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Create a WinForms Dashboard Designer (.NET Framework)

  • 2 minutes to read

This topic describes how to create a WinForms Dashboard Designer application in the .NET Framework.

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  1. In Visual Studio, create a new project and select Windows Forms App (.NET Framework) on the start page as the project template.

  2. Drag the DashboardDesigner control from the DX.24.1: Data & Analytics Toolbox tab and drop it onto the main form.

    GettingStarted_L1_Toolbox

    Important

    The DashboardDesigner control does not support the .NET Framework 4.0 Client Profile. See Framework targeting overview for more information how to target a specific .NET Framework version.

  3. Click the control’s smart tag and select Dock in Parent Container in the invoked actions list to allow the DashboardDesigner to fill the form.

    GettingStarted_L1_Dock

  4. At the moment you can create Ribbon UI or insert a line of code to create it at runtime. To create Ribbon UI in Visual Studio Designer, click Create Ribbon:

    GettingStarted_L1_CreateRibbon To create Ribbon control with predefined commands at runtime, run the CreateRibbon method after the InitializeComponent call:

        public Form1()
        {
            InitializeComponent();
            dashboardDesigner1.CreateRibbon();
        }
    

    Tip

    Convert default Form to DevExpress Ribbon Form for better Ribbon and form integration.

  5. The designer application is now ready. Build and run the project.

    GettingStarted_L1_Build

    Your application should appear as follows:

    GettingStarted_L1_DesignerApp

    See Create a Dashboard using the WinForms Designer for information on how to create a dashboard in this application.

Next Steps