---
title: "Syncfusion WinForms Visual Studio Item Template Support: An Overview"
published_at: "2024-01-03T11:48:54+00:00"
modified_at: "2025-11-07T11:29:56+00:00"
url: "https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/post/winforms-item-template-vs"
excerpt: "This blog explains the Syncfusion WinForms Visual Studio Item Template support and how to use it for seamless control integration."
taxonomy_category:
  - "Desktop"
  - "Extensions"
  - "Syncfusion"
  - "UI"
  - "Visual Studio"
  - "Windows Forms"
taxonomy_post_tag:
  - "desktop"
  - "extensions"
  - "productivity"
  - "Syncfusion"
  - "Visual Studio"
  - "WinForms"
---

# Syncfusion WinForms Visual Studio Item Template Support: An Overview

[Sivasankar Mathiyazhagan](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/author/sivasankar-mathiyazhagan)

![Syncfusion WinForms Visual Studio Item Template Support An Overview](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Syncfusion-WinForms-Visual-Studio-Item-Template-Support-An-Overview.png)


We are excited to share that the Syncfusion WinForms Item Template support for Visual Studio is now available in our [Essential Studio® 2015 Volume 1 release](https://www.syncfusion.com/forums/118723/essential-studio-2015-volume-1-final-release-v13-1-0-21-available-for-download)
.

The [WinForms Item Templates](https://help.syncfusion.com/windowsforms/visual-studio-integration/item-template)
 are designed to simplify the integration of its controls. These templates let developers effortlessly incorporate essential designer files and assemblies for a chosen Syncfusion control directly through the user interface.

In this blog, we’ll guide you through the process of installing the Syncfusion WinForms extensions and incorporating [Syncfusion WinForms controls](https://www.syncfusion.com/winforms-ui-controls)
 into your app using the newly introduced item template support.

## Install the Syncfusion WinForms extensions

To enable the WinForms item templates, we first need to install the Syncfusion WinForms extensions in Visual Studio. This process can be completed either directly within Visual Studio or through the [Visual Studio Marketplace](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=SyncfusionInc.WindowsVSExtensions)
.

### Install extensions using Visual Studio manage extensions dialog box

Follow these steps for installation:

1. First, launch [Visual Studio](https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/vs/) .
2. Navigate to **Extensions -> Manage Extensions.**** Note:**For Visual Studio 2017 or older versions, navigate to ** Tools -> Extensions and Updates**.
3. On the left panel, switch to the online tab and search for **Syncfusion WinForms** in the search box.
4. Then, choose **WinForms Extensions – Syncfusion** from the search results and click ** Download**.
5. Close all instances of Visual Studio and initiate the installation by clicking **Modify** in the VSIX installer.

### Install extension using Visual Studio Marketplace

1. Obtain the [Syncfusion WinForms Extensions](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=SyncfusionInc.WindowsVSExtensions) directly from the Visual Studio Marketplace.
2. If any instances of Visual Studio are running, close them.
3. Double-click the downloaded extension to open the VSIX Installer window, then click **Install**.

## Using the Syncfusion WinForms Item Template

### 1. Incorporate item templates

There are two ways to incorporate Syncfusion WinForms item templates into your app.

**Option 1**

Right-click on your WinForms app in the Solution Explorer window. Choose **Add Syncfusion Item** from the menu.

Refer to the following image.![Right-clicking on WinForms app to add Syncfusion item](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Right-clicking-on-WinForms-app-to-add-Syncfusion-item-1.png)

**Option 2**

Navigate to **Extensions -> Syncfusion** and then select ** Essential Studio® for**** WinForms ->** ** Add Syncfusion Item**.

![Adding Syncfusion Item via Extensions menu](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Adding-Syncfusion-Item-via-Extensions-menu-1.png)

**Note:** In Visual Studio 2017 or earlier versions, you will find the Syncfusion menu directly within the Visual Studio menu.

Now, the **Syncfusion WinForms Item Template Gallery** window will open.

Refer to the following image.

![Syncfusion WinForms Item Template Gallery window](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Syncfusion-WinForms-Item-Template-Gallery-window.png)Using the **Syncfusion WinForms Item Template**, we can add ** three types** of forms. Please refer to the following table for details on how to add each type.

| S.No | Form type | Control | Form details |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Select a Default form.If the Default form is selected, the Blank control option will not be enabled. | Select any controlEg., DataGrid | The Default form will be added to your app alongside the DataGrid control’s code snippet and features. |
| 2 | Select any form except Default.Eg., Ribbon form | Select a Blank control | The default Ribbon form will be added to your app. |
| 3 | Select any form except Default.Eg., Ribbon form | Select any controlEg., DataGrid | The Ribbon form will be added to your app alongside the DataGrid control’s code snippet and features. |

### 2. Add Syncfusion WinForms form to your app

Select any option from the **Select Form** section to add the required form to your WinForms app.

Refer to the following image.

![Add Syncfusion WinForms form to your app](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Add-Syncfusion-WinForms-form-to-your-app-.png)

### 3. Add Syncfusion WinForms control to your app

Select your desired Syncfusion WinForms control from the **Selection Window** section to integrate it into your WinForms app.

### 4. Configure control’s features

Choose the required features of the selected control from the **Select Features** section. These features will be incorporated as code snippets in the integrating designer files within your WinForms app.

### 5. Configure assembly references

Select an **assembly reference** option (GAC location, Essential Studio® installed location, or NuGet packages) to specify where the necessary Syncfusion assemblies are added to the project.

**Note:** If the Syncfusion Essential WinForms build is installed, the installed location and GAC options will be enabled. Without installing the Syncfusion Essential WinForms setup, you can utilize only the NuGet option. The GAC option will not be available in a .NET Core app using Syncfusion WinForms components. The **Version** dropdown lists the installed WinForms versions.

### 5. Provide control name

Now, assign a name for the selected control.

### 6. Finalize control integration

Click the **Add** button to prompt the opening of the Adding Files and Assemblies window. In it, you can review the details of the assemblies and files being added to your WinForms app.![Adding files and assemblies to WinForms app](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Adding-files-and-assemblies-to-WinForms-app-1.png)

### 8. Confirmation

Then, choose **OK** to complete the process and add the selected Syncfusion WinForms control into your WinForms app, along with the required Syncfusion assemblies.

Refer to the following image.

![Created WinForms app with required Syncfusion assemblies](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Complete-process-by-adding-Syncfusion-control-on-WinForms.png)

![Solution Explorer window showing the created WinForms app](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Add-the-required-Syncfusion-assemblies-to-the-WinForms-App-1.png)

### 8. Licensing registration

Following integration, a Syncfusion license registration message box will appear if you installed the trial setup or NuGet packages. Choose the [Claim license](https://www.syncfusion.com/account/claim-license-key?pl=d2luZG93c2Zvcm1z&vs=MjQuMS40NA==)
 button in the licensing message box to generate and register the Syncfusion license key to your project.

![License registration](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/License-registration.png)

## How to run the app with the Syncfusion WinForms control

Follow these steps to run the app:

1. First, open the **Program.cs** file in your WinForms app.
2. Locate the method called **Application.Run(new Form());**.
3. Change the control name in the parentheses to the desired Syncfusion WinForms control. For example, if the control name is **Charts1**, modify the method call to ** Application.Run(new**** Charts1****())**.Refer to the following image.![Change the control name to the desired Syncfusion WinForms control](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Modifying-control-name-in-Syncfusion-WinForms-1.png)
4. Then, save the changes.
5. Finally, run the app. The added Syncfusion WinForms control will open in your app.

## Conclusion

Thanks for reading! In this blog, we explored the [Syncfusion WinForms Visual Studio Item Template](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=SyncfusionInc.WindowsVSExtensions)
 support and its usage. For a more comprehensive understanding, please refer to our documentation on [Adding Syncfusion components to WinForms apps documentation](https://help.syncfusion.com/extension/windowsforms-extension/syncfusion-item-templates-for-windows-forms)
.

We encourage you to apply the steps discussed above and share your experiences in the comments section.

If you’re not yet a Syncfusion customer, consider starting a 30-day [free trial](https://www.syncfusion.com/downloads)
 to explore our features. We also invite you to test our demos on [GitHub](https://github.com/syncfusion)
.

For any queries or feedback, feel free to reach out to us through our [support forums](https://www.syncfusion.com/forums)
, [support portal,](https://support.syncfusion.com/)
 or [feedback portal](https://www.syncfusion.com/feedback/)
. We’re always ready to assist you!

## Related blogs

- [Introducing the WinForms Template Studio for Visual Studio](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/post/winforms-template-studio-visual-studio.aspx)
- [Syncfusion Mobile and Desktop Controls are Now Compatible with .NET 7](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/post/syncfusion-mobile-and-desktop-controls-are-now-compatible-with-net-7.aspx)
- [Arm: The Future of Software Development](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/post/arm-the-future-of-software-development.aspx)
- [Syncfusion Essential Studio® 2023 Volume 4 Is Here!](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/post/essential-studio-2023-volume-4.aspx)