TextFormatter Class
Provides services for formatting text and breaking text lines using a custom text layout client.
Assembly: PresentationCore (in PresentationCore.dll)
The TextFormatter type exposes the following members.
| Name | Description | |
|---|---|---|
![]() ![]() | Create() | Creates a new instance of the TextFormatter class. This is a static method. |
![]() ![]() | Create(TextFormattingMode) | Creates a new instance of the TextFormatter class with the specified formatting mode. This is a static method. |
![]() | Dispose | Releases all managed and unmanaged resources used by the TextFormatter object. |
![]() | Equals(Object) | Determines whether the specified Object is equal to the current Object. (Inherited from Object.) |
![]() | Finalize | Allows an object to try to free resources and perform other cleanup operations before it is reclaimed by garbage collection. (Inherited from Object.) |
![]() | FormatLine(TextSource, Int32, Double, TextParagraphProperties, TextLineBreak) | Creates a TextLine that is used for formatting and displaying document content. |
![]() | FormatLine(TextSource, Int32, Double, TextParagraphProperties, TextLineBreak, TextRunCache) | Creates a TextLine that is used for formatting and displaying document content. |
![]() | FormatMinMaxParagraphWidth(TextSource, Int32, TextParagraphProperties) | Returns a value that represents the smallest and largest possible paragraph width that can fully contain the specified text content. |
![]() | FormatMinMaxParagraphWidth(TextSource, Int32, TextParagraphProperties, TextRunCache) | Returns a value that represents the smallest and largest possible paragraph width that can fully contain the specified text content. |
![]() | GetHashCode | Serves as a hash function for a particular type. (Inherited from Object.) |
![]() | GetType | Gets the Type of the current instance. (Inherited from Object.) |
![]() | MemberwiseClone | Creates a shallow copy of the current Object. (Inherited from Object.) |
![]() | ToString | Returns a string that represents the current object. (Inherited from Object.) |
TextFormatter is the WPF text engine that provides services for formatting text and breaking text lines. TextFormatter can handle different text character formats and paragraph styles, and includes support for international text layout.
Unlike a traditional text API, the TextFormatter interacts with a text layout client through a set of callback methods. It requires the client to provide these methods in an implementation of the TextSource class. The following diagram illustrates the interaction of the text formatter client and the text layout client.

Text Formatting Services
TextFormatter provides support for text features, such as OpenType typography, as well as support for text run, line, and paragraph level features.
The following table is a list of the key TextFormatter supported services for text features.
Feature | Description |
|---|---|
Background brush | The Brush that is used for the background color. See the BackgroundBrush property. |
Baseline alignment | Determines the baseline distance of the line. See the BaselineAlignment property. |
Font linking | Provides font linking through the use of composite fonts. |
Foreground brush | The Brush that is used for the foreground color. See the ForegroundBrush property. |
OpenType | Advanced OpenType typographic features, such contextual alternates and standard ligatures. See the TextRunTypographyProperties class properties. |
Typeface | Determines the typeface, as well as, weight, style, and stretch. See the Typeface property. |
Text decoration | Provides support for TextDecoration objects, such as underline or strikethrough. See the TextDecorations property. |
Text effects | Provides support for TextEffect objects. See the TextEffects property. |
The following table is a list of the key TextFormatter supported services for paragraph-level features.
Feature | Description |
|---|---|
Flow direction | Flow direction of the paragraph—left-to-right, or right-to-left. See the FlowDirection property. |
Line indentation | Indentation for each line in the paragraph. See the Indent property. |
Marker | Marker characteristics of the first line in the paragraph. See the TextMarkerProperties property. |
Paragraph indentation | Indentation for the first line in the paragraph. See the ParagraphIndent property. |
Tabs | Includes support for tab alignment and tab leader. |
Width | Determine minimum and maximum paragraph width. See the FormatMinMaxParagraphWidth methods. |
Word wrap | Determine how text wraps when it reaches the flow edge. See the TextWrapping property. |
The following table is a list of the key TextFormatter supported services for line-level features.
Feature | Description |
|---|---|
Alignment | Text alignment—left, right, centered, or justified. See the TextAlignment property. |
Line height | Height of the line. See the Height property. |
Line collapsing | Line collapsing support. See the Collapse method. |
Black box measurement | Represents the metrics used to lay out a character in a device font. See the CharacterMetrics class. |
Caret support | Caret navigation and editing support. See the TextLine character hit properties, such as GetNextCaretCharacterHit and GetPreviousCaretCharacterHit. |
The following table is a list of the key TextFormatter supported services for text run-level features.
Feature | Description |
|---|---|
Hidden run | Range of characters that are not visible. See the TextHidden object. |
Breaking | Line and paragraph breaking. |
Windows 7, Windows Vista SP1 or later, Windows XP SP3, Windows Server 2008 (Server Core not supported), Windows Server 2008 R2 (Server Core supported with SP1 or later), Windows Server 2003 SP2
The .NET Framework does not support all versions of every platform. For a list of the supported versions, see .NET Framework System Requirements.
