FillConsoleOutputAttribute function
Important
This document describes console platform functionality that is no longer a part of our ecosystem roadmap. We do not recommend using this content in new products, but we will continue to support existing usages for the indefinite future. Our preferred modern solution focuses on virtual terminal sequences for maximum compatibility in cross-platform scenarios. You can find more information about this design decision in our classic console vs. virtual terminal document.
Sets the character attributes for a specified number of character cells, beginning at the specified coordinates in a screen buffer.
Syntax
BOOL WINAPI FillConsoleOutputAttribute(
_In_ HANDLE hConsoleOutput,
_In_ WORD wAttribute,
_In_ DWORD nLength,
_In_ COORD dwWriteCoord,
_Out_ LPDWORD lpNumberOfAttrsWritten
);
Parameters
hConsoleOutput [in]
A handle to the console screen buffer. The handle must have the GENERIC_WRITE access right. For more information, see Console Buffer Security and Access Rights.
wAttribute [in]
The attributes to use when writing to the console screen buffer. For more information, see Character Attributes.
nLength [in]
The number of character cells to be set to the specified color attributes.
dwWriteCoord [in]
A COORD structure that specifies the character coordinates of the first cell whose attributes are to be set.
lpNumberOfAttrsWritten [out]
A pointer to a variable that receives the number of character cells whose attributes were actually set.
Return value
If the function succeeds, the return value is nonzero.
If the function fails, the return value is zero. To get extended error information, call GetLastError.
Remarks
If the number of character cells whose attributes are to be set extends beyond the end of the specified row in the console screen buffer, the cells of the next row are set. If the number of cells to write to extends beyond the end of the console screen buffer, the cells are written up to the end of the console screen buffer.
The character values at the positions written to are not changed.
Tip
This API is not recommended and does not have a specific virtual terminal equivalent. Filling the region outside the viewable window is not supported and is reserved for the terminal's history space. Filling a visible region with new text or color is performed through moving the cursor, setting the new attributes, then writing the desired text for that region, repeating characters if necessary for the length of the fill run. Additional cursor movement may be required followed by writing the desired text to fill a rectangular region. The client application is expected to keep its own memory of what is on the screen and is not able to query the remote state. More information can be found in classic console versus virtual terminal documentation.
Requirements
| Minimum supported client | Windows 2000 Professional [desktop apps only] |
| Minimum supported server | Windows 2000 Server [desktop apps only] |
| Header | ConsoleApi2.h (via WinCon.h, include Windows.h) |
| Library | Kernel32.lib |
| DLL | Kernel32.dll |