Data Editing and Validation

Embedded Cell Editors

• Twenty editors from the XtraEditors Library (included with the XtraGrid Suite) can be used within any view to display and edit data. You can also create custom editors by deriving from those that ship with the XtraGrid Suite.
• Editors are optimized to be used within container controls. For more information on the synergies between the XtraGrid and XtraEditors Library, please visit the following web page: Design Strengths
• Editors can be assigned to entire columns or card fields. Grid views also allow you to assign editors for individual cells rather than entire columns, which in turn allows you to create rotated grid layouts.
• The XtraEditors Library offers unmatched data input capabilities including the best masked input support on the market and ultimate usability options - full keyboard support, auto-completion where possible, value scrolling where possible, etc. For more information on these features, please visit the following web pages: Data Input Capabilities, Usability Options

Integrated UI for Adding, Deleting, and Navigating Records

If your grid's data source supports the IBindingList interface, Views offer an out-of-the-box solution for adding and deleting records without having to write a single line of code.

• If the grid's navigator is enabled, your end-users can add and delete records via a single mouse click. The Data Navigator works for all Views in your grid control so you never need to introduce multiple space-consuming controls to simply add or delete records for each level in the master-detail hierarchy.
• Record deletion when initiated via the data navigator can prompt for end-user confirmation.
• If your end-users must frequently insert records, you can enable the XtraGrid's New Item Row feature. This row can be positioned above all other rows emulating MS Outlook's task list or can be positioned at the bottom of the grid. The New Item Row can also be placed within each detail View so users can add records with ease even in highly complex master/detail relationships.

Select Rows, Cards and Individual Cells

It's incredibly easy to enable end-user record selection within the XtraGrid – be it selecting multiple rows or a range of cells.

• Single Row/Card Selection
  The default selection mode that allows a user to select a single row/card at a given time.
• Multiple Row/Card Selection
  In this mode, a user can select multiple rows/cards using the mouse or keyboard.
• Multiple Cell Selection
  When this mode is enabled, a user can select individual cells or a block of cells, much like Microsoft(r) Excel.

Input Validation and Error Indication

Many of the errors encountered during data input can be addressed via the use of cell editors. By using masks and other editor capaiblities - such as limiting input string length, specifying maximum and minimum allowed values, etc - you can control how users maniuplate data. But editors cannot solve all potential problems associated with data entry, since often, the values contained within a dataset depend upon one another. In such instances, the XtraGrid provides you with flexible editor validation mechanisms.

• Editor validation can be implemented at the data editor or grid level. The latter approach allows you to examine values in other columns within the same row for maximum accuracy. The grid gives you two methods to validate values - validating individual cells when they are about to lose focus or validating entire rows when moving focus from the updated row.
• Input validation restricts focus movements until correct values are entered into appropriate cells and includes an error visualization engine that allows you to specify an error message to display if incorrect values are entered into the grid. You can either display the error message within a message box or as a cell tooltip.
• Events offer you multiple validation scenarios - you can ignore the invalid value and reset it or raise an exception.
• You are not limited to focused cell error indication. The grid automatically recognizes errors assigned to rows or individual values in your data source and can thus provide error indication for multiple cells and rows.
• When a data source generates errors, the XtraGrid automatically obtains the error and displays it for the cell or row.