Implementing.NET MAUI Autocomplete
The Syncfusion.NET MAUI Autocomplete (SfAutocomplete) is a powerful text input control that provides intelligent suggestions as users type, enabling fast data entry and enhanced search experiences with filtering, multi-selection, and customizable UI.
When to Use This Skill
Use this skill when the user needs to:
- Search-as-you-type interfaces - Filter and display suggestions while users type
- Smart data entry forms - Autocomplete user input from predefined lists
- Multi-selection input - Select multiple items with token/chip display
- Filtered dropdowns - Search and filter large datasets efficiently
- AI-powered search - Implement intelligent search with Azure OpenAI integration
- Type-ahead functionality - Provide predictive text suggestions
- Searchable combobox alternatives - Enhanced dropdown with search capabilities
- Tag input controls - Multi-selection with visual tokens
Component Overview
The SfAutocomplete control offers:
- Intelligent Filtering - StartsWith and Contains search modes with custom filters
- Flexible Selection - Single or multiple selection with token/delimiter display
- Data Binding - Bind to any data source with DisplayMemberPath and TextMemberPath
- Custom Search Logic - Implement IAutocompleteFilterBehavior for advanced filtering
- AI Integration - Azure OpenAI support for smart, context-aware searching
- Rich Customization - Templates, styling, headers, footers, and highlighting
- Performance - Async loading, pagination with LoadMore, and efficient rendering
- Accessibility - AutomationId support, keyboard navigation, screen reader friendly
Documentation and Navigation Guide
Getting Started
📄 Read: references/getting-started.md
When implementing basic autocomplete functionality:
- Installation and NuGet package setup (Syncfusion.Maui.Inputs)
- Handler registration with ConfigureSyncfusionCore
- Basic control implementation in XAML and C#
- Data binding with ItemsSource, DisplayMemberPath, TextMemberPath
- Placeholder configuration and basic properties
- AutomationId for UI testing
Searching and Filtering
📄 Read: references/searching-filtering.md
When implementing search and filter logic:
- Search based on DisplayMemberPath and TextMemberPath
- TextSearchMode (StartsWith, Contains) configuration
- MinimumPrefixCharacters for search delay
- Custom filtering with IAutocompleteFilterBehavior
- Custom search highlighting with IAutocompleteSearchBehavior
- Async item loading with cancellation support
- ShowSuggestionsOnFocus behavior
Selection
📄 Read: references/selection.md
When handling item selection:
- Single vs Multiple selection modes
- SelectedItem, SelectedItems properties
- SelectedValue and SelectedValuePath
- MultiSelectionDisplayMode (Token, Delimiter)
- TokensWrapMode (Wrap, None) for token layout
- SelectionChanging and SelectionChanged events
- Clear button configuration
- Clear() method for programmatic clearing
UI Customization
📄 Read: references/ui-customization.md
When customizing appearance and behavior:
- Placeholder styling (text, color)
- Clear button customization (icon, color, path)
- Dropdown styling (height, width, placement, background)
- Item templates and text styling
- Token styling for multi-selection
- Border and stroke customization
- Text alignment and cursor position
- ReturnType and keyboard behavior
- Events (Completed, DropDownOpening, ValueChanged, etc.)
Advanced Features
📄 Read: references/advanced-features.md
When implementing advanced functionality:
- Header and footer views in dropdown
- Text highlighting (FirstOccurrence, MultipleOccurrence)
- No results found customization
- AutoSizing for dynamic control height
- Liquid Glass Effect for modern UI (.NET 10+)
AI-Powered Features & LoadMore
📄 Read: references/ai-powered-loadmore.md
When implementing intelligent search or pagination:
- Azure OpenAI integration for smart search
- Custom filtering with AI service
- Prompt engineering for accurate results
- Offline fallback with Soundex/Levenshtein
- LoadMore feature with MaximumSuggestion
- LoadMore customization (text, template, events)
Troubleshooting
📄 Read: references/troubleshooting.md
When encountering issues:
- Platform-specific limitations and workarounds
- AOT publishing considerations
- Performance optimization for large datasets
- Common issues and solutions