bound DataGridView with all invisible columns will display first column anyway

[kirsan31]

• .NET Core Version: all up to latest (5.0.5)

• Have you experienced this same bug with .NET Framework?: Yes

Problem description:
DataGridView with manual added columns. If your set on all of the columns Visible = false and then set DataSource you'll get 2 bugs:

1. First column become visible to user.
2. If RowHeadersVisible = false and AutoGenerateColumns = false column header will be partially visible.

Expected behavior:
All columns must stay invisible.

Minimal repro:
WinFormsCoreTest_Grid_Menu.zip (See Form2.cs)

[RussKie]

Would you like to have a go at fixing it?

[kirsan31]

Would you like to have a go at fixing it?

Ah, I Would. As you know, I've been here for quite some time, and I always want to fix something :) Even creating a bug report takes some effort. And the fix itself need more time, that I don't have :( Especially the very first attempt (create and configure environment, etc). But I do not lose hope that someday I will still do it :)))

[RussKie]

Even creating a bug report takes some effort.

Yes, I fully appreciate it takes time to submit an actionable bug report. Thank you for doing this.

Especially the very first attempt (create and configure environment, etc)

Did you check the developer guide? Was there anything missing or confusing that made it hard?

[kirsan31]

Did you check the developer guide? Was there anything missing or confusing that made it hard?

Checked now, everything is good and clear 😳

[kirsan31]

This is by design (a bit down similar technique with rows too):

winforms/src/System.Windows.Forms/src/System/Windows/Forms/DataGridView.DataConnection.cs

Lines 1305 to 1314 in e572c90

	int columnIndex = _owner.CurrentCellAddress.X == -1 ? _owner.FirstDisplayedColumnIndex : _owner.CurrentCellAddress.X;
	// Treat case where columnIndex == -1. We change the visibility of the first column.
	if (columnIndex == -1)
	{
	DataGridViewColumn dataGridViewColumn = _owner.Columns.GetFirstColumn(DataGridViewElementStates.None);
	Debug.Assert(dataGridViewColumn is not null);
	dataGridViewColumn.Visible = true;
	columnIndex = dataGridViewColumn.Index;
	}

Call Stack:

System.Windows.Forms.dll!System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.DataGridViewDataConnection.MatchCurrencyManagerPosition(bool scrollIntoView = true, bool clearSelection = true) Line 1312
System.Windows.Forms.dll!System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.RefreshRows(bool scrollIntoView = true) Line 26112
System.Windows.Forms.dll!System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.RefreshColumnsAndRows() Line 25940
System.Windows.Forms.dll!System.Windows.Forms.DataGridView.OnBindingContextChanged(System.EventArgs e = {System.EventArgs}) Line 11775
System.Windows.Forms.dll!System.Windows.Forms.Control.OnParentBindingContextChanged(System.EventArgs e = {System.EventArgs}) Line 7439
System.Windows.Forms.dll!System.Windows.Forms.Control.OnBindingContextChanged(System.EventArgs e = {System.EventArgs}) Line 7186
System.Windows.Forms.dll!System.Windows.Forms.ContainerControl.OnCreateControl() Line 858
System.Windows.Forms.dll!System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnCreateControl() Line 3884
System.Windows.Forms.dll!System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl(bool fIgnoreVisible = false) Line 5086
System.Windows.Forms.dll!System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl() Line 5015
System.Windows.Forms.dll!System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmShowWindow(ref System.Windows.Forms.Message m = {System.Windows.Forms.Message}) Line 12763

They are trying to match CurrencyManager position:

• if current column is invisible they take first visible, if all are invisible they make first column visible.
• if target row is invisible they make it visible.

In my opinion this is strange logic. For example if you open form with bound DataGridView, hide all columns and then add some rows to DataSource - it make first column visible. With rows similar problem.
But fixing this will be a breaking change I think...
/cc @RussKie

[RussKie]

I suppose, it may be a strange scenario to have a grid without any columns, hence it wasn't considered, judging by the comment... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
The team is currently dealing with other high priority items, but you're welcome to experiment here, and propose a possible solution.

[kirsan31]

I suppose, it may be a strange scenario to have a grid without any columns, hence it wasn't considered, judging by the comment... ¯_(ツ)_/¯
The team is currently dealing with other high priority items, but you're welcome to experiment here, and propose a possible solution.

Totally agree.

We made a grid with the ability to select columns by the user. And this behavior immediately fell out on tests. I filled out a bug.
But now it's clear that this is not a bug lol. And I think it's not worth to dig here for the grid without columns ;)
Lets leave this issue for some one else who really want empty grid :))))

[RussKie]

Sounds like a plan :)