syncfusion-winforms-masked-textbox

name	syncfusion-winforms-masked-textbox
description	Implement masked text input controls in WinForms applications. Use this skill whenever the user needs to create input fields with format masks (phone numbers, IP addresses, dates, currency), validate formatted input, restrict data entry to specific patterns, or configure how user input behaves with mask constraints.
metadata	{"author":"Syncfusion Inc","version":"34.1.29"}

Implementing MaskedEditBox in Syncfusion WinForms

The MaskedEditBox control is a specialized input control for collecting formatted data with predefined patterns. It provides visual cues and input constraints through mask definitions, making it ideal for standardized data entry like phone numbers, IP addresses, and SSNs.

When to Use MaskedEditBox

Use this control when you need to:

• Restrict user input to specific patterns (phone: (###) ###-####)
• Provide visual placeholders for expected data format
• Validate input as users type without separate validation logic
• Handle common patterns: phone numbers, IP addresses, dates, currency
• Prevent invalid data entry at the control level
• Display consistent formatting across your application

Do NOT use if users need completely free-form text input or when data format is unpredictable.

Component Overview

Key Concepts

Mask: A string defining the input format using:

• Mask characters (placeholders like # for digits, & for letters)
• Literal characters (fixed symbols like parentheses, dashes in (###) ###-####)

Examples:

• US Phone: (###) ###-####
• IP Address: ###.###.###.###
• Social Security: ###-##-####
• Date (MM/DD/YYYY): ##/##/####

Core Features

• Multiple Modes: ClipMode (strip separators), InputMode (include separators), UsageMode (programmatic)
• Appearance Control: Borders, fonts, colors, display options
• Data Handling: Separate Text (with masks) and Value (mask characters only)
• Separators: Date, decimal, thousand, time separators for regional formats
• Events: Input validation, completion, and interaction events

Documentation Navigation

Read the references below based on your implementation needs:

Getting Started

📄 Read: references/getting-started.md

• Installation and assembly setup
• Adding MaskedEditBox via designer
• Adding MaskedEditBox via code
• Basic initialization

Mask Configuration

📄 Read: references/mask-settings.md

• Mask character types and syntax
• Creating phone number masks
• IP address masks
• Custom mask patterns

Behavior Modes

📄 Read: references/behavior-modes.md

• ClipMode: Output format control
• InputMode: User input behavior
• UsageMode: Programmatic usage
• Selecting the right mode for your use case

Text and Value Handling

📄 Read: references/text-and-value-handling.md

• Text property (includes mask literals)
• Value property (mask characters only)
• DataGroups configuration
• Separator settings (Date, Decimal, Thousand, Time)
• Input validation patterns

Appearance Settings

📄 Read: references/appearance-settings.md

• Border styles and colors
• Font properties and sizes
• Display options and visibility
• Read-only mode
• Enabled/disabled states

Events and Validation

📄 Read: references/events-and-validation.md

• Available MaskedEditBox events
• Input validation events
• Completion and focus events
• Event handling examples

Quick Start Example

using Syncfusion.Windows.Forms.Tools;

// Create MaskedEditBox for phone number
MaskedEditBox phoneInput = new MaskedEditBox();
phoneInput.Mask = "(###) ###-####";  // US phone format
phoneInput.Location = new Point(10, 10);
phoneInput.Size = new Size(200, 25);
phoneInput.Placeholder = "[phone]";

// Add to form
this.Controls.Add(phoneInput);

// Access entered value
string phoneValue = phoneInput.Value;  // Without mask characters: "1234567890"
string phoneText = phoneInput.Text;    // With mask: "[phone]"

Common Patterns

Phone Number (US Format)

maskedEditBox.Mask = "(###) ###-####";

IP Address

maskedEditBox.Mask = "###.###.###.###";

Social Security Number

maskedEditBox.Mask = "###-##-####";

Date (MM/DD/YYYY)

maskedEditBox.Mask = "##/##/####";

Zip Code (US)

maskedEditBox.Mask = "#####";
// Optional: Extended format
maskedEditBox.Mask = "#####-####";

Key Properties

Property	Purpose	Example
Mask	Defines the input format pattern	"(###) ###-####"
Text	Gets/sets text including mask literals	"[phone]"
Value	Gets/sets text without mask characters	"1234567890"
ClipMode	Controls output format when mask is removed	ClipModes.IncludeLiterals
InputMode	Controls user input behavior	InputModes.IgnoreSeparators
Border3DStyle	Border appearance	Border3DStyle.Raised
Font	Font properties (name, size, style)	new Font("Arial", 10)
ForeColor	Text color	Color.Black
BackColor	Background color	Color.White
ReadOnly	Prevent user input	true/false
Enabled	Enable/disable control	true/false

Common Use Cases

1. Phone Number Input with Validation

Collect phone numbers in a standard format, preventing invalid entry at the control level.

2. International Format Support

Configure region-specific separators and date/time formats using separator properties.

3. Financial Data Entry

Use for currency input, account numbers, or formatted numeric data with controlled precision.

4. Medical/Government Forms

Enforce specific formats for medical IDs, social security numbers, and registration codes.

5. Network Configuration

IP addresses, MAC addresses, and other network identifiers requiring fixed formats.

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Next Steps:

1. Start with getting-started.md to set up the control
2. Choose your mask format from mask-settings.md
3. Configure behavior in behavior-modes.md
4. Handle data with text-and-value-handling.md
5. Customize appearance in appearance-settings.md
6. Add events from events-and-validation.md