How to add Item to SqlDataSource databound list

Question

I am lazy - and I am using a SQLDataSource to populate my dropdownLists.

The Databind event for the databound objects is called before the Page.PreRender so I am doing something like this in the PreRender eventHandler:

private void InitializeDropDown()
        {
            this.myDropDown.Items.Insert(0, new ListItem("-- Select something --"));
        }

I know I can set AppendDataBound items to true and hardcode my custom item in the markup but before reverting to that I'd like to understand why what I am doing is not working.

It usually works when I bind stuff dynamically like this:

myDropDown.DataTextField = "whatever";
myDropDown.DataValueField = "ID";
myDropDown.DataSource = GetStuff();
myDropDown.DataBind();
myDropDown.Items.Insert(0, "-- Select something --");

What I am doing should be equivalent - only difference is I am using a SQLDataSource.

Any help appreciated!

Mcbeev · Accepted Answer · 2009-02-16 01:09:49Z

4

Put your insert line on the OnSelected method of the datasource

myDropDown.Items.Insert(0, "-- Select something --");

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.web.ui.webcontrols.sqldatasource.selected.aspx

answered Feb 16, 2009 at 1:09

Mcbeev

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1 Comment

JohnIdol Over a year ago

nice - so basically that's the only way of doing it programmatically with a sqlDataSource? I still dont understand why if I bind it dynamically I can call Insert right after the Databind call. What's the difference between what I am doing and handling the OnSelected method of the SqlDataSource?

JohnIdol · Accepted Answer · 2009-02-16 18:27:44Z

4

I set AppendDataBoundItems="true" for the dropDwonList and it works like charme! I thought it was supposed to be used only in presence of hardcoded list items in the markup. I was wrong.

answered Feb 16, 2009 at 18:27

JohnIdol

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