ExtCtrls

Use TPanel to put an empty panel on a form. Panels have properties for providing a beveled border around the control, as well as methods to help manage the placement of child controls embedded in the panel. 

You can also use panels to group controls together, similar to the way you can use a group box, but with a beveled border (or no border) rather than the group box outline. Panels are typically used for groups of controls within a single form. If you intend to use the same grouping in other forms, you may want to use a frame instead. 

Panels with no borders are useful as docking sites when writing applications that use drag-and-dock. 

Although you can use a panel to implement a status bar or tool bar, it is recommended that you use the TToolBar and TStatusBar classes instead. 

TToolBar 

TStatusBar 

TGroupBox 

Grouping Controls 

Panels 

Adding a Cool Bar Component 

Adding a Speed Button to a Panel 

Adding a Toolbar Using a Panel Component 

Adding a Toolbar Using the Toolbar Component 

Adding a Tool Button 

Adding Hidden Toolbars 

Allowing Toggle Buttons 

Allowing Toggled Tool Buttons 

Assigning a Menu to a Tool Button 

Assigning a Speed Button's Glyph 

Assigning Images to Tool Buttons 

Creating a Group of Speed Buttons 

Creating Groups of Tool Buttons 

Designing Toolbars and Cool Bars 

Hiding and Showing Toolbars 

Responding to Clicks 

Setting the Initial Condition of a Speed Button 

Setting Tool Button Appearance and Initial Conditions