Walkthrough: Customizing the DataGrid Control Using Properties

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The Silverlight DataGrid control supports common table formatting options, such as alternating row backgrounds and the ability to show or hide headers, gridlines, and scroll bars. These customizations can be made by setting DataGrid properties. Properties can be set in XAML at design time, or set in procedural code at run time.

This walkthrough illustrates the following tasks:

  • Creating a collection of data objects.

  • Creating the user interface to display the data.

  • Setting the data source for the list.

  • Creating the user interface for setting the DataGrid options.

  • Adding procedural code to modify DataGrid properties.

To view a running sample of the DataGrid control, click the following link.

Run this sample

Prerequisites

You need the following components to complete this walkthrough:

  • Silverlight 5.

  • Silverlight Tools for Visual Studio 2010.

  • Visual Studio 2010.

All of the Silverlight software is available from the Silverlight download site.

Creating a Silverlight Project

The first step is to create a Silverlight project.

To create a Silverlight project

  • Create a new Silverlight Application project named DGBasicCustomization in Visual Basic or Visual C#. Leave the default selection Host the Silverlight application in a new Web site option checked. For more information, see How to: Create a New Silverlight Project.

Creating a Collection of Data to Display

Next, you create a collection of Task objects to be displayed in the DataGrid.

To create a collection of Task objects

  1. Add a class named Task to the DGBasicCustomization project.

  2. Add the following code to the Task class.

    This code contains the Task class that represents the data objects to display in the DataGrid control.

    Private m_Name As String
    Private m_DueDate As Date
    Private m_Complete As Boolean
    Private m_Notes As String
    
    Property Name() As String
        Get
            Return Me.m_Name
        End Get
        Set(ByVal value As String)
            Me.m_Name = value
        End Set
    End Property
    
    Property DueDate() As Date
        Get
            Return Me.m_DueDate
        End Get
        Set(ByVal value As Date)
            Me.m_DueDate = value
        End Set
    End Property
    
    Property Complete() As Boolean
        Get
            Return Me.m_Complete
        End Get
        Set(ByVal value As Boolean)
            Me.m_Complete = value
        End Set
    End Property
    
    Property Notes() As String
        Get
            Return Me.m_Notes
        End Get
        Set(ByVal value As String)
            Me.m_Notes = value
        End Set
    End Property
    
    public string Name { get; set; }
    public DateTime DueDate { get; set; }
    public bool Complete { get; set; }
    public string Notes { get; set; }
    
  3. Open MainPage.xaml.vb or MainPage.xaml.cs.

  4. In the MainPage class constructor after the InitializeComponent method, add the following code.

    This code creates a generic List<T> named taskList and uses a loop to populate the collection with Task objects. The taskList is then set as the ItemsSource of the DataGrid.

    ' Create a list to store task data.
    Dim taskList As List(Of Task) = New List(Of Task)
    Dim itemsCount As Integer = 10
    ' Generate some task data and add it to the task list.
    For index = 1 To itemsCount
        taskList.Add(New Task() With _
                     {.Name = "Task " & index.ToString(), _
                       .DueDate = Date.Now.AddDays(index), _
                       .Complete = (index Mod 3 = 0), _
                       .Notes = "Task " & index.ToString() & " is due on " & Date.Now.AddDays(index) & ". Lorum ipsum..." _
                     })
    Next
    Me.dataGrid1.ItemsSource = taskList
    
    // Create a list to store task data.
    List<Task> taskList = new List<Task>();
    int itemsCount = 10;
    // Generate some task data and add it to the task list.
    for (int i = 1; i <= itemsCount; i++)
    {
        taskList.Add(new Task()
        {
            Name = "Task " + i.ToString(),
            DueDate = DateTime.Now.AddDays(i),
            Complete = (i % 3 == 0),
            Notes = "Task " + i.ToString() + " is due on " 
                  + DateTime.Now.AddDays(i) + ". Lorum ipsum..."
        });
    }
    this.dataGrid1.ItemsSource = taskList;
    

Creating the User Interface for the Task List

Next, you create the user interface for the task list by adding a DataGrid control to the page.

To create the user interface for the task list

  1. In the DGBasicCustomization project, add a reference to the System.Windows.Controls.Data assembly. For more information, see How to: Add a DataGrid Control to a Page.

  2. Open MainPage.xaml.

  3. In the <UserControl> start tag, add the following XAML.

    This XAML maps the sdk prefix to the Silverlight SDK namespace, as described in Prefixes and Mappings for Silverlight Libraries.

    xmlns:sdk="https://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation/sdk"

  4. In the <UserControl> start tag, change the value of the Width property to 600, and the value of the Height property to 700.

  5. After the <UserControl> start tag, add the following XAML, replacing the existing <Grid> tags.

    This XAML adds a StackPanel for layout purposes and a DataGrid named dataGrid1 to display the list of tasks.

    <StackPanel x:Name="LayoutRoot" Background="White" Margin="5">
    
    
    ...
    
    
        <sdk:DataGrid x:Name="dataGrid1" Height="350" Width="540" 
                       HorizontalAlignment="Left" >
        </sdk:DataGrid>
    </StackPanel>
    
  6. Build and run the application.

    When the application is running, you will see a DataGrid displaying the tasks in the taskList collection with its default appearance and behavior.

Creating the User Interface for the DataGrid Options

Next, you create the user interface for the DataGrid options.

To create the user interface for the DataGrid options

  1. Open MainPage.xaml.

  2. After the <StackPanel> start tag, add the following XAML.

    This XAML adds selection controls that you will use to modify properties of the DataGrid at run time.

    <StackPanel Margin="0,0,0,5">
        <StackPanel Orientation="Horizontal">
            <Border BorderBrush="Black" BorderThickness="1" Padding="3" Width="180">
                <StackPanel>
                    <TextBlock Text="DataGrid Options" FontSize="12" />
                    <CheckBox Content="Grid is read-only" 
                              Checked="cbReadOnly_Changed" Unchecked="cbReadOnly_Changed" />
                    <CheckBox Content="Freeze first column" 
                              Checked="cbFreezeColumn_Changed" Unchecked="cbFreezeColumn_Changed"/>
                    <CheckBox Content="Hide first column" 
                              Checked="cbHideColumn_Changed" Unchecked="cbHideColumn_Changed"/>
                    <CheckBox Content="Single Row Selection"
                              Checked="cbSelectionMode_Changed" Unchecked="cbSelectionMode_Changed" />
                    <TextBlock Text="Column Options" FontSize="12" />
                    <CheckBox Content="Allow Column Reordering" IsChecked="true" 
                              Checked="cbColReorder_Changed" Unchecked="cbColReorder_Changed"/>
                    <CheckBox Content="Allow Column Resizing" IsChecked="true"
                              Checked="cbColResize_Changed" Unchecked="cbColResize_Changed"/>
                    <CheckBox Content="Allow Column Sorting" IsChecked="true"
                              Checked="cbColSort_Changed" Unchecked="cbColSort_Changed"/>
                    <TextBlock Text="Scroll Bar Options" FontSize="12" />
                    <CheckBox Content="Vertical Scroll Bars" IsThreeState="True" IsChecked="" 
                              Checked="cbVerticalScroll_Changed" Unchecked="cbVerticalScroll_Changed" 
                              Indeterminate="cbVerticalScroll_Changed" />
                    <CheckBox Content="Horizontal Scroll Bars" IsThreeState="True" IsChecked=""
                              Checked="cbHorizontalScroll_Changed" Unchecked="cbHorizontalScroll_Changed" 
                              Indeterminate="cbHorizontalScroll_Changed"/>
                </StackPanel>
            </Border>
            <Border BorderBrush="Black" BorderThickness="1" Padding="3" Width="180">
                <StackPanel>
                    <TextBlock Text="Alternating Row Background" FontSize="12" />
                    <ComboBox SelectionChanged="cbAltRowBrush_SelectionChanged">
                        <ComboBoxItem Content="Default" IsSelected="True" />
                        <ComboBoxItem Content="Custom" />
                        <ComboBoxItem Content="Null" />
                    </ComboBox>
                    <TextBlock Text="Row Background" FontSize="12" />
                    <ComboBox SelectionChanged="cbRowBrush_SelectionChanged">
                        <ComboBoxItem Content="Default" IsSelected="True" />
                        <ComboBoxItem Content="Custom" />
                        <ComboBoxItem Content="Null" />
                    </ComboBox>
                    <TextBlock Text="Header Visibility" FontSize="12" />
                    <ComboBox SelectionChanged="cbHeaders_SelectionChanged">
                        <ComboBoxItem Content="All"/>
                        <ComboBoxItem Content="Column (Default)" IsSelected="True"/>
                        <ComboBoxItem Content="Row"/>
                        <ComboBoxItem Content="None"/>
                    </ComboBox>
                    <TextBlock Text="Grid Lines Visibility" FontSize="12" />
                    <ComboBox SelectionChanged="cbGridLines_SelectionChanged">
                        <ComboBoxItem Content="All"/>
                        <ComboBoxItem Content="Vertical (Default)" IsSelected="True"/>
                        <ComboBoxItem Content="Horizontal"/>
                        <ComboBoxItem Content="None"/>
                    </ComboBox>
                    <TextBlock Text="Custom Grid Lines" FontSize="12" />
                    <CheckBox Content="Vertical" 
                              Checked="cbCustomGridLineVert_Changed" 
                              Unchecked="cbCustomGridLineVert_Changed"/>
                    <CheckBox Content="Horizontal" 
                              Checked="cbCustomGridLineHorz_Changed" 
                              Unchecked="cbCustomGridLineHorz_Changed"/>
                </StackPanel>
            </Border>
        </StackPanel>
    </StackPanel>
    

Setting the DataGrid Properties in Code

Next, you will add code to handle changes to the user interface controls and set DataGrid properties.

To set DataGrid properties in code

  1. Open MainPage.xaml.vb or MainPage.xaml.cs.

  2. After the MainPage class constructor, add the following code.

    This code handles change events for the DataGrid options user interface controls that you added in the previous section. When an option is changed, the corresponding DataGrid property is set.

    ' READ ONLY
    Private Sub cbReadOnly_Changed(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.RoutedEventArgs)
        Dim cb As CheckBox = sender
        If Me.dataGrid1 IsNot Nothing Then
            Me.dataGrid1.IsReadOnly = cb.IsChecked
        End If
    End Sub
    ' FREEZE COLUMN
    Private Sub cbFreezeColumn_Changed(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.RoutedEventArgs)
        Dim cb As CheckBox = sender
        If Me.dataGrid1 IsNot Nothing Then
            If cb.IsChecked = True Then
                Me.dataGrid1.FrozenColumnCount = 1
            ElseIf cb.IsChecked = False Then
                Me.dataGrid1.FrozenColumnCount = 0
            End If
        End If
    End Sub
    ' HIDE COLUMN
    Private Sub cbHideColumn_Changed(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.RoutedEventArgs)
        Dim cb As CheckBox = sender
        If Me.dataGrid1 IsNot Nothing Then
            If cb.IsChecked = True Then
                Me.dataGrid1.Columns(0).Visibility = Windows.Visibility.Collapsed
            ElseIf cb.IsChecked = False Then
                Me.dataGrid1.Columns(0).Visibility = Windows.Visibility.Visible
            End If
        End If
    End Sub
    ' SELECTION MODE
    Private Sub cbSelectionMode_Changed(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.RoutedEventArgs)
        Dim cb As CheckBox = sender
        If Me.dataGrid1 IsNot Nothing Then
            If cb.IsChecked = True Then
                Me.dataGrid1.SelectionMode = DataGridSelectionMode.Single
            ElseIf cb.IsChecked = False Then
                Me.dataGrid1.SelectionMode = DataGridSelectionMode.Extended
            End If
        End If
    End Sub
    ' COLUMN OPTIONS
    Private Sub cbColReorder_Changed(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.RoutedEventArgs)
        Dim cb As CheckBox = sender
        If Me.dataGrid1 IsNot Nothing Then
            Me.dataGrid1.CanUserReorderColumns = cb.IsChecked
        End If
    End Sub
    Private Sub cbColResize_Changed(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.RoutedEventArgs)
        Dim cb As CheckBox = sender
        If Me.dataGrid1 IsNot Nothing Then
            Me.dataGrid1.CanUserResizeColumns = cb.IsChecked
        End If
    End Sub
    Private Sub cbColSort_Changed(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.RoutedEventArgs)
        Dim cb As CheckBox = sender
        If Me.dataGrid1 IsNot Nothing Then
            Me.dataGrid1.CanUserSortColumns = cb.IsChecked
        End If
    End Sub
    ' SCROLL BARS VISIBILITY
    Private Sub cbVerticalScroll_Changed(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.RoutedEventArgs)
        Dim cb As CheckBox = sender
        If Me.dataGrid1 IsNot Nothing Then
            If cb.IsChecked = True Then
                Me.dataGrid1.VerticalScrollBarVisibility = ScrollBarVisibility.Visible
            ElseIf cb.IsChecked = False Then
                Me.dataGrid1.VerticalScrollBarVisibility = ScrollBarVisibility.Hidden
            Else
                Me.dataGrid1.VerticalScrollBarVisibility = ScrollBarVisibility.Auto
            End If
        End If
    End Sub
    Private Sub cbHorizontalScroll_Changed(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.RoutedEventArgs)
        Dim cb As CheckBox = sender
        If Me.dataGrid1 IsNot Nothing Then
            If cb.IsChecked = True Then
                Me.dataGrid1.HorizontalScrollBarVisibility = ScrollBarVisibility.Visible
            ElseIf cb.IsChecked = False Then
                Me.dataGrid1.HorizontalScrollBarVisibility = ScrollBarVisibility.Hidden
            Else
                Me.dataGrid1.HorizontalScrollBarVisibility = ScrollBarVisibility.Auto
            End If
        End If
    End Sub
    ' ROW BRUSH
    Private Sub cbAltRowBrush_SelectionChanged(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.RoutedEventArgs)
        Dim cb As ComboBox = sender
        Dim cbi As ComboBoxItem = cb.SelectedItem
        If Me.dataGrid1 IsNot Nothing Then
            If cbi.Content.ToString() = "Custom" Then
                Me.dataGrid1.AlternatingRowBackground = New SolidColorBrush(Color.FromArgb(255, 130, 175, 200))
            ElseIf cbi.Content.ToString() = "Default" Then
                Me.dataGrid1.AlternatingRowBackground = New SolidColorBrush(Color.FromArgb(37, 233, 238, 244))
            ElseIf cbi.Content.ToString() = "Null" Then
                Me.dataGrid1.AlternatingRowBackground = Nothing
            End If
        End If
    End Sub
    Private Sub cbRowBrush_SelectionChanged(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.RoutedEventArgs)
        Dim cb As ComboBox = sender
        Dim cbi As ComboBoxItem = cb.SelectedItem
        If Me.dataGrid1 IsNot Nothing Then
            If cbi.Content.ToString() = "Custom" Then
                Me.dataGrid1.RowBackground = New SolidColorBrush(Color.FromArgb(255, 135, 185, 195))
            ElseIf cbi.Content.ToString() = "Default" Then
                Me.dataGrid1.RowBackground = New SolidColorBrush(Color.FromArgb(0, 255, 255, 255))
            ElseIf cbi.Content.ToString() = "Null" Then
                Me.dataGrid1.RowBackground = Nothing
            End If
        End If
    End Sub
    ' HEADERS VISIBILITY
    Private Sub cbHeaders_SelectionChanged(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.RoutedEventArgs)
        Dim cb As ComboBox = sender
        Dim cbi As ComboBoxItem = cb.SelectedItem
        If Me.dataGrid1 IsNot Nothing Then
            If cbi.Content.ToString() = "All" Then
                Me.dataGrid1.HeadersVisibility = DataGridHeadersVisibility.All
            ElseIf cbi.Content.ToString() = "Column (Default)" Then
                Me.dataGrid1.HeadersVisibility = DataGridHeadersVisibility.Column
            ElseIf cbi.Content.ToString() = "Row" Then
                Me.dataGrid1.HeadersVisibility = DataGridHeadersVisibility.Row
            Else
                Me.dataGrid1.HeadersVisibility = DataGridHeadersVisibility.None
            End If
        End If
    End Sub
    ' GRIDLINES VISIBILITY
    Private Sub cbGridLines_SelectionChanged(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.RoutedEventArgs)
        Dim cb As ComboBox = sender
        Dim cbi As ComboBoxItem = cb.SelectedItem
        If Me.dataGrid1 IsNot Nothing Then
            If cbi.Content.ToString() = "All" Then
                Me.dataGrid1.GridLinesVisibility = DataGridGridLinesVisibility.All
            ElseIf cbi.Content.ToString() = "Vertical (Default)" Then
                Me.dataGrid1.GridLinesVisibility = DataGridGridLinesVisibility.Vertical
            ElseIf cbi.Content.ToString() = "Horizontal" Then
                Me.dataGrid1.GridLinesVisibility = DataGridGridLinesVisibility.Horizontal
            Else
                Me.dataGrid1.GridLinesVisibility = DataGridGridLinesVisibility.None
            End If
        End If
    End Sub
    ' CUSTOM GRIDLINES
    Private Sub cbCustomGridLineVert_Changed(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.RoutedEventArgs)
        Dim cb As CheckBox = sender
        If Me.dataGrid1 IsNot Nothing Then
            If cb.IsChecked = True Then
                Me.dataGrid1.VerticalGridLinesBrush = New SolidColorBrush(Colors.Blue)
            ElseIf cb.IsChecked = False Then
                Me.dataGrid1.VerticalGridLinesBrush = New SolidColorBrush(Color.FromArgb(255, 223, 227, 230))
            End If
        End If
    End Sub
    Private Sub cbCustomGridLineHorz_Changed(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.RoutedEventArgs)
        Dim cb As CheckBox = sender
        If Me.dataGrid1 IsNot Nothing Then
            If cb.IsChecked = True Then
                Me.dataGrid1.HorizontalGridLinesBrush = New SolidColorBrush(Colors.Blue)
            ElseIf cb.IsChecked = False Then
                Me.dataGrid1.HorizontalGridLinesBrush = New SolidColorBrush(Color.FromArgb(255, 223, 227, 230))
            End If
        End If
    End Sub
    
    // READ ONLY
    private void cbReadOnly_Changed(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
    {
        CheckBox cb = sender as CheckBox;
        if (this.dataGrid1 != null)
            this.dataGrid1.IsReadOnly = (bool)cb.IsChecked;
    }
    // FREEZE COLUMN
    private void cbFreezeColumn_Changed(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
    {
        CheckBox cb = sender as CheckBox;
        if (this.dataGrid1 != null)
        {
            if (cb.IsChecked == true)
                this.dataGrid1.FrozenColumnCount = 1;
            else if (cb.IsChecked == false)
                this.dataGrid1.FrozenColumnCount = 0;
        }
    }
    // HIDE COLUMN
    private void cbHideColumn_Changed(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
    {
        CheckBox cb = sender as CheckBox;
        if (this.dataGrid1 != null)
        {
            if (cb.IsChecked == true)
                this.dataGrid1.Columns[0].Visibility = Visibility.Collapsed;
            else if (cb.IsChecked == false)
                this.dataGrid1.Columns[0].Visibility = Visibility.Visible;
        }
    }
    // SELECTION MODE
    private void cbSelectionMode_Changed(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
    {
        CheckBox cb = sender as CheckBox;
        if (this.dataGrid1 != null)
        {
            if (cb.IsChecked == true)
                this.dataGrid1.SelectionMode = DataGridSelectionMode.Single;
            else if (cb.IsChecked == false)
                this.dataGrid1.SelectionMode = DataGridSelectionMode.Extended;
        }
    }
    // COLUMN OPTIONS
    private void cbColReorder_Changed(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
    {
        CheckBox cb = sender as CheckBox;
        if (this.dataGrid1 != null)
            this.dataGrid1.CanUserReorderColumns = (bool)cb.IsChecked;
    }
    private void cbColResize_Changed(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
    {
        CheckBox cb = sender as CheckBox;
        if (this.dataGrid1 != null)
            this.dataGrid1.CanUserResizeColumns = (bool)cb.IsChecked;
    }
    private void cbColSort_Changed(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
    {
        CheckBox cb = sender as CheckBox;
        if (this.dataGrid1 != null)
            this.dataGrid1.CanUserSortColumns = (bool)cb.IsChecked;
    }
    // SCROLL BARS VISIBILITY
    private void cbVerticalScroll_Changed(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
    {
        CheckBox cb = sender as CheckBox;
        if (this.dataGrid1 != null)
        {
            if (cb.IsChecked == true)
                this.dataGrid1.VerticalScrollBarVisibility = ScrollBarVisibility.Visible;
            else if (cb.IsChecked == false)
                this.dataGrid1.VerticalScrollBarVisibility = ScrollBarVisibility.Hidden;
            else 
                this.dataGrid1.VerticalScrollBarVisibility = ScrollBarVisibility.Auto;
        }
    }
    private void cbHorizontalScroll_Changed(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
    {
        CheckBox cb = sender as CheckBox;
        if (this.dataGrid1 != null)
        {
            if (cb.IsChecked == true)
                this.dataGrid1.HorizontalScrollBarVisibility = ScrollBarVisibility.Visible;
            else if (cb.IsChecked == false)
                this.dataGrid1.HorizontalScrollBarVisibility = ScrollBarVisibility.Hidden;
            else 
                this.dataGrid1.HorizontalScrollBarVisibility = ScrollBarVisibility.Auto;
        }
    
    }
    // ROW BRUSH
    private void cbAltRowBrush_SelectionChanged(object sender, SelectionChangedEventArgs e)
    {
        ComboBoxItem cbi = ((ComboBox)sender).SelectedItem as ComboBoxItem;
    
        if (this.dataGrid1 != null)
        {
            if (cbi.Content.ToString() == "Custom")
                this.dataGrid1.AlternatingRowBackground = new SolidColorBrush(Color.FromArgb(255, 130, 175, 200));
            else if (cbi.Content.ToString() == "Default")
                this.dataGrid1.AlternatingRowBackground = new SolidColorBrush(Color.FromArgb(37, 233, 238, 244));
            else if (cbi.Content.ToString() == "Null")
                this.dataGrid1.AlternatingRowBackground = null;
        }
    }
    private void cbRowBrush_SelectionChanged(object sender, SelectionChangedEventArgs e)
    {
        ComboBoxItem cbi = ((ComboBox)sender).SelectedItem as ComboBoxItem;
        if (this.dataGrid1 != null)
        {
            if (cbi.Content.ToString() == "Custom")
                this.dataGrid1.RowBackground = new SolidColorBrush(Color.FromArgb(255, 135, 185, 195));
            else if (cbi.Content.ToString() == "Default")
                this.dataGrid1.RowBackground = new SolidColorBrush(Color.FromArgb(00, 255, 255, 255));
            else if (cbi.Content.ToString() == "Null")
                this.dataGrid1.RowBackground = null;
        }
    }
    // HEADERS VISIBILITY
    private void cbHeaders_SelectionChanged(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
    {
        ComboBoxItem cbi = ((ComboBox)sender).SelectedItem as ComboBoxItem;
        if (this.dataGrid1 != null)
        {
            if (cbi.Content.ToString() == "All")
                this.dataGrid1.HeadersVisibility = DataGridHeadersVisibility.All;
            else if (cbi.Content.ToString() == "Column (Default)")
                this.dataGrid1.HeadersVisibility = DataGridHeadersVisibility.Column;
            else if (cbi.Content.ToString() == "Row")
                this.dataGrid1.HeadersVisibility = DataGridHeadersVisibility.Row;
            else
                this.dataGrid1.HeadersVisibility = DataGridHeadersVisibility.None;
        }
    
    }
    // GRIDLINES VISIBILITY
    private void cbGridLines_SelectionChanged(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
    {
        ComboBoxItem cbi = ((ComboBox)sender).SelectedItem as ComboBoxItem;
        if (this.dataGrid1 != null)
        {
            if (cbi.Content.ToString() == "All")
                this.dataGrid1.GridLinesVisibility = DataGridGridLinesVisibility.All;
            else if (cbi.Content.ToString() == "Vertical (Default)")
                this.dataGrid1.GridLinesVisibility = DataGridGridLinesVisibility.Vertical;
            else if (cbi.Content.ToString() == "Horizontal")
                this.dataGrid1.GridLinesVisibility = DataGridGridLinesVisibility.Horizontal;
            else
                this.dataGrid1.GridLinesVisibility = DataGridGridLinesVisibility.None;
        }
    
    }
    // CUSTOM GRIDLINES
    private void cbCustomGridLineVert_Changed(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
    {
        CheckBox cb = sender as CheckBox;
        if (this.dataGrid1 != null)
        {
            if (cb.IsChecked == true)
                this.dataGrid1.VerticalGridLinesBrush = new SolidColorBrush(Colors.Blue);
            else 
                this.dataGrid1.VerticalGridLinesBrush = new SolidColorBrush(Color.FromArgb(255, 223, 227, 230));
        }
    }
    private void cbCustomGridLineHorz_Changed(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
    {
        CheckBox cb = sender as CheckBox;
        if (this.dataGrid1 != null)
        {
            if (cb.IsChecked == true)
                this.dataGrid1.HorizontalGridLinesBrush = new SolidColorBrush(Colors.Blue);
            else
                this.dataGrid1.HorizontalGridLinesBrush = new SolidColorBrush(Color.FromArgb(255, 223, 227, 230));
        }
    }
    
  3. Build and run the application.

    When the application runs, you will see a DataGrid that displays the tasks in the taskList collection. In addition, you will see options for dynamically modifying the appearance and behavior of the DataGrid control.

  4. While the application is running, change various options and view the effect on the appearance and behavior of the DataGrid control.

Next Steps

You typically set DataGrid properties in XAML if you do not have to set them dynamically at run time. To see the XAML syntax to set a property, see the XAML Attribute Usage section of the DataGrid property's documentation.

You can also customize a DataGrid by applying styles and templates to the control. Styles and templates enable more customization of the control than is allowed by setting properties. To learn more about how to apply styles and templates to a control, see Control Customization and DataGrid Styles and Templates.