How to properly cast ContextMenuStrip C#

Question

I have been reading for many hours now trying to figure out how to properly cast the Context Menu Strip in Visual Studio 2012 using C#. I built a little test application to show you what I am trying to accomplish. Here is a screen shot.

enter image description here

I have assigned the context menu strip to both controls. I can return the control that raised the MenuStrip but if I add another menu item Like in this example (Test) I get "Cant Cast" errors. Here is the code that I am trying to use.

private void testToolStripMenuItem_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    var item = (ToolStripMenuItem)sender;
    var menu = (ContextMenuStrip)item.Owner;

    MessageBox.Show(menu.SourceControl.Name);
}

Set a breakpoint on the first line and check exactly what `sender` is.. — Mike Christensen, Feb 21 '14 at 19:49
I believe that must be because "Test"'s owner isn't a ContextMenuStrip but rather another MenuItem. — SuperOli, Feb 21 '14 at 19:59
It should be a `ToolStripItem` which may or may not be a `ToolStripMenuItem` — Peter Ritchie, Feb 21 '14 at 20:00

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Feb 21 '14 at 20:13

Following the possible already answered question link at the top I was finally able to figure it out. I believe doing it this way is much cleaner and simpler anyhow. What I had to do is set an event for the ContextMenuStrip.Opening. On that event you set the Source Control. Here is the code.

    public partial class Form1 : Form
{
    public Form1()
    {
        InitializeComponent();
    }

    private PictureBox p;

    private void testToolStripMenuItem_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
    {
        MessageBox.Show(p.Name);
    }

    private void contextMenuStrip1_Opening(object sender, CancelEventArgs e)
    {
        p = ((ContextMenuStrip)sender).SourceControl as PictureBox;
    }
}

How to properly cast ContextMenuStrip C#

1 Answers1