ExpressionBindingDescriptor Class

Allows you to enable expressions and hide properties in the End-User Report Designer Properties panel.

Namespace: DevExpress.XtraReports.Expressions

Assembly: DevExpress.XtraReports.v23.2.dll

NuGet Package: DevExpress.Reporting.Core

Declaration

C#

public static class ExpressionBindingDescriptor

VB.NET

Public Module ExpressionBindingDescriptor

Remarks

When you implement custom controls, you can specify the properties to which users should bind data. To enable expressions for these properties in the Properties grid, call the ExpressionBindingDescriptor.SetPropertyDescription method. Pass the type of your control, the bindable property, and expression bindings description. Use the ExpressionBindingDescription class to specify the following information for this description:

• EventNames

  A collection of events in which the property is available.

• Position

  The property position in the Properties window‘s Expressions tab. This option has effect only for the Classic View of the Properties window.

• BindableProperties

  A collection of the property’s inner bindable properties.

• ScopeName

  The property category in the Properties window‘s Expressions tab. This option has effect only for the Classic View of the Properties window.

You can also use this technique to enable expressions for properties of built-in reporting controls.

Example: Enable and Disable Expressions for XRLabel’s properties

The following code sample demonstrates how to enable expressions for the XRLabel‘s Angle property and hide the XRLabel‘s Tag property from the Properties panel.

C#

using DevExpress.XtraReports.Expressions;
using DevExpress.XtraReports.UI;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using System;
// ...
private void Form1_Load(object sender, EventArgs e) {
    // Create a Design Tool with an assigned report instance.
    ReportDesignTool designTool = new ReportDesignTool(new XtraReport1());

    // Specify settings for a new "Angle" property.
    string[] events = new string[] { "BeforePrint" };
    int position = 0;
    string[] innerProperties = new string[0];
    string category = "New Category";

    // Create a new description.
    ExpressionBindingDescription description = new ExpressionBindingDescription(
        events, position, innerProperties, category
    );

    // Set the description for the XRLabel's "Angle" property.
    ExpressionBindingDescriptor.SetPropertyDescription(typeof(XRLabel), "Angle", description);

    // Hide the "Tag" property from the "Properties" panel.
    ExpressionBindingDescriptor.HidePropertyDescriptions(typeof(XRLabel), "Tag");

    designTool.ShowDesigner();
}

VB.NET

Imports DevExpress.XtraReports.Expressions
Imports DevExpress.XtraReports.UI
Imports System.Windows.Forms
Imports System
' ...
Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs) Handles Me.Load
    ' Create a Design Tool with an assigned report instance.
    Dim designTool As New ReportDesignTool(New XtraReport1())

    ' Specify settings for a new "Angle" property.
    Dim events_Renamed() As String = { "BeforePrint" }
    Dim position As Integer = 0
    Dim innerProperties(-1) As String
    Dim category As String = "New Category"

    ' Create a new description.
    Dim description As New ExpressionBindingDescription(events_Renamed, position, innerProperties, category)

    ' Set the description for the XRLabel's "Angle" property.
    ExpressionBindingDescriptor.SetPropertyDescription(GetType(XRLabel), "Angle", description)

    ' Hide the "Tag" property from the "Properties" panel.
    ExpressionBindingDescriptor.HidePropertyDescriptions(GetType(XRLabel), "Tag")

    designTool.ShowDesigner()
End Sub

Office-Inspired View of the Properties window.

Classic View of the Properties window.

Inheritance

Object

ExpressionBindingDescriptor