Writing control properties to xml

[John]

Hi

I am trying to right all control properties on my form to an xml file. My
complete VB code so far is given at the end below. I have two problems
currently.

1. On the line PropValue = Prop.GetValue(C trl) I get the error "Conversion
from type 'Padding' to type 'String' is not valid." when the ctrl is
System.Windows. Forms.ListView and Property is Margin which is of type
Padding and not string. How can I resolve such a situation where property is
not a singel value but a collection of sub values?

2. On line xmlWriter.Write StartElement(Ty pe) I get the error "Token
StartElement in state Epilog would result in an invalid XML document." when
type is System.Windows. Forms.ListView. How can I resolve such a situation?

Many thanks for your time.

Regards
= Code =============== ===

Module modUtil

Private xmlWriter As Xml.XmlTextWrit er

Public Sub WriteControls(B yVal rootControl As Control)
Dim Prop As PropertyDescrip tor
Dim Props As PropertyDescrip torCollection
Dim Ctrl As Control
Dim PropName As String
Dim PropValue As String

WriteXMLStart(" c:\contacts_tem plate.xml")

For Each Ctrl In rootControl.Con trols
Props = TypeDescriptor. GetProperties(C trl)
WriteXMLControl Start(Ctrl, Ctrl.GetType(). ToString())
For Each Prop In Props
If (Prop.IsBrowsab le) Then
PropName = Prop.Name
PropValue = Prop.GetValue(C trl)
WriteXMLPropert y(PropValue, PropName)
End If
Next
WriteXMLControl End()
Next
WriteXMLEnd()
End Sub

Public Sub WriteXMLStart(B yVal Filename As String)
xmlWriter = New Xml.XmlTextWrit er(Filename, System.Text.Enc oding.UTF8)
xmlWriter.Write StartDocument()
End Sub

Public Sub WriteXMLControl Start(ByVal Ctrl As Control, ByVal Type As String)
xmlWriter.Write StartElement(Ty pe)
xmlWriter.Write AttributeString ("Name", Ctrl.Name)
End Sub

Public Sub WriteXMLPropert y(ByVal Value As String, ByVal Name As String)
xmlWriter.Write StartElement(Na me)
xmlWriter.Write String(Value)
xmlWriter.Write EndElement()
End Sub

Public Sub WriteXMLControl End()
xmlWriter.Write EndElement()
End Sub

Public Sub WriteXMLEnd()
xmlWriter.Write EndDocument()
End Sub

End Module

[Marc Gravell]

Have you looked at the TypeConverter? i.e.
Prop.Converter. ConvertToInvari antString()? You may also wish to check
CanConvertTo/From

Marc