Marca d'água / texto de dica / espaço reservado TextBox

Como posso colocar algum texto em uma caixa de texto que é removida automaticamente quando o usuário digita algo nela?

Este é um exemplo que demonstra como criar uma caixa de texto de marca d'água no WPF:

<Window x:Class="WaterMarkTextBoxDemo.Window1"
    xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
    xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
    xmlns:local="clr-namespace:WaterMarkTextBoxDemo"
    Height="200" Width="400">

    <Window.Resources>

        <SolidColorBrush x:Key="brushWatermarkBackground" Color="White" />
        <SolidColorBrush x:Key="brushWatermarkForeground" Color="LightSteelBlue" />
        <SolidColorBrush x:Key="brushWatermarkBorder" Color="Indigo" />

        <BooleanToVisibilityConverter x:Key="BooleanToVisibilityConverter" />
        <local:TextInputToVisibilityConverter x:Key="TextInputToVisibilityConverter" />

        <Style x:Key="EntryFieldStyle" TargetType="Grid" >
            <Setter Property="HorizontalAlignment" Value="Stretch" />
            <Setter Property="VerticalAlignment" Value="Center" />
            <Setter Property="Margin" Value="20,0" />
        </Style>

    </Window.Resources>


    <Grid Background="LightBlue">

        <Grid.RowDefinitions>
            <RowDefinition />
            <RowDefinition />
            <RowDefinition />
        </Grid.RowDefinitions>

        <Grid Grid.Row="0" Background="{StaticResource brushWatermarkBackground}" Style="{StaticResource EntryFieldStyle}" >
            <TextBlock Margin="5,2" Text="This prompt dissappears as you type..." Foreground="{StaticResource brushWatermarkForeground}"
                       Visibility="{Binding ElementName=txtUserEntry, Path=Text.IsEmpty, Converter={StaticResource BooleanToVisibilityConverter}}" />
            <TextBox Name="txtUserEntry" Background="Transparent" BorderBrush="{StaticResource brushWatermarkBorder}" />
        </Grid>

        <Grid Grid.Row="1" Background="{StaticResource brushWatermarkBackground}" Style="{StaticResource EntryFieldStyle}" >
            <TextBlock Margin="5,2" Text="This dissappears as the control gets focus..." Foreground="{StaticResource brushWatermarkForeground}" >
                <TextBlock.Visibility>
                    <MultiBinding Converter="{StaticResource TextInputToVisibilityConverter}">
                        <Binding ElementName="txtUserEntry2" Path="Text.IsEmpty" />
                        <Binding ElementName="txtUserEntry2" Path="IsFocused" />
                    </MultiBinding>
                </TextBlock.Visibility>
            </TextBlock>
            <TextBox Name="txtUserEntry2" Background="Transparent" BorderBrush="{StaticResource brushWatermarkBorder}" />
        </Grid>

    </Grid>

</Window>

TextInputToVisibilityConverter é definido como:

using System;
using System.Windows.Data;
using System.Windows;

namespace WaterMarkTextBoxDemo
{
    public class TextInputToVisibilityConverter : IMultiValueConverter
    {
        public object Convert( object[] values, Type targetType, object parameter, System.Globalization.CultureInfo culture )
        {
            // Always test MultiValueConverter inputs for non-null
            // (to avoid crash bugs for views in the designer)
            if (values[0] is bool && values[1] is bool)
            {
                bool hasText = !(bool)values[0];
                bool hasFocus = (bool)values[1];

                if (hasFocus || hasText)
                    return Visibility.Collapsed;
            }

            return Visibility.Visible;
        }


        public object[] ConvertBack( object value, Type[] targetTypes, object parameter, System.Globalization.CultureInfo culture )
        {
            throw new NotImplementedException();
        }
    }
}

Nota: Este não é o meu código. Encontrei aqui , mas acho que essa é a melhor abordagem.

Você pode criar uma marca d'água que possa ser adicionada a qualquer TextBoxuma com uma propriedade anexada. Aqui está a fonte da propriedade anexada:

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Windows;
using System.Windows.Controls;
using System.Windows.Controls.Primitives;
using System.Windows.Documents;

/// <summary>
/// Class that provides the Watermark attached property
/// </summary>
public static class WatermarkService
{
    /// <summary>
    /// Watermark Attached Dependency Property
    /// </summary>
    public static readonly DependencyProperty WatermarkProperty = DependencyProperty.RegisterAttached(
       "Watermark",
       typeof(object),
       typeof(WatermarkService),
       new FrameworkPropertyMetadata((object)null, new PropertyChangedCallback(OnWatermarkChanged)));

    #region Private Fields

    /// <summary>
    /// Dictionary of ItemsControls
    /// </summary>
    private static readonly Dictionary<object, ItemsControl> itemsControls = new Dictionary<object, ItemsControl>();

    #endregion

    /// <summary>
    /// Gets the Watermark property.  This dependency property indicates the watermark for the control.
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="d"><see cref="DependencyObject"/> to get the property from</param>
    /// <returns>The value of the Watermark property</returns>
    public static object GetWatermark(DependencyObject d)
    {
        return (object)d.GetValue(WatermarkProperty);
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Sets the Watermark property.  This dependency property indicates the watermark for the control.
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="d"><see cref="DependencyObject"/> to set the property on</param>
    /// <param name="value">value of the property</param>
    public static void SetWatermark(DependencyObject d, object value)
    {
        d.SetValue(WatermarkProperty, value);
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Handles changes to the Watermark property.
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="d"><see cref="DependencyObject"/> that fired the event</param>
    /// <param name="e">A <see cref="DependencyPropertyChangedEventArgs"/> that contains the event data.</param>
    private static void OnWatermarkChanged(DependencyObject d, DependencyPropertyChangedEventArgs e)
    {
        Control control = (Control)d;
        control.Loaded += Control_Loaded;

        if (d is ComboBox)
        {
            control.GotKeyboardFocus += Control_GotKeyboardFocus;
            control.LostKeyboardFocus += Control_Loaded;
        }
        else if (d is TextBox)
        {
            control.GotKeyboardFocus += Control_GotKeyboardFocus;
            control.LostKeyboardFocus += Control_Loaded;
            ((TextBox)control).TextChanged += Control_GotKeyboardFocus;
        }

        if (d is ItemsControl && !(d is ComboBox))
        {
            ItemsControl i = (ItemsControl)d;

            // for Items property  
            i.ItemContainerGenerator.ItemsChanged += ItemsChanged;
            itemsControls.Add(i.ItemContainerGenerator, i);

            // for ItemsSource property  
            DependencyPropertyDescriptor prop = DependencyPropertyDescriptor.FromProperty(ItemsControl.ItemsSourceProperty, i.GetType());
            prop.AddValueChanged(i, ItemsSourceChanged);
        }
    }

    #region Event Handlers

    /// <summary>
    /// Handle the GotFocus event on the control
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="sender">The source of the event.</param>
    /// <param name="e">A <see cref="RoutedEventArgs"/> that contains the event data.</param>
    private static void Control_GotKeyboardFocus(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
    {
        Control c = (Control)sender;
        if (ShouldShowWatermark(c))
        {
            ShowWatermark(c);
        }
        else
        {
            RemoveWatermark(c);
        }
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Handle the Loaded and LostFocus event on the control
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="sender">The source of the event.</param>
    /// <param name="e">A <see cref="RoutedEventArgs"/> that contains the event data.</param>
    private static void Control_Loaded(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
    {
        Control control = (Control)sender;
        if (ShouldShowWatermark(control))
        {
            ShowWatermark(control);
        }
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Event handler for the items source changed event
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="sender">The source of the event.</param>
    /// <param name="e">A <see cref="EventArgs"/> that contains the event data.</param>
    private static void ItemsSourceChanged(object sender, EventArgs e)
    {
        ItemsControl c = (ItemsControl)sender;
        if (c.ItemsSource != null)
        {
            if (ShouldShowWatermark(c))
            {
                ShowWatermark(c);
            }
            else
            {
                RemoveWatermark(c);
            }
        }
        else
        {
            ShowWatermark(c);
        }
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Event handler for the items changed event
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="sender">The source of the event.</param>
    /// <param name="e">A <see cref="ItemsChangedEventArgs"/> that contains the event data.</param>
    private static void ItemsChanged(object sender, ItemsChangedEventArgs e)
    {
        ItemsControl control;
        if (itemsControls.TryGetValue(sender, out control))
        {
            if (ShouldShowWatermark(control))
            {
                ShowWatermark(control);
            }
            else
            {
                RemoveWatermark(control);
            }
        }
    }

    #endregion

    #region Helper Methods

    /// <summary>
    /// Remove the watermark from the specified element
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="control">Element to remove the watermark from</param>
    private static void RemoveWatermark(UIElement control)
    {
        AdornerLayer layer = AdornerLayer.GetAdornerLayer(control);

        // layer could be null if control is no longer in the visual tree
        if (layer != null)
        {
            Adorner[] adorners = layer.GetAdorners(control);
            if (adorners == null)
            {
                return;
            }

            foreach (Adorner adorner in adorners)
            {
                if (adorner is WatermarkAdorner)
                {
                    adorner.Visibility = Visibility.Hidden;
                    layer.Remove(adorner);
                }
            }
        }
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Show the watermark on the specified control
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="control">Control to show the watermark on</param>
    private static void ShowWatermark(Control control)
    {
        AdornerLayer layer = AdornerLayer.GetAdornerLayer(control);

        // layer could be null if control is no longer in the visual tree
        if (layer != null)
        {
            layer.Add(new WatermarkAdorner(control, GetWatermark(control)));
        }
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Indicates whether or not the watermark should be shown on the specified control
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="c"><see cref="Control"/> to test</param>
    /// <returns>true if the watermark should be shown; false otherwise</returns>
    private static bool ShouldShowWatermark(Control c)
    {
        if (c is ComboBox)
        {
            return (c as ComboBox).Text == string.Empty;
        }
        else if (c is TextBoxBase)
        {
            return (c as TextBox).Text == string.Empty;
        }
        else if (c is ItemsControl)
        {
            return (c as ItemsControl).Items.Count == 0;
        }
        else
        {
            return false;
        }
    }

    #endregion
}

A propriedade anexada usa uma classe chamada WatermarkAdorner, aqui está essa fonte:

using System.Windows;
using System.Windows.Controls;
using System.Windows.Data;
using System.Windows.Documents;
using System.Windows.Media;

/// <summary>
/// Adorner for the watermark
/// </summary>
internal class WatermarkAdorner : Adorner
{
    #region Private Fields

    /// <summary>
    /// <see cref="ContentPresenter"/> that holds the watermark
    /// </summary>
    private readonly ContentPresenter contentPresenter;

    #endregion

    #region Constructor

    /// <summary>
    /// Initializes a new instance of the <see cref="WatermarkAdorner"/> class
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="adornedElement"><see cref="UIElement"/> to be adorned</param>
    /// <param name="watermark">The watermark</param>
    public WatermarkAdorner(UIElement adornedElement, object watermark) :
       base(adornedElement)
    {
        this.IsHitTestVisible = false;

        this.contentPresenter = new ContentPresenter();
        this.contentPresenter.Content = watermark;
        this.contentPresenter.Opacity = 0.5;
        this.contentPresenter.Margin = new Thickness(Control.Margin.Left + Control.Padding.Left, Control.Margin.Top + Control.Padding.Top, 0, 0);

        if (this.Control is ItemsControl && !(this.Control is ComboBox))
        {
            this.contentPresenter.VerticalAlignment = VerticalAlignment.Center;
            this.contentPresenter.HorizontalAlignment = HorizontalAlignment.Center;
        }

        // Hide the control adorner when the adorned element is hidden
        Binding binding = new Binding("IsVisible");
        binding.Source = adornedElement;
        binding.Converter = new BooleanToVisibilityConverter();
        this.SetBinding(VisibilityProperty, binding);
    }

    #endregion

    #region Protected Properties

    /// <summary>
    /// Gets the number of children for the <see cref="ContainerVisual"/>.
    /// </summary>
    protected override int VisualChildrenCount
    {
        get { return 1; }
    }

    #endregion

    #region Private Properties

    /// <summary>
    /// Gets the control that is being adorned
    /// </summary>
    private Control Control
    {
        get { return (Control)this.AdornedElement; }
    }

    #endregion

    #region Protected Overrides

    /// <summary>
    /// Returns a specified child <see cref="Visual"/> for the parent <see cref="ContainerVisual"/>.
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="index">A 32-bit signed integer that represents the index value of the child <see cref="Visual"/>. The value of index must be between 0 and <see cref="VisualChildrenCount"/> - 1.</param>
    /// <returns>The child <see cref="Visual"/>.</returns>
    protected override Visual GetVisualChild(int index)
    {
        return this.contentPresenter;
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Implements any custom measuring behavior for the adorner.
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="constraint">A size to constrain the adorner to.</param>
    /// <returns>A <see cref="Size"/> object representing the amount of layout space needed by the adorner.</returns>
    protected override Size MeasureOverride(Size constraint)
    {
        // Here's the secret to getting the adorner to cover the whole control
        this.contentPresenter.Measure(Control.RenderSize);
        return Control.RenderSize;
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// When overridden in a derived class, positions child elements and determines a size for a <see cref="FrameworkElement"/> derived class. 
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="finalSize">The final area within the parent that this element should use to arrange itself and its children.</param>
    /// <returns>The actual size used.</returns>
    protected override Size ArrangeOverride(Size finalSize)
    {
        this.contentPresenter.Arrange(new Rect(finalSize));
        return finalSize;
    }

    #endregion
}

Agora você pode colocar uma marca d'água em qualquer TextBox como este:

<AdornerDecorator>
   <TextBox x:Name="SearchTextBox">
      <controls:WatermarkService.Watermark>
         <TextBlock>Type here to search text</TextBlock>
      </controls:WatermarkService.Watermark>
   </TextBox>
</AdornerDecorator>

A marca d'água pode ser o que você quiser (texto, imagens ...). Além de trabalhar para TextBoxes, essa marca d'água também funciona para ComboBoxes e ItemControls.

Este código foi adaptado desta postagem do blog .

Apenas usando XAML, sem extensões, sem conversores:

<Grid>
    <TextBox  Width="250"  VerticalAlignment="Center" HorizontalAlignment="Left" x:Name="SearchTermTextBox" Margin="5"/>
    <TextBlock IsHitTestVisible="False" Text="Enter Search Term Here" VerticalAlignment="Center" HorizontalAlignment="Left" Margin="10,0,0,0" Foreground="DarkGray">
        <TextBlock.Style>
            <Style TargetType="{x:Type TextBlock}">
                <Setter Property="Visibility" Value="Collapsed"/>
                <Style.Triggers>
                    <DataTrigger Binding="{Binding Text, ElementName=SearchTermTextBox}" Value="">
                        <Setter Property="Visibility" Value="Visible"/>
                    </DataTrigger>
                </Style.Triggers>
            </Style>
        </TextBlock.Style>
    </TextBlock>
</Grid>

Não acredito que ninguém postou o óbvio Extended WPF Toolkit - WatermarkTextBox do Xceed. Funciona muito bem e é de código aberto, caso você queira personalizar.

Há um artigo no CodeProject sobre como fazer isso em "3 linhas de XAML".

<Grid Background="{StaticResource brushWatermarkBackground}">
  <TextBlock Margin="5,2" Text="Type something..."
             Foreground="{StaticResource brushForeground}"
             Visibility="{Binding ElementName=txtUserEntry, Path=Text.IsEmpty,
                          Converter={StaticResource BooleanToVisibilityConverter}}" />
  <TextBox Name="txtUserEntry" Background="Transparent"
           BorderBrush="{StaticResource brushBorder}" />
</Grid>

Ok, pode não haver 3 linhas de XAML formatadas, mas é bem simples.

Uma coisa a observar, porém, é que ele usa um método de extensão não padrão na propriedade Text, chamada "IsEmpty". Você precisa implementar isso sozinho, no entanto, o artigo não parece mencionar isso.

Eu vi a solução de John Myczek e seus comentários sobre Compatibilidade ComboBoxe PasswordBox, então, aprimorei a solução de John Myczek, e aqui está:

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Windows;
using System.Windows.Controls;
using System.Windows.Controls.Primitives;
using System.Windows.Documents;

/// <summary>
/// Class that provides the Watermark attached property
/// </summary>
public static class WatermarkService
{
    /// <summary>
    /// Watermark Attached Dependency Property
    /// </summary>
    public static readonly DependencyProperty WatermarkProperty = DependencyProperty.RegisterAttached(
       "Watermark",
       typeof(object),
       typeof(WatermarkService),
       new FrameworkPropertyMetadata((object)null, new PropertyChangedCallback(OnWatermarkChanged)));

    #region Private Fields

    /// <summary>
    /// Dictionary of ItemsControls
    /// </summary>
    private static readonly Dictionary<object, ItemsControl> itemsControls = new Dictionary<object, ItemsControl>();

    #endregion

    /// <summary>
    /// Gets the Watermark property.  This dependency property indicates the watermark for the control.
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="d"><see cref="DependencyObject"/> to get the property from</param>
    /// <returns>The value of the Watermark property</returns>
    public static object GetWatermark(DependencyObject d)
    {
        return (object)d.GetValue(WatermarkProperty);
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Sets the Watermark property.  This dependency property indicates the watermark for the control.
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="d"><see cref="DependencyObject"/> to set the property on</param>
    /// <param name="value">value of the property</param>
    public static void SetWatermark(DependencyObject d, object value)
    {
        d.SetValue(WatermarkProperty, value);
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Handles changes to the Watermark property.
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="d"><see cref="DependencyObject"/> that fired the event</param>
    /// <param name="e">A <see cref="DependencyPropertyChangedEventArgs"/> that contains the event data.</param>
    private static void OnWatermarkChanged(DependencyObject d, DependencyPropertyChangedEventArgs e)
    {
        Control control = (Control)d;
        control.Loaded += Control_Loaded;

        if (d is TextBox || d is PasswordBox)
        {
            control.GotKeyboardFocus += Control_GotKeyboardFocus;
            control.LostKeyboardFocus += Control_Loaded;
        }
        else if (d is ComboBox)
        {
            control.GotKeyboardFocus += Control_GotKeyboardFocus;
            control.LostKeyboardFocus += Control_Loaded;
            (d as ComboBox).SelectionChanged += new SelectionChangedEventHandler(SelectionChanged);
        }
        else if (d is ItemsControl)
        {
            ItemsControl i = (ItemsControl)d;

            // for Items property  
            i.ItemContainerGenerator.ItemsChanged += ItemsChanged;
            itemsControls.Add(i.ItemContainerGenerator, i);

            // for ItemsSource property  
            DependencyPropertyDescriptor prop = DependencyPropertyDescriptor.FromProperty(ItemsControl.ItemsSourceProperty, i.GetType());
            prop.AddValueChanged(i, ItemsSourceChanged);
        }
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Event handler for the selection changed event
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="sender">The source of the event.</param>
    /// <param name="e">A <see cref="ItemsChangedEventArgs"/> that contains the event data.</param>
    private static void SelectionChanged(object sender, SelectionChangedEventArgs e)
    {
        Control control = (Control)sender;
        if (ShouldShowWatermark(control))
        {
            ShowWatermark(control);
        }
        else
        {
            RemoveWatermark(control);
        }
    }

    #region Event Handlers

    /// <summary>
    /// Handle the GotFocus event on the control
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="sender">The source of the event.</param>
    /// <param name="e">A <see cref="RoutedEventArgs"/> that contains the event data.</param>
    private static void Control_GotKeyboardFocus(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
    {
        Control c = (Control)sender;
        if (ShouldShowWatermark(c))
        {
            RemoveWatermark(c);
        }
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Handle the Loaded and LostFocus event on the control
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="sender">The source of the event.</param>
    /// <param name="e">A <see cref="RoutedEventArgs"/> that contains the event data.</param>
    private static void Control_Loaded(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
    {
        Control control = (Control)sender;
        if (ShouldShowWatermark(control))
        {
            ShowWatermark(control);
        }
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Event handler for the items source changed event
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="sender">The source of the event.</param>
    /// <param name="e">A <see cref="EventArgs"/> that contains the event data.</param>
    private static void ItemsSourceChanged(object sender, EventArgs e)
    {
        ItemsControl c = (ItemsControl)sender;
        if (c.ItemsSource != null)
        {
            if (ShouldShowWatermark(c))
            {
                ShowWatermark(c);
            }
            else
            {
                RemoveWatermark(c);
            }
        }
        else
        {
            ShowWatermark(c);
        }
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Event handler for the items changed event
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="sender">The source of the event.</param>
    /// <param name="e">A <see cref="ItemsChangedEventArgs"/> that contains the event data.</param>
    private static void ItemsChanged(object sender, ItemsChangedEventArgs e)
    {
        ItemsControl control;
        if (itemsControls.TryGetValue(sender, out control))
        {
            if (ShouldShowWatermark(control))
            {
                ShowWatermark(control);
            }
            else
            {
                RemoveWatermark(control);
            }
        }
    }

    #endregion

    #region Helper Methods

    /// <summary>
    /// Remove the watermark from the specified element
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="control">Element to remove the watermark from</param>
    private static void RemoveWatermark(UIElement control)
    {
        AdornerLayer layer = AdornerLayer.GetAdornerLayer(control);

        // layer could be null if control is no longer in the visual tree
        if (layer != null)
        {
            Adorner[] adorners = layer.GetAdorners(control);
            if (adorners == null)
            {
                return;
            }

            foreach (Adorner adorner in adorners)
            {
                if (adorner is WatermarkAdorner)
                {
                    adorner.Visibility = Visibility.Hidden;
                    layer.Remove(adorner);
                }
            }
        }
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Show the watermark on the specified control
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="control">Control to show the watermark on</param>
    private static void ShowWatermark(Control control)
    {
        AdornerLayer layer = AdornerLayer.GetAdornerLayer(control);

        // layer could be null if control is no longer in the visual tree
        if (layer != null)
        {
            layer.Add(new WatermarkAdorner(control, GetWatermark(control)));
        }
    }

    /// <summary>
    /// Indicates whether or not the watermark should be shown on the specified control
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="c"><see cref="Control"/> to test</param>
    /// <returns>true if the watermark should be shown; false otherwise</returns>
    private static bool ShouldShowWatermark(Control c)
    {
        if (c is ComboBox)
        {
            return (c as ComboBox).SelectedItem == null;
            //return (c as ComboBox).Text == string.Empty;
        }
        else if (c is TextBoxBase)
        {
            return (c as TextBox).Text == string.Empty;
        }
        else if (c is PasswordBox)
        {
            return (c as PasswordBox).Password == string.Empty;
        }
        else if (c is ItemsControl)
        {
            return (c as ItemsControl).Items.Count == 0;
        }
        else
        {
            return false;
        }
    }

    #endregion
}

Agora, a ComboBoxpode ser também Editablee também PasswordBoxpode adicionar uma marca d'água. Não se esqueça de usar o comentário de JoanComasFdz acima para resolver o problema de margem.

E, claro, todo o crédito é para John Myczek.

Solução simples usando estilo:

<TextBox>
    <TextBox.Style>
        <Style TargetType="TextBox" xmlns:sys="clr-namespace:System;assembly=mscorlib">
            <Style.Resources>
                <VisualBrush x:Key="CueBannerBrush" AlignmentX="Left" AlignmentY="Center" Stretch="None">
                    <VisualBrush.Visual>
                        <Label Content="MM:SS:HH AM/PM" Foreground="LightGray" />
                    </VisualBrush.Visual>
                </VisualBrush>
            </Style.Resources>
            <Style.Triggers>
                <Trigger Property="Text" Value="{x:Static sys:String.Empty}">
                    <Setter Property="Background" Value="{StaticResource CueBannerBrush}" />
                </Trigger>
                <Trigger Property="Text" Value="{x:Null}">
                    <Setter Property="Background" Value="{StaticResource CueBannerBrush}" />
                </Trigger>
                <Trigger Property="IsKeyboardFocused" Value="True">
                    <Setter Property="Background" Value="White" />
                </Trigger>
            </Style.Triggers>
        </Style>
    </TextBox.Style>
</TextBox>

Ótima solução:

https://code.msdn.microsoft.com/windowsdesktop/In-place-hit-messages-for-18db3a6c

Esta biblioteca possui uma marca d'água.

Pacote de pepitas

Uso da amostra:

<TextBox adorners:Watermark.Text="Write something here" 
         adorners:Watermark.TextStyle="{StaticResource AdornerTextStyle}"
         adorners:Watermark.VisibleWhen="EmptyAndNotKeyboardFocused"/>

Eu criei uma implementação apenas de código simples, que também funciona bem para WPF e Silverlight:

using System.Windows;
using System.Windows.Controls;
using System.Windows.Data;
using System.Windows.Media;

public class TextBoxWatermarked : TextBox
{
    #region [ Dependency Properties ]

    public static DependencyProperty WatermarkProperty = DependencyProperty.Register("Watermark",
                                                                             typeof(string),
                                                                             typeof(TextBoxWatermarked),
                                                                             new PropertyMetadata(new PropertyChangedCallback(OnWatermarkChanged)));


    #endregion


    #region [ Fields ]

    private bool _isWatermarked;
    private Binding _textBinding;

    #endregion


    #region [ Properties ]

    protected new Brush Foreground
    {
        get { return base.Foreground; }
        set { base.Foreground = value; }
    }

    public string Watermark
    {
        get { return (string)GetValue(WatermarkProperty); }
        set { SetValue(WatermarkProperty, value); }
    }

    #endregion


    #region [ .ctor ]

    public TextBoxWatermarked()
    {
        Loaded += (s, ea) => ShowWatermark();
    }

    #endregion


    #region [ Event Handlers ]

    protected override void OnGotFocus(RoutedEventArgs e)
    {
        base.OnGotFocus(e);
        HideWatermark();
    }

    protected override void OnLostFocus(RoutedEventArgs e)
    {
        base.OnLostFocus(e);
        ShowWatermark();
    }

    private static void OnWatermarkChanged(DependencyObject sender, DependencyPropertyChangedEventArgs ea)
    {
        var tbw = sender as TextBoxWatermarked;
        if (tbw == null) return;
        tbw.ShowWatermark();
    }

    #endregion


    #region [ Methods ]

    private void ShowWatermark()
    {
        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(base.Text))
        {
            _isWatermarked = true;
            base.Foreground = new SolidColorBrush(Colors.Gray);
            var bindingExpression = GetBindingExpression(TextProperty);
            _textBinding = bindingExpression == null ? null : bindingExpression.ParentBinding;
            if (bindingExpression != null)
                bindingExpression.UpdateSource();
            SetBinding(TextProperty, new Binding());
            base.Text = Watermark;
        }
    }

    private void HideWatermark()
    {
        if (_isWatermarked)
        {
            _isWatermarked = false;
            ClearValue(ForegroundProperty);
            base.Text = "";
            SetBinding(TextProperty, _textBinding ?? new Binding());
        }
    }

    #endregion
}

Uso:

<TextBoxWatermarked Watermark="Some text" />

Eu tive um pouco de dificuldade ao usar o código de @ john-myczek com um TextBox vinculado. Como o TextBox não gera um evento de foco quando é atualizado, a marca d'água permanece visível embaixo do novo texto. Para corrigir isso, simplesmente adicionei outro manipulador de eventos:

if (d is ComboBox || d is TextBox)
{
    control.GotKeyboardFocus += Control_GotKeyboardFocus;
    control.LostKeyboardFocus += Control_Loaded;

    if (d is TextBox)
        (d as TextBox).TextChanged += Control_TextChanged;
}


private static void Control_TextChanged(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
{
    var tb = (TextBox)sender;
    if (ShouldShowWatermark(tb))
    {
        ShowWatermark(tb);
    }
    else
    {
        RemoveWatermark(tb);
    }
}

@ Veton - Eu realmente gosto da simplicidade da sua solução, mas minha reputação ainda não é alta o suficiente para bater em você.

@ Tim Murphy - O erro "Ligação bidirecional requer Caminho ou XPath" foi uma solução fácil ... código atualizado, incluindo alguns outros pequenos ajustes (apenas WPF testado):

using System;
using System.Windows;
using System.Windows.Controls;
using System.Windows.Data;
using System.Windows.Media;

public class TextBoxWatermarked : TextBox
{
  public string Watermark
  {
    get { return (string)GetValue(WaterMarkProperty); }
    set { SetValue(WaterMarkProperty, value); }
  }
  public static readonly DependencyProperty WaterMarkProperty =
      DependencyProperty.Register("Watermark", typeof(string), typeof(TextBoxWatermarked), new PropertyMetadata(new PropertyChangedCallback(OnWatermarkChanged)));

  private bool _isWatermarked = false;
  private Binding _textBinding = null;

  public TextBoxWatermarked()
  {
    Loaded += (s, ea) => ShowWatermark();
  }

  protected override void OnGotFocus(RoutedEventArgs e)
  {
    base.OnGotFocus(e);
    HideWatermark();
  }

  protected override void OnLostFocus(RoutedEventArgs e)
  {
    base.OnLostFocus(e);
    ShowWatermark();
  }

  private static void OnWatermarkChanged(DependencyObject sender, DependencyPropertyChangedEventArgs ea)
  {
    var tbw = sender as TextBoxWatermarked;
    if (tbw == null || !tbw.IsLoaded) return; //needed to check IsLoaded so that we didn't dive into the ShowWatermark() routine before initial Bindings had been made
    tbw.ShowWatermark();
  }

  private void ShowWatermark()
  {
    if (String.IsNullOrEmpty(Text) && !String.IsNullOrEmpty(Watermark))
    {
      _isWatermarked = true;

      //save the existing binding so it can be restored
      _textBinding = BindingOperations.GetBinding(this, TextProperty);

      //blank out the existing binding so we can throw in our Watermark
      BindingOperations.ClearBinding(this, TextProperty);

      //set the signature watermark gray
      Foreground = new SolidColorBrush(Colors.Gray);

      //display our watermark text
      Text = Watermark;
    }
  }

  private void HideWatermark()
  {
    if (_isWatermarked)
    {
      _isWatermarked = false;
      ClearValue(ForegroundProperty);
      Text = "";
      if (_textBinding != null) SetBinding(TextProperty, _textBinding);
    }
  }

}

você pode usar GetFocus()e LostFocus()eventos para fazer isso

aqui está o exemplo:

    private void txtData1_GetFocus(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
    {
        if (txtData1.Text == "TextBox1abc")
        {
            txtData1.Text = string.Empty;
        }
    }

    private void txtData1_LostFocus(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
    {
        if (txtData1.Text == string.Empty)
        {
            txtData1.Text = "TextBox1abc";
        }
    }

Maneira mais simples de WaterMark Of TextBox

 <Window.Resources>
    <Style x:Key="MyWaterMarkStyle" TargetType="{x:Type TextBox}">
        <Setter Property="Template">
            <Setter.Value>
                <ControlTemplate TargetType="{x:Type TextBox}">
                    <Grid>
                        <Border Background="White" BorderBrush="#FF7D8683" BorderThickness="1"/>
                        <ScrollViewer x:Name="PART_ContentHost" Margin="5,0,0,0" VerticalAlignment="Center" />
                        <Label Margin="5,0,0,0" x:Name="WaterMarkLabel" Content="{TemplateBinding Tag}" VerticalAlignment="Center"
                           Visibility="Collapsed" Foreground="Gray" FontFamily="Arial"/>
                    </Grid>
                    <ControlTemplate.Triggers>
                        <MultiTrigger>
                            <MultiTrigger.Conditions>
                                <Condition Property="Text" Value=""/>
                            </MultiTrigger.Conditions>
                            <Setter Property="Visibility" TargetName="WaterMarkLabel" Value="Visible"/>
                        </MultiTrigger>
                        <Trigger Property="IsEnabled" Value="False">
                            <Setter Property="Foreground" Value="DimGray"/>
                        </Trigger>
                    </ControlTemplate.Triggers>
                </ControlTemplate>
            </Setter.Value>
        </Setter>
    </Style>
</Window.Resources>

e adicione o estilo StaticResource da caixa de texto

  <TextBox
                Style="{StaticResource MyWaterMarkStyle}"
                Tag="Search Category"
                Grid.Row="0"
                Text="{Binding CategorySearch,Mode=TwoWay,UpdateSourceTrigger=PropertyChanged}"
                TextSearch.Text="Search Category"
                >

<Window.Resources>

    <Style x:Key="TextBoxUserStyle" BasedOn="{x:Null}" TargetType="{x:Type TextBox}">
      <Setter Property="Foreground" Value="Black"/>
      <Setter Property="HorizontalAlignment" Value="Center"/>
      <Setter Property="VerticalContentAlignment" Value="Center"/>
      <Setter Property="Width" Value="225"/>
      <Setter Property="Height" Value="25"/>
      <Setter Property="FontSize" Value="12"/>
      <Setter Property="Padding" Value="1"/>
      <Setter Property="Margin" Value="5"/>
      <Setter Property="AllowDrop" Value="true"/>
      <Setter Property="FocusVisualStyle" Value="{x:Null}"/>
      <Setter Property="Template">
        <Setter.Value>
          <ControlTemplate TargetType="{x:Type TextBox}">
            <Border x:Name="OuterBorder" BorderBrush="#5AFFFFFF" BorderThickness="1,1,1,1" CornerRadius="4,4,4,4">
              <Border x:Name="InnerBorder" Background="#FFFFFFFF" BorderBrush="#33000000" BorderThickness="1,1,1,1" CornerRadius="3,3,3,3">
                <ScrollViewer SnapsToDevicePixels="{TemplateBinding SnapsToDevicePixels}" x:Name="PART_ContentHost"/>
              </Border>
            </Border>
          </ControlTemplate>
        </Setter.Value>
      </Setter>
    </Style>

    <Style x:Key="PasswordBoxVistaStyle" BasedOn="{x:Null}" TargetType="{x:Type PasswordBox}">
      <Setter Property="Foreground" Value="Black"/>
      <Setter Property="HorizontalAlignment" Value="Center"/>
      <Setter Property="VerticalContentAlignment" Value="Center"/>
      <Setter Property="Width" Value="225"/>
      <Setter Property="Height" Value="25"/>
      <Setter Property="FontSize" Value="12"/>
      <Setter Property="Padding" Value="1"/>
      <Setter Property="Margin" Value="5"/>
      <Setter Property="AllowDrop" Value="true"/>
      <Setter Property="FocusVisualStyle" Value="{x:Null}"/>
      <Setter Property="Template">
        <Setter.Value>
          <ControlTemplate TargetType="{x:Type PasswordBox}">
            <Border x:Name="OuterBorder" BorderBrush="#5AFFFFFF" BorderThickness="1,1,1,1" CornerRadius="4,4,4,4">
              <Border x:Name="InnerBorder" Background="#FFFFFFFF" BorderBrush="#33000000" BorderThickness="1,1,1,1" CornerRadius="3,3,3,3">
                <Grid>
                  <Label x:Name="lblPwd" Content="Password" FontSize="11" VerticalAlignment="Center" Margin="2,0,0,0" FontFamily="Verdana" Foreground="#828385" Padding="0"/>
                  <ScrollViewer SnapsToDevicePixels="{TemplateBinding SnapsToDevicePixels}" x:Name="PART_ContentHost"/>
                </Grid>
              </Border>
            </Border>
            <ControlTemplate.Triggers>
              <Trigger Property="IsFocused" Value="True">
                <Setter Property="Visibility" TargetName="lblPwd" Value="Hidden"/>
              </Trigger>
            </ControlTemplate.Triggers>
          </ControlTemplate>
        </Setter.Value>
      </Setter>
    </Style>
  </Window.Resources>


        <PasswordBox Style="{StaticResource PasswordBoxVistaStyle}" Margin="169,143,22,0" Name="txtPassword" FontSize="14" TabIndex="2" Height="31" VerticalAlignment="Top" />

Isso pode ajudar a verificar o código. Quando aplicado à caixa de senha, ele mostra a Senha, que desaparece quando o usuário digita.

Bem, aqui está o meu: não necessariamente o melhor, mas, como é simples, é fácil editar ao seu gosto.

<UserControl x:Class="WPFControls.ShadowedTextBox"
    xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
    xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
    xmlns:local="clr-namespace:WPFControls"
    Name="Root">
<UserControl.Resources>
    <local:ShadowConverter x:Key="ShadowConvert"/>
</UserControl.Resources>
<Grid>
    <TextBox Name="textBox" 
             Foreground="{Binding ElementName=Root, Path=Foreground}"
             Text="{Binding ElementName=Root, Path=Text, UpdateSourceTrigger=PropertyChanged}"
             TextChanged="textBox_TextChanged"
             TextWrapping="Wrap"
             VerticalContentAlignment="Center"/>
    <TextBlock Name="WaterMarkLabel"
           IsHitTestVisible="False"
           Foreground="{Binding ElementName=Root,Path=Foreground}"
           FontWeight="Thin"
           Opacity=".345"
           FontStyle="Italic"
           Text="{Binding ElementName=Root, Path=Watermark}"
           VerticalAlignment="Center"
           TextWrapping="Wrap"
           TextAlignment="Center">
        <TextBlock.Visibility>
            <MultiBinding Converter="{StaticResource ShadowConvert}">
                <Binding ElementName="textBox" Path="Text"/>
            </MultiBinding>
        </TextBlock.Visibility> 
    </TextBlock>
</Grid>

O conversor, como está escrito agora, não é necessário que seja um MultiConverter, mas neste wasy pode ser estendido facilmente

using System;
using System.Globalization;
using System.Windows;
using System.Windows.Data;

namespace WPFControls
{
    class ShadowConverter:IMultiValueConverter
    {
        #region Implementation of IMultiValueConverter

        public object Convert(object[] values, Type targetType, object parameter, CultureInfo culture)
        {
            var text = (string) values[0];
            return text == string.Empty
                       ? Visibility.Visible
                       : Visibility.Collapsed;
        }

        public object[] ConvertBack(object value, Type[] targetTypes, object parameter, CultureInfo culture)
        {
            return new object[0];
        }

        #endregion
    }
}

e finalmente o código por trás:

using System.Windows;
using System.Windows.Controls;

namespace WPFControls
{
    /// <summary>
    /// Interaction logic for ShadowedTextBox.xaml
    /// </summary>
    public partial class ShadowedTextBox : UserControl
    {
        public event TextChangedEventHandler TextChanged;

        public ShadowedTextBox()
        {
            InitializeComponent();
        }

        public static readonly DependencyProperty WatermarkProperty =
            DependencyProperty.Register("Watermark",
                                        typeof (string),
                                        typeof (ShadowedTextBox),
                                        new UIPropertyMetadata(string.Empty));

        public static readonly DependencyProperty TextProperty =
            DependencyProperty.Register("Text",
                                        typeof (string),
                                        typeof (ShadowedTextBox),
                                        new UIPropertyMetadata(string.Empty));

        public static readonly DependencyProperty TextChangedProperty =
            DependencyProperty.Register("TextChanged",
                                        typeof (TextChangedEventHandler),
                                        typeof (ShadowedTextBox),
                                        new UIPropertyMetadata(null));

        public string Watermark
        {
            get { return (string)GetValue(WatermarkProperty); }
            set
            {
                SetValue(WatermarkProperty, value);
            }
        }

        public string Text
        {
            get { return (string) GetValue(TextProperty); }
            set{SetValue(TextProperty,value);}
        }

        private void textBox_TextChanged(object sender, TextChangedEventArgs e)
        {
            if (TextChanged != null) TextChanged(this, e);
        }

        public void Clear()
        {
            textBox.Clear();
        }

    }
}

<TextBox x:Name="OrderTxt" HorizontalAlignment="Left" VerticalAlignment="Top" VerticalContentAlignment="Center" Margin="10,10,0,0" Width="188" Height="32"/>

<Label IsHitTestVisible="False" Content="Order number" DataContext="{Binding ElementName=OrderTxt}" Foreground="DarkGray">
    <Label.Style>
        <Style TargetType="{x:Type Label}">
            <Setter Property="Visibility" Value="Collapsed"/>
            <Setter Property="Width" Value="{Binding Width}"/>
            <Setter Property="Height" Value="{Binding Height}"/>
            <Setter Property="Margin" Value="{Binding Margin}"/>
            <Setter Property="VerticalAlignment" Value="{Binding VerticalAlignment}"/>
            <Setter Property="HorizontalAlignment" Value="{Binding HorizontalAlignment}"/>
            <Setter Property="VerticalContentAlignment" Value="{Binding VerticalContentAlignment}"/>
            <Style.Triggers>
                <DataTrigger Binding="{Binding Text}" Value="">
                    <Setter Property="Visibility" Value="Visible"/>
                </DataTrigger>
            </Style.Triggers>
        </Style>
    </Label.Style>
</Label>

O MahApps.Metro para WPF possui um controle de marca d'água incorporado, se você preferir não usar o seu. É bastante simples de usar.

 <AdornerDecorator>
            <TextBox Name="txtSomeText"
                     Width="200"
                     HorizontalAlignment="Right">
                <Controls:TextBoxHelper.Watermark>I'm a watermark!</Controls:TextBoxHelper.Watermark>
            </TextBox>
        </AdornerDecorator>

Configure a caixa de texto com o espaço reservado em uma cor suave ...

public MainWindow ( )
{
    InitializeComponent ( );
    txtInput.Text = "Type something here...";
    txtInput.Foreground = Brushes.DimGray;
}

Quando a caixa de texto receber o foco, limpe-a e altere a cor do texto

private void txtInput_GotFocus ( object sender, EventArgs e )
{
    MessageBox.Show ( "got focus" );
    txtInput.Text = "";
    txtInput.Foreground = Brushes.Red;
}

Aqui está a solução mais simples:

            <Grid>
                <Label Content="Placeholder text" VerticalAlignment="Center" Margin="10">
                    <Label.Style>
                        <Style TargetType="Label">
                            <Setter Property="Foreground" Value="Transparent"/>
                            <Style.Triggers>
                                <DataTrigger Binding="{Binding Expression}" Value="">
                                    <Setter Property="Foreground" Value="Gray"/>
                                </DataTrigger>
                            </Style.Triggers>
                        </Style>
                    </Label.Style>
                </Label>
                <TextBox HorizontalAlignment="Stretch" Margin="5" Background="Transparent"
                 Text="{Binding Expression, UpdateSourceTrigger=PropertyChanged}" VerticalAlignment="Center" Padding="5">
                </TextBox>
        </Grid>

Esta é uma caixa de texto com fundo transparente sobrepondo um rótulo. O texto cinza do rótulo fica transparente por um gatilho de dados que é acionado sempre que o texto encadernado for algo diferente de uma sequência vazia.

Além disso, veja esta resposta . Você pode fazer isso muito mais facilmente com um VisualBrush e alguns gatilhos em um estilo:

 <TextBox>
    <TextBox.Style>
        <Style TargetType="TextBox" xmlns:sys="clr-namespace:System;assembly=mscorlib">
            <Style.Resources>
                <VisualBrush x:Key="CueBannerBrush" AlignmentX="Left" AlignmentY="Center" Stretch="None">
                    <VisualBrush.Visual>
                        <Label Content="Search" Foreground="LightGray" />
                    </VisualBrush.Visual>
                </VisualBrush>
            </Style.Resources>
            <Style.Triggers>
                <Trigger Property="Text" Value="{x:Static sys:String.Empty}">
                    <Setter Property="Background" Value="{StaticResource CueBannerBrush}" />
                </Trigger>
                <Trigger Property="Text" Value="{x:Null}">
                    <Setter Property="Background" Value="{StaticResource CueBannerBrush}" />
                </Trigger>
                <Trigger Property="IsKeyboardFocused" Value="True">
                    <Setter Property="Background" Value="White" />
                </Trigger>
            </Style.Triggers>
        </Style>
    </TextBox.Style>
</TextBox>

Para aumentar a reutilização desse estilo, você também pode criar um conjunto de propriedades anexadas para controlar o texto, a cor, a orientação, etc.

oi eu coloquei esta tarefa em um comportamento. então você só precisa adicionar algo assim à sua caixa de texto

<i:Interaction.Behaviors>
         <Behaviors:TextBoxWatermarkBehavior Label="Test Watermark" LabelStyle="{StaticResource StyleWatermarkLabel}"/>
</i:Interaction.Behaviors>

você pode encontrar meu post aqui

Minha solução é bastante simples.

Na minha janela de login. o xaml é assim.

 <DockPanel HorizontalAlignment="Center" VerticalAlignment="Center" Height="80" Width="300" LastChildFill="True">
        <Button Margin="5,0,0,0" Click="login_Click" DockPanel.Dock="Right"  VerticalAlignment="Center" ToolTip="Login to system">
            Login
        </Button>
        <StackPanel>
            <TextBox x:Name="userNameWatermarked" Height="25" Foreground="Gray" Text="UserName" GotFocus="userNameWatermarked_GotFocus"></TextBox>
            <TextBox x:Name="userName" Height="25"  TextChanged="loginElement_TextChanged" Visibility="Collapsed" LostFocus="userName_LostFocus" ></TextBox>
            <TextBox x:Name="passwordWatermarked" Height="25" Foreground="Gray" Text="Password"  Margin="0,5,0,5" GotFocus="passwordWatermarked_GotFocus"></TextBox>
            <PasswordBox x:Name="password" Height="25" PasswordChanged="password_PasswordChanged" KeyUp="password_KeyUp" LostFocus="password_LostFocus" Margin="0,5,0,5" Visibility="Collapsed"></PasswordBox>
            <TextBlock x:Name="loginError" Visibility="Hidden" Foreground="Red" FontSize="12"></TextBlock>
        </StackPanel>
    </DockPanel>

o código é assim.

private void userNameWatermarked_GotFocus(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
    {
        userNameWatermarked.Visibility = System.Windows.Visibility.Collapsed;
        userName.Visibility = System.Windows.Visibility.Visible;
        userName.Focus();
    }

    private void userName_LostFocus(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
    {
        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(this.userName.Text))
        {
            userName.Visibility = System.Windows.Visibility.Collapsed;
            userNameWatermarked.Visibility = System.Windows.Visibility.Visible;
        }
    }

    private void passwordWatermarked_GotFocus(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
    {
        passwordWatermarked.Visibility = System.Windows.Visibility.Collapsed;
        password.Visibility = System.Windows.Visibility.Visible;
        password.Focus();
    }

    private void password_LostFocus(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
    {
        if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(this.password.Password))
        {
            password.Visibility = System.Windows.Visibility.Collapsed;
            passwordWatermarked.Visibility = System.Windows.Visibility.Visible;
        }
    }