The DataEntry control provides an easy way to display and edit data in a form layout. Built-in editors are generated by default according to the underlying data type, and they provide support for fully operational CRUD operations by simply binding the control to your data.
RadDataEntry can be bound to various data sources—generic lists, Array and ArrayList, IBindingList implementations, DataTable, BindingSource and custom business objects—so you do not have to prepare a special type of source to bind to.
When bound, RadDataEntry automatically creates and arranges the labels and editors necessary to cover the data source properties. You can define whether the items should be arranged from left to right, right to left, top to bottom or bottom to top. Once everything is arranged automatically, you can make final customizations and tweaks according to your preferences right at Visual Studio design time.
In addition, a convenient API enables you to define item size, auto size functionality and spacing between items.
RadDataEntry detects the type of data fields it should represent and automatically displays the appropriate editors:
RadDateTimePicker for date-time data
RadCheckBox for Boolean data
RadColorBox for color data
PictureBox for image data
RadDropDownList for enums
RadTextBox for text or all other types
RadDataEntry offers built-in validation to help users input data. To do so, RadDataEntry uses the standard ErrorProvider you are already familiar with. Besides preventing submission of incorrect data, the control also shows a status panel listing all errors. It also prevents end users from entering incorrect or invalid data.
In the cases where you have a list of records to display, RadBindingNavigator is a great addition to RadDataEntry as it enables you to traverse through the list. You can also add new records to the RadDataEntry data-source, or delete existing ones.