Floating Windows

Floating windows allow users to tear off documents or tool windows into independent, freely movable windows. This is one of AvalonDock’s most powerful features, enabling flexible multi-monitor workflows.

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How Floating Works

Any dockable content — documents or anchorables — can be floated by:

1. Dragging a tab away from its pane
2. Double-clicking a tab header (depending on configuration)
3. Programmatically calling Float() on a layout content

When content is floated, AvalonDock creates a floating window that:

• Behaves as an independent window
• Can be moved freely, including to other monitors
• Can be docked back by dragging it over a docking target
• Maintains its content and state

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Floating Window Types

Type	Contains	Created When
LayoutAnchorableFloatingWindow	Anchorable panes	An anchorable is floated
LayoutDocumentFloatingWindow	Document panes	A document is floated

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Controlling Float Behavior

Prevent Floating

Set CanFloat to false on any content to prevent it from being floated:

<avalonDock:LayoutAnchorable Title="Fixed Panel"
                              CanFloat="False">
    <!-- This panel cannot be torn off -->
</avalonDock:LayoutAnchorable>

Float Programmatically

// Float an anchorable
var anchorable = layout.Descendents()
    .OfType<LayoutAnchorable>()
    .First(a => a.ContentId == "properties");

anchorable.Float();

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Docking Targets

When a user drags a floating window over the main docking area, docking indicators appear showing valid drop targets:

• Center — Tab into the target pane
• Top / Bottom / Left / Right — Split and dock to that side
• Edge indicators — Dock to the edge of the entire docking area

The docking indicators are defined in XAML, ensuring crisp rendering on all resolutions including 4K and 8K displays.

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Events

Event	Description
ContentFloating	Raised on DockingManager when content starts floating.
ContentDocked	Raised on DockingManager when floating content is docked.
LayoutFloatingWindowControlClosed	Raised when a floating window is closed.

dockManager.ContentFloating += (sender, args) =>
{
    // React to content being floated
    Console.WriteLine($"Floating: {args.Content.Title}");
};

dockManager.ContentDocked += (sender, args) =>
{
    // React to content being docked
    Console.WriteLine($"Docked: {args.Content.Title}");
};

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Multi-Monitor Support

Floating windows are standard WPF windows and fully support multi-monitor setups. Users can:

• Drag floating windows to any monitor
• Snap floating windows using Windows snap features
• Arrange multiple floating windows side by side

Layout serialization preserves floating window positions, so the user’s multi-monitor arrangement is restored when the layout is loaded.