Cell Types

Essential Grid supports several cell types including Header Text, Static, Text Box, Check Box, NumericUpDown, Push Button, and ComboBox. In addition, users may derive additional cell types from our classes.

Cell Attributes

Essential Grid is implemented using a unique cell-oriented architecture that allows intricate customization at the cell level.

Data Binding

DataBinding to the grid is as simple as it gets with a single line of code. The grid supports all kinds of "lists" from IList derived types to ADO.NET DataSource instances. The grid automatically discovers the schema of the datasource at runtime, including any relations setup between tables in a DataSource and renders the grid contents automatically. You can of course, alter the grid's schema to hide columns, include unbound columns, etc. While by default, the grid pulls all the records to the client, irrespective of the number of records displayed in the page, optionally you can use "Pass Through Grouping" to overcome this restriction and selectively query records from the data source based on the grid's current view.

Formula Support

Essential Grid supports Excel-like formulas on a cell by cell basis. It supports cross sheet references and named ranges, and you can easily add custom functions to its function library.

Grid Grouping Support

Essential Grid offers a very flexible support for grouping both flat and hierarchical datasources. It supports expressions fields, filters, multi-column sorting, grouping, nested tables / hierarchies, and custom summaries.

MS Office Simulation

Essential Grid simulates popular Microsoft applications. Users will find its interface to be friendly and familiar.

MFC like Features

Essential Grid supports several MFC-like features. These features are beneficial to any application, and they also make porting from MFC to Windows Forms much easier.