[RESOLVED] Error calling array of controles

[Dibbie]

Every time I run my program, I get the "Object Reference Not Set To An Instance Of An Object", and I dont know exactly how to fix it.

Ill paint the picture for you:

Lets say theres a new form, and on this new form there are 4 panels (p1, p2, p3, p4) they are made in design time, then a button that is also made in design time.

Now, on the click event for the button, what SHOULD happen, is the panels background colors should change.

I have an array of these panels made at runtime, and try and set the background color from this array.

Here is what I got:
For pn As Integer = 1 To 4
Dim panelBG() As Panel = {p1, p2, p3, p4}

panelBG(pn).BackColor = Color.Green
Next

Why I am trying to do it this way is because, in each panel there is a label, and these labels text is getting info from a server, and this information is contained within a if statement that determines the color of certain boxes at certain times

Anyone know how I might be able to fix this error? It suggested to use "new", but I wouldnt know where to put it.
I tried putting it when I declared my array of panels: Dim panelBG() As New Panel = {p1, p2, p3, p4}
Didnt work.

[kaliman79912]

This is an issue that came up yesterday I think on another post.

I guess that you are declaring that array directly on the Form Class, outside any Sub. That is fine if you want it to be available to the whole form, but the controls do not exist at that point.

What you should do is declare the array but do not initialize the values.

Dim PanelBG() as Panel

Then, inside the FormLoad event assign the array elements

PanelBG = {p1, p2, p3, p4}

[Dibbie]

This is an issue that came up yesterday I think on another post.

I guess that you are declaring that array directly on the Form Class, outside any Sub. That is fine if you want it to be available to the whole form, but the controls do not exist at that point.

What you should do is declare the array but do not initialize the values.

Dim PanelBG() as Panel

Then, inside the FormLoad event assign the array elements

PanelBG = {p1, p2, p3, p4}

Wow thank you, it worked. Dont know how or why that never cross my mind haha.