Cannot Assign x:Name to Elements Inside ContentControl in WPF UserControl

fatih uyanık 200 Reputation points
2025-03-12T10:23:16.67+00:00

Hello,

I have created a UserControl in WPF that contains a ContentControl. This ContentControl can accept any external content (Grid, StackPanel, TextBox, etc.).

However, when I use the UserControl in another page and try to assign x:Name to elements inside the ContentControl, I get a build error, and the application does not run.

UserControl XAML Code:

<UserControl x:Class="MyNamespace.MyUserControl"
             xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
             xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml">
    <Grid>
        <ContentControl x:Name="MyContentControl"/>
    </Grid>
</UserControl>

Usage in MainWindow.xaml:

<Window x:Class="MyNamespace.MainWindow"
        xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
        xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
        xmlns:local="clr-namespace:MyNamespace">
    <Grid>
        <local:MyUserControl>
            <local:MyUserControl.Content>
                <StackPanel>
                    <TextBox x:Name="MyTextBox" Text="Hello" />
                    <Button x:Name="MyButton" Content="Click" />
                </StackPanel>
            </local:MyUserControl.Content>
        </local:MyUserControl>
    </Grid>
</Window>

Error Message (Build Error):

XAML error: The name 'MyTextBox' is already used by an existing element.

XAML error: Cannot set Name attribute value 'MyButton' on element 'Button'. 'MyButton' is already used by an existing element.

Build failed.

I am getting this error at compile time, and the application does not run at all.

How can I solve this issue? How can I use x:Name for elements inside a ContentControl when providing external content?

Thanks!

C#
C#
An object-oriented and type-safe programming language that has its roots in the C family of languages and includes support for component-oriented programming.
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