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How to: Provide Standard Menu Items to a Form

You can provide a standard menu for your forms with the MenuStrip control.

There is extensive support for this feature in Visual Studio.

Walkthrough: Providing Standard Menu Items to a Form
Walkthrough: Providing Standard Menu Items to a Form
Walkthrough: Providing Standard Menu Items to a Form
Walkthrough: Providing Standard Menu Items to a Form

Example

The following code example demonstrates how to use a MenuStrip control to create a form with a standard menu. Menu item selections are displayed in a StatusStrip control.

Imports System
Imports System.Collections.Generic
Imports System.ComponentModel
Imports System.Drawing
Imports System.Windows.Forms

Public Class Form1
    Inherits Form

    Public Sub New()

        Me.InitializeComponent()

    End Sub

    ' This utility method assigns the value of a ToolStripItem
    ' control's Text property to the Text property of the 
    ' ToolStripStatusLabel.
    Private Sub UpdateStatus(ByVal item As ToolStripItem)

        If item IsNot Nothing Then

            Dim msg As String = String.Format("{0} selected", item.Text)
            Me.StatusStrip1.Items(0).Text = msg

        End If

    End Sub

    ' This method is the DropDownItemClicked event handler.
    ' It passes the ClickedItem object to a utility method
    ' called UpdateStatus, which updates the text displayed 
    ' in the StatusStrip control.
    Private Sub FileToolStripMenuItem_DropDownItemClicked( _
    ByVal sender As System.Object, _
    ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItemClickedEventArgs) _
    Handles FileToolStripMenuItem.DropDownItemClicked

        Me.UpdateStatus(e.ClickedItem)

    End Sub

    'Form overrides dispose to clean up the component list.
    <System.Diagnostics.DebuggerNonUserCode()> _
    Protected Overrides Sub Dispose(ByVal disposing As Boolean)
        If disposing AndAlso components IsNot Nothing Then
            components.Dispose()
        End If
        MyBase.Dispose(disposing)
    End Sub
    Friend WithEvents MenuStrip1 As System.Windows.Forms.MenuStrip
    Friend WithEvents FileToolStripMenuItem As System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
    Friend WithEvents NewToolStripMenuItem As System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
    Friend WithEvents OpenToolStripMenuItem As System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
    Friend WithEvents toolStripSeparator As System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripSeparator
    Friend WithEvents SaveToolStripMenuItem As System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
    Friend WithEvents SaveAsToolStripMenuItem As System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
    Friend WithEvents toolStripSeparator1 As System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripSeparator
    Friend WithEvents PrintToolStripMenuItem As System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
    Friend WithEvents PrintPreviewToolStripMenuItem As System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
    Friend WithEvents toolStripSeparator2 As System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripSeparator
    Friend WithEvents ExitToolStripMenuItem As System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
    Friend WithEvents EditToolStripMenuItem As System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
    Friend WithEvents UndoToolStripMenuItem As System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
    Friend WithEvents RedoToolStripMenuItem As System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
    Friend WithEvents toolStripSeparator3 As System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripSeparator
    Friend WithEvents CutToolStripMenuItem As System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
    Friend WithEvents CopyToolStripMenuItem As System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
    Friend WithEvents PasteToolStripMenuItem As System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
    Friend WithEvents toolStripSeparator4 As System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripSeparator
    Friend WithEvents SelectAllToolStripMenuItem As System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
    Friend WithEvents ToolsToolStripMenuItem As System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
    Friend WithEvents CustomizeToolStripMenuItem As System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
    Friend WithEvents OptionsToolStripMenuItem As System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
    Friend WithEvents HelpToolStripMenuItem As System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
    Friend WithEvents ContentsToolStripMenuItem As System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
    Friend WithEvents IndexToolStripMenuItem As System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
    Friend WithEvents SearchToolStripMenuItem As System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
    Friend WithEvents toolStripSeparator5 As System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripSeparator
    Friend WithEvents AboutToolStripMenuItem As System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
    Friend WithEvents StatusStrip1 As System.Windows.Forms.StatusStrip
    Friend WithEvents ToolStripStatusLabel1 As System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripStatusLabel

    'Required by the Windows Form Designer
    Private components As System.ComponentModel.IContainer

    'NOTE: The following procedure is required by the Windows Form Designer
    'It can be modified using the Windows Form Designer.  
    'Do not modify it using the code editor.
    <System.Diagnostics.DebuggerStepThrough()> _
    Private Sub InitializeComponent()
        Dim resources As System.ComponentModel.ComponentResourceManager = New System.ComponentModel.ComponentResourceManager(GetType(Form1))
        Me.MenuStrip1 = New System.Windows.Forms.MenuStrip
        Me.FileToolStripMenuItem = New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
        Me.NewToolStripMenuItem = New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
        Me.OpenToolStripMenuItem = New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
        Me.toolStripSeparator = New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripSeparator
        Me.SaveToolStripMenuItem = New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
        Me.SaveAsToolStripMenuItem = New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
        Me.toolStripSeparator1 = New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripSeparator
        Me.PrintToolStripMenuItem = New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
        Me.PrintPreviewToolStripMenuItem = New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
        Me.toolStripSeparator2 = New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripSeparator
        Me.ExitToolStripMenuItem = New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
        Me.EditToolStripMenuItem = New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
        Me.UndoToolStripMenuItem = New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
        Me.RedoToolStripMenuItem = New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
        Me.toolStripSeparator3 = New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripSeparator
        Me.CutToolStripMenuItem = New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
        Me.CopyToolStripMenuItem = New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
        Me.PasteToolStripMenuItem = New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
        Me.toolStripSeparator4 = New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripSeparator
        Me.SelectAllToolStripMenuItem = New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
        Me.ToolsToolStripMenuItem = New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
        Me.CustomizeToolStripMenuItem = New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
        Me.OptionsToolStripMenuItem = New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
        Me.HelpToolStripMenuItem = New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
        Me.ContentsToolStripMenuItem = New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
        Me.IndexToolStripMenuItem = New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
        Me.SearchToolStripMenuItem = New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
        Me.toolStripSeparator5 = New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripSeparator
        Me.AboutToolStripMenuItem = New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem
        Me.StatusStrip1 = New System.Windows.Forms.StatusStrip
        Me.ToolStripStatusLabel1 = New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripStatusLabel
        Me.MenuStrip1.SuspendLayout()
        Me.StatusStrip1.SuspendLayout()
        Me.SuspendLayout()
        '
        'MenuStrip1
        '
        Me.MenuStrip1.Items.AddRange(New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem() {Me.FileToolStripMenuItem, Me.EditToolStripMenuItem, Me.ToolsToolStripMenuItem, Me.HelpToolStripMenuItem})
        Me.MenuStrip1.Location = New System.Drawing.Point(0, 0)
        Me.MenuStrip1.Name = "MenuStrip1"
        Me.MenuStrip1.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(292, 24)
        Me.MenuStrip1.TabIndex = 0
        Me.MenuStrip1.Text = "MenuStrip1"
        '
        'FileToolStripMenuItem
        '
        Me.FileToolStripMenuItem.DropDownItems.AddRange(New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem() {Me.NewToolStripMenuItem, Me.OpenToolStripMenuItem, Me.toolStripSeparator, Me.SaveToolStripMenuItem, Me.SaveAsToolStripMenuItem, Me.toolStripSeparator1, Me.PrintToolStripMenuItem, Me.PrintPreviewToolStripMenuItem, Me.toolStripSeparator2, Me.ExitToolStripMenuItem})
        Me.FileToolStripMenuItem.Name = "FileToolStripMenuItem"
        Me.FileToolStripMenuItem.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(35, 20)
        Me.FileToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&File"
        '
        'NewToolStripMenuItem
        '
        Me.NewToolStripMenuItem.Image = CType(resources.GetObject("NewToolStripMenuItem.Image"), System.Drawing.Image)
        Me.NewToolStripMenuItem.ImageTransparentColor = System.Drawing.Color.Magenta
        Me.NewToolStripMenuItem.Name = "NewToolStripMenuItem"
        Me.NewToolStripMenuItem.ShortcutKeys = CType((System.Windows.Forms.Keys.Control Or System.Windows.Forms.Keys.N), System.Windows.Forms.Keys)
        Me.NewToolStripMenuItem.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(152, 22)
        Me.NewToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&New"
        '
        'OpenToolStripMenuItem
        '
        Me.OpenToolStripMenuItem.Image = CType(resources.GetObject("OpenToolStripMenuItem.Image"), System.Drawing.Image)
        Me.OpenToolStripMenuItem.ImageTransparentColor = System.Drawing.Color.Magenta
        Me.OpenToolStripMenuItem.Name = "OpenToolStripMenuItem"
        Me.OpenToolStripMenuItem.ShortcutKeys = CType((System.Windows.Forms.Keys.Control Or System.Windows.Forms.Keys.O), System.Windows.Forms.Keys)
        Me.OpenToolStripMenuItem.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(152, 22)
        Me.OpenToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&Open"
        '
        'toolStripSeparator
        '
        Me.toolStripSeparator.Name = "toolStripSeparator"
        Me.toolStripSeparator.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(149, 6)
        '
        'SaveToolStripMenuItem
        '
        Me.SaveToolStripMenuItem.Image = CType(resources.GetObject("SaveToolStripMenuItem.Image"), System.Drawing.Image)
        Me.SaveToolStripMenuItem.ImageTransparentColor = System.Drawing.Color.Magenta
        Me.SaveToolStripMenuItem.Name = "SaveToolStripMenuItem"
        Me.SaveToolStripMenuItem.ShortcutKeys = CType((System.Windows.Forms.Keys.Control Or System.Windows.Forms.Keys.S), System.Windows.Forms.Keys)
        Me.SaveToolStripMenuItem.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(152, 22)
        Me.SaveToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&Save"
        '
        'SaveAsToolStripMenuItem
        '
        Me.SaveAsToolStripMenuItem.Name = "SaveAsToolStripMenuItem"
        Me.SaveAsToolStripMenuItem.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(152, 22)
        Me.SaveAsToolStripMenuItem.Text = "Save &As"
        '
        'toolStripSeparator1
        '
        Me.toolStripSeparator1.Name = "toolStripSeparator1"
        Me.toolStripSeparator1.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(149, 6)
        '
        'PrintToolStripMenuItem
        '
        Me.PrintToolStripMenuItem.Image = CType(resources.GetObject("PrintToolStripMenuItem.Image"), System.Drawing.Image)
        Me.PrintToolStripMenuItem.ImageTransparentColor = System.Drawing.Color.Magenta
        Me.PrintToolStripMenuItem.Name = "PrintToolStripMenuItem"
        Me.PrintToolStripMenuItem.ShortcutKeys = CType((System.Windows.Forms.Keys.Control Or System.Windows.Forms.Keys.P), System.Windows.Forms.Keys)
        Me.PrintToolStripMenuItem.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(152, 22)
        Me.PrintToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&Print"
        '
        'PrintPreviewToolStripMenuItem
        '
        Me.PrintPreviewToolStripMenuItem.Image = CType(resources.GetObject("PrintPreviewToolStripMenuItem.Image"), System.Drawing.Image)
        Me.PrintPreviewToolStripMenuItem.ImageTransparentColor = System.Drawing.Color.Magenta
        Me.PrintPreviewToolStripMenuItem.Name = "PrintPreviewToolStripMenuItem"
        Me.PrintPreviewToolStripMenuItem.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(152, 22)
        Me.PrintPreviewToolStripMenuItem.Text = "Print Pre&view"
        '
        'toolStripSeparator2
        '
        Me.toolStripSeparator2.Name = "toolStripSeparator2"
        Me.toolStripSeparator2.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(149, 6)
        '
        'ExitToolStripMenuItem
        '
        Me.ExitToolStripMenuItem.Name = "ExitToolStripMenuItem"
        Me.ExitToolStripMenuItem.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(152, 22)
        Me.ExitToolStripMenuItem.Text = "E&xit"
        '
        'EditToolStripMenuItem
        '
        Me.EditToolStripMenuItem.DropDownItems.AddRange(New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem() {Me.UndoToolStripMenuItem, Me.RedoToolStripMenuItem, Me.toolStripSeparator3, Me.CutToolStripMenuItem, Me.CopyToolStripMenuItem, Me.PasteToolStripMenuItem, Me.toolStripSeparator4, Me.SelectAllToolStripMenuItem})
        Me.EditToolStripMenuItem.Name = "EditToolStripMenuItem"
        Me.EditToolStripMenuItem.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(37, 20)
        Me.EditToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&Edit"
        '
        'UndoToolStripMenuItem
        '
        Me.UndoToolStripMenuItem.Name = "UndoToolStripMenuItem"
        Me.UndoToolStripMenuItem.ShortcutKeys = CType((System.Windows.Forms.Keys.Control Or System.Windows.Forms.Keys.Z), System.Windows.Forms.Keys)
        Me.UndoToolStripMenuItem.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(150, 22)
        Me.UndoToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&Undo"
        '
        'RedoToolStripMenuItem
        '
        Me.RedoToolStripMenuItem.Name = "RedoToolStripMenuItem"
        Me.RedoToolStripMenuItem.ShortcutKeys = CType((System.Windows.Forms.Keys.Control Or System.Windows.Forms.Keys.Y), System.Windows.Forms.Keys)
        Me.RedoToolStripMenuItem.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(150, 22)
        Me.RedoToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&Redo"
        '
        'toolStripSeparator3
        '
        Me.toolStripSeparator3.Name = "toolStripSeparator3"
        Me.toolStripSeparator3.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(147, 6)
        '
        'CutToolStripMenuItem
        '
        Me.CutToolStripMenuItem.Image = CType(resources.GetObject("CutToolStripMenuItem.Image"), System.Drawing.Image)
        Me.CutToolStripMenuItem.ImageTransparentColor = System.Drawing.Color.Magenta
        Me.CutToolStripMenuItem.Name = "CutToolStripMenuItem"
        Me.CutToolStripMenuItem.ShortcutKeys = CType((System.Windows.Forms.Keys.Control Or System.Windows.Forms.Keys.X), System.Windows.Forms.Keys)
        Me.CutToolStripMenuItem.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(150, 22)
        Me.CutToolStripMenuItem.Text = "Cu&t"
        '
        'CopyToolStripMenuItem
        '
        Me.CopyToolStripMenuItem.Image = CType(resources.GetObject("CopyToolStripMenuItem.Image"), System.Drawing.Image)
        Me.CopyToolStripMenuItem.ImageTransparentColor = System.Drawing.Color.Magenta
        Me.CopyToolStripMenuItem.Name = "CopyToolStripMenuItem"
        Me.CopyToolStripMenuItem.ShortcutKeys = CType((System.Windows.Forms.Keys.Control Or System.Windows.Forms.Keys.C), System.Windows.Forms.Keys)
        Me.CopyToolStripMenuItem.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(150, 22)
        Me.CopyToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&Copy"
        '
        'PasteToolStripMenuItem
        '
        Me.PasteToolStripMenuItem.Image = CType(resources.GetObject("PasteToolStripMenuItem.Image"), System.Drawing.Image)
        Me.PasteToolStripMenuItem.ImageTransparentColor = System.Drawing.Color.Magenta
        Me.PasteToolStripMenuItem.Name = "PasteToolStripMenuItem"
        Me.PasteToolStripMenuItem.ShortcutKeys = CType((System.Windows.Forms.Keys.Control Or System.Windows.Forms.Keys.V), System.Windows.Forms.Keys)
        Me.PasteToolStripMenuItem.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(150, 22)
        Me.PasteToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&Paste"
        '
        'toolStripSeparator4
        '
        Me.toolStripSeparator4.Name = "toolStripSeparator4"
        Me.toolStripSeparator4.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(147, 6)
        '
        'SelectAllToolStripMenuItem
        '
        Me.SelectAllToolStripMenuItem.Name = "SelectAllToolStripMenuItem"
        Me.SelectAllToolStripMenuItem.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(150, 22)
        Me.SelectAllToolStripMenuItem.Text = "Select &All"
        '
        'ToolsToolStripMenuItem
        '
        Me.ToolsToolStripMenuItem.DropDownItems.AddRange(New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem() {Me.CustomizeToolStripMenuItem, Me.OptionsToolStripMenuItem})
        Me.ToolsToolStripMenuItem.Name = "ToolsToolStripMenuItem"
        Me.ToolsToolStripMenuItem.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(44, 20)
        Me.ToolsToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&Tools"
        '
        'CustomizeToolStripMenuItem
        '
        Me.CustomizeToolStripMenuItem.Name = "CustomizeToolStripMenuItem"
        Me.CustomizeToolStripMenuItem.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(134, 22)
        Me.CustomizeToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&Customize"
        '
        'OptionsToolStripMenuItem
        '
        Me.OptionsToolStripMenuItem.Name = "OptionsToolStripMenuItem"
        Me.OptionsToolStripMenuItem.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(134, 22)
        Me.OptionsToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&Options"
        '
        'HelpToolStripMenuItem
        '
        Me.HelpToolStripMenuItem.DropDownItems.AddRange(New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem() {Me.ContentsToolStripMenuItem, Me.IndexToolStripMenuItem, Me.SearchToolStripMenuItem, Me.toolStripSeparator5, Me.AboutToolStripMenuItem})
        Me.HelpToolStripMenuItem.Name = "HelpToolStripMenuItem"
        Me.HelpToolStripMenuItem.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(40, 20)
        Me.HelpToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&Help"
        '
        'ContentsToolStripMenuItem
        '
        Me.ContentsToolStripMenuItem.Name = "ContentsToolStripMenuItem"
        Me.ContentsToolStripMenuItem.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(152, 22)
        Me.ContentsToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&Contents"
        '
        'IndexToolStripMenuItem
        '
        Me.IndexToolStripMenuItem.Name = "IndexToolStripMenuItem"
        Me.IndexToolStripMenuItem.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(152, 22)
        Me.IndexToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&Index"
        '
        'SearchToolStripMenuItem
        '
        Me.SearchToolStripMenuItem.Name = "SearchToolStripMenuItem"
        Me.SearchToolStripMenuItem.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(152, 22)
        Me.SearchToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&Search"
        '
        'toolStripSeparator5
        '
        Me.toolStripSeparator5.Name = "toolStripSeparator5"
        Me.toolStripSeparator5.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(149, 6)
        '
        'AboutToolStripMenuItem
        '
        Me.AboutToolStripMenuItem.Name = "AboutToolStripMenuItem"
        Me.AboutToolStripMenuItem.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(152, 22)
        Me.AboutToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&About..."
        '
        'StatusStrip1
        '
        Me.StatusStrip1.Items.AddRange(New System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem() {Me.ToolStripStatusLabel1})
        Me.StatusStrip1.Location = New System.Drawing.Point(0, 251)
        Me.StatusStrip1.Name = "StatusStrip1"
        Me.StatusStrip1.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(292, 22)
        Me.StatusStrip1.TabIndex = 1
        Me.StatusStrip1.Text = "StatusStrip1"
        '
        'ToolStripStatusLabel1
        '
        Me.ToolStripStatusLabel1.Name = "ToolStripStatusLabel1"
        Me.ToolStripStatusLabel1.Size = New System.Drawing.Size(111, 17)
        Me.ToolStripStatusLabel1.Text = "ToolStripStatusLabel1"
        '
        'Form1
        '
        Me.AutoScaleDimensions = New System.Drawing.SizeF(6.0!, 13.0!)
        Me.AutoScaleMode = System.Windows.Forms.AutoScaleMode.Font
        Me.ClientSize = New System.Drawing.Size(292, 273)
        Me.Controls.Add(Me.StatusStrip1)
        Me.Controls.Add(Me.MenuStrip1)
        Me.MainMenuStrip = Me.MenuStrip1
        Me.Name = "Form1"
        Me.Text = "Form1"
        Me.MenuStrip1.ResumeLayout(False)
        Me.MenuStrip1.PerformLayout()
        Me.StatusStrip1.ResumeLayout(False)
        Me.StatusStrip1.PerformLayout()
        Me.ResumeLayout(False)
        Me.PerformLayout()

    End Sub

    <STAThread()> _
    Shared Sub Main()
        Application.EnableVisualStyles()
        Application.Run(New Form1())
    End Sub

End Class
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Windows.Forms;

namespace StandardMenuFormCS
{
    public class Form1 : Form
    {
        private StatusStrip statusStrip1;
        private ToolStripStatusLabel toolStripStatusLabel1;

        /// <summary>
        /// Required designer variable.
        /// </summary>
        private System.ComponentModel.IContainer components = null;

        public Form1()
        {
            InitializeComponent();
        }

        protected override void Dispose(bool disposing)
        {
            if (disposing && (components != null))
            {
                components.Dispose();
            }
            base.Dispose(disposing);
        }

        // This utility method assigns the value of a ToolStripItem
        // control's Text property to the Text property of the 
        // ToolStripStatusLabel.
        private void UpdateStatus(ToolStripItem item)
        {
            if (item != null)
            {
                string msg = String.Format("{0} selected", item.Text);
                this.statusStrip1.Items[0].Text = msg;
            }
        }

        // This method is the DropDownItemClicked event handler.
        // It passes the ClickedItem object to a utility method
        // called UpdateStatus, which updates the text displayed 
        // in the StatusStrip control.
        private void fileToolStripMenuItem_DropDownItemClicked(
            object sender, ToolStripItemClickedEventArgs e)
        {
            this.UpdateStatus(e.ClickedItem);
        }

        #region Windows Form Designer generated code

        /// <summary>
        /// Required method for Designer support - do not modify
        /// the contents of this method with the code editor.
        /// </summary>
        private void InitializeComponent()
        {
            System.ComponentModel.ComponentResourceManager resources = new System.ComponentModel.ComponentResourceManager(typeof(Form1));
            this.menuStrip1 = new System.Windows.Forms.MenuStrip();
            this.fileToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
            this.newToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
            this.openToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
            this.toolStripSeparator = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripSeparator();
            this.saveToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
            this.saveAsToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
            this.toolStripSeparator1 = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripSeparator();
            this.printToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
            this.printPreviewToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
            this.toolStripSeparator2 = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripSeparator();
            this.exitToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
            this.editToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
            this.undoToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
            this.redoToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
            this.toolStripSeparator3 = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripSeparator();
            this.cutToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
            this.copyToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
            this.pasteToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
            this.toolStripSeparator4 = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripSeparator();
            this.selectAllToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
            this.toolsToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
            this.customizeToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
            this.optionsToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
            this.helpToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
            this.contentsToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
            this.indexToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
            this.searchToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
            this.toolStripSeparator5 = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripSeparator();
            this.aboutToolStripMenuItem = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem();
            this.statusStrip1 = new System.Windows.Forms.StatusStrip();
            this.toolStripStatusLabel1 = new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripStatusLabel();
            this.menuStrip1.SuspendLayout();
            this.statusStrip1.SuspendLayout();
            this.SuspendLayout();
            // 
            // menuStrip1
            // 
            this.menuStrip1.Items.AddRange(new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem[] {
            this.fileToolStripMenuItem,
            this.editToolStripMenuItem,
            this.toolsToolStripMenuItem,
            this.helpToolStripMenuItem});
            this.menuStrip1.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(0, 0);
            this.menuStrip1.Name = "menuStrip1";
            this.menuStrip1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(292, 24);
            this.menuStrip1.TabIndex = 0;
            this.menuStrip1.Text = "menuStrip1";
            // 
            // fileToolStripMenuItem
            // 
            this.fileToolStripMenuItem.DropDownItems.AddRange(new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem[] {
            this.newToolStripMenuItem,
            this.openToolStripMenuItem,
            this.toolStripSeparator,
            this.saveToolStripMenuItem,
            this.saveAsToolStripMenuItem,
            this.toolStripSeparator1,
            this.printToolStripMenuItem,
            this.printPreviewToolStripMenuItem,
            this.toolStripSeparator2,
            this.exitToolStripMenuItem});
            this.fileToolStripMenuItem.Name = "fileToolStripMenuItem";
            this.fileToolStripMenuItem.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(35, 20);
            this.fileToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&File";
            this.fileToolStripMenuItem.DropDownItemClicked += new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItemClickedEventHandler(this.fileToolStripMenuItem_DropDownItemClicked);
            // 
            // newToolStripMenuItem
            // 
            this.newToolStripMenuItem.Image = ((System.Drawing.Image)(resources.GetObject("newToolStripMenuItem.Image")));
            this.newToolStripMenuItem.ImageTransparentColor = System.Drawing.Color.Magenta;
            this.newToolStripMenuItem.Name = "newToolStripMenuItem";
            this.newToolStripMenuItem.ShortcutKeys = ((System.Windows.Forms.Keys)((System.Windows.Forms.Keys.Control | System.Windows.Forms.Keys.N)));
            this.newToolStripMenuItem.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(152, 22);
            this.newToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&New";
            // 
            // openToolStripMenuItem
            // 
            this.openToolStripMenuItem.Image = ((System.Drawing.Image)(resources.GetObject("openToolStripMenuItem.Image")));
            this.openToolStripMenuItem.ImageTransparentColor = System.Drawing.Color.Magenta;
            this.openToolStripMenuItem.Name = "openToolStripMenuItem";
            this.openToolStripMenuItem.ShortcutKeys = ((System.Windows.Forms.Keys)((System.Windows.Forms.Keys.Control | System.Windows.Forms.Keys.O)));
            this.openToolStripMenuItem.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(152, 22);
            this.openToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&Open";
            // 
            // toolStripSeparator
            // 
            this.toolStripSeparator.Name = "toolStripSeparator";
            this.toolStripSeparator.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(149, 6);
            // 
            // saveToolStripMenuItem
            // 
            this.saveToolStripMenuItem.Image = ((System.Drawing.Image)(resources.GetObject("saveToolStripMenuItem.Image")));
            this.saveToolStripMenuItem.ImageTransparentColor = System.Drawing.Color.Magenta;
            this.saveToolStripMenuItem.Name = "saveToolStripMenuItem";
            this.saveToolStripMenuItem.ShortcutKeys = ((System.Windows.Forms.Keys)((System.Windows.Forms.Keys.Control | System.Windows.Forms.Keys.S)));
            this.saveToolStripMenuItem.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(152, 22);
            this.saveToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&Save";
            // 
            // saveAsToolStripMenuItem
            // 
            this.saveAsToolStripMenuItem.Name = "saveAsToolStripMenuItem";
            this.saveAsToolStripMenuItem.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(152, 22);
            this.saveAsToolStripMenuItem.Text = "Save &As";
            // 
            // toolStripSeparator1
            // 
            this.toolStripSeparator1.Name = "toolStripSeparator1";
            this.toolStripSeparator1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(149, 6);
            // 
            // printToolStripMenuItem
            // 
            this.printToolStripMenuItem.Image = ((System.Drawing.Image)(resources.GetObject("printToolStripMenuItem.Image")));
            this.printToolStripMenuItem.ImageTransparentColor = System.Drawing.Color.Magenta;
            this.printToolStripMenuItem.Name = "printToolStripMenuItem";
            this.printToolStripMenuItem.ShortcutKeys = ((System.Windows.Forms.Keys)((System.Windows.Forms.Keys.Control | System.Windows.Forms.Keys.P)));
            this.printToolStripMenuItem.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(152, 22);
            this.printToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&Print";
            // 
            // printPreviewToolStripMenuItem
            // 
            this.printPreviewToolStripMenuItem.Image = ((System.Drawing.Image)(resources.GetObject("printPreviewToolStripMenuItem.Image")));
            this.printPreviewToolStripMenuItem.ImageTransparentColor = System.Drawing.Color.Magenta;
            this.printPreviewToolStripMenuItem.Name = "printPreviewToolStripMenuItem";
            this.printPreviewToolStripMenuItem.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(152, 22);
            this.printPreviewToolStripMenuItem.Text = "Print Pre&view";
            // 
            // toolStripSeparator2
            // 
            this.toolStripSeparator2.Name = "toolStripSeparator2";
            this.toolStripSeparator2.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(149, 6);
            // 
            // exitToolStripMenuItem
            // 
            this.exitToolStripMenuItem.Name = "exitToolStripMenuItem";
            this.exitToolStripMenuItem.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(152, 22);
            this.exitToolStripMenuItem.Text = "E&xit";
            // 
            // editToolStripMenuItem
            // 
            this.editToolStripMenuItem.DropDownItems.AddRange(new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem[] {
            this.undoToolStripMenuItem,
            this.redoToolStripMenuItem,
            this.toolStripSeparator3,
            this.cutToolStripMenuItem,
            this.copyToolStripMenuItem,
            this.pasteToolStripMenuItem,
            this.toolStripSeparator4,
            this.selectAllToolStripMenuItem});
            this.editToolStripMenuItem.Name = "editToolStripMenuItem";
            this.editToolStripMenuItem.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(37, 20);
            this.editToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&Edit";
            // 
            // undoToolStripMenuItem
            // 
            this.undoToolStripMenuItem.Name = "undoToolStripMenuItem";
            this.undoToolStripMenuItem.ShortcutKeys = ((System.Windows.Forms.Keys)((System.Windows.Forms.Keys.Control | System.Windows.Forms.Keys.Z)));
            this.undoToolStripMenuItem.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(150, 22);
            this.undoToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&Undo";
            // 
            // redoToolStripMenuItem
            // 
            this.redoToolStripMenuItem.Name = "redoToolStripMenuItem";
            this.redoToolStripMenuItem.ShortcutKeys = ((System.Windows.Forms.Keys)((System.Windows.Forms.Keys.Control | System.Windows.Forms.Keys.Y)));
            this.redoToolStripMenuItem.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(150, 22);
            this.redoToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&Redo";
            // 
            // toolStripSeparator3
            // 
            this.toolStripSeparator3.Name = "toolStripSeparator3";
            this.toolStripSeparator3.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(147, 6);
            // 
            // cutToolStripMenuItem
            // 
            this.cutToolStripMenuItem.Image = ((System.Drawing.Image)(resources.GetObject("cutToolStripMenuItem.Image")));
            this.cutToolStripMenuItem.ImageTransparentColor = System.Drawing.Color.Magenta;
            this.cutToolStripMenuItem.Name = "cutToolStripMenuItem";
            this.cutToolStripMenuItem.ShortcutKeys = ((System.Windows.Forms.Keys)((System.Windows.Forms.Keys.Control | System.Windows.Forms.Keys.X)));
            this.cutToolStripMenuItem.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(150, 22);
            this.cutToolStripMenuItem.Text = "Cu&t";
            // 
            // copyToolStripMenuItem
            // 
            this.copyToolStripMenuItem.Image = ((System.Drawing.Image)(resources.GetObject("copyToolStripMenuItem.Image")));
            this.copyToolStripMenuItem.ImageTransparentColor = System.Drawing.Color.Magenta;
            this.copyToolStripMenuItem.Name = "copyToolStripMenuItem";
            this.copyToolStripMenuItem.ShortcutKeys = ((System.Windows.Forms.Keys)((System.Windows.Forms.Keys.Control | System.Windows.Forms.Keys.C)));
            this.copyToolStripMenuItem.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(150, 22);
            this.copyToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&Copy";
            // 
            // pasteToolStripMenuItem
            // 
            this.pasteToolStripMenuItem.Image = ((System.Drawing.Image)(resources.GetObject("pasteToolStripMenuItem.Image")));
            this.pasteToolStripMenuItem.ImageTransparentColor = System.Drawing.Color.Magenta;
            this.pasteToolStripMenuItem.Name = "pasteToolStripMenuItem";
            this.pasteToolStripMenuItem.ShortcutKeys = ((System.Windows.Forms.Keys)((System.Windows.Forms.Keys.Control | System.Windows.Forms.Keys.V)));
            this.pasteToolStripMenuItem.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(150, 22);
            this.pasteToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&Paste";
            // 
            // toolStripSeparator4
            // 
            this.toolStripSeparator4.Name = "toolStripSeparator4";
            this.toolStripSeparator4.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(147, 6);
            // 
            // selectAllToolStripMenuItem
            // 
            this.selectAllToolStripMenuItem.Name = "selectAllToolStripMenuItem";
            this.selectAllToolStripMenuItem.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(150, 22);
            this.selectAllToolStripMenuItem.Text = "Select &All";
            // 
            // toolsToolStripMenuItem
            // 
            this.toolsToolStripMenuItem.DropDownItems.AddRange(new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem[] {
            this.customizeToolStripMenuItem,
            this.optionsToolStripMenuItem});
            this.toolsToolStripMenuItem.Name = "toolsToolStripMenuItem";
            this.toolsToolStripMenuItem.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(44, 20);
            this.toolsToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&Tools";
            // 
            // customizeToolStripMenuItem
            // 
            this.customizeToolStripMenuItem.Name = "customizeToolStripMenuItem";
            this.customizeToolStripMenuItem.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(134, 22);
            this.customizeToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&Customize";
            // 
            // optionsToolStripMenuItem
            // 
            this.optionsToolStripMenuItem.Name = "optionsToolStripMenuItem";
            this.optionsToolStripMenuItem.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(134, 22);
            this.optionsToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&Options";
            // 
            // helpToolStripMenuItem
            // 
            this.helpToolStripMenuItem.DropDownItems.AddRange(new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem[] {
            this.contentsToolStripMenuItem,
            this.indexToolStripMenuItem,
            this.searchToolStripMenuItem,
            this.toolStripSeparator5,
            this.aboutToolStripMenuItem});
            this.helpToolStripMenuItem.Name = "helpToolStripMenuItem";
            this.helpToolStripMenuItem.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(40, 20);
            this.helpToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&Help";
            // 
            // contentsToolStripMenuItem
            // 
            this.contentsToolStripMenuItem.Name = "contentsToolStripMenuItem";
            this.contentsToolStripMenuItem.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(129, 22);
            this.contentsToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&Contents";
            // 
            // indexToolStripMenuItem
            // 
            this.indexToolStripMenuItem.Name = "indexToolStripMenuItem";
            this.indexToolStripMenuItem.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(129, 22);
            this.indexToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&Index";
            // 
            // searchToolStripMenuItem
            // 
            this.searchToolStripMenuItem.Name = "searchToolStripMenuItem";
            this.searchToolStripMenuItem.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(129, 22);
            this.searchToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&Search";
            // 
            // toolStripSeparator5
            // 
            this.toolStripSeparator5.Name = "toolStripSeparator5";
            this.toolStripSeparator5.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(126, 6);
            // 
            // aboutToolStripMenuItem
            // 
            this.aboutToolStripMenuItem.Name = "aboutToolStripMenuItem";
            this.aboutToolStripMenuItem.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(129, 22);
            this.aboutToolStripMenuItem.Text = "&About...";
            // 
            // statusStrip1
            // 
            this.statusStrip1.Items.AddRange(new System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItem[] {
            this.toolStripStatusLabel1});
            this.statusStrip1.Location = new System.Drawing.Point(0, 251);
            this.statusStrip1.Name = "statusStrip1";
            this.statusStrip1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(292, 22);
            this.statusStrip1.TabIndex = 1;
            this.statusStrip1.Text = "statusStrip1";
            // 
            // toolStripStatusLabel1
            // 
            this.toolStripStatusLabel1.Name = "toolStripStatusLabel1";
            this.toolStripStatusLabel1.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(109, 17);
            this.toolStripStatusLabel1.Text = "toolStripStatusLabel1";
            // 
            // Form1
            // 
            this.AutoScaleDimensions = new System.Drawing.SizeF(6F, 13F);
            this.AutoScaleMode = System.Windows.Forms.AutoScaleMode.Font;
            this.ClientSize = new System.Drawing.Size(292, 273);
            this.Controls.Add(this.statusStrip1);
            this.Controls.Add(this.menuStrip1);
            this.MainMenuStrip = this.menuStrip1;
            this.Name = "Form1";
            this.Text = "Form1";
            this.menuStrip1.ResumeLayout(false);
            this.menuStrip1.PerformLayout();
            this.statusStrip1.ResumeLayout(false);
            this.statusStrip1.PerformLayout();
            this.ResumeLayout(false);
            this.PerformLayout();

        }

        #endregion

        private System.Windows.Forms.MenuStrip menuStrip1;
        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem fileToolStripMenuItem;
        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem newToolStripMenuItem;
        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem openToolStripMenuItem;
        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripSeparator toolStripSeparator;
        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem saveToolStripMenuItem;
        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem saveAsToolStripMenuItem;
        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripSeparator toolStripSeparator1;
        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem printToolStripMenuItem;
        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem printPreviewToolStripMenuItem;
        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripSeparator toolStripSeparator2;
        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem exitToolStripMenuItem;
        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem editToolStripMenuItem;
        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem undoToolStripMenuItem;
        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem redoToolStripMenuItem;
        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripSeparator toolStripSeparator3;
        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem cutToolStripMenuItem;
        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem copyToolStripMenuItem;
        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem pasteToolStripMenuItem;
        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripSeparator toolStripSeparator4;
        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem selectAllToolStripMenuItem;
        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem toolsToolStripMenuItem;
        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem customizeToolStripMenuItem;
        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem optionsToolStripMenuItem;
        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem helpToolStripMenuItem;
        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem contentsToolStripMenuItem;
        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem indexToolStripMenuItem;
        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem searchToolStripMenuItem;
        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripSeparator toolStripSeparator5;
        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripMenuItem aboutToolStripMenuItem;

        
    }

    static class Program
    {
        /// <summary>
        /// The main entry point for the application.
        /// </summary>
        [STAThread]
        static void Main()
        {
            Application.EnableVisualStyles();
            Application.Run(new Form1());
        }
    }
}

Compiling the Code

This example requires:

  • References to the System, System.Drawing and System.Windows.Forms assemblies.

For information about building this example from the command line for Visual Basic or Visual C#, see Building from the Command Line (Visual Basic) or Command-Line Building. You can also build this example in Visual Studio by pasting the code into a new project. How to: Compile and Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using Visual Studio
How to: Compile and Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using Visual Studio
How to: Compile and Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using Visual Studio
How to: Compile and Run a Complete Windows Forms Code Example Using Visual Studio

See Also

Reference

MenuStrip
ToolStrip
StatusStrip

Other Resources

MenuStrip Control (Windows Forms)