I need to create a control that puts a box around any content i desire.  I've done this with 2 usercontrols in the past (1 to open a table, 2nd to close the table around the content). 

I thought masterpages would be a better solution...but i can't use masterpagefile=Box.master within a control directive...

This: <%@ Control MasterPageFile="~/MasterPages/Box1.master" %>

produces: Error parsing attribute 'masterpagefile': Type 'System.Web.UI.UserControl' does not have a public property named 'masterpagefile'.

Any ideas on what approach i should be taking?  Or if there is another way to impliment masterpages in a usercontrol?

Hey,

No, masterpages are for the page only; user controls compile as part of the page as a control, and that is by design.  Why not create a custom panel control, that renders whatever around the content in the panel?

To back up what's posted right above this one, maybe this post will help

http://forums.asp.net/thread/1274884.aspx

This is the perfect time for making your own WebControl (not Usercontrol)