How can I reference a resource in a separate ResourceDictionary in WPF?

Question

In my project (ABC), I have MainWindow.xaml where I have defined a toolbar for it and this toolbar is defined in project under Resource/Views/ApplicationToolbar.xmal as following:

I have referenced it in my MainWindow.xaml as xmlns:local="clr-namespace:ABC" and as soon as I run it I get an error indicating View123 not found.

More information: (EDIT)

<ResourceDictionary xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
                    xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
                    xmlns:local="clr-namespace:ABC">

    <StackPanel x:Key="View1">
        <Button Margin="3" Content="Test1"></Button>
        <Button Margin="3" Content="Test2"></Button>
    </StackPanel>

</ResourceDictionary>

Now in MainWindow.xmal have:

<Window x:Class="ABC.MainWindow"
        xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
        xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
        xmlns:local="clr-namespace:ABC"
        Title="MainWindow" Height="350" Width="525">
    <Grid Margin="10">
        <Grid.RowDefinitions>
            <RowDefinition Height="Auto"/>
            <RowDefinition Height="10"/>
            <RowDefinition Height="*"/>
            <RowDefinition Height="10"/>
        </Grid.RowDefinitions>

        <!-- FOLLOWING LINE CAUSING ERROR-->
        <ContentControl Name="Toolbar" Content="{StaticResource View1 }"></ContentControl>

    </Grid>
</Window>

What am I missing?

Thanks, Amit

Can you please show us where you actually reference the control? There is not enough information here to propose a solution. — Jeff Yates
– Jeff Yates, Commented Aug 14, 2012 at 17:13
You need to specify the actual resource dictionary in your MainWindow.xaml — niao
– niao, Commented Aug 14, 2012 at 17:23
@PiotrPtak what if I don't want to mix it with my MainWindow.xaml? — amit kohan
– amit kohan, Commented Aug 14, 2012 at 17:27
"Why WPF is not very good when it comes to referencing?": why do you assume it is WPF that is "not very good"? Perhaps you're the one who's not very good when it comes to WPF ;). Don't blame something just because you don't understand it properly... — Thomas Levesque
– Thomas Levesque, Commented Aug 14, 2012 at 17:46

mclark1129 · Accepted Answer · 2012-08-15 14:38:48Z

4

Since View1 is referenced in a separate ResourceDictionary you need to merge it into the ResourceDictionary for this Window.

Try adding this to the code just inside your Window declaration:

<Window.Resources>
  <ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
    <ResourceDictionary Source="Resource/Views/ApplicationToolbar.xaml"/>
  </ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
</Window.Resources>

At this point your Window should be able to reference View1.

Note: I haven't tested this fully in an IDE, so it's possible there could be a slight syntax error or issue with the path. You may have to format your dictionary URL with a Pack URI in order for the reference to resolve correctly. Resource paths in WPF tend to be a little tricky.

edited Aug 15, 2012 at 14:38

answered Aug 14, 2012 at 17:28

mclark1129

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Comments

amit kohan · Accepted Answer · 2012-08-14 17:41:41Z

0

Thanks to all. OK, I tried what was suggested here and I appreciate Mike and it was close to the solution. What worked for me was adding following tag in App.xaml:

<Application.Resources>
    <ResourceDictionary Source="Resources/views/ApplicationToolbar.xaml"/>
</Application.Resources>

Thanks. Amit

answered Aug 14, 2012 at 17:41

amit kohan

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