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Line Numbers for RichText Control in C#

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11 Aug 2009CDDL3 min read 158.4K   7.4K   64   39
Display line numbers for rich text box with auto sizing. This is a converted version from another article written in VB.NET.

Introduction

Please wait while more details are being updated.

This article is a converted project from VB.NET to C#, originally created by nogChoco in the article, "LineNumbers for the RichTextBox".

Sure anyone can make a line numbering user control.  I've made many variations of them for VB 3.0 to 6.0 & C++, always using picture boxes or whatever as a drawing base to mark the position. When Microsoft released the newer versions of RichText control boxes (in more recent versions), the old methods went out the door.  By this, I mean that one can easily zoom in & out of the box by holding down Ctrl (or Shift) key while using the mouse wheel, posing a HUGE problem for traditional methods. 

Q: Why use RichText instead of the traditional TextBox?
A: (In older versions) RichText can hold more data! (and offers more features)

LineNumbers.png

Before Compiling Fore-note  

I have successfully compiled & ran this example project under both Visual Studio 2008 & SharpDevelop 3.x using Framework 2.0.

You will probably have problems running this example project under VS 2005 & lower; do note the control does work under the Framework 2.0If you are having problems running this under VS 2005 or other studios, you might want to either find yourself a project converter or upgrade your studio. I am very sorry if this is an inconvenience for you, that is why this is posted for Intermediate & Expert users. 

If you want a free IDE that can run this, try out SharpDevelop IDE.

Compiling Your Own Project

LineNumbers_-_ex3.png

Using SharpDevelop (3.x) 

  1. Create a new C# Windows project
  2. Add Reference to your project (Right click 'References' > 'Add Reference')
  3. Under GAC Tab select: "Microsoft.VisualBasic"
  4. Insert into your project existing item.. "linenum_rtf.cs"
  5. Under Custom Components, insert "LineNumbers_For_RichTextBox" into your form as well as insert a RichTextBox
  6. Line them up side by side (left side by default)
  7. Link Line Numbers to your RichTextBox
    1. Under "Add LineNumbers to" > "Parent Rich Text Box":
    2. Select your RichTextBox to add line numbers to
    3. (feel free to customize it on your own)
  8. Run the project!

Using Visual Studio (2008)

  1. Create a new C# Windows Project
  2. Add Reference to your project (Right click 'References' > 'Add Reference')
  3. Under .NET Tab select: "Microsoft.VisualBasic"
  4. Insert the existing item into your project... "linenum_rtf.cs"
  5. Build your project!
    1. This will not show under Custom Components unless you build you the project first!
  6. Under Custom Components, insert "LineNumbers_For_RichTextBox" into your form as well as insert a RichTextBox
  7. Line them up side by side (left side by default)
  8. Link Line Numbers to your RichTextBox
    1. Under "Add LineNumbers to" > "Parent Rich Text Box":
    2. Select your RichTextBox to add line numbers to
    3. (feel free to customize it on your own)
  9. Run the project!

Background and Points of Interest

As a software designer/developer like all of you, time is of the essence when meeting deadlines! This example using the RichText control works great! Especially with the zoom in/out feature using the mouse wheel, and it added nice graphical features which can be easily customized. However, I feel the urging need to program in C# and this example was only provided in VB.NET... It was time to upgrade it & now, on with the show!

History

  • 2009.08.05 - Initial conversion from VB.NET to C#
  • 2009.08.08 - Updated notes on this page (pictures soon to come)

To Do

  • Provide 2 versions
    • Graphical: The current version (customizable and beautiful)
    • Simple: Side bar is simple & has low overhead on your projects
  • Strip out references to Microsoft.VisualBasic so it's more pure C#

- Damian J. Suess of Xeno Innovations, Inc. [2000-2009]

License

This article, along with any associated source code and files, is licensed under The Common Development and Distribution License (CDDL)


Written By
CEO Xeno Innovations, Inc.
United States United States
[ Exceeding the Limits of Imagination ]

Comments and Discussions

 
BugRe: line numbers disappear when the # of lines is large? Pin
Hirnhamster16-Jan-12 2:10
Hirnhamster16-Jan-12 2:10 
QuestionI cant find the control Pin
Jobo1231527-Feb-10 13:50
Jobo1231527-Feb-10 13:50 
AnswerRe: I cant find the control Pin
Damian Suess28-Feb-10 8:24
Damian Suess28-Feb-10 8:24 
AnswerRe: I cant find the control Pin
trantrum3-Mar-17 2:55
professionaltrantrum3-Mar-17 2:55 
Generalsome mod's to make it a bit more c#: Pin
Rob24121-Jan-10 21:38
Rob24121-Jan-10 21:38 
GeneralRe: some mod's to make it a bit more c#: Pin
Damian Suess2-Jan-10 5:22
Damian Suess2-Jan-10 5:22 
QuestionWhen it is a lot of lines Pin
rave4ka5-Oct-09 7:31
rave4ka5-Oct-09 7:31 
AnswerRe: When it is a lot of lines Pin
Damian Suess2-Jan-10 5:21
Damian Suess2-Jan-10 5:21 
that was heavily looked into.. ran a debug on a few of the recursive functions & it does call itself a lot! The issue lies when trying to get the sum & individual height of each line in the file. If this was a fixed height box like most code boxes, this issue wouldn't arise.

I am always open to suggestions! Maybe if we had the RTF box set as a fix-font, this would help lower the impact of this issue.

-code monkey-

GeneralRe: When it is a lot of lines Pin
Cheeso31-Mar-10 13:16
Cheeso31-Mar-10 13:16 
QuestionRe: When it is a lot of lines Pin
Panki_17-Oct-11 20:27
Panki_17-Oct-11 20:27 
Generalvery good. Pin
zielonekk4-Sep-09 0:01
zielonekk4-Sep-09 0:01 
GeneralGet the line number when clicking on the control Pin
kenneth_cwc22-Aug-09 5:54
kenneth_cwc22-Aug-09 5:54 
GeneralMy vote of 5 Pin
arvindjo11-Aug-09 23:33
arvindjo11-Aug-09 23:33 
GeneralJust on time... Pin
Paul Selormey10-Aug-09 14:34
Paul Selormey10-Aug-09 14:34 

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