Python | forget_pack() and forget_grid() method in Tkinter

If we want to unmap any widget from the screen or toplevel then forget() method is used. There are two types of forget method forget_pack() ( similar to forget() ) and forget_grid() which are used with pack() and grid() method respectively.

forget_pack() method –

Syntax: widget.forget_pack()

widget can be any valid widget which is visible.

Code #1:

# Imports tkinter and ttk module
from tkinter import *
from tkinter.ttk import *

# toplevel window
root = Tk()

# method to make widget invisible
# or remove from toplevel
def forget(widget):

    # This will remove the widget from toplevel
    # basically widget do not get deleted
    # it just becomes invisible and loses its position
    # and can be retrieve
    widget.forget()

# method to make widget visible
def retrieve(widget):
    widget.pack(fill = BOTH, expand = True)

# Button widgets
b1 = Button(root, text = "Btn 1")
b1.pack(fill = BOTH, expand = True)

# See, in command forget() method is passed
b2 = Button(root, text = "Btn 2", command = lambda : forget(b1))
b2.pack(fill = BOTH, expand = True)

# In command retrieve() method is passed
b3 = Button(root, text = "Btn 3", command = lambda : retrieve(b1))
b3.pack(fill = BOTH, expand = True)

# infinite loop, interrupted by keyboard or mouse
mainloop()

Output:

After forget

After retrieval

Notice the difference in the position of Button 1 before and after forget as well as after retrieval.

forget_grid() method –

Syntax: widget.forget_grid()

widget can be any valid widget which is visible.

Note : This method can be used only with grid() geometry methods.

Code #2:

# Imports tkinter and ttk module
from tkinter import *
from tkinter.ttk import *

# toplevel window
root = Tk()

# method to make widget invisible
# or remove from toplevel
def forget(widget):

    # This will remove the widget from toplevel
    # basically widget do not get deleted
    # it just becomes invisible and loses its position
    # and can be retrieve
    widget.grid_forget()

# method to make widget visible
def retrieve(widget):
    widget.grid(row = 0, column = 0, ipady = 10, pady = 10, padx = 5)

# Button widgets
b1 = Button(root, text = "Btn 1")
b1.grid(row = 0, column = 0, ipady = 10, pady = 10, padx = 5)

# See, in command forget() method is passed
b2 = Button(root, text = "Btn 2", command = lambda : forget(b1))
b2.grid(row = 0, column = 1, ipady = 10, pady = 10, padx = 5)

# In command retrieve() method is passed
b3 = Button(root, text = "Btn 3", command = lambda : retrieve(b1))
b3.grid(row = 0, column = 2, ipady = 10, pady = 10, padx = 5)

# infinite loop, interrupted by keyboard or mouse
mainloop()

Output:

After Forget

After Retrieval

Notice that the position of Button 1 remains same after forget and retrieval. With grid_forget() method, you can place it at any grid after retrieval but generally, the original grid is chosen.