Tool windows in docked state appear docked in containers around an optional workspace within their dock host. When two or more tool windows are in the same container, tabs allow for selecting which one is visible.
When a tool window is docked, it appears within a Tool
The Solution Explorer tool window docked
Allowing Docking
Only tool windows can be docked. A global Docktrue
) determines the default value for whether they have that capability, but it can be overridden at an instance-level by setting the Docking
The Dockingfalse
to prevent a tool window from attaching (becoming tabbed with) another tool window in the same container.
Programmatically Docking a Tool Window
A tool window can be programmatically docked by calling the ToolDock
side against which to dock around the target.
The IDock
Appearance Options
These options control the appearance of tool window containers:
Member | Description |
---|---|
Dock |
Gets or sets whether Tool |
Dock |
Gets or sets whether Tool |
Dock |
Gets or sets the global setting for whether tool window title bars display the icon of the selected tool window. |
Dock |
Gets or sets the global setting for whether tool windows display a title bar when not in MDI. |
Dock |
Gets or sets the |
The ToolControlTheme
that targets ToolResources
.
Title vs. Tab Text
The Docking"Properties - Document1.txt"
, while having shorter text that renders on tabs, such as "Properties"
. This allows your title to provide more extensive contextual information.
By setting the Tabnull
value, its value will be used to render the tab text instead of the Title value. In that scenario, the Title value will still be used in title bars and on the standard switcher when the window is selected.
Tab Tool Tip
The Docking
Tab Icons
By default, the icon defined by Docking
You can force the icon to display on the tabs by setting the Docktrue
.
Tab and Title Bar Contextual Content
Tool window tabs and tool window container title bars can display any context-related content to the right of the title. This content is set via the Tool
See the Contextual Content topic for some more information.
Tab Strip Placement
By default, the tool window tabs will appear below their content, but can be changed to appear on any side of the content.
You can alter the location of the tool window tabs by changing the value of the Dock
Tab Overflow Behavior
There are numerous options from the Tab
By default, the tabs shrink to fit within the available tab strip space. This can be changed via the Dock
Single Tab Behavior
Use the Dock
Keyboard Shortcuts
The Alt+- keyboard shortcut shows the options menu for the currently selected tool window in the container.
Other keyboard shortcuts allow you to jump directly to a tab. Ctrl+1 will activate the first tab, with Ctrl+2 activating the second tab, and so on.