How to set TextBox hint label in VB .NET? - vb.net

Question

In my application I have one text box for entering user name. If text is empty i want to show "Enter User name here" in same text box in gray color. Is there any property like this for text box. Like in Firefox browser if URL field is empty it will show "Go to a web site" In gray color
Thanks

Answer 1

I know this may be an old thread, but I thought I'd answer it just in case anyone else stumbled across it.
First declare the following (you may need to import System.Runtime.InteropServices)
<DllImport("user32.dll", CharSet:=CharSet.Auto)> _
Private Shared Function SendMessage(ByVal hWnd As IntPtr, ByVal msg As Integer, ByVal wParam As Integer, <MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.LPWStr)> ByVal lParam As String) As Int32
End Function
Then call the following (change as needed):
SendMessage(Me.textbox1.Handle, &H1501, 0, "Enter User name here")

Answer 2

Assuming you mean Windows Forms, take a look at this question.
Basically, you need to call a WinAPI SendMessage function for the control with EM_SETCUEBANNERvalue.

Answer 3

I really like this solution from CodeProject.com: http://www.codeproject.com/KB/edit/TextBoxHint.aspx?display=Print
What's really nice is the slick fade out as the user types in his/her text into the field. It's pretty darn easy to implement and looks great.

Answer 4

you can subclass TextBox and override WndProc
Public Class TextBoxPlaceHolder
Inherits TextBox
Private Const WM_PAINT As Int32 = &HF
Protected Overrides Sub WndProc(ByRef m As System.Windows.Forms.Message)
MyBase.WndProc(m)
If m.Msg = WM_PAINT AndAlso Me.TextLength = 0 Then
Using g = Me.CreateGraphics
g.DrawString("Enter User name here", Me.Font, Brushes.Gray, 1, 1)
End Using
End If
End Sub
End Class

Answer 5

Awesome work Ivan and cardmagik.
Create a usercontrol and use the below code.
Public Class RichTextBoxPlaceHolder
Inherits RichTextBox
Private Const WM_PAINT As Int32 = &HF
Private mstrHint As String = "Enter text"
Protected Overrides Sub WndProc(ByRef m As System.Windows.Forms.Message)
MyBase.WndProc(m)
If m.Msg = WM_PAINT AndAlso Me.TextLength = 0 Then
Using g = Me.CreateGraphics
g.DrawString(mstrHint, Me.Font, Brushes.Gray, 1, 1)
End Using
End If
End Sub
Public Property Hint() As String
Get
Return mstrHint
End Get
Set(ByVal value As String)
mstrHint = value
End Set
End Property
End Class
Screenshot:

Answer 6

Try something along the lines of this:
(onkeyup)
If TextBox.Text = "" Then
TextBox.Text = "Enter username here..."
TextBox.ForeColor = <your chosen color here>
Else
TextBox.ForeColor = <normal color here>
End If