Watermark in System.Windows.Forms.TextBox

Question

What is he best way to implement Watermark functionality for a System.Windows.Forms.TextBox in .Net 2.0 with C#?

Edit:

Using the ready-made component from CodeProject was very easy. It's also with a The Code Project Open License (CPOL).

Watermark aka hint text aka placeholder text. Related posts - Watermark TextBox in WinForms & Watermark / hint text / placeholder TextBox & Adding placeholder text to textbox — RBT
– RBT, Commented Jun 16, 2018 at 2:33

Peymankh · Accepted Answer · 2009-09-03 19:48:12Z

18

lately I needed a watermark textbox, the first thing that popped in to my head was OnLeave and OnEnter events of textbox, but first I googled it and I got two links first was the one in CodeProject which used the System.Drawing namespace and the other one was here using the SendMessage() over here http://vidmar.net/weblog/archive/2008/11/05/watermarked-textbox-in-windows-forms-on-.net.aspx.

I beleive the SendMessage one is much easier and it also has no flickering in it. though I used it.

I hope it will be helpful for you.

answered Sep 3, 2009 at 19:48

Peymankh

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6 Comments

Kb. Over a year ago

@Peymankh: Thanks +1 and green checkmark. SendMessage is much easier

John M Over a year ago

Additional notes on Vidmar usage: setting watermark = this.txtBoxA.SetWatermark("BOX"); * *references needed = using System.ComponentModel; using System.Drawing; using System.Windows.Forms; using System.Runtime.InteropServices;

User13839404 Over a year ago

How to use it in a windows application?

Lee Richardson Over a year ago

Tried this approach (EM_SETCUEBANNER) and the CodeProject one. The only disadvantage to EM_SETCUEBANNER is you can't set the watermark color, otherwise it rocks. The disadvantage to the codeproject approach is the flicker Peymankh mentioned and the watermark text doesn't disappear until you start typing (not on focus).

Andy Over a year ago

I created a small GitHub repository showing all methods to create a watermark. github.com/akorb/PlaceholderTextBox

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cgreeno · Accepted Answer · 2009-02-23 16:39:23Z

7

It is not as straightforward as one would think. You need to use using the System.Drawing namespace and override the OnPaint event.

Here are some links of some people that have already done it.

Link & Link

answered Feb 23, 2009 at 16:39

cgreeno

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2 Comments

Kb. Over a year ago

@BtBh: Thanks. The first link was what I needed. +1 I agree that it is not as straight forward as you would think.

Igor Meszaros Over a year ago

I would recommend this as an answer!

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