Is there any real equivalent of C#'s DataGridView in Delphi?
I have tried
TStringGrid
But the scrollbar is either invisible when all the items are visible, or it is the smallest scrollbar possible no matter how little the items are overflowed and only updates when the scrollbar is released, not when it is being dragged
Also, if you have one fixed row, you have to have at least one (empty) row besides that, which is inconvenient and unsightly
TDBGrid
But I can't seem to figure out how to add items programmatically (and I don't think it's meant to do that anyway). If I could do that, TDBGrid would be fine for me to use.
So what is the Delphi equivalent of C#'s DataGridView that doesn't have the problems listed above?
The DataGridView is a very flexible control which can work in bound and unbound modes, in the Delphi side you must choose bewteen 2 kinds of controls, for example if the content of the control can be edited directly (unbound) you can choose a component like a TStringGrid or in bound mode which in delphi is called data-aware you must choose something like a dbgrid, in this last case you edit the dataset asociated to the control and the control reflect the content of the dataset. Using this last scenario. you have several options about the dataset component to choose maybe the most flexible is the TClientDataSet. if you want learn more about this topic check these links
Understanding datasets Index
Types of Datasets
Opening and Closing Datasets
Modifying Data
Note : in the last version of Delphi (XE2) a new concept was introduced called LiveBindings, which introduces big changes in how you can bind a object or component to a collection or another component.
I would recommend you to check DevExpress.com QuantumGrid - it works both in Bound and Unvound mode
Related
Well it's not playing actually.
I have a database with about 200 list of items in it. I've used DataTable to fetch all the data in single connection.
Then created a windows button that creates new button for all the items.
It is OK and I was able to do it easily.
But I stuck over two things..
First is, I have limited space in my windows form, that's why I want to load only 30 buttons at first and then upon second click event, I want to load buttons for remaining 30 items and so on..
Second problem is, even if i managed to solve the first problem? How to arrange them in proper row/column?
Please help.
Grab an ordered list of records, split it to a list of "pages" (which is also a list of records) and use navigation buttons to change the context of current page.
Why don't you take a DataGridView with a BindingSource and a DataGridViewButtonColumn? With this as a starting point you can simply glue them together by calling:
myDataGridView.DataSource = myBindingSource;
myBindingSource.DataSource = myDataTable;
Update
Surely you can try to do the whole visualization on yourself by using a TableLayoutControl. But the DataGridView is a control that is specialized to visualize data in a data grid (hence the name of it).
The grid view is a very complex control, but it has a lot of nice features which make your results looking more professional by simply configuring some properties of it. For example simply set the property AutoSizeColumnsMode to Fill to simply avoid horizontal scroll bars and set the Column.AutoSizeMode of some columns to e.g. DisplayedCells to enforce which columns should be wrapped, etc.
Also there are a lot of features regarding to data validation, formatting, etc. So i think even if the step-in hurdle is a little higher you got a much better visualization then trying to do all this stuff manually by taking a TableLayoutPanel. Last but not least there are lots of examples about how to use the specific properties within the MSDN and if you get really stuck just search for the problem here on SO or on the web and if you don't find a proper solution just ask a question here on SO.
I'm trying to have a grid that has items that have a custom layout/feel. If you have a look at the following http://mdavey.files.wordpress.com/2007/05/ldmain.jpg this is kinda what I am trying to do (see the aqua/red pods on the left and the graphs on the bottom right).
Under WPF/ASP.Net I would know how to do this but in WinForms I have no idea (I have never had to work on a WinForms app before). Like in WPF I would use Data Templates.
Hence I was wondering anyone knows of any good resources that goes through this or if anyone knows if its just as easy as creating a custom control, they having a grid that has one column and setting the type of that column to the custom control and then binding the data source to the grid???
Cheers Anthony
You may check Essential Grid - it seems to me it supports features you need.
There is an example for progress bar cell which you could use for the graphs on the right side:
http://www.syncfusion.com/products/user-interface-edition/windows-forms/grid/progressbar-cell
And they have Push Button cell type which you could use for your pods on the left side:
http://www.syncfusion.com/products/user-interface-edition/windows-forms/grid/push-button
You might also check DevExpress XtrGrid:
http://www.devexpress.com/products/net/controls/winforms/grid/dataediting.xml
http://www.devexpress.com/products/net/controls/winforms/grid/appearance.xml
In any case, I would search for a component - it takes quite a lot of time to do such things from the scratch.
How do I display a DataGridView within a cell of another datagridview in C# forms app?
How would I have to handle Sorting & value changed if this possible?
That is the only way I can display data to make some sense.. Think of it like I have a task column and dates column. Under the dates column I have a list of things to be done. These date columns are dynamic & there might be multiple date columns
That sounds like a difficult interface to use, have you considered some kind of tree control?
If you're determined to use data grid views, look at customizing data grid view columns and cells. You need to declare custom subclasses for the column and cell behaviour that you want. I don't know if it's possible to do what you want, but that's where I would start.
This is a suggestion since what your asking I do not think is possible with the built in DGV of .NET.
Using custom controls made by professional companies that provides a DataGrid with the capability of hierarchical data. For example a row can be expanded to show multiple entries (the multiple entries can be an entirely different table containing completely different columns even). Here are a few options that you can check out.
Infragistics WinGrid
Component One
There are a few other places/companies that make great .NET component packages that provide added features to the existing .NET components.
http://blogs.msdn.com/markrideout/archive/2006/01/08/510700.aspx
Found a link where hierarchichal datagrid is implemented.
Now, I have to either modify the control, or settle for hierarchichal gridview!
Hope this helps someone. Will update later
Need to represent a two column table. Maybe just for reference at this stage - or with the functionality that a double click presents a combobox essentially on that field with all the possible values that can be entered.
Is datagridview the best option for this in WPF or what else could I do to represent the data?
Cheers,
I'd say datagridview is the way to go. You can create your own custom columns. Here's a quick example:
http://www.code-magazine.com/Article.aspx?quickid=0707061
Or if you want to use something that's already available and pretty easy to use, check out SourceGrid. I've used it in WinForms and WPF applications, though the latter requires using WindowsFormsHost.
SourceGrid: http://sourcegrid.codeplex.com/
Currently, I'm in the process of making a custom solution for invoicing. I have created multiple ways for customers to create their template (HTML, Word, LaTex) and get invoices according to their template. However, these invoices are party manually generated.
So, the process is:
Request to create a new invoice
An preliminary invoice is created
The user gets a chance to make changes (i.e. add, remove, change rows)
Create a pdf
Just to be clear, the preliminary invoice does not need to be formatted as the template is, but you should be able to add/remove/change rows and for every cell, indicate whether the value should be visible in the final result.
My problem is that i cannot find a suitable way to display the preliminary invoices. I tried a datagrid (default, telerik, devexpress), but it's too messy. Besides a datagrid, i have no idea what i can use.
What controls can i use best to have a nice and usable UI.
Please don't be like this:
alt text http://bitsandpieces.us/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/imagesapple-20google-20and-20you.png
A typical UI paradigm for this kind of thing is to view it as two separate problems: giving the user a way of viewing the elements that he can modify, and giving him the ability to modify any specific element. You use a list control (ListBox, ListView, maybe TreeView if the elements are organized hierarchically or need to be grouped into categories) to present the elements, and then when the user selects an element the program presents a tabular presentation of field names and editable value controls.
Basically, you're dividing the program's functionality into two categories: stuff that the user wants to do to rows (add, remove, re-order, select) and stuff that the user wants to do to the selected row's elements.
You can mush these two sets of functionality into one if you use a DataGridView, but as you've seen that gets pretty ugly if there's any complexity to the elements you're editing.
Two possible approaches to this: the property-sheet paradigm (select object, right-click, select "Properties", edit values in a modal dialog), or a paradigm where the window's split into two panels, with one being the rows and the other being the details of the currently selected row. There are lots of others.
What is your platform? Winforms? WPF?
What exactly did you dislike about using a datagrid for this? Part of the problem is that whether you like it or not, you're going to be coding a datagrid - you essentially described features of one. If at all possible try to use someone else's datagrid because it will save you a lot of work. Typically, 3rd party datagrids should be fairly customizable, and you should be able to make it look however you want - and take advantage of the built in sorting, editing, grouping, etc. Creating a datagrid-like control from scratch isn't easy and should be avoided if possible.
You don't have to have a plain giant datagrid - you can crate a custom control that displays the invoice formatted however you like, with a live datagrid appearing only where the invoice shows tabular data, formatted to appear as an integral part of the invoice itself.
I'm doing something similar, where the client can edit or even remove the line items for the invoice prior to sending it to the client.
The current app they run their business on is a WebForms Intranet application, so this is an extension to that. So they can add/remove/edit rows fairly easily.
But Egor is right. You're essentially talking about a datagrid no matter what you do. I take it you want something 'cleaner' and more intuitive?
Simplicity is difficult.
I would take a look at what is already out there, especially for invoices, and see how they are doing it.
Not sure how big your company is, but it never hurts to take advantage of the large company applications and user interfaces, the pour thousands/millions of dollars into user interface design and testing.
I would take a look at any of the following (most offer a free trial, or just try searching for screenshots):
www.freshbooks.com
www.invoicera.com
www.getcashboard.com
www.simplifythis.com
Just some ideas ... hope this helps!