MVC EditorFor bind to type in array

Question

I have a ViewModel that, among other properties, contains an array of 'EmailAddress' objects. EmailAddress itself has properties such as "Address", and "IsPrimary". My view model breakdown is:

public class UserDetailsViewModel {
  public BUser User { get; set; }
  public string[] Roles { get; set; }
  public EmailAddress[] EmailAddresses { get; set; }
}

I am showing a "User Details" page that is pretty standard. For example, I'm displaying data using @Html.DisplayFor(model => model.User.UserName) and @Html.DisplayFor(model => model.User.Comment) I also have a section on the page that lists all of the EmailAddress objects associated with the user:

@if(Model.EmailAddresses.Length > 0) {
  foreach (var address in Model.EmailAddresses) {
    <div>
      @Html.DisplayFor(model => address.Address)
    </div>
  }
} else {
  <div class="center">User does not have any email addresses.</div>
}

My problem is that I would like to show an "Add Email Address" form above the list of email addresses. I thought I would take the "normal" approach thusly:

@using(Html.BeginForm(new { id=Model.User.UserName, action="AddUserEmailAddress" })) {    
  <text>Address:</text> @Html.EditorFor(model => ** HERE I AM STUCK **)
  <input type="submit" value="Add Email" class="button" />
}

As you may be able to tell, I am stuck here. I've tried model => Model.EmailAddresses[0] and model => Model.EmailAddresses.FirstOrDefault(). Both of these have failed horribly.

I am sure that I am going about this all wrong. I've even thought of adding a "dummy" property to my ViewModel of type EmailAddress just so that I can bind to that in my EditorFor - but that seems to be a really bad hack. There has to be something simple that I'm overlooking!

I would appreciate any help anyone can offer with this matter. Thank you in advance!

Paweł Staniec · Accepted Answer · 2011-11-25 21:54:33Z

1

You could go the quick&dirty way of using :

@Html.TextBox("NewEmail")

In your AddUserEmailAddress controller method you will be able to get the posted value by using :

Request.Form.GetValues("NewEmail")

or

Request["NewEmail"]

If you don't want to loose the built in validation, as you stated, you can always create another property in your ViewModel ? Supply your view with a form, or load it dynamically with jQuery.load("/Controller/AddEmail/UserID"). Add

public string NewEmail { get; set; }

in your ViewModel, and the below in your view

@Html.EditorFor(model=>model.NewEmail)

Plus, you may consider using strongly typed structure for your emails like List that gives you more control over your data in particular situations.

edited Nov 25, 2011 at 21:54

answered Nov 25, 2011 at 8:31

Paweł Staniec

3,1813 gold badges31 silver badges41 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

1 Comment

BradBrening Over a year ago

I thought of that, but then I don't get the automatic model validation (both client and server side).

Madd0g · Accepted Answer · 2011-11-25 22:32:08Z

1

I'm pretty new to MVC, but I've already tackled this problem, I use @Html.Partial for that.

@Html.Partial("path/to/EditorTemplate", new EmailAddress())

I also tried to take the EmailAddresses[0] route, I remember that day fondly. I'm also not positive it is the best way, but it plays nicely with my other code.

answered Nov 25, 2011 at 22:32

Madd0g

4,0315 gold badges41 silver badges60 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

MVC EditorFor bind to type in array

2 Answers 2

1 Comment

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

1 Comment

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related