How can I create and display WPF content from C# code?

Question

I'm working on a WPF App, and I would like to create the entire window from c# code, instead of from XML.

I tried the following code, but nothing happens, the grid is not displayed. Did I miss something? Is it possible to do it this way or is there any other solution?

public MainWindow()
{
    Grid grd = new Grid();
    grd.Margin = new System.Windows.Thickness(10, 10, 10, 0);
    grd.Background = new SolidColorBrush(Colors.White);
    grd.Height = 104;
    grd.VerticalAlignment = System.Windows.VerticalAlignment.Top;
    grd.ColumnDefinitions.Add(new ColumnDefinition());
    grd.ColumnDefinitions.Add(new ColumnDefinition());
    grd.ColumnDefinitions.Add(new ColumnDefinition());

    RowDefinition row = new RowDefinition();
    row.Height = new System.Windows.GridLength(45);
    grd.RowDefinitions.Add(row);

    row = new RowDefinition();
    row.Height = new System.Windows.GridLength(45);
    grd.RowDefinitions.Add(row);

    row = new RowDefinition();
    row.Height = new System.Windows.GridLength(45);
    grd.RowDefinitions.Add(row);
    InitializeComponent();
}

You haven't added the grid to the window. I am not 100% sure as it's been a long time since I did this, but perhaps something like this.Content = grd;? — DavidG
– DavidG, Commented Nov 13, 2019 at 10:32

ASh · Accepted Answer · 2019-11-13 10:36:39Z

1

Grid grd was created, but not added to Window.

InitializeComponent();
this.Content = grd;

it will replace all content which was declared in XAML (if any).

However, Grid is a Panel and doesn' have visual representation itself, so window with Grid without child element will still look empty. Try grd.ShowGridLines = true; to see rows and columns

Grid documentation shows a large example actually, with equivalent c# code and xaml markup

answered Nov 13, 2019 at 10:36

ASh

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2 Comments

Axel Over a year ago

It worked, thanks. Is there a way to add something to this.Content instead of replacing it? Like this.Content += grd maybe? By the way, the background of my window is grey and the background of the grid is white, so i can see it even without child elements ;)

ASh Over a year ago

@Axel, you can declare Panel in xaml, e.g <Window><StackPanel Name="Root"/></Window>, and then add to it: Root.Children.Add(grd);. Or you can add to ContentControl anywhere in complex layout: <ContentControl Name="SomeControl"/>, SomeControl.Content = grd;. XAML can be almost fully translated into c#. Nested elements either set ContentProperty, or add to ContentCollection (Children, Items, etc)

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