Add a control using XAML but instantiated using code-behind

Question

I'm trying to understand how XAML and code-behind talk to each other. I know that code-behind can access an element instantiated in XAML using the Name attribute eg:

Instantiate the button in XAML:

<SomeControlParent controlParent>
<Button Name=button1/>
<SomeControlParent controlParent>

Change properties of the button in code-behind:

button1.Content = "I created this button in XAML"

I was wondering if it was possible to do the opposite using XAML eg:

Instantiate the button in code-behind:

Button button1 = new Button();
controlParent.Child.Add(button1);

and then change the Content of the button using XAML.

Thanks! Soumaya

+1 Newbies sometimes ask the most interesting questions. It sounds like a basic one, but the answer is more complex than you'd initially think. But that's XAML for ya. There's a lot of new concepts to learn. — HappyNomad
– HappyNomad, Commented Dec 14, 2011 at 19:41

HappyNomad · Accepted Answer · 2011-12-14 19:26:11Z

3

Having a code-behind lets you reference elements that have x:Name defined on them in XAML. Going the other direction, you can define properties on your UserControl and then reference them in XAML using a RelativeSource binding:

{Binding MyProperty, RelativeSource={RelativeSource Self}}

So in your example, you could have a property on your UserControl (although you'd probably want it to be a dependency property so you have change notification):

public Button Button1 { get; private set; }

And then insert it into your XAML using:

<ContentControl Content={Binding Button1, RelativeSource={RelativeSource Self}}>
    <ContentControl.Resources>
        <Style TargetType="Button">
            <Setter Property="Content" Value="Hey, I changed the name in XAML!"/>
        </Style>
    </ContentControl.Resources>
</ContentControl>

edited Dec 14, 2011 at 19:26

answered Dec 14, 2011 at 17:41

HappyNomad

4,5484 gold badges41 silver badges55 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

6 Comments

SuMau Over a year ago

I'm not sure if I'm doing this the right way. I added public Button Button1 { get; private set; } in the partial class that defines the window, and then <ContentControl Content="{Binding Button1, RelativeSource={RelativeSource Self}}"/> to the XAML but no luck...

HappyNomad Over a year ago

Make Button1 into a dependency property as I mentioned. The easiest way to create one is type propdp then hit the tab key twice.

SuMau Over a year ago

I did and VS tells me I'm not allowed to set the content twice. Maybe I should set the content control to some other property than Content on the first XAML line?

HappyNomad Over a year ago

Oops. I forgot the enclosing <ContentControl.Resources> tags around the Style. I made the correction above.

SuMau Over a year ago

Now it builds, but only if I use a CLR property, not a Dependency Property, and it looks completely empty, and it builds even if I use any text instead of Button1 after Binding ...

|

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Add a control using XAML but instantiated using code-behind

1 Answer 1

6 Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

6 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related