Implementing Syncfusion WPF DatePicker (SfDatePicker)

The SfDatePicker control allows users to select date values in a touch-friendly manner with a customizable dropdown date selector. This skill covers everything from basic setup to advanced customization and styling.

When to Use This Skill

• Basic date selection – Add a DatePicker control to your WPF application
• Date formatting – Display dates in various formats (short date, long date, month-only, etc.)
• Customizing the date selector – Modify cell templates, sizes, and spacing of the dropdown selector
• Styling and appearance – Change colors, backgrounds, themes, and flow direction (RTL support)
• Managing date values – Set, validate, and restrict date ranges; handle date change events
• Advanced interactions – Inline editing, watermarks, focus-based updates, keyboard input
• User-friendly UX – Implement null values, watermark text, and on-screen keyboard support

Navigation Guide

Getting Started

📄 Read: references/getting-started.md

• NuGet installation and assembly references
• Adding the control via Designer, XAML, or C# code
• Setting initial date values
• Handling date change events (ValueChanged)
• Basic setup and initialization

Date Formatting

📄 Read: references/date-formatting.md

• Display formatting using FormatString property
• Selector formatting using SelectorFormatString
• Common format specifiers and examples
• Date display in various formats

Date Selector Customization

📄 Read: references/date-selector-customization.md

• Understanding SfDateSelector structure
• Customizing cell templates (day, month, year)
• Adjusting cell sizes and spacing
• Style-based customization
• Visual template examples

Appearance and Styling

📄 Read: references/appearance-and-styling.md

• Changing foreground and background colors
• Accent colors and selected item styling
• Right-to-left (RTL) flow direction
• Built-in themes (SfSkinManager, ThemeStudio)
• Watermark text and templates

Value and Date Management

📄 Read: references/value-and-date-management.md

• Setting date values programmatically
• Handling null values
• Watermark and placeholder text
• Inline editing and keyboard input
• Min/Max date range restrictions
• Focus-based value updates

Features and Interaction

📄 Read: references/features-and-interaction.md

• Inline editing mode
• On-screen keyboard input scope
• Date range validation
• Localization support
• Common workflows and best practices

Quick Start

Basic DatePicker in XAML

<Window xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
        xmlns:syncfusion="http://schemas.syncfusion.com/wpf"
        Title="DatePicker Sample">
    <Grid>
        <syncfusion:SfDatePicker x:Name="sfDatePicker" 
                                 Width="200"
                                 Value="3/19/2026"/>
    </Grid>
</Window>

Basic DatePicker in C#

using Syncfusion.Windows.Controls.Input;

SfDatePicker sfDatePicker = new SfDatePicker();
sfDatePicker.Value = new DateTime(2026, 3, 19);
sfDatePicker.Width = 200;
this.Content = sfDatePicker;

Handle Date Selection

sfDatePicker.ValueChanged += (d, e) => 
{
    DateTime oldDate = (DateTime)e.OldValue;
    DateTime newDate = (DateTime)e.NewValue;
    Console.WriteLine($"Date changed from {oldDate:d} to {newDate:d}");
};

Common Patterns

Pattern 1: Set Date Format

<!-- Display as month only -->
<syncfusion:SfDatePicker FormatString="M" x:Name="sfDatePicker"/>

Pattern 2: Restrict Date Range

sfDatePicker.MinDate = new DateTime(2026, 1, 1);
sfDatePicker.MaxDate = new DateTime(2026, 12, 31);

Pattern 3: Allow Null with Watermark

<syncfusion:SfDatePicker AllowNull="True" 
                         Value="{x:Null}"
                         Watermark="Select a date"
                         x:Name="sfDatePicker"/>

Pattern 4: Inline Editing with Validation

<syncfusion:SfDatePicker AllowInlineEditing="True" 
                         InputScope="Number"
                         x:Name="sfDatePicker"/>

Pattern 5: Custom Styling with Colors

<syncfusion:SfDatePicker Foreground="Blue"
                         Background="LightGray"
                         AccentBrush="Green"
                         x:Name="sfDatePicker"/>

Key Properties Reference