CODEWITHSUNDEEP
asp.net
tplive
tplive

Reputation: 735

asp:DataList control with asp:LinkButton inside - something's weird

I'm working through examples in a book trying to learn ASP.NET, and I've stumbled on something strange in there. First of all, if I type it as it's written in the book, VS gives me errors. This is the code as it's written in the book:

    <asp:DataList ID="employeesList" runat="server">
    <ItemTemplate>
        <asp:Literal ID="extraDetailsLiteral" runat="server" EnableViewState="false" />
        Name: <strong><%#Eval("Name") %></strong><br />
        Username: <strong><%#Eval("Username") %></strong><br />
        <asp:LinkButton ID="detailsButton" runat="server" Text=<%#"View more details about " + Eval("Name")%> 
            CommandName="MoreDetailsPlease" 
            CommandArgument=<%#Eval("EmployeeID")%> />
    </ItemTemplate>
    <SeparatorTemplate>
        <hr />
    </SeparatorTemplate>
</asp:DataList>

So, I've plucked at it for a while, and came up with this solution which actually compiles:

    <asp:DataList ID="employeesList" runat="server" onitemcommand="employeesList_ItemCommand">
    <ItemTemplate>
        <asp:Literal ID="extraDetailsLiteral" runat="server" EnableViewState="false" />
        Name: <strong><%#Eval("Name") %></strong><br />
        Username: <strong><%#Eval("Username") %></strong><br />
        <asp:LinkButton ID="detailsButton" runat="server" Text='View more details about <%# Eval("Name") %>' 
            CommandName="MoreDetailsPlease" CommandArgument='<%Eval("EmployeeID") %>' />
    </ItemTemplate>
    <SeparatorTemplate>
        <hr />
    </SeparatorTemplate>
</asp:DataList>

Notice that I've also added the OnItemCommand in the asp:DataList tag, so now I'm able to fire the event as expected.

However, results in the browser isn't what I expect; the Name and Username listed in strong text show just fine, but the Literal control that should show extra details (the EmployeeID field) and the Name field inside the LinkButton won't show their values in the page:

not showing as expected http://lh6.ggpht.com/_x84bQLYH57A/SgxzygartcI/AAAAAAAAAIY/nhT-6RUJa6o/s144/EmployeeDirectory_notshowing.jpg

It should say "EmployeeID: 1" and "View more details about Zak Ruvalcaba"

I guess it's the Eval function that's not working when inside another control, can anyone help me out?

Upvotes: 3

Views: 3900

Answers (2)

Canavar
Canavar

Reputation: 48088

Change the LinkButton as : 

<asp:LinkButton ID="detailsButton" runat="server" 
     Text='<%# Eval("Name", "View more details about {0}") %>' 
     CommandName="MoreDetailsPlease" 
     CommandArgument='<%# Eval("EmployeeID") %>' />

Sorry I confused the order of parameters. I updated my answer. Format must be the second parameter.

Upvotes: 3

TheTXI
TheTXI

Reputation: 37905

You can view another question I posted yesterday concerning something eerily similar here:

Need help with Eval inside DataList

I do believe Canavar actually gave the correct answer, however.

Upvotes: 1

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