Intro: The bottleneck in high-throughput WPF apps

Busy data-entry workflows suffer when forms force users through modal dialogs, late validation, and over-templated controls. The result: more clicks, more retypes, and more context switching. Xceed’s WPF Toolkit Plus gives you MVVM-friendly controls optimized for speed—so users enter structured data in one pass, validation feels instant, and dashboards stay responsive. In fintech, healthcare, and government workflows, these micro-optimizations translate directly into measurable throughput.

7 WPF Toolkit Plus controls that measurably cut clicks

1) MaskedTextBox — zero-regex validation for structured inputs

• Best for: SSN, IBAN, MRN, postal codes, account numbers
• Why it’s faster: Enforces format as-you-type, eliminates post-submit regex errors, and auto-positions the caret to prevent invalid keystrokes.

Code (XAML namespaces)

xmlns:xcad="http://schemas.xceed.com/wpf/xaml/toolkit"

Code (XAML)

<xcad:MaskedTextBox
  Mask="000-00-0000"
  Value="{Binding Patient.SSN, UpdateSourceTrigger=PropertyChanged, ValidatesOnDataErrors=True}"
  PromptChar="_"
  HidePromptOnLeave="True" />

Tip (IBAN mask)

<xcad:MaskedTextBox Mask=">LLLL 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000" />

2) DateTimePicker — keyboard-first entry, range-safe, culture-aware

• Best for: Trade timestamps, admission dates, procurement requests
• Why it’s faster: Direct typing and arrow keys beat mouse-only calendars; Min/Max stops invalid ranges; culture-aware parsing removes locale confusion.

Code (XAML namespaces)

xmlns:sys="clr-namespace:System;assembly=mscorlib"

Code (XAML)

<xcad:DateTimePicker
  Value="{Binding Order.SettlementDate, UpdateSourceTrigger=PropertyChanged, ValidatesOnDataErrors=True}"
  Minimum="2020-01-01"
  Maximum="{x:Static sys:DateTime.Now}"
  Format="ShortDate" />

3) CheckListBox — rapid multi-select with no custom templates

• Best for: Permissions, specialties, flags, document types
• Why it’s faster: One control replaces list+checkbox boilerplate. Space/arrow keys toggle selections; no modal pickers.

Code (XAML)

<xcad:CheckListBox
  ItemsSource="{Binding AvailableRoles}"
  DisplayMemberPath="Name"
  SelectedItemsOverride="{Binding AssignedRoles}"
  SelectionMode="Multiple" />

4) WatermarkTextBox — instant affordance, fewer labels

• Best for: Search, optional fields, filter panels in dense forms
• Why it’s faster: In-line guidance reduces label scanning and eye travel; keeps forms compact without sacrificing clarity.

Code (XAML)

<xcad:WatermarkTextBox
  Text="{Binding Filter.PolicyNumber, UpdateSourceTrigger=PropertyChanged}"
  Watermark="Policy number (e.g., AB1234567)" />

5) BusyIndicator — async feedback that prevents double-submits

• Best for: Save operations, remote validation, report generation
• Why it’s faster: Shows progress and disables duplicates without leaving the page—no disruptive modals.

Code (XAML)

<xcad:BusyIndicator IsBusy="{Binding IsSaving}" BusyContent="Saving...">
  <!-- Form content -->
</xcad:BusyIndicator>

Code (ViewModel)

public async Task SaveAsync()
{
  IsSaving = true;
  try { await _service.SaveAsync(Model); }
  finally { IsSaving = false; }
}

6) PropertyGrid — admin/config pages with auto-generated editors

• Best for: Feature toggles, rule parameters, clinician settings
• Why it’s faster: Auto-generates editors for heterogeneous objects; cut scaffolding to near-zero and focus on behavior.

Code (XAML)

<xcad:PropertyGrid
  SelectedObject="{Binding EditableSettings}"
  AutoGenerateProperties="True" />

7) CollectionControl — inline add/edit lists, no dialogs

• Best for: Contacts, beneficiaries, phone numbers, attachments
• Why it’s faster: Add/edit rows inline; eliminates modal add/edit loops and context switching.

Code (XAML)

<xcad:CollectionControl
  ItemsSource="{Binding Patient.Contacts}"
  NewItemTypes="{Binding AvailableContactTypes}" />

Short benchmark: clicks and keystrokes saved

Scenario: Intake with 8 fields + roles + contacts + date.

• Baseline (generic WPF):
  • Freeform text + modal errors: ~2–3 retypes/session
  • Modal add/edit for contacts: ~12 clicks
  • Calendar-only date selection: ~3–5 clicks
  • Multi-select via mouse: ~6–10 clicks
  • Occasional double-submit: 1 redundant call per day
• Toolkit Plus (optimized):
  • MaskedTextBox: saves ~10–20 keystrokes
  • CollectionControl: saves ~8–12 clicks
  • DateTimePicker: saves ~3–5 clicks
  • CheckListBox: saves ~4–8 clicks
  • BusyIndicator: avoids ~1 failed attempt per session

Net effect: ~20–35 clicks and 10–20 keystrokes saved per intake. At 60 intakes/day, that’s ~30–45 minutes reclaimed per user.

Implementation pattern: bind-friendly validation that feels instant

Use INotifyDataErrorInfo to surface server-side or rule-based errors inline—no modal churn.

Code (ViewModel)

public class IntakeViewModel : INotifyPropertyChanged, INotifyDataErrorInfo
{
  private readonly Dictionary<string, List<string>> _errors = new();
  private string _ssn;

  public string SSN
  {
    get => _ssn;
    set
    {
      if (_ssn == value) return;
      _ssn = value;
      OnPropertyChanged();
      ValidateSSNAsync(value);
    }
  }

  public bool HasErrors => _errors.Count > 0;
  public event EventHandler<DataErrorsChangedEventArgs> ErrorsChanged;

  public IEnumerable GetErrors(string propertyName) =>
    propertyName != null && _errors.TryGetValue(propertyName, out var list) ? list : null;

  private async void ValidateSSNAsync(string value)
  {
    ClearErrors(nameof(SSN));
    var result = await _validationApi.ValidateSsnAsync(value);
    if (!result.IsValid) AddError(nameof(SSN), result.Message);
  }

  private void AddError(string prop, string error)
  {
    if (!_errors.TryGetValue(prop, out var list)) _errors[prop] = list = new List<string>();
    if (!list.Contains(error)) list.Add(error);
    ErrorsChanged?.Invoke(this, new DataErrorsChangedEventArgs(prop));
  }

  private void ClearErrors(string prop)
  {
    if (_errors.Remove(prop)) ErrorsChanged?.Invoke(this, new DataErrorsChangedEventArgs(prop));
  }
}

Code (XAML binding)

<xcad:MaskedTextBox
  Mask="000-00-0000"
  Value="{Binding SSN, UpdateSourceTrigger=PropertyChanged, ValidatesOnNotifyDataErrors=True}"
  Watermark="SSN" />

Paste-ready minimal form (XAML)

<Grid>
  <Grid.RowDefinitions>
    <RowDefinition Height="Auto"/>
    <RowDefinition Height="Auto"/>
    <RowDefinition Height="*"/>
  </Grid.RowDefinitions>

  <StackPanel Orientation="Horizontal" Margin="0,0,0,8">
    <xcad:MaskedTextBox
      Width="240"
      Mask="000-00-0000"
      Value="{Binding SSN, UpdateSourceTrigger=PropertyChanged, ValidatesOnNotifyDataErrors=True}"
      Watermark="SSN" />
    <xcad:DateTimePicker
      Width="180"
      Margin="12,0,0,0"
      Value="{Binding AdmissionDate, UpdateSourceTrigger=PropertyChanged, ValidatesOnNotifyDataErrors=True}"
      Minimum="2020-01-01"
      Format="ShortDate" />
  </StackPanel>

  <xcad:CheckListBox
    Grid.Row="1"
    ItemsSource="{Binding AvailableRoles}"
    DisplayMemberPath="Name"
    SelectedItemsOverride="{Binding AssignedRoles}"
    SelectionMode="Multiple" />

  <xcad:BusyIndicator Grid.Row="2" IsBusy="{Binding IsSaving}" BusyContent="Saving...">
    <xcad:CollectionControl ItemsSource="{Binding Contacts}" />
  </xcad:BusyIndicator>
</Grid>

Where this shines in enterprise workflows

• Fintech: IBAN/account entry, settlement dates, role-based approvals
• Healthcare: MRN formatting, admission/discharge dates, clinician specialties
• Government: case IDs, postal codes, multi-agency flags

Try it for yourself !

• Start a free 45-day trial of WPF Toolkit Plus
• Need help choosing controls or patterns? Visit the docs hub

FAQ

How does WPF Toolkit Plus improve WPF performance in data-entry screens?

Controls like MaskedTextBox and DateTimePicker prevent invalid input and reduce reflows, while BusyIndicator coordinates async work to avoid duplicate calls—leading to fewer stalls and faster task completion.

Can I use these controls with MVVM and INotifyDataErrorInfo?

Yes. Bind with ValidatesOnNotifyDataErrors and surface server-side rules inline without modal errors or blocking UI.

What about accessibility and consistent theming?

Pair Toolkit Plus with Pro Themes for WPF to standardize focus states, contrast, and control visuals across complex forms.

How do these controls integrate with grids and dashboards?

Use DataGrid for WPF for virtualized review/edit, batch updates, and exports; the same validation patterns apply in cell editors.

Will I need custom templates for most scenarios?

Often no. PropertyGrid and CollectionControl eliminate a lot of templating. When needed, add custom editors incrementally.