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.

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”.