How to dynamically change a WPF control's template using a checkbox?

Question

I have an error dialog (shown simplified below).

I display the Report object in a ContentControl to which I have defined a Template simpleErrorTemplate.

There is a CheckBox on the Window that I would like to use to change the template to/from detailedErrorTemplate. What is the best way to achieve this?

<Window x:Class="Core.ErrorDialog"
    xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
    xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml">
    <Window.Resources>

        <ControlTemplate x:Key="simpleErrorTemplate">
            <TextBox Margin="10,10,10,5" TextWrapping="Wrap" VerticalScrollBarVisibility="Auto" Text="{Binding Message}" />
        </ControlTemplate>

        <ControlTemplate x:Key="detailedErrorTemplate">
            <TextBox Margin="10,10,10,5" TextWrapping="Wrap" VerticalScrollBarVisibility="Auto" Text="{Binding Message}" />
            <TextBox Margin="10,10,10,5" TextWrapping="Wrap" VerticalScrollBarVisibility="Auto" Text="{Binding Details}" />
            <TextBox Margin="10,10,10,5" TextWrapping="Wrap" VerticalScrollBarVisibility="Auto" Text="{Binding StackTrace}" />
        </ControlTemplate>

    </Window.Resources>
    <Grid>
        <Grid.RowDefinitions>
            <RowDefinition Height="*" />         
            <RowDefinition Height="50" />
        </Grid.RowDefinitions>

        <ContentControl Grid.Row="0" Template="{StaticResource simpleErrorTemplate}" DataContext="{Binding Report}"/>

        <CheckBox Margin="10,0,0,0" Grid.Row="1" x:Name="ChkShowDetails">Show Details</CheckBox>            
    </Grid>
</Window>

Fredrik Hedblad · Accepted Answer · 2011-03-04 10:24:19Z

18

You can use a DataTrigger in the ContentControl Style where you bind to the IsChecked property of the ChkShowDetails CheckBox

<ContentControl Grid.Row="0" DataContext="{Binding Report}">
    <ContentControl.Style>
        <Style TargetType="ContentControl">
            <Setter Property="Template"
                    Value="{StaticResource simpleErrorTemplate}"/>
            <Style.Triggers>
                <DataTrigger Binding="{Binding ElementName=ChkShowDetails,
                                               Path=IsChecked}"
                             Value="True">
                    <Setter Property="Template"
                            Value="{StaticResource detailedErrorTemplate}"/>
                </DataTrigger>
            </Style.Triggers>
        </Style>
    </ContentControl.Style>
</ContentControl>

Update

Complete Xaml example, paste it and try it :)

<Window.Resources>
    <ControlTemplate x:Key="simpleErrorTemplate">
        <TextBox Margin="10,10,10,5" TextWrapping="Wrap" VerticalScrollBarVisibility="Auto" Text="T1" />
    </ControlTemplate>
    <ControlTemplate x:Key="detailedErrorTemplate">
        <StackPanel>
            <TextBox Margin="10,10,10,5" TextWrapping="Wrap" VerticalScrollBarVisibility="Auto" Text="T2" />
            <TextBox Margin="10,10,10,5" TextWrapping="Wrap" VerticalScrollBarVisibility="Auto" Text="T3" />
            <TextBox Margin="10,10,10,5" TextWrapping="Wrap" VerticalScrollBarVisibility="Auto" Text="T4" />
        </StackPanel>
    </ControlTemplate>
</Window.Resources>
<Grid>
    <Grid.RowDefinitions>
        <RowDefinition Height="*" />
        <RowDefinition Height="50" />
    </Grid.RowDefinitions>
    <ContentControl Grid.Row="0" DataContext="{Binding Report}">
        <ContentControl.Style>
            <Style TargetType="ContentControl">
                <Setter Property="Template"
                        Value="{StaticResource simpleErrorTemplate}"/>
                <Style.Triggers>
                    <DataTrigger Binding="{Binding ElementName=ChkShowDetails,
                                                   Path=IsChecked}"
                                 Value="True">
                        <Setter Property="Template"
                                Value="{StaticResource detailedErrorTemplate}"/>
                    </DataTrigger>
                </Style.Triggers>
            </Style>
        </ContentControl.Style>
    </ContentControl>
    <CheckBox Margin="10,0,0,0" Grid.Row="1" x:Name="ChkShowDetails">Show Details</CheckBox>
</Grid>

edited Mar 4, 2011 at 10:24

answered Mar 4, 2011 at 9:54

Fredrik Hedblad

84.9k25 gold badges271 silver badges268 bronze badges

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

5 Comments

chillitom Over a year ago

thanks, I've given this a try though and it doesn't seem to work, the style is not updated

Fredrik Hedblad Over a year ago

@chillitom: Did you move the Template from the ContentControl to the Setter in the Style?

Fredrik Hedblad Over a year ago

@chillitom: Updated my answer. You should just be able to copy/paste that and compare it to your code to see what you're missing

chillitom Over a year ago

thanks, hadn't removed the Template from the ContentControl as you suspected

codenamezero Over a year ago

Thank you, this helped me giving my custom UserControl 2 different display mode based on its Orientation!!! bow

Pradeep · Accepted Answer · 2014-01-10 18:41:06Z

0

This Solution is for those who are searching for Template swap. It is simple hope it helps you. Please point out any mistakes.

Just use this code for changing the Template on checkBox Checked Event.

 private void checkBox1_Checked(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
    {
        DataTemplate Temp;
        Temp = (DataTemplate)this.FindResource("TemplateYouHaveCreated");
        listView1.ItemTemplate = Temp;
    }

refer this link for more information

http://developingfor.net/2009/01/09/dynamically-switch-wpf-datatemplate/

answered Jan 10, 2014 at 18:41

Pradeep

115 bronze badges

1 Comment

Hugoagogo Over a year ago

There is also TryFindResource which will return null if the resource does not exist instead of throwing an error.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

How to dynamically change a WPF control's template using a checkbox?

2 Answers 2

5 Comments

1 Comment

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

5 Comments

1 Comment

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related