---
name: "XmCreateMessageDialog"
section: "3"
platform: "linux"
package: "openmotif"
version: "2.3.8-4"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/XmCreateMessageDialog"
---

# XmCreateMessageDialog(3)

The MessageBox MessageDialog convenience creation function

## NAME

**XmCreateMessageDialog** — The MessageBox MessageDialog convenience creation function

## SYNOPSIS

```
#include <Xm/MessageB.h>
Widget XmCreateMessageDialog(
Widget parent,
String name,
ArgList arglist,
Cardinal argcount);
```

## DESCRIPTION

**XmCreateMessageDialog** is a convenience creation function that creates a DialogShell and an unmanaged MessageBox child of the DialogShell. A MessageDialog is used for common interaction tasks, which include giving information, asking questions, and reporting errors. It includes a symbol, a message, and three buttons. By default, there is no symbol. The default button labels are **OK**, **Cancel**, and **Help**.

Use **XtManageChild** to pop up the MessageDialog (passing the MessageBox as the widget parameter); use **XtUnmanageChild** to pop it down.

**XmCreateMessageDialog** forces the value of the Shell resource **XmNallowShellResize** to True.

- *parent*

  Specifies the parent widget ID

- *name*

  Specifies the name of the created widget

- *arglist*

  Specifies the argument list

- *argcount*

  Specifies the number of attribute/value pairs in the argument list (*arglist*)

For a complete definition of MessageBox and its associated resources, see [**XmMessageBox**(3)](/XmMessageBox/3.md).

## RETURN

Returns the MessageBox widget ID.

## RELATED

[**XmMessageBox**(3)](/XmMessageBox/3.md).