--- title: "Creating a Floating Label Layout in Xamarin.Forms DataForm" published_at: "2021-06-28T11:00:21+00:00" modified_at: "2026-01-14T12:53:38+00:00" url: "https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/post/creating-a-floating-label-layout-in-xamarin-forms-dataform" excerpt: "The Syncfusion Xamarin.Forms DataForm supports a floating label layout that includes features such as assistive labels, leading and trailing icons, and a password toggle icon to show or hide a password. It enhances the user experience of filling the DataForm..." taxonomy_category: - "Desktop" - "Mobile" - "Xamarin" taxonomy_post_tag: - "Android" - "DataForm" - "floating label" - "Mobile" - "Xamarin.Forms" --- # Creating a Floating Label Layout in Xamarin.Forms DataForm [Jeyasri Murugan](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/author/jeyasrim) ![Creating a Floating Label Layout in Xamarin.Forms DataForm](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Creating-a-Floating-Label-Layout-in-Xamarin.Forms-DataForm-1.png) The Syncfusion [Xamarin.Forms DataForm](https://www.syncfusion.com/xamarin-ui-controls/xamarin-dataform) supports a floating label layout that includes features such as assistive labels, leading and trailing icons, and a password toggle icon to show or hide a password. It enhances the user experience of filling the DataForm by showing hints and error messages in a more intuitive way. In this blog, I will explain how to add a floating label layout in Xamarin.Forms DataForm control. ![Floating Label Layout in Xamarin.Forms DataForm](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Floating-Label-Layout-in-Xamarin.Forms-DataForm-1.png) Floating Label Layout in Xamarin.Forms DataForm Before reading further, go through the [Getting Started with Xamarin.Forms DataForm documentation](https://help.syncfusion.com/xamarin/dataform/getting-started) . ## Adding the floating label layout in the DataForm By default, the DataForm arranges editors and their labels corresponding to data fields in the stack layout. You can enable the floating label layout in Xamarin.Forms DataForm by setting the [LayoutOptions](https://help.syncfusion.com/cr/xamarin/Syncfusion.XForms.DataForm.SfDataForm.html#Syncfusion_XForms_DataForm_SfDataForm_LayoutOptions) property of the [DataForm](https://help.syncfusion.com/cr/xamarin/Syncfusion.XForms.DataForm.SfDataForm.html) or [DataFormItem](https://help.syncfusion.com/cr/xamarin/Syncfusion.XForms.DataForm.DataFormItem.html) to [TextInputLayout](https://help.syncfusion.com/cr/xamarin/Syncfusion.XForms.DataForm.LayoutType.html#Syncfusion_XForms_DataForm_LayoutType_TextInputLayout) . Refer to the following code. ``` ``` ## Editors supported in DataForm floating label layout The Xamarin.Forms DataForm supports the floating label layout for the following editors: - Text editor - Password editor - Masked edit text editor - Numeric editor - Multiline text editor - Date editor - Time editor - Picker editor - Drop-down editor - Autocomplete editor ## Features of DataForm floating label layout Important features of the floating label layout are: - [Different container types](#container-types) - [Leading and trailing views](#leading-and-trailing-views) - [Assistive labels](#assistive-labels) - [Color customizations](#color-customizations) ### Container types Containers help us enhance the appearance of the editor views and provide some contrast between editors and assistive labels. The three container types are: - Outlined - Filled - None Refer to the following code. ``` ``` The default container type is **Outlined**. You can also set the container type to ** Filled** and ** None**. ![Outlined Container in Xamarin.Forms DataForm](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Outlined-Container-in-Xamarin.Forms-DataForm.png) Outlined Container in Xamarin.Forms DataForm ### Leading and trailing views Adding a leading icon helps indicate the expected input types, such as birth dates, phone numbers, or passwords. Use the trailing icons to include clear buttons, error icons, voice input symbols, and drop-down symbols. To add these icons, use the [LeadingView](https://help.syncfusion.com/cr/xamarin/Syncfusion.XForms.DataForm.TextInputLayoutSettings.html#Syncfusion_XForms_DataForm_TextInputLayoutSettings_LeadingView) and [TrailingView](https://help.syncfusion.com/cr/xamarin/Syncfusion.XForms.DataForm.TextInputLayoutSettings.html#Syncfusion_XForms_DataForm_TextInputLayoutSettings_TrailingView) properties in the [TextInputLayoutSettings](https://help.syncfusion.com/cr/xamarin/Syncfusion.XForms.DataForm.TextInputLayoutSettings.html) of the [DataFormItem](https://help.syncfusion.com/cr/xamarin/Syncfusion.XForms.DataForm.DataFormItem.html) . Use the [LeadingViewPosition](https://help.syncfusion.com/cr/xamarin/Syncfusion.XForms.DataForm.TextInputLayoutSettings.html#Syncfusion_XForms_DataForm_TextInputLayoutSettings_LeadingViewPosition) and [TrailingViewPosition](https://help.syncfusion.com/cr/xamarin/Syncfusion.XForms.DataForm.TextInputLayoutSettings.html#Syncfusion_XForms_DataForm_TextInputLayoutSettings_TrailingViewPosition) properties to change the position of the leading and trailing views respectively. Refer to the following code example. ``` dataForm.AutoGeneratingDataFormItem += DataForm_AutoGeneratingDataFormItem; private void DataForm_AutoGeneratingDataFormItem1(object sender, AutoGeneratingDataFormItemEventArgs e) { if (e.DataFormItem != null) { if (e.DataFormItem.Name.Equals("ContactNumber")) { e.DataFormItem.TextInputLayoutSettings = new TextInputLayoutSettings() { LeadingView = new Label() { VerticalTextAlignment = Device.RuntimePlatform == Device.iOS ? TextAlignment.Center : TextAlignment.Start, FontSize = Device.RuntimePlatform == Device.iOS ? 18 : 24, Text = "F", FontFamily = Device.RuntimePlatform == Device.iOS ? "ContactsIcons" : Device.RuntimePlatform == Device.Android ? "ContactsIcons.ttf#ContactsIcons" : "Assets/Fonts/ContactsIcons.ttf#ContactsIcons" }, TrailingView = new Label() { VerticalTextAlignment = Device.RuntimePlatform == Device.iOS ? TextAlignment.Center : TextAlignment.Start, FontSize = Device.RuntimePlatform == Device.iOS ? 18 : 24, Text = "A", FontFamily = Device.RuntimePlatform == Device.iOS ? "ContactsIcons" : Device.RuntimePlatform == Device.Android ? "ContactsIcons.ttf#ContactsIcons" : "Assets/Fonts/ContactsIcons.ttf#ContactsIcons" }, }; } } } ``` ![Leading and Trailing View Icons in Xamarin.Forms DataForm](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Leading-and-Trailing-View-Icons-in-Xamarin.Forms-DataForm.png) Leading and Trailing View Icons in Xamarin.Forms DataForm ### Helper text, error text, and character counter Displaying helper and error texts is essential to all types of form-filling. With these assistive labels, we can communicate to the users what type of input is expected. We can also show error messages when the typed input is not in the expected format. #### Helper text label Display a watermark in the editor fields to provide a hint for users. It can be set using [Prompt](https://help.syncfusion.com/xamarin/dataform/working-with-dataform#setting-watermark) . The helper text in the Xamarin.Forms DataForm floating label layout can be collapsed by setting the [ShowHelperText](https://help.syncfusion.com/cr/xamarin/Syncfusion.XForms.DataForm.SfDataForm.html#Syncfusion_XForms_DataForm_SfDataForm_ShowHelperText) to false in the DataForm or [TextInputLayoutSettings](https://help.syncfusion.com/cr/xamarin/Syncfusion.XForms.DataForm.TextInputLayoutSettings.html) . Refer to the following code. ``` ``` ![Helper Text Label in Xamarin.Forms DataForm](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Helper-Text-Label-in-Xamarin.Forms-DataForm.png) Helper Text Label in Xamarin.Forms DataForm #### Validation label Also, the Xamarin.Forms DataForm allows you to display validation messages for the data provided. Refer to the following code example. ``` private string _Name; [Required(AllowEmptyStrings = false, ErrorMessage = "Name should not be empty")] [StringLength(10, ErrorMessage = "Name should not exceed 10 characters")] public string Name { get { return this._Name; } set { this._Name = value; this.RaisePropertyChanged("Name"); } } ``` ![Validation Label in Xamarin.Forms DataForm](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Validation-Label-in-Xamarin.Forms-DataForm.png) Validation Label in Xamarin.Forms DataForm #### Counter label Use this label to display the character count limitation in a given form field validation. To enable this feature, set the [ShowCharCount](https://help.syncfusion.com/cr/xamarin/Syncfusion.XForms.DataForm.DataFormItem.html#Syncfusion_XForms_DataForm_DataFormItem_ShowCharCount) property to true. The character limit can be set using the **StringLength** attribute. Refer to the following code example. ``` dataForm.AutoGeneratingDataFormItem += DataForm_AutoGeneratingDataFormItem; private void DataForm_AutoGeneratingDataFormItem(object sender, AutoGeneratingDataFormItemEventArgs e) { if (e.DataFormItem != null && e.DataFormItem.Name == "Password") { e.DataFormItem.ShowCharCount = true; } } private string _Password; [Required(AllowEmptyStrings = false, ErrorMessage = "Password should not be empty")] [StringLength(10, ErrorMessage = "Password should not exceed 10 characters")] public string Password { get { return this._Password; } set { this._Password = value; this.RaisePropertyChanged("Password"); } } ``` ![Character Counter Label in Xamarin.Forms DataForm](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Counter-Label-in-Xamarin.Forms-DataForm.png) Character Counter Label in Xamarin.Forms DataForm ### Color customizations Customize the in-focus, out-of-focus, error, valid message, and container colors to enrich the appearance of your application. Refer to the following code example. ``` dataForm.AutoGeneratingDataFormItem += DataForm_AutoGeneratingDataFormItem; dataForm.ContainerBackgroundColor = Color.Silver; private void DataForm_AutoGeneratingDataFormItem1(object sender, AutoGeneratingDataFormItemEventArgs e) { if (e.DataFormItem != null) { if (e.DataFormItem.Name == "Name") { e.DataFormItem.FocusedColor = Color.Violet; e.DataFormItem.UnfocusedColor = Color.Silver; e.DataFormItem.ErrorMessageColor = Color.DarkRed; e.DataFormItem.ValidMessageColor = Color.BlueViolet; } } } ``` ![Color Customizations in Xamarin.Forms DataForm](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Color-Customizations-in-Xamarin.Forms-DataForm.png) Color Customizations in Xamarin.Forms DataForm ## GitHub repository You can get the complete code example for the [Xamarin.Forms DataForm with floating labels on GitHub.](https://github.com/SyncfusionExamples/Floating-label-editors-in-xamarin.forms-dataform) ## Conclusion Thanks for reading! In this blog post, we’ve discussed how to add a [floating label layout](https://help.syncfusion.com/xamarin/dataform/floating-label-layout) in our [Xamarin.Forms DataForm](https://www.syncfusion.com/xamarin-ui-controls/xamarin-dataform) control. This feature helps modernize the look of your data form by showing assistive labels, leading and trailing icons, and more. For more details, go through our [floating label layout in Xamarin DataForm documentation](https://help.syncfusion.com/xamarin/dataform/floating-label-layout) . Try out the procedures in this blog post and leave your comments in the feedback section below! The Syncfusion [Xamarin](https://www.syncfusion.com/xamarin-ui-controls) suite has over 155 controls from basic editors to powerful, advanced controls like DataGrid, Charts, ListView, and RTE. Use them to build mesmerizing applications! You can also contact us through our [support forums](https://www.syncfusion.com/forums) , [Direct-Trac](https://www.syncfusion.com/support/directtrac/) , or [feedback portal](https://www.syncfusion.com/feedback/) . We are always happy to assist you! ## Related blogs - [Create a Choropleth Map in a Xamarin Application](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/post/create-a-choropleth-map-in-a-xamarin-application.aspx) - [Easily Create a Meeting Room Calendar Using Xamarin.Forms Scheduler](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/post/easily-create-a-meeting-room-calendar-using-xamarin-forms-scheduler.aspx) - [Overview of the Best and Most Popular Xamarin.Forms Controls](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/post/overview-of-the-best-and-most-popular-xamarin-forms-controls.aspx) - [5 Tips to Easily Use the Grid for Layouts in Xamarin.Forms](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/post/5-tips-to-easily-use-the-grid-for-layouts-in-xamarin-forms.aspx)