Implementing Syncfusion WPF Smart Text Editor

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when users need to:

• Implement AI-powered text input with predictive suggestions and context-aware completions
• Add intelligent autocomplete to multiline text editors in WPF applications
• Integrate AI services (Azure OpenAI, OpenAI, Ollama, or custom providers) for text generation
• Create smart text fields for customer support, email composition, or content creation
• Build responsive text editors with inline or popup suggestion display modes
• Customize suggestion behavior with user roles, custom phrases, and styling options
• Handle text change events and implement command patterns for text editors
• Support offline suggestions with custom phrase libraries when AI is unavailable

The Smart Text Editor (SfSmartTextEditor) is ideal for scenarios requiring intelligent typing assistance, branded response templates, and AI-enhanced user input.

Component Overview

The Syncfusion WPF Smart Text Editor is a multiline input control that uses predictive suggestions to speed up typing. It integrates with AI inference services for context-aware completions and provides inline or popup suggestion display modes. Key capabilities include:

Core Features:

• AI-powered suggestions via IChatInferenceService
• Inline and popup suggestion display modes
• Custom phrase library for offline suggestions
• Keyboard integration (Tab, Right Arrow to accept)
• Gesture support (tap/click for popup suggestions)
• Maximum length validation
• Placeholder text with customizable styling
• Full UI customization (fonts, colors, sizes)
• Command support (TextChangedCommand)

Supported AI Providers:

• Azure OpenAI
• OpenAI
• Ollama (self-hosted models)
• Custom services via IChatInferenceService interface
• Claude AI (Anthropic)
• DeepSeek AI
• Google Gemini AI
• Groq AI

Documentation and Navigation Guide

Getting Started and Installation

📄 Read: references/getting-started.md

• Installing Syncfusion.SfSmartComponents.WPF NuGet package
• Adding control via Designer, XAML, or C#
• Configuring UserRole and UserPhrases for suggestions
• Registering AI services in App.xaml.cs
• Running the application and verifying AI features

When to read: Starting a new Smart Text Editor implementation, setting up the development environment, or adding the control to an existing WPF project.

Suggestion Display Modes

📄 Read: references/suggestion-display-modes.md

• Inline mode: Suggestions rendered in place after caret
• Popup mode: Compact hint overlay near caret
• Keyboard shortcuts (Tab, Right Arrow)
• Gesture support (tap/click)
• Choosing between Inline and Popup modes

When to read: User needs to configure how suggestions appear, switch between display modes, or optimize for desktop vs touch devices.

Customization and Styling

📄 Read: references/customization.md

• Text style customization (FontSize, Foreground, fonts)
• Placeholder text and color customization
• Suggestion text color (SuggestionInlineStyle)
• Suggestion popup background (SuggestionPopupStyle)
• Maximum input length (MaxLength property)
• Complete styling examples

When to read: Customizing appearance to match application themes, changing text styles, configuring placeholders, or setting character limits.

Commands

📄 Read: references/commands.md

• TextChangedCommand overview and implementation
• Command binding in XAML
• ViewModel pattern for command handling
• Event handling patterns
• Use cases for tracking text changes

When to read: Implementing text change notifications, MVVM command patterns, or custom event handling logic.

AI Service Configuration (Built-in Providers)

📄 Read: references/ai-service-configuration.md

• Registering chat clients in App.xaml.cs
• Azure OpenAI configuration (deployment, API key, endpoint)
• OpenAI configuration (API key, model selection)
• Ollama self-hosted models (installation, local setup)
• Required NuGet packages for each provider
• Troubleshooting built-in AI providers

When to read: Configuring Azure OpenAI, OpenAI, or Ollama for AI-powered suggestions. Use this for official/built-in AI provider setup.

Common Patterns

Pattern 1: Support Ticket Response Editor

Scenario: Customer support application with branded responses.

<syncfusion:SfSmartTextEditor
    Placeholder="Write your response..."
    UserRole="Technical support engineer helping customers with product issues"
    MaxLength="2000"
    SuggestionDisplayMode="Inline">
    <syncfusion:SfSmartTextEditor.UserPhrases>
        <sys:String>Thanks for contacting Syncfusion support.</sys:String>
        <sys:String>Could you please share a reproducible sample?</sys:String>
        <sys:String>We've logged this as a bug and will update you soon.</sys:String>
        <sys:String>Let us know if you need further assistance.</sys:String>
    </syncfusion:SfSmartTextEditor.UserPhrases>
</syncfusion:SfSmartTextEditor>

Pattern 2: Email Composition with Custom Styling

Scenario: Email client with custom theme and popup suggestions.

<syncfusion:SfSmartTextEditor
    Placeholder="Compose your email..."
    UserRole="Professional email author"
    SuggestionDisplayMode="Popup"
    MaxLength="5000">
    <syncfusion:SfSmartTextEditor.Style>
        <Style TargetType="{x:Type syncfusion:SfSmartTextEditor}">
            <Setter Property="FontSize" Value="14"/>
            <Setter Property="Foreground" Value="#333333"/>
            <Setter Property="FontFamily" Value="Segoe UI"/>
        </Style>
    </syncfusion:SfSmartTextEditor.Style>
    <syncfusion:SfSmartTextEditor.SuggestionPopupStyle>
        <Style TargetType="syncfusion:SuggestionPopup">
            <Setter Property="Background" Value="#0078D4"/>
            <Setter Property="Foreground" Value="White"/>
        </Style>
    </syncfusion:SfSmartTextEditor.SuggestionPopupStyle>
</syncfusion:SfSmartTextEditor>

Pattern 3: Text Editor with Change Tracking

Scenario: Track text changes for auto-save or validation.

<syncfusion:SfSmartTextEditor
    x:Name="smartTextEditor"
    TextChangedCommand="{Binding TextChangedCommand}"
    Placeholder="Start typing..."/>

public class EditorViewModel : INotifyPropertyChanged
{
    public ICommand TextChangedCommand { get; }

    public EditorViewModel()
    {
        TextChangedCommand = new RelayCommand(OnTextChanged);
    }

    private void OnTextChanged()
    {
        // Auto-save, validation, or tracking logic
        Debug.WriteLine("Text changed - triggering auto-save");
    }
}

Pattern 4: Offline-First with Custom Phrases

Scenario: App that works without AI connectivity.

<syncfusion:SfSmartTextEditor
    Placeholder="Type your message..."
    UserRole="Sales representative responding to leads">
    <syncfusion:SfSmartTextEditor.UserPhrases>
        <sys:String>Thank you for your interest in our products.</sys:String>
        <sys:String>I'd be happy to schedule a demo.</sys:String>
        <sys:String>Our pricing starts at $99 per month.</sys:String>
        <sys:String>Let me connect you with our solutions team.</sys:String>
        <sys:String>Feel free to reach out with any questions.</sys:String>
    </syncfusion:SfSmartTextEditor.UserPhrases>
</syncfusion:SfSmartTextEditor>

Note: If no AI service is configured, the editor automatically falls back to UserPhrases for suggestions.

Key Properties

Common Use Cases

When User Needs Inline Suggestions (Desktop)

• Action: Set SuggestionDisplayMode="Inline"
• Why: Natural typing flow on keyboard-driven devices
• Reference: suggestion-display-modes.md

When User Needs Popup Suggestions (Touch Devices)

• Action: Set SuggestionDisplayMode="Popup"
• Why: Easier to tap/click on mobile/touch screens
• Reference: suggestion-display-modes.md

When User Needs Azure OpenAI Integration

• Action: Configure AzureOpenAIClient in App.xaml.cs
• Why: Enterprise-grade AI with Azure security and compliance
• Reference: ai-service-configuration.md

When User Needs Character Limit

• Action: Set MaxLength property
• Why: Enforce input validation and prevent excessive text
• Reference: customization.md

When User Needs Text Change Notifications

• Action: Bind TextChangedCommand to ViewModel
• Why: Track changes for auto-save, validation, or analytics
• Reference: commands.md

When User Needs Offline Suggestions

• Action: Configure UserPhrases without AI service
• Why: Provide suggestions when AI is unavailable or disabled
• Reference: getting-started.md

When User Needs Custom Theme

• Action: Apply Style, PlaceholderStyle, SuggestionInlineStyle
• Why: Match application branding and design system
• Reference: customization.md

Next Steps:

1. For initial setup and installation → Read getting-started.md
2. For AI provider configuration → Read ai-service-configuration.md
3. For appearance customization → Read customization.md