I rather like David Finleys linq approach to FindControl http://weblogs.asp.net/dfindley/archive/2007/06/29/linq-the-uber-findcontrol.aspx
public static class PageExtensions
{
public static IEnumerable<Control> All(this ControlCollection controls)
{
foreach (Control control in controls)
{
foreach (Control grandChild in control.Controls.All())
yield return grandChild;
yield return control;
}
}
}
Usage:
// get the first empty textbox
TextBox firstEmpty = accountDetails.Controls
.All()
.OfType<TextBox>()
.Where(tb => tb.Text.Trim().Length == 0)
.FirstOrDefault();
// and focus it
if (firstEmpty != null)
firstEmpty.Focus();