Controls.ItemsControl.ItemTemplate%2A property.

To define the data template

• Copy the following XAML into the xref:System.Windows.Controls.Grid element's declaration.

  [!code-xamlWPFWithWFAndDatabinding#3]

Specifying the Form Layout

The layout of the form is defined by a grid with three rows and three columns. xref:System.Windows.Controls.Label controls are provided to identify each column in the Customers table.

To set up the Grid layout

• Copy the following XAML into the xref:System.Windows.Controls.Grid element's declaration.

  [!code-xamlWPFWithWFAndDatabinding#4]

To set up the Label controls

• Copy the following XAML into the xref:System.Windows.Controls.Grid element's declaration.

  [!code-xamlWPFWithWFAndDatabinding#5]

Specifying Data Bindings

The master list of customers is displayed in a xref:System.Windows.Controls.ListBox control. The attached ListItemsTemplate binds a xref:System.Windows.Controls.TextBlock control to the ContactName field from the database.

The details of each customer record are displayed in several xref:System.Windows.Controls.TextBox controls.

To specify data bindings

• Copy the following XAML into the xref:System.Windows.Controls.Grid element's declaration.

  The xref:System.Windows.Data.Binding class binds the xref:System.Windows.Controls.TextBox controls to the appropriate fields in the database.

  [!code-xamlWPFWithWFAndDatabinding#6]

Displaying Data by Using Interoperation

The orders corresponding to the selected customer are displayed in a xref:System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView?displayProperty=nameWithType control named dataGridView1. The dataGridView1 control is bound to the data source in the code-behind file. A xref:System.Windows.Forms.Integration.WindowsFormsHost control is the parent of this Windows Forms control.

To display data in the DataGridView control

• Copy the following XAML into the xref:System.Windows.Controls.Grid element's declaration.

  [!code-xamlWPFWithWFAndDatabinding#7]

Adding the Data Source to the Project

With Visual Studio, you can easily add a data source to your project. This procedure adds a strongly typed data set to your project. Several other support classes, such as table adapters for each of the chosen tables, are also added.

To add the data source

1. From the Data menu, select Add New Data Source.

2. In the Data Source Configuration Wizard, create a connection to the Northwind database by using a dataset. For more information, see How to: Connect to Data in a Database.

3. When you are prompted by the Data Source Configuration Wizard, save the connection string as NorthwindConnectionString.

4. When you are prompted to choose your database objects, select the Customers and Orders tables, and name the generated data set NorthwindDataSet.

Binding to the Data Source

The xref:System.Windows.Forms.BindingSource?displayProperty=nameWithType component provides a uniform interface for the application's data source. Binding to the data source is implemented in the code-behind file.

To bind to the data source

1. Open the code-behind file, which is named MainWindow.xaml.vb or MainWindow.xaml.cs.

2. Copy the following code into the MainWindow class definition.

   This code declares the xref:System.Windows.Forms.BindingSource component and associated helper classes that connect to the database.

   [!code-csharpWPFWithWFAndDatabinding#11] [!code-vbWPFWithWFAndDatabinding#11]

3. Copy the following code into the constructor.

   This code creates and initializes the xref:System.Windows.Forms.BindingSource component.

   [!code-csharpWPFWithWFAndDatabinding#12] [!code-vbWPFWithWFAndDatabinding#12]

4. Open MainWindow.xaml.

5. In Design view or XAML view, select the xref:System.Windows.Window element.

6. In the Properties window, click the Events tab.

7. Double-click the xref:System.Windows.FrameworkElement.Loaded event.

8. Copy the following code into the xref:System.Windows.FrameworkElement.Loaded event handler.

   This code assigns the xref:System.Windows.Forms.BindingSource component as the data context and populates the Customers and Orders adapter objects.

   [!code-csharpWPFWithWFAndDatabinding#13] [!code-vbWPFWithWFAndDatabinding#13]

9. Copy the following code into the MainWindow class definition.

   This method handles the xref:System.Windows.Data.CollectionView.CurrentChanged event and updates the current item of the data binding.

   [!code-csharpWPFWithWFAndDatabinding#14] [!code-vbWPFWithWFAndDatabinding#14]

10. Press F5 to build and run the application.

See also

• xref:System.Windows.Forms.Integration.ElementHost
• xref:System.Windows.Forms.Integration.WindowsFormsHost
• Design XAML in Visual Studio
• Data Binding in Hybrid Applications Sample
• Walkthrough: Hosting a Windows Forms Composite Control in WPF
• Walkthrough: Hosting a WPF Composite Control in Windows Forms