Sometimes, when implementing forms in our applications, there are certain sensitive data fields that are displayed only for informational purposes and should not be modified by the user.
For example, in some applications, once a user is created, certain data, such as the username, cannot be changed, while other fields, like the address or email, can still be modified.
In these cases, in your <Entry> element, you can present this information in two ways: by using the IsReadOnly or IsEnabled property. In this article, we will explore the characteristics of each and when it is more appropriate to use them.
Let’s start!
Broadly speaking, both IsReadOnly and IsEnabled are properties that allow displaying information without allowing the user to modify it. However, they can be easily confused, so it’s important to understand their differences.
Below, I will explain what each one does and then highlight their specific differences. It is essential to understand them well to choose the property that best suits your needs.
Understanding Each Property Separately
➖ IsReadOnly: This is a boolean property that, when set to true, prevents the user from modifying the Entry content. The user cannot type or change the text but can still select and copy it.
➖ IsEnabled: This is a boolean property that, when set to false, completely disables the Entry, preventing any interaction, including editing and selecting the text.
Differences Between Both Properties
Setting IsReadOnly to True
➖ ✅ The user cannot type or modify the content.
➖ ✅ Can select and copy the text.
➖ ✅ The Entry retains its normal appearance.
Setting IsEnabled to False
➖ ✅ The user cannot type, modify, or copy the content.
➖ ✅ The Entry appearance changes to a gray color to indicate that it is disabled.
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References
This article was based on the official documentation.
