Layout Classes

The layout model is the backbone of AvalonDock. All classes live in the AvalonDock.Layout namespace.

Class Hierarchy

ILayoutElement
├── LayoutElement (abstract base)
│   ├── LayoutContent (abstract)
│   │   ├── LayoutDocument
│   │   └── LayoutAnchorable
│   ├── LayoutGroup<T> (abstract)
│   │   ├── LayoutPanel
│   │   ├── LayoutDocumentPane
│   │   ├── LayoutDocumentPaneGroup
│   │   ├── LayoutAnchorablePane
│   │   ├── LayoutAnchorablePaneGroup
│   │   ├── LayoutAnchorSide
│   │   ├── LayoutAnchorGroup
│   │   └── LayoutRoot
│   └── LayoutFloatingWindow (abstract)
│       ├── LayoutAnchorableFloatingWindow
│       └── LayoutDocumentFloatingWindow

LayoutRoot

The root of every layout tree.

Property	Type	Description
`RootPanel`	`LayoutPanel`	The main panel containing the docking layout.
`TopSide`	`LayoutAnchorSide`	Auto-hide side at the top.
`BottomSide`	`LayoutAnchorSide`	Auto-hide side at the bottom.
`LeftSide`	`LayoutAnchorSide`	Auto-hide side on the left.
`RightSide`	`LayoutAnchorSide`	Auto-hide side on the right.
`FloatingWindows`	`ObservableCollection<LayoutFloatingWindow>`	Active floating windows.
`Hidden`	`ObservableCollection<LayoutAnchorable>`	Hidden anchorables.
`ActiveContent`	`LayoutContent`	The currently active content element.

Methods

Method	Description
`Descendents()`	Returns all descendant elements in the layout tree.

LayoutPanel

A container that arranges children horizontally or vertically. The primary structural element.

Property	Type	Description
`Orientation`	`Orientation`	`Horizontal` or `Vertical` arrangement.
`Children`	`ObservableCollection<ILayoutPanelElement>`	Child layout elements.

LayoutContent

Abstract base class for LayoutDocument and LayoutAnchorable.

Property	Type	Description
`Title`	`string`	Display title.
`ContentId`	`string`	Unique identifier for serialization.
`Content`	`object`	The actual content (UI element or view model).
`IsActive`	`bool`	Whether this content is currently active.
`IsSelected`	`bool`	Whether this content’s tab is selected.
`IsLastFocusedDocument`	`bool`	Whether this was the last focused document.
`CanFloat`	`bool`	Whether this content can be floated.
`IconSource`	`ImageSource`	Icon displayed on the tab.
`ToolTip`	`object`	Tab tooltip.

Methods

Method	Description
`Float()`	Float this content into a new floating window.
`Dock()`	Dock this content back to its previous position.
`DockAsDocument()`	Dock this content as a tabbed document.
`Close()`	Close this content.

LayoutDocument

Represents a document tab. Extends LayoutContent.

Property	Type	Default	Description
`CanClose`	`bool`	`true`	Whether the document can be closed.
`CanHide`	`bool`	`false`	Documents cannot be hidden.

LayoutAnchorable

Represents a tool window. Extends LayoutContent.

Property	Type	Default	Description
`CanClose`	`bool`	`false`	Whether the anchorable can be closed.
`CanHide`	`bool`	`true`	Whether the anchorable can be hidden.
`CanAutoHide`	`bool`	`true`	Whether auto-hide is available.
`CanDockAsTabbedDocument`	`bool`	`true`	Whether it can dock into the document area.
`AutoHideWidth`	`double`	—	Width when in auto-hide mode.
`AutoHideHeight`	`double`	—	Height when in auto-hide mode.
`AutoHideMinWidth`	`double`	—	Minimum width in auto-hide.
`AutoHideMinHeight`	`double`	—	Minimum height in auto-hide.
`IsVisible`	`bool`	—	Whether the anchorable is visible.

Methods

Method	Description
`Show()`	Show the anchorable in its previous location.
`Hide()`	Hide the anchorable.
`ToggleAutoHide()`	Toggle auto-hide state.

Pane Classes

LayoutDocumentPane

A tabbed container for LayoutDocument items.

Property	Type	Description
`Children`	`ObservableCollection<LayoutContent>`	Document children.
`SelectedContentIndex`	`int`	Index of the selected tab.

LayoutAnchorablePane

A tabbed container for LayoutAnchorable items.

Property	Type	Description
`Children`	`ObservableCollection<LayoutAnchorable>`	Anchorable children.
`DockWidth`	`GridLength`	Width when docked.
`DockHeight`	`GridLength`	Height when docked.
`DockMinWidth`	`double`	Minimum width.
`DockMinHeight`	`double`	Minimum height.

LayoutDocumentPaneGroup / LayoutAnchorablePaneGroup

Group multiple panes with an orientation for split views.

Property	Type	Description
`Orientation`	`Orientation`	Arrangement direction.
`Children`	`ObservableCollection`	Child panes.

Interfaces

Interface	Description
`ILayoutElement`	Base for all layout elements. Provides `Parent` property.
`ILayoutContainer`	Element that contains children.
`ILayoutGroup`	Typed container with `Children` collection.
`ILayoutPane`	A pane that holds content items.
`ILayoutOrientableGroup`	Group with `Orientation` property.
`ILayoutRoot`	The root element of the layout tree.
`ILayoutControl`	Bridge between layout model and WPF control.
`ILayoutContentSelector`	Selects content within a pane.
`IAdjustableSizeLayout`	Element with adjustable `DockWidth`/`DockHeight`.
`ILayoutElementWithVisibility`	Element with `IsVisible` property.