How do I get a TextBox to only accept numeric input in WPF?

Question

I\'m looking to accept digits and the decimal point, but no sign.

I\'ve looked at samples using the NumericUpDown control for Windows Forms, and this sample of a Num

Answer 1

Here is my version of it. It's based on a base ValidatingTextBox class that just undoes what has been done if it's not "valid". It supports paste, cut, delete, backspace, +, - etc.

For 32-bit integer, there is a Int32TextBox class that just compares with an int. I have also added floating point validation classes.

public class ValidatingTextBox : TextBox
{
    private bool _inEvents;
    private string _textBefore;
    private int _selectionStart;
    private int _selectionLength;

    public event EventHandler ValidateText;

    protected override void OnPreviewKeyDown(KeyEventArgs e)
    {
        if (_inEvents)
            return;

        _selectionStart = SelectionStart;
        _selectionLength = SelectionLength;
        _textBefore = Text;
    }

    protected override void OnTextChanged(TextChangedEventArgs e)
    {
        if (_inEvents)
            return;

        _inEvents = true;
        var ev = new ValidateTextEventArgs(Text);
        OnValidateText(this, ev);
        if (ev.Cancel)
        {
            Text = _textBefore;
            SelectionStart = _selectionStart;
            SelectionLength = _selectionLength;
        }
        _inEvents = false;
    }

    protected virtual void OnValidateText(object sender, ValidateTextEventArgs e) => ValidateText?.Invoke(this, e);
}

public class ValidateTextEventArgs : CancelEventArgs
{
    public ValidateTextEventArgs(string text) => Text = text;

    public string Text { get; }
}

public class Int32TextBox : ValidatingTextBox
{
    protected override void OnValidateText(object sender, ValidateTextEventArgs e) => e.Cancel = !int.TryParse(e.Text, out var value);
}

public class Int64TextBox : ValidatingTextBox
{
    protected override void OnValidateText(object sender, ValidateTextEventArgs e) => e.Cancel = !long.TryParse(e.Text, out var value);
}

public class DoubleTextBox : ValidatingTextBox
{
    protected override void OnValidateText(object sender, ValidateTextEventArgs e) => e.Cancel = !double.TryParse(e.Text, out var value);
}

public class SingleTextBox : ValidatingTextBox
{
    protected override void OnValidateText(object sender, ValidateTextEventArgs e) => e.Cancel = !float.TryParse(e.Text, out var value);
}

public class DecimalTextBox : ValidatingTextBox
{
    protected override void OnValidateText(object sender, ValidateTextEventArgs e) => e.Cancel = !decimal.TryParse(e.Text, out var value);
}

Note 1: When using WPF binding, you must make sure you use the class that fits the bound property type otherwise, it may lead to strange results.

Note 2: When using floating point classes with WPF binding, make sure the binding uses the current culture to match the TryParse method I've used.