Docking Library
- 2 minutes to read
The WinForms Docking Library allows you to create Visual Studio-inspired Dock Window interfaces. The library includes built-in support for auto-hide windows, splitters, tab containers, and dock hints.
#Dock Manager
Use the DockManager component to create and manage dock panels. The Dock Manager ships with an intuitive Visual Studio IDE designer - designed to simplify setup.
#Dock Panels
Users can drag, resize, and pin dock panels. You can dock panels to any edge of a parent container or to other dock panels. You can also make any panel float over other controls. A floating panel is always on top of all other panels.
Read the following topic for more information on panel containers: How to Work with Panel Containers.
#Header Buttons
Dock panels and panel containers can display various types of header buttons. Default buttons include: Maximize, Auto-Hide, and Close. You can also display the following custom button types: Push, Check, and Radio.
Read the following topic to learn more: Header Buttons.
#Manage Dock Panels in Code
The following topics describe public APIs that allow you to create, rearrange, and customize dock panels and panel containers:
- Create and Destroy Dock Panels
- Show and Hide Dock Panels
- Customize Panel Appearance
- Dock Panels Programmatically
- Control Dock Operations
- Control Resizing Operations
- Save and Restore the Layout of Dock Panels