How to access a Control variable by a string?

Question

I want to use a string value like this

Random rnd = new Random();
int x= rnd.Next(1, 10);
string ime = "pictureBox" + x.ToString();
ime.BackColor = Color.CornflowerBlue;

but that doesnt work

Of course not.. a string is not a PictureBox.. therefore, a BackColor property does not exist. — Simon Whitehead
– Simon Whitehead, Commented Sep 29, 2014 at 5:34
No, you don't need to access a variable by a string. You need an array. — sampathsris
– sampathsris, Commented Sep 29, 2014 at 5:35
stackoverflow.com/questions/18434263/… , stackoverflow.com/questions/20857773/… , stackoverflow.com/questions/23699542/… , stackoverflow.com/questions/4483912/… — user2864740
– user2864740, Commented Sep 29, 2014 at 5:40

Joey · Accepted Answer · 2014-09-29 05:43:55Z

2

You don't really want to use a string like this. You want to get a control with that name and use it like this. You can get a control by name like follows:

var pictureBox = myForm.Controls[ime];

edited Sep 29, 2014 at 5:43

answered Sep 29, 2014 at 5:35

Joey

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Chamika Sandamal · Accepted Answer · 2014-09-29 05:39:30Z

1

Following code should work for you,

Random rnd = new Random();
int x= rnd.Next(1, 10);
string ime = "pictureBox" + x.ToString();
((PictureBox)frm.Controls.Find(ime ,true)[0]).BackColor = Color.CornflowerBlue;

answered Sep 29, 2014 at 5:39

Chamika Sandamal

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Eren Ersönmez · Accepted Answer · 2014-09-29 05:56:44Z

0

Instead of generating a random name and using it do find the PictureBox with that name, directly pick a random PictureBox:

Random rnd = new Random();
var pictureBoxes = frm.Controls.OfType<PictureBox>().ToArray();
var randomPictureBox = pictureBoxes[rnd.Next(pictureBoxes.Length)];

randomPictureBox.BackColor = Color.CornflowerBlue;

answered Sep 29, 2014 at 5:56

Eren Ersönmez

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