This blog post outlines new WinForms-related features we expect to introduce in our first major update this year (v23.1). Should you have any questions about the capabilities outlined below, feel free to submit a support ticket via the DevExpress Support Center.
WinForms Lookup Editor – Multiple Item Selection
With our next major update (v23.1), our WinForms Lookup Editor will include a multiple item selection option. Once we deliver this capability, you'll be able to display a checkbox column within the lookup and allow your users to select multiple values using the mouse or keyboard.
WXI Skin Enhancements
Accent Colors
We expect to update our WXI skin so it changes its colors once end-users make a change to their Microsoft Windows accent color.
Ribbon UI – Office-inspired Enhancements
Our WinForms Ribbon control will include the following new UX options:
- Search Box Integrated in Form Caption
You'll be able to display the Search box at the top of your Ribbon form. - Show Ribbon
Display 'Show Ribbon' options on the bottom right of the ribbon. None of the choices are new, just a new way to activate them. - Backstage View – Align Items to Top and Bottom
Bar item settings will include a new alignment option. You'll be able to align bar items to the top and bottom of the Backstage view. - Show Alerts in the Message Bar
The Ribbon control will expose a new API and will allow you to display Office-inspired flyout notifications and alerts.
WinForms Scheduler & Calendar
Synchronize Appointments with Outlook 365 Calendars
Our WinForms Scheduler control will expose new APIs and will allow you to seamlessly synchronize user appointments with Outlook 365 Calendars (bi-directionally).
WinForms Gantt – Timeline
The WinForms Gantt control will integrate a Timeline. Features will include:
- Multiple Timelines
- Add/Remove Tasks and Milestones to/from Timeline
- Configurable Date-Time Range
- Built-in Context Menu
- Comprehensive Timeline API
WinForms Dialogs – Preview Pane
Our WinForms Dialogs will ship with an integrated Preview Pane. Your users will be able to preview PDFs, Office-related documents, text files, images, or play audio files before opening them.
WinForms Tree List
HTML & CSS Support for Nodes
The WinForms TreeList control control will feature our newest WinForms innovation – HTML & CSS Support. With this enhancement, you will be able to generate unique custom layouts for TreeList nodes.
Enhanced Performance
We will optimize our WinForms TreeList control to better address important usage scenarios. We expect to enhance data load performance when processing information bound to hierarchical and virtual data sources.
Reusable HTML & CSS Templates
Over the past year, we have received lots of valuable feedback as more developers begin to use our HTML & CSS template engine within WinForms projects.
Our next major update will allow you to save HTML & CSS templates into a gallery. With this new option, you'll create an HTML & CSS template, save the template to the gallery, and use it in any WinForms project when needed.
Our WinForms HTML & CSS Template Gallery will include a set of predesigned templates based on those used in our WinForms demo application set. You will be able to use these templates "as-is" or customize as needed.
Accessibility and UI Automation
We will continue to improve Accessibility and UI Automation across our WinForms product line. We expect to support assistive tools and UI automation patterns in our WinForms Scheduler control this year.
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