How can I convert the string ‘Red’ into the color Color.Red, and vice versa

You can use the TypeDescriptor class to handle this. Color redColor = (Color)TypeDescriptor.GetConverter(typeof(Color)).ConvertFromString(‘Red’); string redString = TypeDescriptor.GetConverter(typeof(Color)).ConvertToString(Color.Red); You can also use code such as System.Drawing.ColorConverter ccv = new System.Drawing.ColorConverter(); this.BackColor = (Color) ccv.ConvertFromString(‘Red’);