# 2.3 Add a Status Bar

The first component we will add to the application will be a status bar. A status bar is used to give information about a program when it runs. We will use the status bar to indicate to the user what is happening when slow actions occur, and to give simple help messages

- Select the wxFrame1 tab in the Editor to ensure that we are editing the Frame.
- Start the Designer, by selecting the designer button from the Editor toolbar.
- The Frame will be displayed as a drawing area.
- On the Palette select the tab called 'Frame Bars'. This tab contains entries for special components which are used with frames. The status bar is one of these windows.
- Move the mouse over the buttons. Balloon help should show that one of these buttons represents the wxStatusBar control. This is the control we want. Select this button using the mouse.
- The button should change shading to indicate that it is pressed. The Palette contains a checkbox to show the currently selected component type. This should reflect wxStatusBar.

- Now move the mouse cursor over the drawing frame. Press the mouse left button in the drawing area. This will create a status bar in the frame. The status bar will not be visible.
- The status line within the Inspector will display 'statusBar1'. This is the name of the current widget, and has now changed to your new status bar component.
- In the Inspector select the 'Properties' pane. This pane is used to configure the properties of our status bar. Click to edit the value of 'Fields'. The field will show a button with 3 dots. Click the button. This opens the 'Collection Editor'.

- The Collection Editor is a tool, which is used to add multiple sub-components to components where required. We need to add at least one field to the status bar.
- Press the 'New' button on the Collection Editor. This creates a new field within the status bar. This becomes the current field in the Inspector.
- Edit the field Text. Set the name from 'field0' to 'Status'.
- The Collection Editor toolbar contains a 'Refresh' button. Press this button to see the Inspector change in the Collection Editor window.

- Close the Collection Editor window. Select the Designer window. Click the mouse anywhere in the drawing area to make the frame (wxFrame1) the current component.
- Select the properties pane in the Inspector.
- Edit the property 'StatusBar'. The drop down menu will show our new status bar. Select the status bar.

- Update the source code with the changes using the Post button the Inspector.
- Save the source code changes using the Save button on the Editor toolbar.