Lesson 22: Mastering RadioButton Controls in VB2022
Learn to create exclusive selection interfaces with radio buttons for user preferences and settings
Key Takeaway
Radio buttons enable exclusive selection - when one is chosen, others in the same group are automatically deselected. They're essential for scenarios where users must make a single choice from multiple options.
Welcome to Lesson 22 of our Visual Basic 2022 Tutorial! In this lesson, you'll learn how to effectively implement and utilize radio button controls in your VB2022 applications. Radio buttons (also known as option buttons) are designed for scenarios where users need to select exactly one option from a set of choices.
22.1 Introduction to RadioButton Controls
Radio buttons differ from checkboxes in that they enforce a single selection within a group. When one radio button is selected, all others in the same group are automatically deselected. This makes them perfect for scenarios like:
Common Use Cases
Radio buttons are ideal for:
Application | Example |
---|---|
User Profiles | Gender selection (Male/Female/Other) |
Settings | Theme preference (Light/Dark) |
Surveys | Age range selection |
Order Forms | Shipping method (Standard/Express) |
Quiz Apps | Single correct answer selection |
Design Tip
Always group related radio buttons visually using GroupBox or Panel containers. This creates logical sections and ensures proper exclusive selection behavior.
Key Properties
Essential radio button properties:
Property | Description |
---|---|
Checked | Determines if radio button is selected |
Text | The label displayed next to the radio button |
AutoCheck | Automatically changes state when clicked |
Appearance | Determines if shown as button or traditional radio |
Tag | Store custom data associated with the control |
' Create a radio button dynamically Dim radNew As New RadioButton() radNew.Text = "New Option" radNew.AutoSize = True radNew.Location = New Point(20, 50) grpOptions.Controls.Add(radNew) ' Add to GroupBox
22.2 Practical RadioButton Examples
Let's explore practical implementations of radio button controls in VB2022 applications.
Example 22.1: T-Shirt Selector
A basic interface for selecting T-shirt color using radio buttons.
Private Sub BtnConfirm_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles BtnConfirm.Click Dim selectedColor As String = "" ' Check which color is selected If radRed.Checked Then selectedColor = "Red" lblDisplay.ForeColor = Color.Red ElseIf radGreen.Checked Then selectedColor = "Green" lblDisplay.ForeColor = Color.Green ElseIf radBlue.Checked Then selectedColor = "Blue" lblDisplay.ForeColor = Color.Blue End If lblDisplay.Text = "Selected Color: " & selectedColor End Sub

Example 22.2: GroupBox Implementation
Using GroupBox containers to create independent selection groups for size and color.
Private Sub BtnConfirm_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles BtnConfirm.Click Dim size As String = "" Dim color As String = "" ' Process size selection If radSmall.Checked Then size = "Small" ElseIf radMedium.Checked Then size = "Medium" ElseIf radLarge.Checked Then size = "Large" End If ' Process color selection If radRed.Checked Then color = "Red" ElseIf radBlue.Checked Then color = "Blue" ElseIf radGreen.Checked Then color = "Green" End If lblResult.Text = $"Size: {size}, Color: {color}" End Sub

Example 22.3: Quiz Application
A quiz interface with radio buttons for answer selection and immediate feedback.
Private Sub Form1_Load(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load ' Set up the question lblQuestion.Text = "What is the capital of France?" radOption1.Text = "London" radOption2.Text = "Berlin" radOption3.Text = "Paris" radOption4.Text = "Madrid" ' Set correct answer (Paris) radOption3.Tag = "Correct" End Sub Private Sub btnCheck_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles btnCheck.Click If radOption1.Checked Then ShowFeedback("Incorrect! Try again.", Color.Red) ElseIf radOption2.Checked Then ShowFeedback("Incorrect! Try again.", Color.Red) ElseIf radOption3.Checked Then ShowFeedback("Correct! Paris is the capital.", Color.Green) ElseIf radOption4.Checked Then ShowFeedback("Incorrect! Try again.", Color.Red) Else ShowFeedback("Please select an answer!", Color.Blue) End If End Sub Private Sub ShowFeedback(message As String, color As Color) lblFeedback.Text = message lblFeedback.ForeColor = color End Sub
Example 22.4: Settings Panel
A settings interface where radio buttons dynamically change form properties.
Private Sub btnApply_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles btnApply.Click ' Apply theme selection If radLightTheme.Checked Then ApplyTheme(Color.White, Color.Black) ElseIf radDarkTheme.Checked Then ApplyTheme(Color.DimGray, Color.White) End If ' Apply font size selection If radSmallFont.Checked Then ApplyFontSize(10) ElseIf radMediumFont.Checked Then ApplyFontSize(12) ElseIf radLargeFont.Checked Then ApplyFontSize(14) End If End Sub Private Sub ApplyTheme(backColor As Color, foreColor As Color) Me.BackColor = backColor Me.ForeColor = foreColor End Sub Private Sub ApplyFontSize(size As Single) ' Apply font size to all controls For Each ctrl As Control In Me.Controls ctrl.Font = New Font(ctrl.Font.FontFamily, size) Next End Sub
RadioButton Control Summary
Radio buttons are essential for creating exclusive selection interfaces in VB2022 applications:
Feature | Description | Implementation |
---|---|---|
Checked Property | Determines if radio button is selected | If RadioButton1.Checked Then ... |
CheckedChanged Event | Triggered when selection changes | Handles RadioButton1.CheckedChanged |
Grouping | Create exclusive selection groups | Use GroupBox or Panel containers |
Dynamic Creation | Create radio buttons at runtime | Dim rad As New RadioButton() |
Default Selection | Set a default selected option | radDefault.Checked = True |
Visual Feedback | Provide immediate response to selection | Update UI in CheckedChanged event |
User Experience
Always provide a default selection and ensure groups are visually distinct for better usability
Accessibility
Use keyboard shortcuts (access keys) and ensure proper tab order for keyboard navigation
Validation
Always check that a selection has been made before processing form submissions
Practical Exercises
Apply your radio button knowledge with these hands-on exercises:
Exercise 1: Survey Form
Create a survey form with three questions (gender, age range, education level). Each question should use radio buttons in its own GroupBox. Add a submit button that displays all selections in a summary label.
Exercise 2: Dynamic Theme Selector
Create a form with radio buttons for theme selection (Light, Dark, Blue). Implement immediate theme change when a radio button is selected, without needing an Apply button.
Exercise 3: Pizza Order System
Design a pizza order form with radio buttons for crust type (Thin, Thick, Stuffed) and size (Small, Medium, Large). Include a calculate button that shows the total price based on selections.
Exercise 4: Dynamic Options Generator
Create a form with a button that generates 5 radio buttons dynamically. When any option is selected, display the selected option in a message box. Include a "Select All" checkbox that doesn't affect radio button behavior.
Next Lesson
Ready to create a web browser? Continue to Lesson 23: Creating Web Browser.
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