I created a datagrid with 4 bound columns and 1 template column.
I am using the ITEMDATABOUND event to add a control to the template column,
if column (3) has a value of 'checkox' then add the checkbox
control else, add a textbox control to the template column.

That part works fine, the user can enter data.

My problem is getting the data from that dynamically created cell.
I'm using a button_click event in hopes of cycling through the datagrid
and retrieving the template column values to write back to the dataset.

The only reference I know of is the e argument, but I cannot expose it
in my custom routine.

How can I reference the template column, it does not have an ID and the
FINDCONTROL so far has been ineffective for me.

Hi Wanky,

You can use

datagrid.Items(rowIndex).Cells(colIndex).Contrls(0[or 1))

to get the reference.

Or you can assign ID to a control when you add it, so late
you can get it.

BTW, it's better to add control in ItemCreated event.

HTH

Elton Wang
elton_w***@hotmail.com


the template column,
through the datagrid
to the dataset.
cannot expose it
an ID and the
Show quoteHide quote

thanks,
I'll try that.
I sent an email with an attachment of the print screen.

I can't seen to grad the right event handler in the item
created event.

Which language do you use, c# or vb.net?


Show quoteHide quote

vb.net

Elton,

I get the following error when I tried this code:

For y = 0 To maxrec
If DataGrid1.Items(y).Cells(4).Controls(0) Is GetType  (TextBox) Then
   Dim str As String = CType(DataGrid1.Items(y).Cells(4).Controls(0),
TextBox).Text()
End If
y += 1
Next

Specified argument was out of the range of valid values. Parameter name:
index

Followng code snippet shows how to loop thru datagrid
items (rows) to get control reference:

Dim ctrl As Control
For Each item As DataGridItem In datagrid.Items
    ctrl = item.Cells(4).Controls(0) ' or try Controls(1)
depending on how to you add it
    ' If you assign ctrl ID, you can
    ctrl = item.FindControl("ctrlID")

    Dim ctrlType As String = item.Cells(2).Text
    If ctrlType.Equals("Textbox") Then
       Dim txtBox As TextBox = CType(ctrl, TextBox)
       ' Process as text box
    Else
        Dim ck As CheckBox = CType(ctrl, CheckBox)
        ' process as checkbox
    End If

    ' Or you can dynamically find control type
    If TypeOf ctrl Is TextBox Then
       Dim txtBox As TextBox = CType(ctrl, TextBox)
       ' Process as text box
    Else
       Dim ck As CheckBox = CType(ctrl, CheckBox)
       'process as checkbox
    End If
Next

HTH

Elton Wang
elton_w***@hotmail.com

Show quoteHide quote

I haven't tried your stuff yet, but this is how I created the controls.
For some reason the ID reference doesn't take.

Private Sub DataGrid1_ItemDataBound(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As
System.Web.UI.WebControls.DataGridItemEventArgs) Handles
DataGrid1.ItemDataBound

If e.Item.ItemType = ListItemType.Item Or e.Item.ItemType =
ListItemType.AlternatingItem Then
            Dim str = RTrim(DataGrid1.DataSource.Tables
(DataGrid1.DataMember).Rows(e.Item.DataSetIndex)(2))
            Select Case RTrim(DataGrid1.DataSource.Tables
(DataGrid1.DataMember).Rows(e.Item.DataSetIndex)(2))
                Case "Textbox", "Other", "memo"
                    Dim tb = New System.Web.UI.WebControls.TextBox
                    e.Item.Cells(4).Controls.Add(tb)
                    e.Item.Cells(4).ID = "Txtbx"
                Case "Checkbox"
                    Dim cb = New System.Web.UI.WebControls.CheckBox
                    e.Item.Cells(4).Controls.Add(cb)
                    e.Item.Cells(4).ID = "Chkbx"
            End Select
        End If
    End Sub

I prefer to use same ID for both TextBox and CheckBox, so
it is easy to get control first then to figure out what
kind control it is. And it's better to use For Each loop
rather than For index loop. 

HTH

Elton

Object, ByVal e As
System.Web.UI.WebControls.TextBox
System.Web.UI.WebControls.CheckBox
Show quoteHide quote

Hello again,

I tried the suggested code, and I got the following error:
Specified argument was out of the range of valid values. Parameter name:
index

..controls(0) or .controls(1) both return the error.

It seems that the control I created during the ITEMDATABOUND event
doesn't really exist as far the datagrid is concerned.
I mean, I can see it, enter data into, but I am finding it extremely
difficult to extract that data out of the control

When I try the ID route, the code doesn't error but the variable I used
during the assignment returns a value of nothing.

CODE AREA ********************************************************
   Private Sub GetValues()
        Dim c As Control
        Dim dg As DataGridItem
        For Each dg In DataGrid1.Items
            c = dg.Cells(4).Controls(0)
            Dim ctlType As String = RTrim(dg.Cells(2).Text)
            If ctlType.Equals("Textbox") Then
                Dim tb As TextBox = CType(c, TextBox)
            Else
                Dim cb As CheckBox = CType(c, CheckBox)
            End If
        Next
    End Sub

I'm not sure what causes the problem. It might be that
the .NET can't save dynamically created control data after
data binding in viewstate (I just guess.).  If that, you
can statically add both TextBox and Checkbox (given
different id, i.e. txtID, ckID) in cell(4), then when in
ItemDataBound, set one invisible accordingly. In your
GetValues method,
using
If ctlType.Equals("Textbox") Then
   Dim tb As TextBox = CType(dg.FindContrl("txtID"),
TextBox)
Else
   Dim cb As CheckBox = CType(dg.FindContrl("ckID"),
CheckBox)
End If

HTH

Elton Wang

Show quoteHide quotevariable I used
Show quoteHide quote

I have a hunch that viewstate maybe an area to concentrate on.
I'm starting to think that I'm losing state as I envoke the
getvalues sub. At some point the control is recreated before
I can trap the value.

My problem is that this database will have over 200 data entry
points, which could change depending on the user. I can think of no other
way to efficiently create a form to handle the data points entry, other
than a datagrid.

Any ideas?

I don't think there are big problems to get solution. In
one way or another we can find a means to get the
reference of the control when the page is postback.


think of no other
points entry, other
Show quoteHide quote

Hi Wanky,

Following is solution. I'm sure it works.

' Add both textbox and checkbox in datagrid
<asp:TemplateColumn HeaderText="Choice">
    <ItemTemplate>
        <asp:CheckBox ID="ckChoice"
Runat="server"></asp:CheckBox>
        <asp:TextBox ID="txtChoice"
Runat="server"></asp:TextBox>
    </ItemTemplate>
</asp:TemplateColumn>


' in ItemDataBound set one of control invisible according
to type

Dim drv As DataRowView = e.Item.DataItem

If drv(FieldTypeIndex).ToString.Equals("Textbox") Then 
    e.Item.FindControl("ckChoice").Visible = False
Else
    e.Item.FindControl("txtChoice").Visible = False
End If


' in save button Click retrieve control type depending on
type filed

For Each item As DataGridItem In Me.dgdSearch.Items
    If item.Cells(FieldTypeIndex).Text.Equals("Textbox")
Then
       Dim txtCtrl As TextBox = CType(item.FindControl
("txtChoice"), TextBox)
       ' process
    Else
       Dim ck As CheckBox = CType(item.FindControl
("ckChoice"), CheckBox)      
       ' process
    End If
Next

If you still have problem, please let me know.

HTH

Elton Wang
the template column,
through the datagrid
to the dataset.
cannot expose it
an ID and the
Show quoteHide quote

thanks,
I will try this!!

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