docs-desktop/dotnet-desktop-guide/framework/winforms/controls/how-to-set-the-background-of-a-windows-forms-panel.md

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title	description	ms.date	dev_langs	helpviewer_keywords	ms.assetid
Set the Background of a Panel	Learn how to set the background color and background image of a Windows Forms panel using the Designer.	03/30/2017	csharp vb cpp	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	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.

   Panel1.BackColor = Color.AliceBlue  
   

   panel1.BackColor = Color.AliceBlue;  
   

   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.

   ' 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")  
   

   // 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");  
   

   // 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 Overview