wpf grid with dynamic columns

Question

I have a collection that I wish to bind to a WPF grid.

The problem I\'m facing is that the number of columns is dynamic and is dependent on a collection. Here is a

Answer 1

Using a grid approach might make things more complicated than they should be. Have you tried changing the template of a listview, or to use the DataGrid instead for this purpose?

For an example, take a look at this project: http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/25058/ListView-Layout-Manager

Or this one: http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/16009/A-Much-Easier-to-Use-ListView

If you go with the Grid, I believe you'll have to add a lot of code behind to manage the amount of columns and rows, their size, the cell content... Whereas a ListView/DataGrid will let you do this dynamically through Templates.

Answer 2

Create a Grid using code as shown at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.controls.grid(v=vs.90).aspx#feedback

create a property of type ColumnDefinition,( and use property changed ) to create columns.

Answer 3

You can use nested ItemsControls for this

Here's a basic example:

<!-- Bind Rows using the default StackPanel for the ItemsPanel -->
<ItemsControl ItemsSource="{Binding Rows}">
    <!-- Set the Template for each row to a TextBlock and another ItemsControl -->
    <ItemsControl.ItemTemplate>
        <DataTemplate>
            <StackPanel Orientation="Horizontal">
                <!-- Need to set Width of name TextBlock so items line up correctly -->
                <TextBlock Width="200" Text="{Binding Name}" />

                <ItemsControl ItemsSource="{Binding Columns}">
                    <!-- Use a horizontal StackPanel to display columns -->
                    <ItemsControl.ItemsPanel>
                        <ItemsPanelTemplate>
                            <StackPanel Orientation="Horizontal" />
                        </ItemsPanelTemplate>
                    </ItemsControl.ItemsPanel>
                </ItemsControl>
            </StackPanel>
        </DataTemplate>
    </ItemsControl.ItemTemplate>
</ItemsControl>

Answer 4

There is also the option of using a dynamic object to create your columns. This is a bit laborious but the results are very effective and the solution in general is quite flexible.

This will show you the basics to the dynamic object Binding DynamicObject to a DataGrid with automatic column generation?

I had some trouble using it with nested objects, columns that have objects and then trying to bind cell content to the object.

Here's a question I raised with an example of how to do this

Problems binding to a the content of a WPF DataGridCell in XAML