SelectObject function (wingdi.h)

Article
10/13/2021

The SelectObject function selects an object into the specified device context (DC). The new object replaces the previous object of the same type.

Syntax

HGDIOBJ SelectObject(
  [in] HDC     hdc,
  [in] HGDIOBJ h
);

Parameters

[in] hdc

A handle to the DC.

[in] h

A handle to the object to be selected. The specified object must have been created by using one of the following functions.

Object	Functions
Bitmap	CreateBitmap, CreateBitmapIndirect, CreateCompatibleBitmap, CreateDIBitmap, CreateDIBSection Bitmaps can only be selected into memory DC's. A single bitmap cannot be selected into more than one DC at the same time.
Brush	CreateBrushIndirect, CreateDIBPatternBrush, CreateDIBPatternBrushPt, CreateHatchBrush, CreatePatternBrush, CreateSolidBrush
Font	CreateFont, CreateFontIndirect
Pen	CreatePen, CreatePenIndirect
Region	CombineRgn, CreateEllipticRgn, CreateEllipticRgnIndirect, CreatePolygonRgn, CreateRectRgn, CreateRectRgnIndirect

Return value

If the selected object is not a region and the function succeeds, the return value is a handle to the object being replaced. If the selected object is a region and the function succeeds, the return value is one of the following values.

Value	Meaning
SIMPLEREGION	Region consists of a single rectangle.
COMPLEXREGION	Region consists of more than one rectangle.
NULLREGION	Region is empty.

If an error occurs and the selected object is not a region, the return value is NULL. Otherwise, it is HGDI_ERROR.

Remarks

This function returns the previously selected object of the specified type. An application should always replace a new object with the original, default object after it has finished drawing with the new object.

An application cannot select a single bitmap into more than one DC at a time.

ICM: If the object being selected is a brush or a pen, color management is performed.

Examples

For an example, see Setting the Pen or Brush Color.

Requirements

Requirement	Value
Minimum supported client	Windows 2000 Professional [desktop apps only]
Minimum supported server	Windows 2000 Server [desktop apps only]
Target Platform	Windows
Header	wingdi.h (include Windows.h)
Library	Gdi32.lib
DLL	Gdi32.dll