TX Text Control .NET for Windows Forms Express is a free, entry-level edition of the highly popular TX Text Control word processing component. It gives C# and VB.NET developers a massive upgrade over the standard, limited RichTextBox component built into the .NET Framework.
If you need a cost-effective way to build document editing, effortless printing, and precise formatting into your desktop application, this Express edition is the perfect starting point. Key Features of the Express Edition
True WYSIWYG Rendering: Text looks exactly the same on screen as it does when printed.
Built-in UI Controls: Drag-and-drop rulers, button bars, and status bars directly onto your form.
Advanced Printing: Access native printing capabilities and structured print previews out of the box.
Pre-built Dialog Boxes: Save development time with ready-to-use dialogs for fonts, paragraphs, and page settings. Step 1: Set Up Your Project Open Visual Studio. Create a new Windows Forms Application using C# or VB.NET.
Download and install the Express edition package from the TX Text Control Downloads Portal.
Verify that the TXTextControl.TextControl component now appears in your Visual Studio Toolbox. Step 2: Design the Interface
Drag and drop an instance of TextControl from the Toolbox directly onto your main form.
Locate the SmartTag arrow in the upper right-hand corner of the TextControl instance.
Click the wizard links inside the SmartTag to automatically generate a button bar, status bar, and horizontal/vertical rulers.
Select “Arrange Controls Automatically” within the SmartTag to cleanly snap all formatting bars into place. Step 3: Write Basic File Operations
To turn your form into a functional text editor, you can programmatically load and save files using the TXTextControl.TextControl Class.
Add the following simple code snippet to a button click event handler to load a text document:
// Ensure you have added the appropriate using statement using TXTextControl; private void LoadFileButton_Click(object sender, EventArgs e) { // Load a rich text file into the control textControl1.Load(“myDocument.rtf”, StreamType.RichTextFormat); } Use code with caution. Upgrading Beyond Express
While the Express version is excellent for basic editing, formatting, and printing, it does not support advanced corporate features. If your application requires programmable PDF generation, Microsoft Word (.docx) compatibility, or automated database mail merging, you can transition seamlessly to the Professional or Enterprise editions. You can explore these capabilities in the TX Text Control Windows Forms Guide. Document Processing for Windows Forms Applications
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