How to: Use the WPF Tree Visualizer

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You can use the WPF Tree visualizer to explore the visual tree of a WPF object, and to view the WPF dependency properties for the objects that are contained in that tree. For more information about visual trees, see Trees in WPF. For more information about dependency properties, see Dependency Properties Overview.

When you open the WPF Tree visualizer, you will see two panes: the Visual Tree on the left and the Properties of Name:Type pane on the right. Select any object in the Visual Tree pane, and the Properties of Name:Type pane is automatically updated to show the properties for that object.

To open the WPF Tree visualizer

  1. In a DataTip, Watch window, Autos window, or Locals window, next to a WPF object name, click the arrow adjacent to the magnifying glass icon.

    A list of visualizers is displayed.

  2. Click WPF Tree Visualizer.

To search the visual tree

  • In the Visual Tree pane, type the string you want to search for in the Search box.

    The WPF Tree visualizer immediately finds the first object in the visual tree that matches the string you have typed. Type more characters to find a more accurate match.

    • To go to the next match within the visual tree, click Next.

    • To go back to the previous match, click Prev.

    • To clear the search criteria, click Clear.

To search the properties list

  • In the Properties of Name:Type pane, type the string your want to search for in the Filter box.

    The WPF Tree visualizer immediately finds the properties that match the string you have typed; now, the list displays only those properties matching the string you have typed. Type more characters to find a more-accurate match.

    • To clear the search criteria, click Clear.

To close the visualizer

  • Click the Close icon in the upper-right corner of the dialog box.

See Also

How to: Use a Visualizer
Create Custom Visualizers
Trees in WPF
Dependency Properties Overview