Syncfusion Winforms Record Navigation Control

Implementing Grid Record Navigation Controls

A comprehensive guide for implementing the Syncfusion GridRecordNavigationControl in Windows Forms applications. This control provides a Microsoft Access-like navigation bar for navigating between records in grid controls.

When to Use This Skill

Use the GridRecordNavigationControl when you need to:

• Add navigation controls to browse through grid records
• Implement Microsoft Access-like record navigation UI
• Provide first, last, previous, next navigation functionality
• Navigate large datasets in GridControl or GridDataBoundGrid
• Integrate navigation bar with GridGroupingControl
• Create data-driven applications with intuitive record browsing
• Display record count and current position to users

Component Overview

The GridRecordNavigationControl allows users to navigate between records using a navigation bar positioned at the bottom of a grid. It provides built-in support for navigating to the first, last, previous, and next record with a familiar Microsoft Access-style interface.

Key Features:

• Built-in Navigation Methods - MoveFirst, MoveLast, MoveNext, MovePrevious
• Localization Support - Customize navigation bar text and labels
• Visual Styles - Default, Metro, Office2016 themes
• GridGroupingControl Integration - ShowNavigationBar property for easy integration
• Programmatic Control - Navigate records dynamically through code
• Record Display - Shows current record and total record count

Documentation and Navigation Guide

Getting Started and Setup

📄 Read: references/getting-started.md

• Assembly deployment requirements (Syncfusion.Grid.Windows, Syncfusion.Shared.Base)
• Creating GridRecordNavigationControl through Visual Studio Designer
• Creating GridRecordNavigationControl programmatically through code
• Adding child grid controls (GridControl, GridDataBoundGrid)
• Basic configuration and initialization
• Complete setup examples in C# and VB.NET

Navigation Methods and Functionality

📄 Read: references/navigation-methods.md

• MoveFirst() - Navigate to the first record
• MoveLast() - Navigate to the last record
• MoveNext() - Navigate to the next record
• MovePrevious() - Navigate to the previous record
• Use case scenarios for large datasets
• Programmatic navigation examples
• Navigation method reference with code samples

Styling and Themes

📄 Read: references/styling.md

• Visual styles: Default, Metro, Office2016
• Style property configuration
• Office2016 color schemes (Black, Colorful, DarkGray, White)
• GridOfficeScrollBars integration
• Theme examples with screenshots
• Appearance customization

GridGroupingControl Integration

📄 Read: references/gridgrouping-integration.md

• ShowNavigationBar property for GridGroupingControl
• RecordNavigationBar property access
• Built-in navigation support integration
• Enabling navigation bar for grouped data
• Complete integration examples
• Record navigation in grouped grids

Quick Start Example

Through Designer (Recommended)

// Step 1: Drag GridRecordNavigationControl from toolbox to form
// Step 2: Position and size the control
// Step 3: Drag GridDataBoundGrid into the GridRecordNavigationControl
// Step 4: Set GridDataBoundGrid.DataSource property

// Designer generates this code:
this.recordNavigationControl1 = new Syncfusion.Windows.Forms.Grid.GridRecordNavigationControl();
this.gridDataBoundGrid1 = new Syncfusion.Windows.Forms.Grid.GridDataBoundGrid();

this.recordNavigationControl1.Controls.Add(this.gridDataBoundGrid1);
this.gridDataBoundGrid1.DataSource = myDataSource;

Through Code

using Syncfusion.Windows.Forms.Grid;
using System.Drawing;

// Create GridRecordNavigationControl
this.recordNavigationControl1 = new GridRecordNavigationControl();
this.recordNavigationControl1.Location = new Point(32, 48);
this.recordNavigationControl1.Size = new Size(520, 256);
this.recordNavigationControl1.MaxRecord = 1000;
this.recordNavigationControl1.MaxLabel = "of 1000";
this.recordNavigationControl1.NavigationBarWidth = 237;

// Create child grid
this.gridControl1 = new GridControl();
this.gridControl1.RowCount = 1000;
this.gridControl1.ColCount = 16;
this.gridControl1.NumberedRowHeaders = false;

// Add grid to navigation control
this.recordNavigationControl1.Controls.Add(this.gridControl1);

// Add to form
this.Controls.Add(this.recordNavigationControl1);

Common Patterns

Pattern 1: Data-Bound Grid with Navigation

using Syncfusion.Windows.Forms.Grid;
using System.Data;

// Create navigation control
var navControl = new GridRecordNavigationControl();
navControl.Location = new Point(20, 20);
navControl.Size = new Size(600, 400);

// Create data-bound grid
var dataGrid = new GridDataBoundGrid();
dataGrid.DataSource = GetDataTable(); // Your data source

// Add grid to navigation control
navControl.Controls.Add(dataGrid);

// Configure navigation
navControl.MaxRecord = dataGrid.Model.RowCount;
navControl.MaxLabel = $"of {dataGrid.Model.RowCount}";

this.Controls.Add(navControl);

Pattern 2: Programmatic Navigation

private RecordNavigationControl recordNavigationControl;
// Navigate to first record
this.recordNavigationControl.NavigationBar.MoveFirst();

// Navigate to last record
this.recordNavigationControl.NavigationBar.MoveLast();

// Navigate to next record
this.recordNavigationControl.NavigationBar.MoveNext();

// Navigate to previous record
this.recordNavigationControl.NavigationBar.MovePrevious();

Pattern 3: Styled Navigation Control

using Syncfusion.Windows.Forms;

// Apply Metro theme
this.recordNavigationControl1.Style = Appearance.Metro;

// Apply Office2016 theme with Black color scheme
this.recordNavigationControl1.Style = Appearance.Office2016;
this.recordNavigationControl1.GridOfficeScrollBars = OfficeScrollBars.Office2016;
this.recordNavigationControl1.Office2016ScrollBarsColorScheme = 
    ScrollBarOffice2016ColorScheme.Black;

Pattern 4: GridGroupingControl with Navigation

using Syncfusion.Windows.Forms.Grid.Grouping;

// Enable navigation bar on GridGroupingControl
this.gridGroupingControl1.ShowNavigationBar = true;

// Access navigation methods through RecordNavigationBar property
this.gridGroupingControl1.RecordNavigationBar.MoveFirst();
this.gridGroupingControl1.RecordNavigationBar.MoveNext();

Key Properties

Key Methods

Common Use Cases

Use Case 1: Database Viewer Application

Create a data viewer that allows users to browse through database records one at a time, similar to Microsoft Access forms.

Use Case 2: Record Editor

Build an editor interface where users can navigate between records while editing data, with clear indication of current position.

Use Case 3: Large Dataset Navigation

Enable efficient navigation through large datasets (1000+ records) without loading all records into view at once.

Use Case 4: Grouped Data Navigation

Navigate through grouped records in GridGroupingControl while maintaining group structure.

Required Assemblies

To use GridRecordNavigationControl, add these assembly references:

1. Syncfusion.Grid.Windows.dll - Core grid functionality and navigation control
2. Syncfusion.Shared.Base.dll - Shared styles, editors, and base components

Implementation Checklist

• Add required assembly references
• Create GridRecordNavigationControl (designer or code)
• Add child grid control (GridControl or GridDataBoundGrid)
• Configure MaxRecord and MaxLabel properties
• Set data source if using data-bound grid
• Apply visual style/theme (optional)
• Test navigation methods (first, last, next, previous)
• Handle any custom navigation events (optional)

Best Practices

1. Designer First: Use Visual Studio Designer for initial setup - it generates correct initialization code
2. Drop Order: When using designer, drop navigation control first, then drop grid INTO the navigation control (not onto the form)
3. Set MaxRecord: Always set MaxRecord property to match your dataset size for accurate navigation
4. Update MaxLabel: Keep MaxLabel synchronized with data changes
5. Theme Consistency: Apply the same visual style across all Syncfusion controls in your application
6. Assembly References: Verify both required assemblies are referenced before using the control

Troubleshooting

Navigation doesn't work:

• Verify child grid is added to navigation control's Controls collection
• Check that MaxRecord is set correctly
• Ensure grid has data source or populated rows

Designer issues:

• Drop grid control INTO navigation control, not onto the form
• If controls aren't nested properly, recreate in correct order

Styling not applied:

• Verify Office2016ScrollBarsColorScheme is set when using Office2016 style
• Check that GridOfficeScrollBars matches the Style property