Making a ToolBar in wxPython

In this tutorial we will explore how to create a simple toolbar in wxPython. A toolbar is handy little menu that appears on your Window with a bunch of icons which act as buttons. These icons are linked to functions, such as a Save Icon triggering a Save function.

Overall the ToolBar is an important widget, which will add alot of flavor and user-friendliness into your wxPython Window.

wxPython ToolBar Syntax

There are two ways of creating a ToolBar in wxPython. You can either use the CreateToolBar() method on the frame, or create the ToolBar using conventional methods.

ToolBar(parent, id, pos, size, style, name)

The first method is more recommended however, as it helps shorten your code and looks simpler. We’ll be using this method later in our examples.

wxPython ToolBar Styles

A list of available styles for the wxPython Toolbar.

Style	Description
wx.TB_FLAT	Makes the ToolBar look Flat
wx.TB_HORIZONTAL	Makes the layout horizontal (default)
wx.TB_VERTICAL	Makes the layout Vertical
wx.TB_TEXT	Shows Text on the Toolbar (only icons shown by default)
wx.TB_NOICONS	Disables Icons on the ToolBar
wx.TB_HORZ_LAYOUT	Puts Icons and Text side by side, instead of vertically.
wx.TB_HORZ_TEXT	A combination of the `TB_HORZ_LAYOUT` and `TB_TEXT` styles.
wx.TB_NO_TOOLTIPS	Disables Tooltips which appear on mouse hover.
wx.TB_BOTTOM	Aligns ToolBar at the bottom.
wx.TB_RIGHT	Aligns ToolBar to the Right.

wxPython ToolBar Methods

A list of useful methods for the wxPython ToolBar.

Method	Description
AddTool(toolid, label, Bitmap)	Adds a Tool to the Toolbar.
AddCheckTool(toolid, label, Bitmap)	Adds a Check Tool to the ToolBar.
AddControl(widget)	Adds as a Tool a widget which inherits from wx.Control (e.g: ComboBox)
AddRadioTool(toolid, label, Bitmap)	Adds a Radio Tool to the ToolBar.
AddSeparator()	Adds a Separator to the ToolBar (for grouping of tools)
ClearTools()	Deletes all Tools in the ToolBar.
DeleteTool(toolid)	Deletes the Tool completely.
EnableTool(toolid, bool)	Used to Enable/Disable the Tool.
InsertTool(pos, toolid, label, Bitmap)	Inserts a tool at the specified index position in the Toolbar.
InsertControl(pos, toolid, label, Bitmap)	Inserts a Control tool at the specified index position in the Toolbar.
InsertSeparator(pos)	Inserts a separator at the specified index position in the Toolbar.
Realize()	Must be called after you have added tools into the Toolbar.
RemoveTool()	Removes the Tool from the ToolBar, but doesn’t delete it. (can be re-used)
ToggleTool(toolid, bool)	Toggles the Tool On/Off.

Example Code

A small example showing how to create a ToolBar, add in some Icons and an image showing what it all looks like.

We’ve used the CreateToolBar() method to create a Toolbar, to which we add a few “Tools”. We’ve added two simple tools using the AddTool() method.

import wx

class Window(wx.Frame):
    def __init__(self, title):
        super().__init__(parent = None, title = title)
        self.panel = wx.Panel(self)     
    
        toolbar = self.CreateToolBar()

        # Tool 1
        toolbar.AddTool(wx.ID_ANY, "Open",
                        wx.Bitmap("Open.bmp"))

        # Tool 2
        toolbar.AddTool(wx.ID_ANY, "Save",
                        wx.Bitmap("Save.bmp"))

        toolbar.Realize()  
        self.Centre()
        self.Show()
      
app = wx.App()
window = Window("WxPython Tutorial")
app.MainLoop()

The output of the above code:

Adding Check Tools

In this example we will add a Check tool in our ToolBar.

The CheckTool() method is used the same way as AddTool(), but it adds some extra functionality. The Tool that is created adds like a CheckButton. When you click it once, it will be highlighted with a blue color and turn “on”. Clicking it again will turn it off.

Remember to call the Realize() method in the end, otherwise the tools will not show up on the ToolBar.

import wx

class Window(wx.Frame):
    def __init__(self, title):
        super().__init__(parent = None, title = title)
        self.panel = wx.Panel(self)     
    
        toolbar = self.CreateToolBar()

        # Tool 1
        toolbar.AddTool(wx.ID_ANY, "Open",
                        wx.Bitmap("Open.bmp"))

        # Tool 2
        toolbar.AddTool(wx.ID_ANY, "Save",
                        wx.Bitmap("Save.bmp"))

        # Tool 3
        toolbar.AddCheckTool(wx.ID_ANY, "Highlight",
                             wx.Bitmap("Highlight.bmp"))
        
        toolbar.Realize()  
        self.Centre()
        self.Show()
      
app = wx.App()
window = Window("WxPython Tutorial")
app.MainLoop()

The output, where we have selected the Highlight tool option.

Adding Control Tools

In this example we will add a Control tool in our ToolBar.

The control widget must first be created (such as a ComboBox), and parented to the Toolbar. It can then be added to the ToolBar using the AddControl() method.

import wx

class Window(wx.Frame):
    def __init__(self, title):
        super().__init__(parent = None, title = title)
        self.panel = wx.Panel(self)     
    
        toolbar = self.CreateToolBar()

        # Tool 1
        toolbar.AddTool(wx.ID_ANY, "Open",
                        wx.Bitmap("Open.bmp"))

        # Tool 2
        toolbar.AddTool(wx.ID_ANY, "Save",
                        wx.Bitmap("Save.bmp"))

        # Tool 3
        toolbar.AddCheckTool(wx.ID_ANY, "Highlight",
                             wx.Bitmap("Highlight.bmp"))

        # Tool 4
        combo = wx.ComboBox(toolbar, choices=["Option1","Option2"])
        toolbar.AddControl(combo)
        
        toolbar.Realize()  
        self.Centre()
        self.Show()
      
app = wx.App()
window = Window("WxPython Tutorial")
app.MainLoop()

The output of the above code:

This marks the end of the wxPython Making a ToolBar Tutorial. Any suggestions or contributions for CodersLegacy are more than welcome. Questions regarding the tutorial content can be asked in the comments section below.