How to list fonts in WPF using markup extensions and data templates

Binding to Static Data

WPF has a special markup extension for retrieving static data. Markup extensions are classes that are called by WPF at runtime to provide a way to access static properties. Any public static field or property can be used via the x:Static markup extension. For instance, the following code snippet shows a class with a static property:

The XAML snippet to retrieve the static DocumentWidth property would be:

Binding to FontsFamily property

Now that you understand the x:Static markup extension, let's see how to bind a ListBox to a static collection.

As you can see from the screen shot, the ListBox is filled with the font data. This font list is serviceable, but it's also ...

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boring. You've probably seen font lists in other applications that preview the font by as showing the font name in the actual font. Data templates are the key to creating this type of UI in bound lists.

Data Templates

A data template is an alternate UI for your application data. When WPF attempts to render your data, it checks to see if there is a template available. If so, the template is expanded and applied to your data prior to rendering to the screen. In the next example, a data template is assigned to the ListBox ItemTemplate. Note that while this template is declared within the ListBox element, it could also be placed in the Window.Resources section.

The ListBox should now look like this:

Walt has trained thousands of corporate developers during the last 14 years and he travels the world speaking at software conferences, and providing developer training for corporations. He writes for several IT magazines, and worked on books/videos and .NET courses for Microsoft Press. As a Wintellect consultant he is presently focused on the WPF, Surface and Silverlight APIs. Walt is also a Microsoft MVP, WPF Disciple, Silverlight Insider and author of the free Shazzam WPF Shader utility.

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