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Composite Date & Time Control

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4.40/5 (13 votes)
11 Apr 2007CPOL2 min read 69.1K   1.6K   18   12
A control showing both date and time

Screenshot - CompositeDateTime_pic.jpg

Introduction

This control displays the combined date and time, with calendar dropdown and updown arrows. It is basically two DatePicker controls merged using a SplitContainer. The splitter bar can be adjusted to give more room to either side.

This is my first attempt at such a control, so if there is another way, I'm open to suggestions.

Background

The DatePicker control can display only date or time values. I currently use a combined date/time control in our MFC apps (BCGDateTime). When I moved to VS 2005, I couldn't find one written for .NET, so I tackled this.

Adding the control

Use Add Reference to add a reference to the DateAndTimeControls assembly in your project.

Add the control to the toolbox by right-clicking in a category and using Choose Items.

Screenshot - choose_item.jpg

Drag the control onto the form. The properties panel shows the new properties and events:

  • DateTimeValue - the default property of the control.
  • DateValue - just the date value of the control
  • TimeValue - just the time value of the control>
  • MinDate - the minimum date/time value for the control
  • MaxDate - the maximum date/time value for the control
  • DateFormat - the enumerated datepicker format value (ie long)
  • DateCustom - the custom format mask (ie dd-MMM-yyyy)
  • TimeFormat - the enumerated DatePicker format value (ie time)
  • TimeCustom - the custom format mask (ie hh:mi tt)
  • ValueChanged - the default event for the control. fired whenever the value is changed.

Using the control

To get a value from the control:

VB
dim dt as Date
dt = DateTimeControl1.DateTimeValue
tTextbox1.Text = dt.ToString("dd-mmm-yyyy hh:mi tt")

To put a value in the control:

VB
DateTimeControl1.DateTimeValue = Date.Now

or

Date.TryParse(TextBox1.Text, DateTimeControl1.DateTimeValue)

The constructor will give an error if the date is outside the MinDate-MaxDate range.

To clear the control:

VB
DateTimeControl1.DateTimeValue = new Date(0L)

The date can also be cleared by typing <Backspace> in the control.

Points of Interest

Thanks to this project, I learned how to expose new class events to the outside world.

License

This article, along with any associated source code and files, is licensed under The Code Project Open License (CPOL)


Written By
Web Developer
Canada Canada
I have been developing applications at City of Moncton since 1992. My focus is on C# forms and web development, along with DB design.

Comments and Discussions

 
QuestionGood work Pin
pc180029-Nov-11 16:30
pc180029-Nov-11 16:30 
GeneralMy vote of 1 Pin
Member 824475118-Sep-11 23:45
Member 824475118-Sep-11 23:45 
GeneralThank you! Pin
Pranav Ainavolu19-Apr-11 2:29
Pranav Ainavolu19-Apr-11 2:29 
QuestionHow to Set DateTimePicker value to Spaces [modified] Pin
treesprite21-Nov-10 15:56
professionaltreesprite21-Nov-10 15:56 
GeneralCant use in Web Application Pin
satejprabhu18-Oct-07 19:34
satejprabhu18-Oct-07 19:34 
GeneralRe: Cant use in Web Application [links are flipped] Pin
Richard Jones19-Oct-07 2:11
Richard Jones19-Oct-07 2:11 
GeneralAnd Thanks from me too Pin
HRybko20-Jul-07 20:56
HRybko20-Jul-07 20:56 
GeneralThanks Pin
lex-it.co.uk2-Jul-07 3:58
lex-it.co.uk2-Jul-07 3:58 
GeneralRe: Thanks Pin
Richard Jones3-Jul-07 1:33
Richard Jones3-Jul-07 1:33 
Generalthanks Pin
raj34824-Apr-07 2:47
raj34824-Apr-07 2:47 
GeneralNice. Pin
Pete O'Hanlon13-Apr-07 4:36
subeditorPete O'Hanlon13-Apr-07 4:36 
GeneralRe: Nice. Pin
Richard Jones13-Apr-07 6:26
Richard Jones13-Apr-07 6:26 

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