How to gray out default text in textbox?

Question

When I click on a textbox, I want the default text to disappear. Is there any other property that would work for this purpose?

possible duplicate of [Watermark in System.Windows.Forms.TextBox](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/578193/watermark-in-system-windows-forms-textbox) — gbjbaanb, Oct 17 '13 at 10:29

score 4 · Answer 1 · answered Nov 04 '14 at 08:39

The following Will set Default text in Gray color. Also When you leave the textbox as blank, again set default text to the textbox.

private void Form1_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
    {
        this.textBox2.Enter += new EventHandler(textBox2_Enter); 
        this.textBox2.Leave += new EventHandler(textBox2_Leave);
        textBox2_SetText();
    }

    protected void textBox2_SetText()
    {
        this.textBox2.Text = "Default Text...";
        textBox2.ForeColor = Color.Gray;
    }

    private void textBox2_Enter(object sender, EventArgs e)
    {
        if (textBox2.ForeColor == Color.Black)
            return;
        textBox2.Text = "";
        textBox2.ForeColor = Color.Black;
    }
    private void textBox2_Leave(object sender, EventArgs e)
    {
        if (textBox2.Text.Trim() == "")
            textBox2_SetText();
    }

enter image description here

score 3 · Answer 2 · edited May 03 '19 at 19:10

3

Add a method to the GotFocus event of the TextBox that will change the Text property to ""

private void Form1_Load(object sender, EventArgs e) {
    this.textBox1.GotFocus += new EventHandler(textBox1_Focus); 
    this.textBox1.Text = "some default text...";
}

protected void textBox1_Focus(Object sender, EventArgs e) {
    textBox1.Text = "";
}

edited May 03 '19 at 19:10

Erik Humphrey

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answered Jan 27 '13 at 03:36

Mortalus

10,574
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Could you explain me here with example please? – Kingsters Jan 27 '13 at 03:38
Where should I put the default text name in above piece of code? When I click the textbox default text should disappear? – Kingsters Jan 27 '13 at 03:43
See my edit, just place it on the form load. NOTE that there are more sophisticated ways to accomplish that but I belie that this will be sufficient for you... – Mortalus Jan 27 '13 at 03:49

score 2 · Answer 3 · edited May 23 '17 at 11:59

2

It sounds like you are wanting a Watermark in your Textbox.

See these articles.

http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/319910/Custom-TextBox-with-watermark
Watermark in System.Windows.Forms.TextBox
and if you are using wpf something like this http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb613590.aspx

edited May 23 '17 at 11:59

Community

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1

answered Jan 27 '13 at 04:17

Mark Hall

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How to gray out default text in textbox?

3 Answers3