CODEWITHSUNDEEP
c#asp.net
11011
11011

Reputation: 38

Add value to Drop Down list when exception occurs

I have an ASP .NET(4.0) web app. The web app has a form view that contains a drop down list. The drop down list is populated like so:

<asp:DropDownList ID="ddlStaff" runat="server" 
   DataSourceID="StaffDatasource" DataTextField="StaffName" 
   DataValueField="StaffName" AppendDataBoundItems="True" 
   SelectedValue='<%# Bind("Staff") %>' >
   <asp:ListItem Value=""></asp:ListItem>
</asp:DropDownList>
<asp:SqlDataSource ID="StaffDatasource" runat="server" 
   ConnectionString="<%$ ConnectionStrings:ConnectionString %>" 
   SelectCommand="*****">
</asp:SqlDataSource>

The staff list is constantly changing so the issue is that SelectedValue throws an error because that staff member does not exist anymore.

I know you can check if the item exists in the list and catch the exception. What I would like to know is if there is a way to display the "non-existing" staff member in the drop down list if they do not exists? Although the name is not listed the staff name is stored with the record. The reason I want to do this is because the users will need to see who was assigned to that record even if they are not there anymore.

EDIT: More details

This how the users would like for it to work.

If it's possible to do this then I can let them know and I'll have it select null when the exception is thrown.

Upvotes: 1

Views: 221

Answers (1)

riceman
riceman

Reputation: 38

If the member is not on the list he isn't present. Why would you want that behaviour? Does the user need old members?

You could create a list with all members old and new ones - but you will have to code the list not declaring. You cannot do it with source controls. You can simply provide a collection to use as the datasource.

Hope this helped a bit.

Upvotes: 1

Related Questions