There are several different ways to accomplish the same result when creating a Windows Forms page with a Spread component. In this documentation, the procedures often describe more than one way, including using the Properties window in Visual Studio .NET, writing code including using shortcut objects, and using the Spread Designer. The Spread Designer sets properties and calls methods for the Spread component, including properties not available at design time through Visual Studio .NET, without producing any editable code.

Each of these has its advantages and disadvantages. Using shortcut objects is the shortest, quickest way of adding code using dot notation and setting a property of a shortcut object. Using code without using shortcut objects generally means declaring objects and setting properties for them. Typically, for either way of writing code, there is an example given.

Documentation Provided

The Spread Windows Forms documentation provides introductory information about the product, conceptual information, how-to topics, and a detailed assembly and formula function reference in a help file and in PDF files. Additional information is provided in the Read me file.

Accessing the Help

You can access the help through F1 support provided in Visual Studio NET. While the Spread component or one of its members has focus, press F1 to display the Spread Windows Forms help.

You can also access the help file in a stand-alone window by choosing Programs‑>ComponentOne‑>...->Product Name and then selecting the help.

The help provided for Spread Windows Forms is in an MSHelp2 format, created by Microsoft. Unlike the original version of MSHelp, the help is registered on your system and is integrated using collection files. Therefore you must follow the preceding instructions to view the help. You cannot double-click on the help file (.HxS) to view it directly. Also, if you move the help file or any of its associated collection files (.Hx*) from where they were installed on your system, the help will not work.

Documentation Conventions

The format of the help is similar to the help provided for Visual Studio .NET. Reference material for members provides multiple language reference for the member. You can change which language's syntax is displayed by clicking the Languages button in the title of the topic.

List of How-To’s

Here is a list of the How To’s:

• Adding a Note to a Cell
• Adding a Row or Column
• Adding a Sheet
• Allowing the User to Enter Formulas
• Allowing the User to Automatically Sort Rows
• Allowing the User to Perform a Standard Search
• Applying a Skin to a Sheet
• Creating a Custom Skin for a Sheet
• Creating and Using a Custom Function
• Creating and Using a Custom Name
• Creating Alternating Rows
• Customizing the Outline of the Component
• Customizing the Input Maps
• Customizing the Scroll Bars of the Component
• Customizing Split Boxes
• Customizing the Dimensions of the Component
• Customizing the Number of Rows or Columns
• Customizing Viewports
• Customizing the Selection Appearance
• Customizing the Sheet Corner Appearance
• Displaying Grid Lines on a Sheet
• Customizing the Sheet Name Tabs of the Component
• Displaying Text Tips in a Cell
• Locking a Cell
• Nesting Functions in a Formula
• Opening Existing Files
• Optimizing the Printing Using Rules
• Using Automatic Sorting
• Placing a Formula in Cells
• Placing Child Controls on a Sheet
• Printing an Entire Sheet
• Printing Particular Pages
• Printing a Range of Cells on a Sheet
• Printing an Entire Sheet
• Providing a Preview of the Printing
• Removing a Row or Column
• Removing a Sheet
• Saving Data to a File
• Searching for Data with Code
• Setting the Background Colors for a Sheet
• Setting the Row Height or Column Width
• Sorting Rows, Columns, or Ranges
• Specifying a Cell Reference in a Formula
• Specifying What the User Can Select
• Using a Circular Reference in a Formula
• Using Drag Operations to Fill Cells
• Working with Editable Cell Types
• Working with Graphical Cell Types
• Working with Selections