How do you disable an item in listview control in .net 3.5

Question

In .net 3.5 windows forms I have a listview with "CheckBoxes" = true. Is it possible to dim out or disable some items to prevent the user from checking the box?

Answer 1

You can use the ListBoxItem.ForeColor and UseItemStyleForSubItems properties to make the item look dimmed. Use SystemColors.GrayText to pick the theme color for disabled items. Avoid disabling selection, it prevents the user from using the keyboard. Only disable the checkbox checking. For example:

    private void listView1_ItemCheck(object sender, ItemCheckEventArgs e) {
        // Disable checking odd-numbered items
        if (e.Index % 2 == 1) e.NewValue = e.CurrentValue;
    }

Answer 2

You have to roll your own for this. Handle the ListView's ItemSelectionChanged event - if you don't want a particular item to be selectable, do this:

e.Item.Selected = false;

You can make a particular item appear unselectable by graying it out, changing the font color etc.