Suggestion for the Grid Control XAML syntax

[FranckSix]

When using a Grid in XAML we must repeat all over the Grid.Row and Grid.Column on each controls. When We need to add a row or a column in refactor process. All this setting must be reviewed one by one.

My suggestion is to add a facility to place controls on the grid like

<Grid RowDefinitions="auto,auto,auto" ColumnDefinitions="auto,auto">
    <Grid.Row>
		<Grid.Column>
			<Label Text="Label 1" />
		</Grid.Column>
		<Grid.Column>
			<Entry Text="{Binding Value1}" />
		</Grid.Column>
	</Grid.Row>
	<Grid.Row>
		<Grid.Column>
			<Label Text="Label3" />
		</Grid.Column>
		<Grid.Column>
			<Entry Text="{Binding Value3}" />
		</Grid.Column>		
	</Grid.Row>
</Grid>

If I need to insert Label2 / Entry2 between first and second row I can add new block between Row 1 and Row 2 and it's done. Visually the code is more readable. Un simplistic scenario like my example is seem to be more verbose than the official syntax. But in complex scenario it takes all it's sense.

to compare the official syntax. If I want to add the Label2 / Entry2 between first and second row. I need to review all items and ensure I've not missing one. On big Grid scenario it takes all sense.

<Grid RowDefinitions="auto,auto,auto" ColumnDefinitions="auto,auto">
	<Label Text="Label 1" />
	<Entry Text="{Binding Value1}" />
	<Label Text="Label3" Grid.Row="1" />
	<Entry Text="{Binding Value3}" Grid.Row="1" Grid.Column="2" />
</Grid>

The official syntax must be keep for more simplistic scenario, Because it's less verbose for these situations.

[rokmeglic71]

Yes, when adding additional labels, I need to review all items/rows and ensure I have not missed one.
I like your suggestion.

[MerSpyro]

How would you add a control in RowSpan =2 and Column = 1?

[FranckSix]

like the HTML way :

<Grid RowDefinitions="auto,auto,auto" ColumnDefinitions="auto,auto,auto">
	<Grid.Row RowSpan="2">
		<Grid.Column ColSpan="2">
			<Label Text="Label 1"/>
		</Grid.Column>
		<Grid.Column>
			<Entry Text="{Binding Value1}"/>
		</Grid.Column>
	</Grid.Row>
	<Grid.Row>
		<Grid.Column>
			<Label Text="Label3"/>
		</Grid.Column>
		<Grid.Column>
			<Label Text="Label4"/>
		</Grid.Column>
		<Grid.Column>
			<Entry Text="{Binding Value3}"/>
		</Grid.Column>
	</Grid.Row>
</Grid>

[MerSpyro]

And now i want to have a label "A" in Row1, with ColumnSpan = 2. Should I split the Grid.Row into 2 Grids?

[FranckSix]

Therfore I already have a first row on two rows the first line will overflow over the second cell of the first line but the actual model permit, so with the new model you could do like this

<Grid>
	<Grid.Row RowSpan="2">
		<Grid.Column Grid.Column="1">
			<Label Text="Label 1"/>
		</Grid.Column>
		<Grid.Column>
			<Entry Text="{Binding Value1}"/>
		</Grid.Column>
	</Grid.Row>
	<Grid.Row>
		<Grid.Column ColSpan="2">
			<Label Text="Label A"/>
		</Grid.Column>
	</Grid.Row>
	<Grid.Row>
		<Grid.Column>
			<Label Text="Label3"/>
		</Grid.Column>
		<Grid.Column>
			<Label Text="Label4"/>
		</Grid.Column>
		<Grid.Column>
			<Entry Text="{Binding Value3}"/>
		</Grid.Column>
	</Grid.Row>
</Grid>

The Actual Grid.Column and Grid.Row syntax may be use for the starting point in the grid like it does now. And the Colspan / Rowspan could be used in Grid.Row or Grid.Column

Suggestion that in my last example, because the structure is define by its content, I can omit the RowDefinitions and ColumnDefinitions. Theses values can be driven by content or by Height in the style dictionary.

[rokmeglic71]

It is a good idea, but the time to do this, can be used else where in MAUI. Not to mention additional bugs this would create a long the way.