Introduction

One of the top features of mobile apps is the 'x' button on the Textboxes, making it very easy to clear a textbox form.
In this post, I'll show you how to implement it by sharing a code made by myself. It can be used for all your C# WinForms Apps just by changing the object name.
This works for both .NET Framework and .NET Core 3.0.

Implementation of the Textbox heritage

  1. using System.Drawing;
  3. namespace System.Windows.Forms
  4. {
  5. public class MyTextBox : TextBox
  6. {
  7. private readonly Label lblTheClose;
  9. public bool ButtonTextClear { get; set; } = true;
  11. public MyTextBox()
  12. {
  13. Resize += PositionX;
  15. TextChanged += ShowHideX;
  17. lblTheClose = new Label()
  18. {
  19. Location = new Point(100, 0),
  20. AutoSize = true,
  21. Text = "x",
  22. ForeColor = Color.Gray,
  23. Visible = false,
  24. Font = new Font("Tahoma", 8.25F),
  25. Cursor = Cursors.Arrow
  26. };
  28. Controls.Add(lblTheClose);
  29. lblTheClose.Click += (ss, ee) => { ((Label)ss).Visible = false; Text = string.Empty; };
  30. lblTheClose.BringToFront();
  31. }
  33. private void ShowHideX(object sender, EventArgs e) => lblTheClose.Visible = ButtonTextClear && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(Text);
  34. private void PositionX(object sender, EventArgs e) => lblTheClose.Location = new Point(Width - 15, ((Height - lblTheClose.Height) / 2)-3);
  35. }
  36. }
Form Sample
  1. using System.Drawing;
  3. namespace System.Windows.Forms
  4. {
  5. public partial class Form1 : Form
  6. {
  7. /// <summary>
  8. /// Replace all Textbox by MyTextbox (NO SETUP NEEDED)
  9. /// </summary>
  10. private MyTextBox textBox1;
  11. public Form1()
  12. {
  13. InitializeComponent();
  15. // Just create a Textbox
  16. textBox1 = new MyTextBox
  17. {
  18. Location = new Point(10, 10),
  19. Size = new Size(300, 20)
  20. };
  22. Controls.Add(textBox1);
  24. // Sample text
  25. textBox1.Text = "You can clear this field with 'x' button on it.";
  27. }
  28. }
  29. }
How it works:

Using

Now you need to replace your current code
(THIS IS AT YOUR OWN RISK, BE CAREFULLY, TRY-FIRST ON ONLY ONE FORM)

Conclusion

This is a simple implementation but made a big difference for end-users who use mouse or touch screens.
Please remember to like this post and follow me.
Happy coding.