# How to Save/Load Layout with Custom Columns in RadGridView

## Environment

| Product Version | Product                  | Author                                                                          |
| --------------- | ------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| 2021.3.914      | RadGridView for WinForms | [Desislava Yordanova](https://www.telerik.com/blogs/author/desislava-yordanova) |

## Description

**RadGridView** provides a convenient API for creating [custom columns](https://www.telerik.com/products/winforms/documentation/controls/gridview/visual-elements/cells/creating-custom-cells) with custom cell elements. However, the XML layout appears to be removing all the columns and related grid data after adding the custom column.

A common requirement is to save the layout with all the columns in the grid and restore this layout at a later moment together with the custom columns.

## Solution

For the serialization, the custom column needs to have a parameterless constructor in order to be able to load the layout later:

```C#
    public class ProgressBarColumn : GridViewDataColumn
    {
        public ProgressBarColumn()
        {
        }

        public ProgressBarColumn(string fieldName) : base(fieldName)
        {
        }

        public override Type GetCellType(GridViewRowInfo row)
        {
            if (row is GridViewDataRowInfo)
            {
                return typeof(ProgressBarCellElement);
            }
            return base.GetCellType(row);
        }
    }

```

```VB.NET

     Public Class ProgressBarColumn
        Inherits GridViewDataColumn

        Public Sub New()
        End Sub

        Public Sub New(ByVal fieldName As String)
            MyBase.New(fieldName)
        End Sub

        Public Overrides Function GetCellType(ByVal row As GridViewRowInfo) As Type
            If TypeOf row Is GridViewDataRowInfo Then
                Return GetType(ProgressBarCellElement)
            End If

            Return MyBase.GetCellType(row)
        End Function
    End Class

```

## See Also

* [Creating Custom Cells](https://www.telerik.com/products/winforms/documentation/controls/gridview/visual-elements/cells/creating-custom-cells)

* [Save and Load Layout](https://www.telerik.com/products/winforms/documentation/controls/gridview/features/save-and-load-layout/save-and-load-layout)