How to enable multiple forms that can be used simultaneously?

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If I open a new form from the first form, I can no longer use the first form until I close the new one. I need two forms enabled at the same time and need to communicate with each other. Any hints would be helpful. Thanks.

Posted 19-May-11 8:50am

coolguynp

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fjdiewornncalwe · Accepted Answer · 2011-05-19T08:52:00

Solution 1

Use the .Show method when you are showing the new form instead of .ShowDialog.
Just note that you need to ensure that you create a new instance of the form before you show it.

Posted 19-May-11 8:52am

fjdiewornncalwe

v2

Comments

fcronin 19-May-11 15:56pm

5 for good answer... just would add for communicating between the forms, the form that is created and Shown will need a reference to the form that created it. I generally would send a reference to the originating form in the new form's constructor... but there are many ways to go about it.

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov 19-May-11 16:31pm

Agree, a 5. Please see also my recommendation in my solution.
--SA

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov · Accepted Answer · 2011-05-19T10:31:00

See also my answer on form collaboration (also other answers and discussion):
How to copy all the items between listboxes in two forms[^].

I would advice to use just one main form and minimum modal forms. Use some tabbed UI, docking UI or some other combination using just one form.

See also the set of my recommendations here:
GUI Apperance - C#.Net[^].

—SA