The Ajax Control Toolkit contains a rich set of controls that you can use to build highly responsive and interactive Ajax-enabled Web applications. The Ajax Control Toolkit contains more than 40 controls, including the AutoComplete, CollapsiblePanel, ColorPicker, MaskedEdit, Calendar, Accordion, HTML Editor Extender, Watermark controls, etc. Using the Ajax Control Toolkit, you can build Ajax-enabled ASP.NET Web Forms applications by dragging-and-dropping Toolkit controls from the Visual Studio Toolbox onto an ASP.NET Web Forms page. To view an interactive Web site that demonstrates each of the Ajax Control Toolkit controls, visit the Ajax Control Toolkit Sample Site.
We recommend that you use the ToolkitScriptManager control when using the Ajax Control Toolkit. The ToolkitScriptManager uses a later version of ASP.NET Ajax than the ScriptManager control. Also, the ToolkitScriptManager performs automatic script combining on the server.
You are required to use the ToolkitScriptManager when using the Ajax Control Toolkit with ASP.NET 3.5
2. Why can't I drag the Calendar control from the Visual Studio Toolbox onto a Web Forms page?
You cannot drag extender controls, such as the Calendar extender or the TextBoxWatermark extender, onto the Visual Studio designer. You can only drag Ajax Control Toolkit controls, such as the Accordion or Editor control, onto the designer surface.
If you want to use a control extender then you should right-click a control such as a TextBox control and select the menu option Add Extender.
1. Download the Ajax Control Toolkit
Ajax Control Toolkit v15.12. Extract the Download
- After downloading the Ajax Control Toolkit, you need to unblock and extract the files. Right-click the compressed file and click the Unblock button.
- Next, right-click the compressed file and select the Extract All menu option.
3. Add the Ajax Control Toolkit to the Visual Studio Toolbox
- Launch Visual Studio and create a new ASP.NET Web Forms project or website. Open Default.aspx in the Visual Studio editor.
- Create a new Toolbox tab by right-clicking the Toolbox and selecting Add Tab. Name the new tab Ajax Control Toolkit.
- Right-click beneath the new tab and select the menu option Choose Items... Click the Browse button and browse to the folder where you extracted the Ajax Control Toolkit. Pick the AjaxControlToolkit.dll and click the OK button to close the Choose Toolbox Items dialog.
4. Read Ajax Control Toolkit Tutorials
- Visit the Tutorials page to learn how to use the Ajax Control Toolkit controls.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between the ScriptManager control and the ToolkitScriptManager control?We recommend that you use the ToolkitScriptManager control when using the Ajax Control Toolkit. The ToolkitScriptManager uses a later version of ASP.NET Ajax than the ScriptManager control. Also, the ToolkitScriptManager performs automatic script combining on the server.
You are required to use the ToolkitScriptManager when using the Ajax Control Toolkit with ASP.NET 3.5
2. Why can't I drag the Calendar control from the Visual Studio Toolbox onto a Web Forms page?
You cannot drag extender controls, such as the Calendar extender or the TextBoxWatermark extender, onto the Visual Studio designer. You can only drag Ajax Control Toolkit controls, such as the Accordion or Editor control, onto the designer surface.
If you want to use a control extender then you should right-click a control such as a TextBox control and select the menu option Add Extender.
