.NET MAUI Creating Reusable Views and Control Templates Step by step Implementation and Top 10 Questions and Answers
 Last Update: April 01, 2025      17 mins read      Difficulty-Level: beginner

.NET MAUI Creating Reusable Views and Control Templates

In modern application development, creating reusable views and control templates is crucial for maintaining a clean, efficient, and scalable codebase. .NET Multi-platform App UI (.NET MAUI) provides powerful features to achieve this, making it easier to create user interfaces that are consistent across multiple platforms. This article delves into the details of creating reusable views and control templates in .NET MAUI, highlighting important information and best practices.

Reusable Views in .NET MAUI

  1. Custom User Controls: Custom user controls are a way to encapsulate UI elements into a single reusable component. They are similar to creating a new page but are intended to be used within other layouts.

    Example: Creating a Custom Button Control:

    <!-- CustomButton.xaml -->
<ContentView xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/dotnet/2021/maui"
             xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2009/xaml"
             x:Class="MyApp.CustomControls.CustomButton">
    <Grid>
        <Frame CornerRadius="20"
               BackgroundColor="LightBlue"
               Padding="10">
            <Label Text="{Binding ButtonText}"
                   HorizontalOptions="Center"
                   VerticalOptions="Center"
                   TextColor="White"/>
        </Frame>
    </Grid>
</ContentView>

    // CustomButton.xaml.cs
namespace MyApp.CustomControls
{
    public partial class CustomButton : ContentView
    {
        public static readonly BindableProperty ButtonTextProperty =
            BindableProperty.Create(nameof(ButtonText), typeof(string), typeof(CustomButton), "Click Me");

        public string ButtonText
        {
            get => (string)GetValue(ButtonTextProperty);
            set => SetValue(ButtonTextProperty, value);
        }

        public CustomButton()
        {
            InitializeComponent();
        }
    }
}

    Usage:

    <local:CustomButton ButtonText="Submit"/>

  2. Templates: Templates allow you to define the structure and appearance of items in a list or other data-driven controls like ListView, CollectionView, etc.

    Example: Creating a DataTemplate for ListView:

    <!-- MainPage.xaml -->
<ContentPage xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/dotnet/2021/maui"
             xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2009/xaml"
             x:Class="MyApp.MainPage">

    <ListView ItemsSource="{Binding Users}">
        <ListView.ItemTemplate>
            <DataTemplate>
                <ViewCell>
                    <StackLayout Padding="10">
                        <Label Text="{Binding Name}"
                               FontSize="Large"/>
                        <Label Text="{Binding Email}"
                               TextColor="Gray"/>
                    </StackLayout>
                </ViewCell>
            </DataTemplate>
        </ListView.ItemTemplate>
    </ListView>
</ContentPage>

    ViewModel:

    public class MainPageViewModel
{
    public ObservableCollection<User> Users { get; set; }

    public MainPageViewModel()
    {
        Users = new ObservableCollection<User>
        {
            new User { Name = "John Doe", Email = "john.doe@example.com" },
            new User { Name = "Jane Smith", Email = "jane.smith@example.com" }
        };
    }
}

public class User
{
    public string Name { get; set; }
    public string Email { get; set; }
}

Control Templates in .NET MAUI

Control templates allow you to replace the UI of a control with a custom layout. This is particularly useful for creating highly styled controls that can be reused across the application.

  1. Creating Control Templates:

    Example: Customizing a Button with a Control Template:

    <!-- CustomButtonTemplate.xaml -->
<ControlTemplate xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/dotnet/2021/maui"
                 xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2009/xaml"
                 x:Class="MyApp.Templates.CustomButtonTemplate">
    <ContentView Padding="10"
                 BackgroundColor="LightGreen">
        <Label Text="{TemplateBinding Content}"
               FontSize="Medium"
               TextColor="DarkGreen"
               HorizontalOptions="Center"
               VerticalOptions="Center"/>
    </ContentView>
</ControlTemplate>

    Usage:

    <!-- MainPage.xaml -->
<ContentPage xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/dotnet/2021/maui"
             xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2009/xaml"
             xmlns:local="clr-namespace:MyApp.Templates"
             x:Class="MyApp.MainPage">

    <Button Text="Click Me"
            ControlTemplate="{StaticResource CustomButtonTemplate}"/>
</ContentPage>

    App.xaml Resources:

    <!-- App.xaml -->
<Application xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/dotnet/2021/maui"
             xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2009/xaml"
             x:Class="MyApp.App">

    <Application.Resources>
        <ResourceDictionary>
            <local:CustomButtonTemplate x:Key="CustomButtonTemplate"/>
        </ResourceDictionary>
    </Application.Resources>

</Application>

  2. Template Bindings: Template bindings are used to bind properties between the control template and the control it is applied to. This is useful for setting dynamic properties like text, colors, etc.

    Example:

    <!-- CustomButtonTemplate.xaml -->
<ControlTemplate xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/dotnet/2021/maui"
                 xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2009/xaml"
                 x:Class="MyApp.Templates.CustomButtonTemplate">
    <ContentView BackgroundColor="{TemplateBinding BackgroundColor}"
                 Padding="10">
        <Label Text="{TemplateBinding Content}"
               FontSize="Medium"
               TextColor="Black"
               HorizontalOptions="Center"
               VerticalOptions="Center"/>
    </ContentView>
</ControlTemplate>

Benefits of Reusable Views and Control Templates

  • Consistency: Ensures that UI elements have a consistent look and feel across the application.
  • Maintainability: Reduces code duplication and makes the application easier to maintain.
  • Scalability: Facilitates easier scaling of the application by allowing reuse of existing components.
  • Performance: Efficient memory usage by avoiding unnecessary instantiation of UI elements.

Best Practices

  • Keep Components Simple: Each reusable component should have a single responsibility to enhance maintainability.
  • Use Styles and Resources Wisely: Leverage styles and resources to control the appearance of reusable components centralizing styling changes.
  • Leverage Data Binding: Data binding is crucial for creating dynamic and responsive UI elements.
  • Document and Version Control: Properly document and version control reusable components for better collaboration and tracking changes.
  • Test Thoroughly: Thorough testing ensures that reusable components work correctly in different contexts and scenarios.

Conclusion

Creating reusable views and control templates in .NET MAUI is a powerful technique for building scalable, maintainable, and efficient applications. By encapsulating UI elements into reusable components, developers can ensure consistency and save time on repetitive tasks. Leveraging control templates and template bindings adds another layer of flexibility and customizability to your UI elements. By following best practices and understanding the capabilities of .NET MAUI, you can maximize the benefits of reusability in your application development process.

Examples, Set Route and Run the Application, and Data Flow Step by Step for Beginners

Topic: .NET MAUI Creating Reusable Views and Control Templates

Overview

.NET Multi-platform App UI (MAUI) is a powerful framework designed to enable developers to build modern, single-codebase applications for iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows. One of the key principles in developing with .NET MAUI is the ability to create reusable views and control templates, which not only enhances code organization but also promotes reusability and maintainability. This guide will walk you through the steps of creating reusable views and control templates in .NET MAUI, setting up navigation routes, running the application, and understanding the data flow.

Prerequisites

  1. Visual Studio: Ensure you have Visual Studio 2022 or later installed with the .NET MAUI workload.
  2. MAUI NuGet Packages: Make sure the latest MAUI NuGet packages are installed.
  3. Basic .NET MAUI Knowledge: Familiarity with the .NET MAUI project structure and components.

Step 1: Create a New .NET MAUI Project

  1. Open Visual Studio and create a new project by selecting File > New > Project.
  2. Search for .NET MAUI App and click Next.
  3. Enter a project name and click Create.
  4. Choose a framework (e.g., .NET 7 MAUI) and click Create.

Step 2: Creating Reusable Views

Suppose we want to create a reusable view called CustomButton that includes a styled button with specific properties.

  1. Create a New XAML Page:

    • Right-click on your project, select Add > New Item.
    • Choose Content Page and name it CustomButton.xaml.

  2. Define the XAML for CustomButton:

    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<ContentView xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/dotnet/2021/maui"
             xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2009/xaml"
             x:Class="MyMauiApp.CustomButton">
    <ContentView.Content>
        <Button Text="Click Me"
                BackgroundColor="Teal"
                TextColor="White"
                FontSize="Medium"
                CornerRadius="5"
                Margin="10" />
    </ContentView.Content>
</ContentView>

Step 3: Create a Control Template

Control Templates allow you to customize the look and feel of controls. Let's create a control template for our CustomButton.

  1. Create a New Resource Dictionary:

    • Right-click on your project, select Add > New Item.
    • Choose Resource Dictionary and name it CustomButtonTemplate.xaml.

  2. Define the Control Template:

    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<ResourceDictionary xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/dotnet/2021/maui"
                    xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2009/xaml"
                    x:Class="MyMauiApp.CustomButtonTemplate">
    <ControlTemplate x:Key="CustomButtonTemplate">
        <Button Text="Click Me"
                BackgroundColor="DeepSkyBlue"
                TextColor="White"
                FontSize="Medium"
                CornerRadius="8"
                Margin="15" />
    </ControlTemplate>
</ResourceDictionary>

  3. Merge Resource Dictionary with App.xaml:

    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<Application xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/dotnet/2021/maui"
             xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2009/xaml"
             x:Class="MyMauiApp.App">
    <Application.Resources>
        <ResourceDictionary>
            <ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
                <ResourceDictionary Source="CustomButtonTemplate.xaml" />
            </ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
        </ResourceDictionary>
    </Application.Resources>
</Application>

Step 4: Using Reusable Views and Control Templates in a Page

Let's use the CustomButton view and apply the control template on the MainPage.

  1. Modify MainPage.xaml to Use CustomButton: 
    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<ContentPage xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/dotnet/2021/maui"
             xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2009/xaml"
             x:Class="MyMauiApp.MainPage"
             xmlns:local="clr-namespace:MyMauiApp"
             Title="Main Page">
    <StackLayout>
        <local:CustomButton />
        <Button ControlTemplate="{StaticResource CustomButtonTemplate}"
                Text="Click Me Using Template" />
    </StackLayout>
</ContentPage>

Step 5: Set Up Navigation Routes

Suppose we want to add another page to demonstrate navigation.

  1. Create a New Page:

    • Right-click on your project, select Add > New Item.
    • Choose Content Page and name it SecondPage.xaml.

  2. Define the XAML for SecondPage:

    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<ContentPage xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/dotnet/2021/maui"
             xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2009/xaml"
             x:Class="MyMauiApp.SecondPage"
             Title="Second Page">
    <Label Text="Welcome to the Second Page!"
           FontSize="Large"
           HorizontalOptions="Center"
           VerticalOptions="Center" />
</ContentPage>

  3. Modify App.xaml.cs to Set Up Routes:

    public partial class App : Application
{
    public App()
    {
        InitializeComponent();

        MainPage = new NavigationPage(new MainPage());

        Routing.RegisterRoute("secondPage", typeof(SecondPage));
    }
}

  4. Add Navigation Button in MainPage.xaml:

    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<ContentPage xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/dotnet/2021/maui"
             xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2009/xaml"
             x:Class="MyMauiApp.MainPage"
             xmlns:local="clr-namespace:MyMauiApp"
             Title="Main Page">
    <StackLayout>
        <local:CustomButton />
        <Button ControlTemplate="{StaticResource CustomButtonTemplate}"
                Text="Click Me Using Template" />
        <Button Text="Go to Second Page"
                Clicked="NavigateToSecondPage" />
    </StackLayout>
</ContentPage>

  5. Handle Click Event to Navigate:

    public partial class MainPage : ContentPage
{
    public MainPage()
    {
        InitializeComponent();
    }

    private void NavigateToSecondPage(object sender, EventArgs e)
    {
        Shell.Current.GoToAsync("secondPage");
    }
}

Step 6: Run the Application

  1. Build the Project: Click on Build > Build Solution to compile your project.
  2. Run the Application: Select your target platform (iOS, Android, Windows, or macOS) and click the Start button (or press F5).

Step 7: Understand the Data Flow

In the context of this example, the data flow is straightforward:

  1. User Interaction: When you run the app and click the Go to Second Page button, the NavigateToSecondPage method is triggered.
  2. NavigateToSecondPage Method: This method uses the Shell.Current.GoToAsync method to navigate to the SecondPage.
  3. Routing System: The routing system translates the route "secondPage" to the SecondPage type and navigates to it.

Conclusion

This step-by-step guide walked you through creating reusable views and control templates in .NET MAUI, setting up navigation routes, and understanding the data flow. By following these steps, you can efficiently manage your UI components, ensuring reusability and maintainability in your .NET MAUI applications. Happy coding!

Top 10 Questions and Answers: Creating Reusable Views and Control Templates in .NET MAUI

1. What is a Reusable View in .NET MAUI, and why should you use it?

Answer:
A Reusable View in .NET MAUI refers to a piece of user interface that can be defined once and used multiple times across different parts of an application. It’s akin to a custom control in previous Xamarin.Forms applications. Using Reusable Views can significantly enhance maintainability, as changes in the view need to be made in only one place, not each location where the view is used. This leads to cleaner and more organized codebases.

2. How do you create a Reusable View in .NET MAUI?

Answer:
To create a Reusable View in .NET MAUI, follow these steps:

  • Define the View: Create a new XAML file (e.g., CustomButton.xaml) and add your UI components. Also, define a code-behind file (CustomButton.xaml.cs) for any additional logic.

  • Set the Root Element: Ensure the root element of the XAML file is ContentView (or View if using a specific type like Grid, StackLayout), which makes it reusable as a content component.

    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<ContentView xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/dotnet/2021/maui"
           xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2009/xaml"
           x:Class="YourApp.CustomButton">
    <Button Text="Click Me" BackgroundColor="Teal" FontSize="Large" />
</ContentView>

  • Use the Reusable View: Add a reference to the namespace in your XAML file where you wish to use the reusable view.

    xmlns:local="clr-namespace:YourApp"

<!-- Inside your page or layout -->
<local:CustomButton />

3. Can you explain what a Control Template is in .NET MAUI and how it differs from a standard view?

Answer:
A Control Template in .NET MAUI is a way to define the visual structure and appearance of a control in a reusable manner. It is different from a standard view in that it’s specifically designed to define the appearance and behavior of a specific type of control. For example, a Button can have a default appearance, but with a Control Template, you can define a custom appearance that all instances of that control within a specified scope will use.

4. How do you create and use a Control Template in .NET MAUI?

Answer:
To create and use a Control Template:

  • Define the Control Template: Create a new ControlTemplate resource. You can define it at the application level (e.g., in App.xaml) or at the page level.

    <Application.Resources>
    <ResourceDictionary>
        <ControlTemplate x:Key="CustomButtonTemplate">
            <Button
                BackgroundColor="Teal"
                TextColor="White"
                FontSize="Large"
                CornerRadius="10"
                Padding="15,5"
                TextColor="White"
                FontAttributes="Bold"
                WidthRequest="200"
                VerticalOptions="Center"
                HorizontalOptions="Center" />
        </ControlTemplate>
    </ResourceDictionary>
</Application.Resources>

  • Apply the Control Template: Apply the Control Template to any Button in your XAML by setting the ControlTemplate property.

    <Button Text="Click Me" ControlTemplate="{StaticResource CustomButtonTemplate}" />

5. Can you use Data Bindings in Reusable Views and Control Templates?

Answer:
Absolutely, Data Bindings can be used in both Reusable Views and Control Templates. This allows you to dynamically update the UI based on the underlying data. Here’s an example:

  • In a Reusable View:

    <ContentView xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/dotnet/2021/maui"
           xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2009/xaml"
           x:Class="YourApp.UserProfileView">
    <StackLayout Padding="20">
        <Label Text="{Binding Name}" FontSize="Large" FontAttributes="Bold" />
        <Label Text="{Binding Email}" FontSize="Medium" />
    </StackLayout>
</ContentView>

  • In a Control Template:

    <ControlTemplate x:Key="InfoTemplate">
    <Frame Padding="20" BorderColor="Black" CornerRadius="15">
        <StackLayout>
            <Label Text="{TemplateBinding Content}" FontSize="Large" FontAttributes="Bold" />
            <Label Text="{TemplateBinding CommandParameter}" FontSize="Medium" />
        </StackLayout>
    </Frame>
</ControlTemplate>

6. How do you handle Events in a Reusable View?

Answer:
Handling events in a Reusable View involves defining event handlers in the code-behind file. You can also define events in the XAML and connect them to event handlers in the parent container.

  • Define Event Handlers: In the Reusable View's code-behind, define the event handlers.

    public partial class CustomButton : ContentView
{
    public CustomButton()
    {
        InitializeComponent();
        this.FindControl<Button>("ClickMeButton").Clicked += OnButtonClicked;
    }

    private void OnButtonClicked(object sender, EventArgs e)
    {
        // Handle button click
    }
}

  • Connect to Parent's Event Handler: In the parent container, you can also connect events to the parent’s logic.

    <local:CustomButton Clicked="OnCustomButtonClicked" />

7. How can you Style a Reusable View or Control Template using Styles?

Answer:
You can apply styles to Reusable Views and Control Templates to maintain consistent appearance across your application.

  • Define a Style in Resources: Define a style in a resource dictionary.

    <Application.Resources>
    <ResourceDictionary>
        <Style x:Key="ButtonStyle" TargetType="Button">
            <Setter Property="BackgroundColor" Value="Teal" />
            <Setter Property="TextColor" Value="White" />
            <Setter Property="FontSize" Value="Large" />
        </Style>
    </ResourceDictionary>
</Application.Resources>

  • Apply the Style: Apply the style to your Button or any other control.

    <Button Text="Click Me" Style="{StaticResource ButtonStyle}" />

8. How do you Pass Parameters to a Reusable View using Bindable Properties?

Answer:
To pass parameters to a Reusable View, you can define Bindable Properties. These properties can then be set from outside the view, allowing it to be customized based on the parameters passed.

  • Define a Bindable Property: In the Reusable View's code-behind, define a Bindable Property.

    public partial class UserProfileView : ContentView
{
    public static readonly BindableProperty NameProperty =
        BindableProperty.Create(nameof(Name), typeof(string), typeof(UserProfileView), string.Empty);

    public static readonly BindableProperty EmailProperty =
        BindableProperty.Create(nameof(Email), typeof(string), typeof(UserProfileView), string.Empty);

    public string Name
    {
        get => (string)GetValue(NameProperty);
        set => SetValue(NameProperty, value);
    }

    public string Email
    {
        get => (string)GetValue(EmailProperty);
        set => SetValue(EmailProperty, value);
    }

    public UserProfileView()
    {
        InitializeComponent();
    }
}

  • Use the Bindable Properties in XAML:

    <local:UserProfileView Name="{Binding UserName}" Email="{Binding UserEmail}" />

9. What is the Difference Between Implicit and Explicit Styles in .NET MAUI?

Answer:
Implicit and Explicit Styles are both used to style controls in .NET MAUI, but they are applied differently.

  • Implicit Styles: Implicit styles do not have a x:Key and are applied automatically to all controls of a specified type within the scope they are defined in.

    <Style TargetType="Button">
    <Setter Property="BackgroundColor" Value="Teal" />
    <Setter Property="TextColor" Value="White" />
</Style>

  • Explicit Styles: Explicit styles have a x:Key and must be explicitly applied to controls using the Style attribute.

    <Style x:Key="SpecialButtonStyle" TargetType="Button">
    <Setter Property="BackgroundColor" Value="DarkGreen" />
    <Setter Property="TextColor" Value="Yellow" />
</Style>

<!-- Apply the style -->
<Button Text="Click Me" Style="{StaticResource SpecialButtonStyle}" />

10. How do you Debug and Test Reusable Views and Control Templates in .NET MAUI?

Answer:
Debugging and testing Reusable Views and Control Templates involves several steps to ensure they function as expected across different parts of your application.

  • Use the XAML Hot Reload: .NET MAUI supports XAML Hot Reload, allowing you to make changes to your XAML and see the results in real-time, which is especially useful for debugging UI components.

  • Unit Testing: Write unit tests to verify the logic associated with your Reusable Views (like event handlers, Bindable properties, etc.). Use frameworks like NUnit or xUnit.

  • UI Testing: For UI-specific testing, consider using UI test frameworks such as Microsoft App Center with Xamarin.UITest. These tools can simulate user interactions and verify that your views and controls behave as expected.

  • Visual Inspection: Regularly inspect the rendered UI to ensure that styles, bindings, and event handlers are correctly applied.

By following these best practices, you can effectively create, manage, and debug Reusable Views and Control Templates in .NET MAUI, leading to a more robust and maintainable application.