# Getting Started with WinForms MultiColumnComboBox

This tutorial will help you to quickly get started using the control.

## Adding Telerik Assemblies Using NuGet

To use `RadMultiColumnComboBox` when working with NuGet packages, install the `Telerik.UI.for.WinForms.AllControls` package. The [package target framework version may vary](https://www.telerik.com/products/winforms/documentation/visual-studio-integration/available-nugets).

Read more about NuGet installation in the [Install using NuGet Packages](https://www.telerik.com/products/winforms/documentation/installation-and-upgrades/install-using-nuget) article.

> tip With the 2025 Q1 release, the Telerik UI for WinForms has a new licensing mechanism. You can learn more about it [here](https://www.telerik.com/products/winforms/documentation/licensing/license-key).

## Adding Assembly References Manually

When dragging and dropping a control from the Visual Studio (VS) Toolbox onto the Form Designer, VS automatically adds the necessary assemblies. However, if you're adding the control programmatically, you'll need to manually reference the following assemblies:

* **Telerik.Licensing.Runtime**
* **Telerik.WinControls**
* **Telerik.WinControls.GridView**
* **Telerik.WinControls.UI**
* **TelerikCommon**

The Telerik UI for WinForms assemblies can be installed by using one of the available [installation approaches](https://www.telerik.com/products/winforms/documentation/installation-and-upgrades/installing-on-your-computer).

## Defining the RadMultiColumnComboBox

The following tutorial demonstrates how to setup **RadMultiColumnComboBox** and retrieve the selected text and image.

1\. Add a **RadMultiColumnComboBox** and a **RadStatusStrip** to a **RadForm**.\
2\. By using the Visual Studio *Properties* grid and the *Data Source Configuration Wizard*, set the **DataSource**, **ValueMember** and **DisplayMember** properties of **RadMultiColumnComboBox**. Thus, **RadMultiColumnComboBox** will be bound to the Northwind.Employees table.

![WinForms RadMultiColumnComboBox Properties Dialog](https://www.telerik.com/products/winforms/documentation/assets/bb389c88ea60dd016dfede7694d50b82/multicolumncombobox-getting-started001.png)

3\. Add a **RadImageButtonElement** and a **RadLabelElement** to the **RadStatusStrip**.
4\. In the Visual Studio *Properties* grid, select the **Events** tab and double click the **SelectedIndexChanged** event in order to generate an event handler.

```C#
private void radMultiColumnComboBox1_SelectedIndexChanged(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    if (this.radMultiColumnComboBox1.SelectedIndex > -1)
    {
        Image img = GetImageFromBytes(this.radMultiColumnComboBox1.EditorControl.CurrentRow.Cells["Photo"].Value as byte[]);
        this.radImageButtonElement1.Image = img.GetThumbnailImage(32, 32, null, IntPtr.Zero);
        this.radLabelElement1.Text = this.radMultiColumnComboBox1.Text;
    }
}

private Image GetImageFromBytes(byte[] bytes)
{
    Image result = null;
    System.IO.MemoryStream stream = null;
    try
    {
        stream = new System.IO.MemoryStream(bytes, 78, bytes.Length - 78);
        result = Image.FromStream(stream);
    }
    catch
    {
        try
        {
            stream = new System.IO.MemoryStream(bytes, 0, bytes.Length);
            result = Image.FromStream(stream);
        }
        catch
        {
            result = null;
        }
    }
    finally
    {
        if (stream != null)
            stream.Close();
    }
    return result;
}
    
```

```VB.NET
Private Sub RadMultiColumnComboBox1_SelectedIndexChanged(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles RadMultiColumnComboBox1.SelectedIndexChanged
    If Me.RadMultiColumnComboBox1.SelectedIndex > -1 Then
        Dim img As Image = GetImageFromBytes(TryCast(Me.RadMultiColumnComboBox1.EditorControl.CurrentRow.Cells("Photo").Value, Byte()))
        Me.RadImageButtonElement1.Image = img.GetThumbnailImage(32, 32, Nothing, IntPtr.Zero)
        Me.RadLabelElement1.Text = Me.RadMultiColumnComboBox1.Text
    End If
End Sub

Private Function GetImageFromBytes(bytes As Byte()) As Image
    Dim result As Image = Nothing
    Dim stream As System.IO.MemoryStream = Nothing
    Try
        stream = New System.IO.MemoryStream(bytes, 78, bytes.Length - 78)
        result = Image.FromStream(stream)
    Catch
        Try
            stream = New System.IO.MemoryStream(bytes, 0, bytes.Length)
            result = Image.FromStream(stream)
        Catch
            result = Nothing
        End Try
    Finally
        If stream IsNot Nothing Then
            stream.Close()
        End If
    End Try
    Return result
End Function

```

5\. Open the **Property Builder** by using the **Smart Tag** and uncheck some of the columns in order to control which columns to be visible.
6\. Press `F5` to run the application and change the selection in **RadMultiColumnComboBox**.

![WinForms RadMultiColumnComboBox Getting Started](https://www.telerik.com/products/winforms/documentation/assets/32900d49b9ca9232f242b9b4bb1df39e/multicolumncombobox-getting-started002.gif)

## See Also

* [Design Time](https://www.telerik.com/products/winforms/documentation/controls/multicolumncombobox/design-time)
* [Data Binding](https://www.telerik.com/products/winforms/documentation/controls/multicolumncombobox/populating-with-data/databinding)

## Telerik UI for WinForms Learning Resources

* [Telerik UI for WinForms MultiColumnComboBox Component](https://www.telerik.com/products/winforms/multicolumncombo.aspx)
* [Getting Started with Telerik UI for WinForms Components](https://docs.telerik.com/devtools/winforms/getting-started/first-steps)
* [Telerik UI for WinForms Setup](https://docs.telerik.com/devtools/winforms/installation-and-upgrades/installing-on-your-computer)
* [Telerik UI for WinForms Converter](https://www.telerik.com/products/winforms/documentation/ai-coding-assistant/converter/converter)
* [Telerik UI for WinForms Visual Studio Templates](https://docs.telerik.com/devtools/winforms/visual-studio-integration/visual-studio-templates)
* [Deploy Telerik UI for WinForms Applications](https://docs.telerik.com/devtools/winforms/deployment-and-distribution/application-deployment)
* [Telerik UI for WinForms Virtual Classroom(Training Courses for Registered Users)](https://learn.telerik.com/learn/course/external/view/elearning/17/telerik-ui-for-winforms)
* [Telerik UI for WinForms License Agreement)](https://www.telerik.com/purchase/license-agreement/winforms-dlw-s)