Line Numbers for RichText Control in C#

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Introduction

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This article is a converted project from VB.NET to C#, originally created by nogChoco in the article, "LineNumbers for the RichTextBox".

Sure anyone can make a line numbering user control.  I've made many variations of them for VB 3.0 to 6.0 & C++, always using picture boxes or whatever as a drawing base to mark the position. When Microsoft released the newer versions of RichText control boxes (in more recent versions), the old methods went out the door.  By this, I mean that one can easily zoom in & out of the box by holding down Ctrl (or Shift) key while using the mouse wheel, posing a HUGE problem for traditional methods. 

Q: Why use RichText instead of the traditional TextBox?
A: (In older versions) RichText can hold more data! (and offers more features)

Before Compiling Fore-note  

I have successfully compiled & ran this example project under both Visual Studio 2008 & SharpDevelop 3.x using Framework 2.0.

You will probably have problems running this example project under VS 2005 & lower; do note the control does work under the Framework 2.0.  If you are having problems running this under VS 2005 or other studios, you might want to either find yourself a project converter or upgrade your studio. I am very sorry if this is an inconvenience for you, that is why this is posted for Intermediate & Expert users. 

If you want a free IDE that can run this, try out SharpDevelop IDE.

Compiling Your Own Project

Using SharpDevelop (3.x) 

1. Create a new C# Windows project
2. Add Reference to your project (Right click 'References' > 'Add Reference')
3. Under GAC Tab select: "Microsoft.VisualBasic"
4. Insert into your project existing item.. "linenum_rtf.cs"
5. Under Custom Components, insert "LineNumbers_For_RichTextBox" into your form as well as insert a RichTextBox
6. Line them up side by side (left side by default)
7. Link Line Numbers to your RichTextBox
   1. Under "Add LineNumbers to" > "Parent Rich Text Box":
   2. Select your RichTextBox to add line numbers to
   3. (feel free to customize it on your own)
8. Run the project!

Using Visual Studio (2008)

1. Create a new C# Windows Project
2. Add Reference to your project (Right click 'References' > 'Add Reference')
3. Under .NET Tab select: "Microsoft.VisualBasic"
4. Insert the existing item into your project... "linenum_rtf.cs"
5. Build your project!
   1. This will not show under Custom Components unless you build you the project first!
6. Under Custom Components, insert "LineNumbers_For_RichTextBox" into your form as well as insert a RichTextBox
7. Line them up side by side (left side by default)
8. Link Line Numbers to your RichTextBox
   1. Under "Add LineNumbers to" > "Parent Rich Text Box":
   2. Select your RichTextBox to add line numbers to
   3. (feel free to customize it on your own)
9. Run the project!

Background and Points of Interest

As a software designer/developer like all of you, time is of the essence when meeting deadlines! This example using the RichText control works great! Especially with the zoom in/out feature using the mouse wheel, and it added nice graphical features which can be easily customized. However, I feel the urging need to program in C# and this example was only provided in VB.NET... It was time to upgrade it & now, on with the show!

History

• 2009.08.05 - Initial conversion from VB.NET to C#
• 2009.08.08 - Updated notes on this page (pictures soon to come)

To Do

• Provide 2 versions
  • Graphical: The current version (customizable and beautiful)
  • Simple: Side bar is simple & has low overhead on your projects
• Strip out references to Microsoft.VisualBasic so it's more pure C#

- Damian J. Suess of Xeno Innovations, Inc. [2000-2009]