GroupBox

A GroupBox is a container object that organizes other controls (buttons, labels, etc.) into a logical group, similar to a Panel.
The key difference from a Panel is that a GroupBox comes with a default border and a header (defined by the Text property). This makes it ideal for visually separating related controls on the screen.

For standard Properties, Advanced, and Events Panel settings not covered here, please refer to the Common Object Features page.

Common Use Cases

• RadioButton Grouping

When multiple RadioButtons are placed inside a GroupBox, they automatically form a single selection group, allowing only one of them to be selected at a time.

• Visual Organization

For example, grouping all controls of a motor (“Start”, “Stop”, “Speed Adjustment”) inside a GroupBox and setting its Text property to “Motor 1 Control Panel” provides clear visual structure.

• Batch Management

As with a Panel, you can manage the entire group’s Visible or Enabled states through a single tag.

Basic Configuration and Behavior

• Design

Drag and drop other controls (Button, Label, etc.) into a GroupBox.

• Labeling (Advanced Panel)

Set the GroupBox’s Text property to define the group’s title (e.g., “Operating Mode”).

• Control (Properties Panel)

Bind the GroupBox’s Visible or Enabled properties to a tag to affect all controls inside it collectively.

Properties Panel – Key Properties

Text (Caption / Header)

• Function: Allows binding the GroupBox header to a String tag dynamically.
• Use Case: When an operator selects “Machine 1” from a ComboBox, the GroupBox header can automatically update to “Machine 1 Settings”.

Visible

• Function: Controls whether the GroupBox (and all controls inside it) is shown or hidden, based on a Boolean tag.

Enabled

• Function: When the GroupBox’s Enabled property is set to False, all controls inside it (buttons, text boxes, etc.) automatically become disabled (non-clickable/non-editable).

Advanced Panel – Key Properties

Text
Defines the group’s header at design time.
BackColor
Sets the background color of the GroupBox.
ForeColor
Defines the color of the GroupBox’s header text.
Note: Unlike a Panel, a GroupBox does not have an AutoScroll feature. It is designed primarily for grouping and captioning content rather than scrolling it.

Usage Examples

Example 1: Mode Selection with RadioButtons (Common Scenario)

This is the most typical and essential usage for a GroupBox.

1. Add a GroupBox to the screen.
2. In Advanced → Text, set the header to “Running Mode”.
3. Drag the following RadioButtons into the GroupBox:

• RadioButton_0 (Text: “Manual”)
• RadioButton_1 (Text: “Automatic”)
• RadioButton_2 (Text: “Maintenance”)

Result: All three RadioButtons now belong to the same group. When the operator selects “Automatic”, the “Manual” and “Maintenance” selections are automatically cleared.
(For tag-binding rules, see the RadioButton documentation.)

Example 2: Hiding a Settings Section Based on User Level

1. Add a GroupBox to the screen.
2. Place inside it only the controls intended for authorized users.
3. Open Properties → Visible.
4. Add a New Condition:

• Condition: UserLevel = “5”

Result: When the screen loads, the GroupBox (and everything inside it) is hidden for normal users.
It becomes visible only when the logged-in user’s UserLevel equals “5”.