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Bindable Property Wizard

Generate the C# code to declare a new bindable property for a custom control

Introduction

When creating a custom control for Xamarin.Forms, bindable properties expose CLR properties that a consumer of the control can data-bind to using the Binding markup extension. EG: Text="{Binding Welcome}".

Bindable properties extend the default behaviour of CLR properties by adding the follow functionality:

  • Validation of incoming property values.
  • Notifications of property changes.
  • Default value support.
  • Value coercion to force the property to revaluate.

At a minimum, bindable properties are composed of two parts:

  • The bindable property declaration. This is must be created via the BindableProperty.Create factory method.
  • The instance property declaration.

Bindable Property Example 

 public static readonly BindableProperty HasShadowProperty = BindableProperty.Create(nameof(HasShadow), typeof(bool), typeof(HelloWorld), default(bool));
 public bool HasShadow
 {
     get => (bool)GetValue(HasShadowProperty);
     set => SetValue(HasShadowProperty, value);
 }

One of the main difficulties with bindable properties is remembering the full syntax and correct structure for a new property.

To simplify their creation, the wizard generates the C# code for a new attached property.

Using The Bindable Property Wizard

To open the bindable property wizard, press Alt+Return within the body a C# class that inherits from Xamarin.Forms.VisualElement.

In the code actions menu that opens, choose Create a bindable property to launch the wizard.

Bindable Property Wizard

The bindable property wizard in Visual Studio Windows

The bindable property wizard consists of the following parts:

  • Name: The name of the new bindable property.
  • Type: The fully qualified type name for the bindable properties type. Defaults to System.Object, however, the wizard will attempt to infer the desired type based on the Name input. See Automatic Type Inference.
  • Control Type: The type of control that this bindable property targets. Defaults to the control type where the wizard was launched.
  • Exception Handler: A statement that handles any exception thrown during the application of a new property value.

On the right hand side of the wizard is a preview of the code that the wizard will create.

To create the new bindable property, enter the name and type of the new property and then press Create Bindable Property. This will insert the generated code into the class at the location of the caret.

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