Overview
The WinUI Docking Manager control provides a Visual Studio-style docking interface for modern desktop applications. Organize content into docked, floating, auto-hidden, and tabbed windows to create flexible, productive workspaces. Users can easily customize layouts by arranging panes, managing documents, and adjusting window behavior.
WinUI Docking Manager code example
Get started with the WinUI Dock Layout control using a few simple lines of XAML and C# code, as shown below. This control helps organize application content into docked, floating, auto-hidden, and tabbed windows, allowing users to build customizable workspace layouts.
<syncfusion:SfDockingManager>
<syncfusion:DockPane Header="Solution Explorer" />
<syncfusion:DockPane Header="Toolbox" />
<syncfusion:DockPane Header="Properties" />
<syncfusion:DockPane Header="Output" />
<syncfusion:DockPane Header="Start Page" />
</syncfusion:SfDockingManager>using Microsoft.UI.Xaml;
using Syncfusion.UI.Xaml.Docking;
namespace DockLayoutSample
{
public sealed partial class MainWindow : Window
{
public MainWindow()
{
this.InitializeComponent();
SfDockingManager dockingManager = new SfDockingManager();
DockPane solutionExplorer = new DockPane()
{
Header = "Solution Explorer"
};
DockPane toolbox = new DockPane()
{
Header = "Toolbox"
};
DockPane properties = new DockPane()
{
Header = "Properties"
};
DockPane output = new DockPane()
{
Header = "Output"
};
DockPane startPage = new DockPane()
{
Header = "Start Page"
};
dockingManager.Children.Add(solutionExplorer);
dockingManager.Children.Add(toolbox);
dockingManager.Children.Add(properties);
dockingManager.Children.Add(output);
dockingManager.Children.Add(startPage);
this.Content = dockingManager;
}
}
}Different types of docking windows
Create adaptable workspaces with multiple docking window types. Display content as docked panels, document tabs, floating windows, auto-hidden panes, or tabbed groups. Users can switch between different window types to organize their workspace and access information efficiently.


Auto-hide panels
Maximize workspace by automatically hiding tool windows when they are not in use. Auto-hidden panels remain accessible through edge tabs and can be quickly revealed when required. This helps users focus on their primary content while keeping important tools within easy reach.
Floating windows
Detach docked panes into independent floating windows and position them anywhere on the screen. Floating windows offer greater workspace flexibility and are especially useful in multi-monitor environments. Users can easily move windows between displays and return them to the docking layout whenever needed.


Drag-and-drop docking
Customize layouts through intuitive drag-and-drop interactions. Move panes between docking regions, convert docked panels into floating windows, and reorganize content at runtime. Interactive docking lets users create custom workspaces without additional configuration.
Dock indicators
Built-in dock indicators provide visual guidance during drag operations. They clearly highlight available docking locations and help users position panes accurately within the layout. This simplifies workspace customization.


Tab groups and documents
Organize multiple tools and documents using tabbed groups. Group related content within the same region and manage documents with a familiar tabbed interface. Quickly switch between open views and maintain a clean, organized, and productive workspace.
Flexible placement
Create layouts using the approach that best fits your application. Define pane positions in XAML, manage layouts programmatically, bind layouts using MVVM patterns, or allow users to arrange panes interactively. This flexibility supports a wide range of application designs and development workflows.


Resizable dock layout
Adjust workspace proportions with interactive resizing. Users can resize docking regions using splitters to allocate more space to the content that matters most. This enables efficient use of screen space.
MVVM data binding
Build dynamic docking layouts with built-in MVVM support. Bind panes to collections and manage workspace content with ViewModels, maintaining a clear separation between the user interface and application logic.
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Integrate the PDF Viewer, DOCX Editor, Spreadsheet Editor, and document-processing libraries into the WinUI applications to enable a smooth user experience.
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