Use a String As Object Name [closed]

Question

How can I change a picture box's image when I only have a string that has the name of the picture box. (it probably doesn't really matter that it's a picture box or that I am changing it's image)

For example:

"picturebox1".image = myimage      'how would I get this to actually set an image for picturebox1?

How did you come to this point? I'm guessing there's a problem with the design somewhere else which would be better fixed than to continue with this approach. Why do you have the name of the variable as a string? — David
– David, Commented Jun 10, 2013 at 15:54
I just realized that this is a duplicate. the answer is here: StackOverflow Thanks for the super fast replies — Samy Bencherif
– Samy Bencherif, Commented Jun 10, 2013 at 16:02
@user1727470: Controls.Find method suggested by @Douglas is better, because it allows you to traverse the tree of controls. Me.Controls in the answer you linked only takes top level (direct children) into account. — Victor Zakharov
– Victor Zakharov, Commented Jun 10, 2013 at 17:02

Douglas Barbin · Accepted Answer · 2013-06-10 15:58:38Z

4

I always prefer using DirectCast instead of CType. This is also safer because it won't crash if it doesn't find a picturebox with that particular name.

Dim pb As PictureBox = DirectCast(Me.Controls.Find("picturebox1", True).FirstOrDefault(),  PictureBox)
If pb IsNot Nothing Then
    pb.Image = myimage
End If

answered Jun 10, 2013 at 15:58

Douglas Barbin

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2 Comments

Chris Dunaway Over a year ago

I like the OfType extension method: Dim pb = Me.Controls.OfType(Of PictureBox).FirstOrDefault()

Douglas Barbin Over a year ago

That's a good suggestion. The DirectCast will throw an exception if it finds a control of that name but a different type.

matzone · Accepted Answer · 2013-06-10 15:57:10Z

0

Try this ..

Dim pic as PictureBox = CType(Me.Controls("PictureBox1", PictureBox))
pic.Image = myimage

answered Jun 10, 2013 at 15:57

matzone

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