Toolstrips have three main usage patterns that impact how they are laid out, keyboard interaction and end-user behavior.

This means that the ToolStrip is typically repositionable within the ToolStripPanel and across ToolStripPanels. The dock property is ignored, and the size of the ToolStrip if not Stretch grows with more items. It usually does not participate in Tab order.

The ToolStrip is docked to one side of a container, is in a fixed position and size expanding over the entire edge to which it is docked.  It usually does not participate in Tab order.

This mode is using the ToolStrip just like a control. It is placed via the location property, has a fixed size and typically participates in the Tab order.