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title, ms.date, f1_keywords, helpviewer_keywords, ms.assetid
| title | ms.date | f1_keywords | helpviewer_keywords | ms.assetid | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SplitContainer Control Overview | 03/30/2017 |
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6de5a5f7-97a5-402d-be6d-7e2785483db5 |
SplitContainer Control Overview (Windows Forms)
The Windows Forms xref:System.Windows.Forms.SplitContainer control can be thought of as a composite; it is two panels separated by a movable bar. When the mouse pointer is over the bar, the pointer changes shape to show that the bar is movable.
Important
In the Toolbox, xref:System.Windows.Forms.SplitContainer control replaces the xref:System.Windows.Forms.Splitter control that was there in the previous version of Visual Studio. The xref:System.Windows.Forms.SplitContainer control is much preferred over the xref:System.Windows.Forms.Splitter control. The xref:System.Windows.Forms.Splitter class is still included in the .NET Framework for compatibility with existing applications, but we strongly encourage you to use the xref:System.Windows.Forms.SplitContainer control for new projects.
With the xref:System.Windows.Forms.SplitContainer control, you can create complex user interfaces; often, a selection in one panel determines what objects are shown in the other panel. This arrangement is very effective for displaying and browsing information. Having two panels lets you aggregate information in areas, and the bar, or "splitter," makes it easy for users to resize the panels.
More than one xref:System.Windows.Forms.SplitContainer control can also be nested, with the second xref:System.Windows.Forms.SplitContainer control oriented horizontally, to create top and bottom panels.
Be aware that the xref:System.Windows.Forms.SplitContainer control is keyboard-accessible by default; users can press the ARROW keys to move the splitter if the xref:System.Windows.Forms.SplitContainer.IsSplitterFixed%2A property is set to false.
The xref:System.Windows.Forms.SplitContainer.Orientation%2A property of the xref:System.Windows.Forms.SplitContainer control determines the direction of the splitter, not of the control itself. Hence, when this property is set to xref:System.Windows.Forms.Orientation.Vertical, the splitter runs from top to bottom, creating left and right panels.
Additionally, be aware that the value of the xref:System.Windows.Forms.SplitContainer.SplitterRectangle%2A property varies depending on the value of the xref:System.Windows.Forms.SplitContainer.Orientation%2A property. For more information, see xref:System.Windows.Forms.SplitContainer.SplitterRectangle%2A property.
You can also restrict the size and movement of the xref:System.Windows.Forms.SplitContainer control. The xref:System.Windows.Forms.SplitContainer.FixedPanel%2A property determines which panel will remain the same size after the xref:System.Windows.Forms.SplitContainer control is resized, and the xref:System.Windows.Forms.SplitContainer.IsSplitterFixed%2A property determines if the splitter is movable by the keyboard or mouse.
Note
Even if the xref:System.Windows.Forms.SplitContainer.IsSplitterFixed%2A property is set to
true, the splitter may still be moved programmatically; for example, by using the xref:System.Windows.Forms.SplitContainer.SplitterDistance%2A property.
Finally, each panel of the xref:System.Windows.Forms.SplitContainer control has properties to determine its individual size.
Commonly Used Properties, Methods, and Events
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| xref:System.Windows.Forms.SplitContainer.FixedPanel%2A property | Determines which panel will remain the same size after the xref:System.Windows.Forms.SplitContainer control is resized. |
| xref:System.Windows.Forms.SplitContainer.IsSplitterFixed%2A property | Determines if the splitter can be moved with the keyboard or mouse. |
| xref:System.Windows.Forms.SplitContainer.Orientation%2A property | Determines if the splitter is arranged vertically or horizontally. |
| xref:System.Windows.Forms.SplitContainer.SplitterDistance%2A property | Determines the distance in pixels from the left or upper edge to the movable splitter bar. |
| xref:System.Windows.Forms.SplitContainer.SplitterIncrement%2A property | Determines the minimum distance, in pixels, that the splitter can be moved by the user. |
| xref:System.Windows.Forms.SplitContainer.SplitterWidth%2A property | Determines the thickness, in pixels, of the splitter. |
| xref:System.Windows.Forms.SplitContainer.SplitterMoving event | Occurs when the splitter is moving. |
| xref:System.Windows.Forms.SplitContainer.SplitterMoved event | Occurs when the splitter has moved. |