In-app UI features

Note: the information on this page applies to XAML Spy 2.

A small blue label with the text xaml spy is shown at the top of the main window of a connected XAML app. The label disappears when there is no mouse activity and reappears when the mouse is moved. The label is used to notify the user that the app is connected to XAML Spy. The xaml spy label can be dragged, useful when it is obscuring other app visuals.

Clicking the label with the mouse reveals the XAML Spy commandbar as shown below. The commandbar is closed by clicking outside the blue area. The blue label can be shown and hidden with keyboard shortcut: CTRL-SHIFT-X.

Select visual

When clicked, move the mouse over the window and the visual under the mouse pointer gets highlighted. The highlighted visual is automatically selected in the XAML Spy explorer. Click the left mouse button to stop the selection process.

Show/hide selection

Select this option to toggle the visibility of the dotted red selection shape. This option is useful when the selection shape obscures the element you need to inspect. Keyboard shortcut: CTRL+SHIFT+S

Show/hide grid

The show/hide grid toggles the visibility of a grid in the main window. The rendered grid is tailored specifically for the app's platform. The grid in a WinRT app is different from a grid in a Windows Phone app. Keyboard shortcut: CTRL+SHIFT+G

Show/hide ruler

The show/hide ruler toggles the visibility of a ruler in the main window. Use the ruler to get information about the size and position of visual elements. Keyboard shortcut: CTRL+SHIFT+R

Keyboard shortcuts

An overview of the supported keyboard shortcuts when XAML Spy is enabled in a XAML app.