# How to Build a Context Formatting Bar > This sample replicates the floating formatting bar introduced in Microsoft Word. When the mouse hovers over selected text, a toolbar with common options like bold and italic fades in near the selection. The implementation uses TX Text Control .NET for Windows Forms as the editor. - **Author:** Bjoern Meyer - **Published:** 2006-05-31 - **Modified:** 2026-07-17 - **Description:** This sample replicates the floating formatting bar introduced in Microsoft Word. When the mouse hovers over selected text, a toolbar with common options like bold and italic fades in near the selection. The implementation uses TX Text Control .NET for Windows Forms as the editor. - **1 min read** (100 words) - **Tags:** - .NET - Sample - **Web URL:** https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2006/05/31/how-to-build-a-context-formatting-bar/ - **LLMs URL:** https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2006/05/31/how-to-build-a-context-formatting-bar/llms.txt - **LLMs-Full URL:** https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2006/05/31/how-to-build-a-context-formatting-bar/llms-full.txt --- The latest beta implementation of Microsoft Word introduces a new formatting bar that is displayed where it is required. If a part of some text is selected, a small button bar with the most important formatting features, such as bold or italic, is displayed. This sample shows how to implement such a context formatting bar, complete with fading effects. The formatting bar fades in when the mouse moves over the selected text. Read the full article here: [How to build a context formatting bar](https://github.com/TextControl/ "Source Code Library") Feel free to contact me to discuss this sample. --- ## About Bjoern Meyer As CEO, Bjoern is the visionary behind our strategic direction and business development, bridging the gap between our customers and engineering teams. His deep passion for coding and web technologies drives the creation of innovative products. If you're at a tech conference, be sure to stop by our booth - you'll most likely meet Bjoern in person. With an advanced graduate degree (Dipl. Inf.) in Computer Science, specializing in AI, from the University of Bremen, Bjoern brings significant expertise to his role. In his spare time, Bjoern enjoys running, paragliding, mountain biking, and playing the piano. - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bjoernmeyer/) - [X](https://x.com/txbjoern) - [GitHub](https://github.com/bjoerntx) --- ## Related Posts - [Create a Table of Contents in Windows Forms using C#](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2023/01/23/create-toc-in-windows-forms/llms.txt) - [Two Ways to Restart Numbered Lists in TX Text Control](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2021/11/03/two-ways-to-restart-numbered-lists/llms.txt) - [Paste Special: The Easy Way to Implement](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2009/09/07/paste-special-the-easy-way-to-implement/llms.txt) - [How to Remove All Section Breaks in a Document?](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2009/05/14/how-to-remove-all-section-breaks-in-a-document/llms.txt) - [Batch Printing: How to Print Documents in One Print Job](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2009/03/20/batch-printing-how-to-print-documents-in-one-print-job/llms.txt) - [Removing TextFields in a Loop](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2009/03/12/removing-textfields-in-a-loop/llms.txt) - [Creating a Table of Contents (TOC) Using TX Text Control](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2009/02/02/creating-a-table-of-contents-toc-using-tx-text-control/llms.txt) - [Rendering TX Text Control's Content to a DataGridViewCell](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2009/01/20/rendering-tx-text-controls-content-to-a-datagridviewcell/llms.txt) - [Revised Sample: Converting Text to a Table](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2009/01/07/revised-sample-converting-text-to-a-table/llms.txt) - [New Sample: Printing to Different Paper Trays](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2008/10/08/new-sample-printing-to-different-paper-trays/llms.txt) - [Is the Current Input Position Currently Visible?](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2008/09/04/is-the-current-input-position-currently-visible/llms.txt) - [New Sample: Implementing a 'paste Special' Dialog Box](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2008/07/10/new-sample-implementing-a-paste-special-dialog-box/llms.txt) - [The ParagraphStyle and InlineStyle Constructor Unreveled](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2008/06/24/the-paragraphstyle-and-inlinestyle-constructor-unreveled/llms.txt) - [Searching with C# Escape Sequences](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2008/05/29/searching-with-c-escape-sequences/llms.txt) - [Removing Empty Tables](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2008/05/27/removing-empty-tables/llms.txt) - [Manipulating the Selection Object](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2008/05/26/manipulating-the-selection-object/llms.txt) - [Casting TextField Derivatives](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2008/05/23/casting-textfield-derivatives/llms.txt) - [Resize Images to Fit into Page](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2008/05/08/resize-images-to-fit-into-page/llms.txt) - [Printing into a PrintPreview Control](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2007/08/10/printing-into-a-printpreview-control/llms.txt) - [Drag And Drop Images into TX Text Control .NET for Windows Forms](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2007/08/09/drag-and-drop-images-into-tx-text-control-net-for-windows-forms/llms.txt) - [New Sample: Restarting a Numbered List](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2007/08/08/new-sample-restarting-a-numbered-list/llms.txt) - [Is There a Table at the Current Mouse Position?](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2007/06/22/is-there-a-table-at-the-current-mouse-position/llms.txt) - [Apply a Boxed Frame Style to Selected Cells](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2007/06/12/apply-a-boxed-frame-style-to-selected-cells/llms.txt) - [Copy All Styles from One TextControl into Another](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2007/05/31/copy-all-styles-from-one-textcontrol-into-another/llms.txt) - [Show Image Anchor Positions Using GDI+](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2007/04/25/show-image-anchor-positions-using-gdi/llms.txt)