How to automatically select all text on focus in WPF TextBox?

🔍💭 Looking for a way to automatically select all text on focus in a WPF TextBox? 🤔 No worries, I've got you covered! In this blog post, I'll address the common issue of the selection disappearing when using the mouse, provide easy solutions, and even share my thoughts on different approaches. So, let's dive in! 💪💻

💡The Problem: When you call SelectAll from a GotFocus event handler, the selection doesn't persist when using the mouse. 😬

💡The Context: You might have tried implementing the solution provided by Donnelle in the comments. While it works, let me share why I prefer an alternative approach. 🤔

🚧 Donnelle's Approach: Donnelle's solution might seem complex compared to the accepted answer, and it doesn't offer the same level of usability. For instance, if you click in the middle of the text, it requires a second click to start editing. Additionally, clicking anywhere within the text can indicate a desire to edit, rather than selecting all the text.

🔑 The Accepted Answer: Now, let me share the simpler and more user-friendly approach that I recommend. ✔️ When implementing the GotFocus event handler, use the MouseUp event instead of LostMouseCapture. This allows the selection to persist after releasing the mouse, providing a smoother editing experience. 😎

private void TextBox_GotFocus(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
{
    TextBox textBox = (TextBox)sender;
    textBox.Dispatcher.BeginInvoke((Action)delegate
    {
        textBox.SelectAll();
    });
}

🔍 Explanation: By using the MouseUp event instead of LostMouseCapture, we ensure that the selected text remains intact even after releasing the mouse. The BeginInvoke call is necessary for the selection to work correctly.

🎉 Call-to-Action: I hope this solution helps you achieve the desired behavior for automatically selecting all text in a WPF TextBox. Try implementing it and let me know how it works for you! 🚀

🤝 Remember, I'm here to help with any further questions or concerns you might have, so feel free to leave a comment below. Happy coding! 💻💡