DevExpress WPF Docking

DevExpress.Wpf.Docking includes the DevExpress WPF Dock Windows library. DockLayoutManager builds a Visual Studio-inspired layout. Resizable dock panels can float, dock to a container's edges, create tabbed interfaces, and switch between pinned and auto-hide modes. You can persist layout customizations between application runs.

dotnet add package DevExpress.Wpf.Docking

Key Features

• Dock, Float, and Tab: Users can rearrange panels using drag-and-drop operations. Dock hints display available drop targets.
• Auto-Hide: Collapse a panel to a tray tab that expands on hover or click.
• Document Management: Host documents in a DocumentGroup with tabbed or MDI presentation.
• Layout Persistence: Save the layout to a stream, file, or isolated storage.
• MVVM Support: Generate panels from a view model collection and serialize the resulting layout.
• Cross-Manager Drag-and-Drop: Move panels between two DockLayoutManager instances.

Examples

Build a Dock Window Layout

<Window
    xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
    xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
    xmlns:dxdo="http://schemas.devexpress.com/winfx/2008/xaml/docking">

    <dxdo:DockLayoutManager>
        <dxdo:LayoutGroup Orientation="Horizontal">
            <!-- A regular dock panel on the left. -->
            <dxdo:LayoutPanel Caption="Solution Explorer" ItemWidth="2*" />

            <!-- The document area fills the rest of the window. -->
            <dxdo:DocumentGroup ItemWidth="5*">
                <dxdo:DocumentPanel Caption="Document 1" />
                <dxdo:DocumentPanel Caption="Document 2" />
            </dxdo:DocumentGroup>
        </dxdo:LayoutGroup>
    </dxdo:DockLayoutManager>
</Window>

In this configuration, the layout behaves as follows:

• Places a dock panel and a document area side by side
• Splits the width between them at a 2:5 ratio
• Allows the dock panel to float, dock, or use auto-hide mode

NOTE: DevExpress.Xpf.Docking.LayoutGroup is not the same type as DevExpress.Xpf.LayoutControl.LayoutGroup from the DevExpress.Wpf.LayoutControl package. Reference the namespace that matches the control you use.

Evaluation Period, Pricing Options, and Licensing Terms

Whether you own a license or want to start a 30-day evaluation period, download and register your DevExpress license key. To obtain your key, log in to the DevExpress Download Manager. Use your existing DevExpress.com account or create a new account for free. For key registration instructions, see License Key for DevExpress Products.

If you purchase a license after evaluating a product, re-register your updated DevExpress license key to remove evaluation version warnings/messages.

This package is included in the following commercial subscriptions:

• DevExpress WPF Subscription
• DevExpress DXperience Subscription
• DevExpress Universal Subscription

See DevExpress Subscriptions & Licensing for subscription comparison tables, purchasing FAQ, and licensing information.

Related Components/Packages

DevExpress.Wpf.LayoutControl - DevExpress WPF Layout containers.

dotnet add package DevExpress.Wpf.LayoutControl

DevExpress.Wpf.Ribbon - The DevExpress WPF Ribbon control.

dotnet add package DevExpress.Wpf.Ribbon

DevExpress.Wpf - The complete DevExpress WPF Control suite.

dotnet add package DevExpress.Wpf

Demos

NOTE: Demo links below only work if you already have DevExpress WPF Demos installed on your machine. To install demos, download and run the DevExpress Unified Installer (evaluation or licensed version). Remember to select "Demo Applications" on the product selection screen.

• DevExpress WPF Docking - Dock Layout
• DevExpress WPF Docking - Floating Panels
• DevExpress WPF Docking - Auto-Hidden Panels
• DevExpress WPF Docking - Serialization

Documentation

• Dock Windows
• Dock Items
• Layout Items
• Visual Elements

Software Bill of Materials (SBOM)

To access SBOM files for DevExpress packages, please refer to the following article: Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) for DevExpress .NET assemblies/NuGet packages, JavaScript, VCL and other redistributable artifacts.

See Also: Information Security | Security - What You Need to Know

Useful Online Resources

• www.devexpress.com
• DevExpress Support Center
• DevExpress Blogs