Removing dynamically created textboxes

Question

I have written a code to dynamically create text boxes from an input of a single text box Image to generate textbox .

When the user enters the data it should automatically generate textboxes like this....

With Images

I have used this code

private void textBoxInput_TextChanged(object sender, EventArgs e)
    {
        if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(textBoxInput.Text))
        {
            //Get the number of input text boxes to generate
            int inputNumber = Int32.Parse(textBoxInput.Text);

            //Initialize list of input text boxes
            inputTextBoxes = new List<TextBox>();

            //Generate labels and text boxes
            for (int i = 1; i <= inputNumber; i++)
            {
                //Create a new label and text box
                Label labelInput = new Label();
                TextBox textBoxNewInput = new TextBox();

                //Initialize label's property
                labelInput.Text = "Product" + i;
                labelInput.Location = new Point(30, textBoxInput.Bottom + (i * 30));
                labelInput.AutoSize = true;

                //Initialize textBoxes Property
                textBoxNewInput.Location = new Point(labelInput.Width, labelInput.Top - 3);

                //Add the newly created text box to the list of input text boxes
                inputTextBoxes.Add(textBoxNewInput);

                //Add the labels and text box to the form
                this.Controls.Add(labelInput);
                this.Controls.Add(textBoxNewInput);
            }


        }
 }

It works good but i want to update that text box if the user changes value in text box it should change dynamically. But its not happening

I also tried else condition with

 else
        {
            MessageBox.Show("Enter Value");

            this.Controls.Clear();
            this.Controls.Clear();

        }

But it deletes all the values in this form.

How can i delete only generated textboxes

UPDATE Here I made changes as per a idea of @New Developer

 if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(textBoxInput.Text))
        {
            //Get the number of input text boxes to generate
            int inputNumber = Int32.Parse(textBoxInput.Text);

            if (inputTextBoxes != null && inputTextBoxes.Count > inputNumber)
            {
                int removecount = inputTextBoxes.Count - inputNumber;

                for (int i = 0; i < removecount; i++)
                {
                    TextBox t = inputTextBoxes[inputTextBoxes.Count - 1];
                    inputTextBoxes.RemoveAt(inputTextBoxes.Count - 1);
                    t.Dispose();
                }

                return;
            }


            if (inputlabels != null && inputlabels.Count > inputNumber)
            {
                int removecount2 = inputlabels.Count - inputNumber;

                for (int i = 0; i < removecount2; i++)
                {
                    Label l = inputlabels[inputlabels.Count - 1];
                    inputlabels.RemoveAt(inputlabels.Count - 1);
                    l.Dispose();
                }

                return;
            }

            //Generate labels and text boxes
            for (int i = 1; i <= inputNumber; i++)
            {
                //Create a new label and text box
                Label labelInput = new Label();
                TextBox textBoxNewInput = new TextBox();

                //Initialize label's property
                labelInput.Text = "Product" + i;
                labelInput.Location = new Point(30, textBoxInput.Bottom + (i * 30));
                labelInput.AutoSize = true;

                //Initialize textBoxes Property
                textBoxNewInput.Location = new Point(labelInput.Width, labelInput.Top - 3);

                //Add the newly created text box to the list of input text boxes
                inputTextBoxes.Add(textBoxNewInput);
                inputlabels.Add(labelInput);

                //Add the labels and text box to the form
                this.Controls.Add(labelInput);
                this.Controls.Add(textBoxNewInput);
            }
        }
    }

and also added

    List<TextBox> inputTextBoxes = new List<TextBox>();
    List<Label> inputlabels = new List<Label>();

Here its working but the value changes each time

There a bug in your code. I will edit the code and update in my answer. Check that. — New Developer

Dave Bish Dave Bish · Accepted Answer · 2012-12-31T10:13:48

Two ways to do this:

One way, would be to maintain a list of pointers to the textboxes & labels as you create them:

In your class definition, add a private list variable:

public partial class Form1 : Form
{
    private List<TextBox> generatedTextboxes = new List<TextBox>();
    private List<Label> generatedLabels = new List<Label>();

....

Now, as you create them, add them to the list:

//Generate labels and text boxes
for (int i = 1; i <= inputNumber; i++)
{
    //Create a new label and text box
    Label labelInput = new Label();
    TextBox textBoxNewInput = new TextBox();
    //Keep track of the references
    generatedTextboxes.Add(textBoxNewInput);
    generatedLabels.Add(labelInput );
    ....

Now, when you wish to remove them:

for (int i = 1; i <= generatedTextboxes.Count; i++)
{
    this.Controls.Remove(generatedTextboxes[i]);
    this.Controls.Remove(generatedLabels[i]);
}

generatedTextboxes.Clear();
generatedLabels.Clear();

Another way, would be to put a Panel control on your form, and add the new textboxes/labels onto that, instead of directly onto the main form. Then, do panel1.Controls.Clear() - to just clear the controls off the panel.

Removing dynamically created textboxes

6 Answers