How can I reference a resource in a separate ResourceDictionary in WPF? - wpf

Question

In my project (ABC), I have MainWindow.xaml where I have defined a toolbar for it and this toolbar is defined in
project under Resource/Views/ApplicationToolbar.xmal as following:
I have referenced it in my MainWindow.xaml as xmlns:local="clr-namespace:ABC" and as soon as I run it I get an
error indicating View123 not found.
More information: (EDIT)
<ResourceDictionary xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
xmlns:local="clr-namespace:ABC">
<StackPanel x:Key="View1">
<Button Margin="3" Content="Test1"></Button>
<Button Margin="3" Content="Test2"></Button>
</StackPanel>
</ResourceDictionary>
Now in MainWindow.xmal have:
<Window x:Class="ABC.MainWindow"
xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
xmlns:local="clr-namespace:ABC"
Title="MainWindow" Height="350" Width="525">
<Grid Margin="10">
<Grid.RowDefinitions>
<RowDefinition Height="Auto"/>
<RowDefinition Height="10"/>
<RowDefinition Height="*"/>
<RowDefinition Height="10"/>
</Grid.RowDefinitions>
<!-- FOLLOWING LINE CAUSING ERROR-->
<ContentControl Name="Toolbar" Content="{StaticResource View1 }"></ContentControl>
</Grid>
</Window>
What am I missing?
Thanks,
Amit

Answer 1

Since View1 is referenced in a separate ResourceDictionary you need to merge it into the ResourceDictionary for this Window.
Try adding this to the code just inside your Window declaration:
<Window.Resources>
<ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
<ResourceDictionary Source="Resource/Views/ApplicationToolbar.xaml"/>
</ResourceDictionary.MergedDictionaries>
</Window.Resources>
At this point your Window should be able to reference View1.
Note: I haven't tested this fully in an IDE, so it's possible there could be a slight syntax error or issue with the path. You may have to format your dictionary URL with a Pack URI in order for the reference to resolve correctly. Resource paths in WPF tend to be a little tricky.

Answer 2

Thanks to all. OK, I tried what was suggested here and I appreciate Mike and it was close to the solution. What worked for me was adding following tag in App.xaml:
<Application.Resources>
<ResourceDictionary Source="Resources/views/ApplicationToolbar.xaml"/>
</Application.Resources>
Thanks.
Amit