i actually already succedded partialy already 

i added ToolTipDisplaying event to override the original tool tip and set the tipstyle of both the items (inside itemsSettings) and subitems. the problem is that even though they are both set to showalways i still don't get the event for the original item (main column) only for the sub items. 

private void ultraListView_ToolTipDisplaying(object sender, Infragistics.Win.UltraWinListView.ToolTipDisplayingEventArgs e)
{
// Override the default tooltip behavior for folder items,
// so we can display a summary of the contents of the folder
// when the end user hovers over the item.
e.Cancel = true;
if (e.IsToolTipForSubItem == false)
{
if (e.Item.SubItems[0].Appearance.ForeColor.Equals(LIST_FORE_COLOR_DISABLED) == true)
{
return;
}
}
SetListToolTip(e.SubItem, new Point(e.Location.X, e.Location.Y + LIST_IMAGE_SIZE.Height));
}

any idead why don't i get the message for the main column?

i have the 10.3 version

Hello Meir,

In my sample where I used our latest version, I think that the method works properly. Could you please tell me what is your current version and do you have any installed service release and which exactly. Please upload small sample that reproduce your issue and I`ll be glad to research it for you.

Let me know if you have any questions.

the problem is not how to create the tooltip

the problem is the method isn't called for a non sub item... there for isforsubitem is always being recieved as true, as it should but why isn't it called for the non sub item? ideas? a flag of somekind i keep missing maybe? 

as i wrote in my earlier post

Sample