Windows Ribbon Framework Mantas Jurevičius

Table of concepts What is the Windows Ribbon Framework (WRF)? Why is the Windows Ribbon Framework needed? Separation Examples Code examples

What is the Windows Ribbon Framework? The Windows Ribbon framework is a rich command presentation system that provides a modern alternative to the layered menus, toolbars, and task panes of traditional Windows applications. This framework offers: Easy implementation for new applications and straightforward migration of existing ones. Consistent appearance and behavior across different Ribbon applications. Adherence to Windows UI guidelines, which includes visual style support, automatic high contrast adjustments, high DPI awareness and many more.

Why is the WRF needed? Traditional menus are difficult to understand. Use of multiple toolbars is difficult. New users have problems of knowing all capabilities of the application.

Separation Separation of presentation and visual attributes from command logic is accomplished through two distinct, but dependent, development platforms. For design and resource specifications, XAML (Extensible Application Markup Language) is used. Low level functionality, hooks and handlers are defined in COM-based interface implementations. This separation provides the following benefits: A more efficient application development cycle which allows UI developers and designers to implement the GUI of the Ribbon application independently from the core application functionality. This core functionality can be left to dedicated software developers. Less costly maintenance because changes to the GUI are possible without changes to core functionality (and vice versa). Simple specification of string and image resources through markup. Ease of prototyping.

WRF examples

Context Popup

Code examples

Code examples

Code examples

Code examples

When to use WRF Use WRF if: There is a small amount of commands, There is a small amount of mostly used commands (commands can be put in home tab then), Content area needs to be as large as possible. Don’t use WRF if: There is a large amount of commands (use toolbars or palette windows instead). Content area size is not that relevant. You need flexibility and organization of tabs.

Reference https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/desktop/windowsribbon/windowsribbon- introduction

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