#445 – DockPanel Can Be Used Like a StackPanel

The DockPanel layout container is most often used to dock other container controls along each edge of a window and perhaps include a control that fills the remaining space.  This works well as the outermost container for a main application window.

But because you can stack multiple controls consecutively on the same side, you can use a DockPanel like a StackPanel, but stacking controls in any direction.

Docking everything to the left:

Docking everything to the right:

To the top:

Or the bottom:

You can also use various combinations, stacking a series of controls to one side and then another group of controls to another side.

    <DockPanel LastChildFill="False">
        <Button Content="1 - Button" DockPanel.Dock="Left"/>
        <Button Content="2 - Button" DockPanel.Dock="Left" />
        <Button Content="3 - Button" DockPanel.Dock="Left" />

        <Button Content="4 - Button" DockPanel.Dock="Bottom" />
        <Button Content="5 - Button" DockPanel.Dock="Bottom" />
        <Button Content="6 - Button" DockPanel.Dock="Bottom" />

        <Button Content="7 - Button" DockPanel.Dock="Right" />
        <Button Content="8 - Button" DockPanel.Dock="Right" />
        <Button Content="9 - Button" DockPanel.Dock="Right" />
    </DockPanel>