How do I center a window on the screen in C# & WinForms?

Question

I need a way to center the current window on the screen.

So for example, if a user pushes a button, I want the window to center itself on the screen.

I know you can use the startposition property, but I cannot figure out a way to use that other than when the application first starts up.

So how do I center the form on the screen?

Answer 1

Use Form.CenterToScreen() method.

Answer 2

1. Using the Property window

   Select form → go to property window → select "start position" → select whatever the place you want.

   

2. Programmatically

   Form form1 = new Form(); form1.StartPosition = FormStartPosition.CenterScreen; form1.ShowDialog();

   Note: Do not directly call Form.CenterToScreen() from your code. Read here.

Answer 3

A single line:

this.Location = new Point((Screen.PrimaryScreen.WorkingArea.Width - this.Width) / 2,
                          (Screen.PrimaryScreen.WorkingArea.Height - this.Height) / 2);

Answer 4

In Windows Forms:

this.StartPosition = FormStartPosition.CenterScreen;

In WPF:

this.WindowStartupLocation = WindowStartupLocation.CenterScreen;

That's all you have to do...

Answer 5

If you want to center your windows during runtime use the code below, copy it into your application:

protected void ReallyCenterToScreen()
{
  Screen screen = Screen.FromControl(this);

  Rectangle workingArea = screen.WorkingArea;
  this.Location = new Point() {
    X = Math.Max(workingArea.X, workingArea.X + (workingArea.Width - this.Width) / 2),
    Y = Math.Max(workingArea.Y, workingArea.Y + (workingArea.Height - this.Height) / 2)};
}

And finally call the method above to get it working:

ReallyCenterToScreen();

Answer 6

 Centering a form in runtime

1.Set following property of Form:
   -> StartPosition : CenterScreen
   -> WindowState: Normal

This will center the form at runtime but if form size is bigger then expected, do second step.

2. Add Custom Size after InitializeComponent();

public Form1()
{
    InitializeComponent();
    this.Size = new Size(800, 600);
}

Answer 7

Use this:

this.CenterToScreen();  // This will take care of the current form

Answer 8

using System;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
using System.Windows.Forms;

namespace centrewindow
{
    public partial class Form1 : Form
    {
        public struct RECT
        {
            public int Left;        // x position of upper-left corner
            public int Top;         // y position of upper-left corner
            public int Right;       // x position of lower-right corner
            public int Bottom;      // y position of lower-right corner
        }

        [DllImport("user32.dll")]
        public static extern IntPtr SetWindowPos(IntPtr hWnd, int hWndInsertAfter, int x, int Y, int cx, int cy, int wFlags);

        [DllImport("user32.dll")]
        public static extern bool GetWindowRect(HandleRef hwnd, out RECT lpRect);

        public Form1()
        {
            InitializeComponent();
        }

        private void button1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            CentreWindow(Handle, GetMonitorDimensions());
        }

        private void CentreWindow(IntPtr handle, Size monitorDimensions)
        {
            RECT rect;
            GetWindowRect(new HandleRef(this, handle), out rect);

            var x1Pos = monitorDimensions.Width/2 - (rect.Right - rect.Left)/2;
            var x2Pos = rect.Right - rect.Left;
            var y1Pos = monitorDimensions.Height/2 - (rect.Bottom - rect.Top)/2;
            var y2Pos = rect.Bottom - rect.Top;

            SetWindowPos(handle, 0, x1Pos, y1Pos, x2Pos, y2Pos, 0);
        }

        private Size GetMonitorDimensions()
        {
            return SystemInformation.PrimaryMonitorSize;
        }
    }
}

Centers any window you can get the handle of

Answer 9

Might not be completely relevant to the question. But maybe can help someone.

Center Screen non of the above work for me. Reason was I was adding controls dynamically to the form. Technically when it centered it was correct , based on the form before adding the controls.

So here was my solution. ( Should work with both scenarios )

int x = Screen.PrimaryScreen.Bounds.Width - this.PreferredSize.Width;
int y = Screen.PrimaryScreen.Bounds.Height - this.PreferredSize.Height;

this.Location = new Point(x / 2, y / 2);

So you will notice that I am using "PreferredSize" instead of just using Height / Width. The preferred size will hold the value of the form after adding the controls. Where Height / Width won't.

Hope this helps someone .

Cheers

Answer 10

Use Location property of the form. Set it to the desired top left point

desired x = (desktop_width - form_witdh)/2

desired y = (desktop_height - from_height)/2

Answer 11

Working sample

private void barButtonItem1_ItemClick(object sender, DevExpress.XtraBars.ItemClickEventArgs e)
{
    AccountAddForm f = new AccountAddForm();
    f.StartPosition = FormStartPosition.CenterScreen;
    f.Show();            
}

Answer 12

You can use the Screen.PrimaryScreen.Bounds to retrieve the size of the primary monitor (or inspect the Screen object to retrieve all monitors). Use those with MyForms.Bounds to figure out where to place your form.

Answer 13

In case of multi monitor and If you prefer to center on correct monitor/screen then you might like to try these lines:

// Save values for future(for example, to center a form on next launch)
int screen_x = Screen.FromControl(Form).WorkingArea.X;
int screen_y = Screen.FromControl(Form).WorkingArea.Y;

// Move it and center using correct screen/monitor
Form.Left = screen_x;
Form.Top = screen_y;
Form.Left += (Screen.FromControl(Form).WorkingArea.Width - Form.Width) / 2;
Form.Top += (Screen.FromControl(Form).WorkingArea.Height - Form.Height) / 2;