How to use variable names that are created in a loop and stored in List<string>?

Question

I have a List object that gets automatically filled with the names of textboxes. Now I'd like to cycle through all these text boxes. How can I let C# know that the string-names in the List are actually TextBox objects with that string-name?

        List<string> txtOppsNames = new List<string>(); 
        for (int i = 1; i < numOpps; i++) 
        {
            txtOppsNames.Add("txtOpp" + i);
        }
        foreach (var txtName in txtOppsNames) 
        {
            if (txtName.Text != "")
            {
                // do stuff
            }
        }

The current code reads txtName as a string. I would like it to read as a TextBox.

Edit - the below code contains the solution for me.

        List<string> txtOppsNames = new List<string>();
        for (int i = 1; i < numOpps; i++) 
        {
            txtOppsNames.Add("txtOpp" + i);
        }
        foreach (var txtName in txtOppsNames)
        {
            TextBox textBox = this.Controls.Find(txtName, true).FirstOrDefault() as TextBox;
            if (textBox.Text != "")
            {
                MessageBox.Show("Thanks Amir Popovich");
            }

        }

You can't do that, what environment are you working in? ASP.NET / Windows Forms etc. — Nunners
– Nunners, Commented Nov 5, 2014 at 7:33
txtOppsNames is a List<string>. Why do you think your txtName can be a TextBox? — Soner Gönül
– Soner Gönül, Commented Nov 5, 2014 at 7:35
You could consider creating the textboxes dynamically (not via designer), and add them to a List<TextBox> instead. — C.Evenhuis
– C.Evenhuis, Commented Nov 5, 2014 at 7:37
I'm using Windows Forms application. I'm used to doing similar operations in VBA-code, I'd love to use it in this environment. — Paretozen
– Paretozen, Commented Nov 5, 2014 at 7:38
What are you trying to do with the text? and how are you filling the list? its possible that you could use data-binding or just use a TextBox list as previously suggested to achieve the same goal. — Sayse
– Sayse, Commented Nov 5, 2014 at 7:43

Royi Namir · Accepted Answer · 2014-11-05 07:34:59Z

1

Try this :

  List<string> txtOppsNames = new List<string>(); 
        for (int i = 1; i < numOpps; i++) 
        {
            txtOppsNames.Add("txtOpp" + i);
        }
        foreach (var txtName in txtOppsNames) 
        {
          var cntrl= FindControl(txtName);
           if (cntrl!=null && cntrl is TextBox)
              // do something with 
              ((TextBox)cntrl)
       }

answered Nov 5, 2014 at 7:34

Royi Namir

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Amir Popovich · Accepted Answer · 2014-11-05 09:09:09Z

1

Use Control.ControlCollection.Find:

string textBoxName = "txtOpp1";
TextBox textBox = this.Controls.Find(textBoxName, true).FirstOrDefault() as TextBox;

In your case:

List<string> txtOppsNames = new List<string>(); 
for (int i = 1; i < numOpps; i++) 
{
    txtOppsNames.Add("txtOpp" + i);
}
foreach (var txtName in txtOppsNames) 
{
   var control = this.Controls.Find(txtName, true).FirstOrDefault();
   if(control != null && control is TextBox)
   {
      TextBox textBox = control as TextBox;
      if(textBox.Text != string.Empty)
      {
          //logic
      }
   } 
 }

edited Nov 5, 2014 at 9:09

answered Nov 5, 2014 at 7:34

Amir Popovich

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1 Comment

jbutler483 Over a year ago

I like @Royi's answer, as it has the test to ensure it is a textbox, but I also like your textBox.Text !=string.Empty.

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 12:05:38Z

0

Assuming it is Winform, There seems to be no pretty way to do it.

But you could use Loop through Textboxes.

once you have the text box collection, check the names with your string.

edited May 23, 2017 at 12:05

CommunityBot

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answered Nov 5, 2014 at 7:39

Ricky

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