.NET MAUI FAQ - Layouts

To create a responsive grid layout with columns that adapt to screen width in .NET MAUI, set column widths using star (*) notation. This notation allows columns to share the available space proportionally. Here’s an example:

<Grid>
     <!-- Define columns with star (*) notation for responsive layout -->
     <Grid.ColumnDefinitions>
         <ColumnDefinition Width="Auto" />
         <ColumnDefinition Width="Auto" />
         <ColumnDefinition Width="*" />
     </Grid.ColumnDefinitions>
     <!-- Create content for each column -->
     <Label Grid.Column="0" Text="Column 1" FontSize="18" TextColor="Blue" />
     <Label Grid.Column="1" Text="Column 2" FontSize="18" TextColor="Green" />
     <Label Grid.Column="2" Text=" You can use the Grid layout and set column widths    using star (*) notation" FontSize="18" TextColor="Red" />
     <!-- Add more responsive content here -->
 </Grid>

Yes, you can use FlexLayout in .NET MAUI to create responsive layouts that adapt to different screen sizes and orientations. FlexLayout allows you to define flexible, adaptive layouts that automatically adjust to the available space. Here’s a simple example of how you can use FlexLayout for responsive layouts:

<FlexLayout Direction="Column" JustifyContent="Center" AlignItems="Center" Padding="20">
     <Label Text="Responsive FlexLayout"
            FontSize="24"
            TextColor="Black"
            Margin="0, 20" />
     <FlexLayout Direction="Row" JustifyContent="SpaceAround" AlignItems="Center">
         <Label Text="Button 1" FontSize="18" TextColor="Blue" />
         <Label Text="Button 2" FontSize="18" TextColor="Green" />
         <Label Text="Button 3" FontSize="18" TextColor="Red" />
     </FlexLayout>
     <!-- Add more responsive content here -->
 </FlexLayout>

An AbsoluteLayout allows you to specify the exact position of child elements using absolute coordinates.

<AbsoluteLayout>
    <Label Text="AbsoluteLayout Example"
   FontSize="20"
   TextColor="Black"
   AbsoluteLayout.LayoutBounds="50, 50, AutoSize, AutoSize"
   AbsoluteLayout.LayoutFlags="None" />
 
    <Button Text="Click me!"
    BackgroundColor="Blue"
    TextColor="White"
    AbsoluteLayout.LayoutBounds="100, 100, 150, 50"
    AbsoluteLayout.LayoutFlags="None" />
</AbsoluteLayout>

Yes, in .NET MAUI, you can make or create custom layouts by subclassing ‘Layout<View>‘ and adding your own layout logic.

The common layouts are StackLayout, GridLayout, AbsoluteLayout, and FlexLayout . In StackLayout, for example, child views are arranged in a single line horizontally or vertically.  Conversely, Grid allows for a more complex arrangement of views in rows and columns. The choice of layout will depend on the specific needs of the application’s interface.