How to Use Splits

In True DBGrid, a split is similar to the split window features of products such as Microsoft Excel and Word. You can use splits to present your data in multiple vertical panes. These vertical panes, or splits, can display data in different colors and fonts. They can scroll as a unit or individually, and they can display different sets of columns or the same set. You can also use splits to prevent one or more columns from scrolling. Unlike other grid products, fixed (nonscrolling) columns in True DBGrid do not have to be at the left edge of the grid, but can be at the right edge or anywhere in the middle. You can even have multiple groups of fixed columns within a grid. Splits open up an endless variety of possibilities for presenting data to users of your applications.

Whenever you use True DBGrid, you are always using a split. A grid always contains at least one split, and the default values for the split properties are set so that you can ignore splits until you want to use them. Therefore, you can skip this chapter if you do not need to create and manipulate more than one split within a grid.

You create and manipulate splits by working with Split objects and the Splits collection. Since an individual column can be visible in one split but hidden in another, each Split object maintains its own Columns collection. This gives you complete control over the appearance of each split and the columns they contain.