Unable to get SelectList working in ASP.NET MVC - html

Question

I am trying to get my SelectList working. I tried adding the options in the model class, but I'm unable to get that working with an error
Member Testing.TaxIDType cannot be accessed with an instance reference; qualify it with a type name instead
which I am not sure about how to fix.
I added the SelectList items to my model:
public static List<SelectListItem> TaxIDType = new List<SelectListItem>()
{
new SelectListItem() { Text = "FEIN", Value = "FEIN" },
new SelectListItem() { Text = "SSN", Value = "SSN" }
};
I try to call the in the view using the following statement.
#Html.DropDownListFor(Model => Model.TaxIDType, class.TaxIDType)
I am getting the following two errors:
'IEnumerable' does not contain a definition for 'TaxIDType' and no accessible extension method 'TaxIDType' accepting a first argument of type 'IEnumerable' could be found (are you missing a using directive or an assembly reference?)
Member 'Testing.TaxIDType' cannot be accessed with an instance reference; qualify it with a type name instead
Can someone help me with this?

Answer 1

Here is a step by step explanation of using DropDownListFor helper in your case.
Create a model which will contain a collection of SelectListItem instances.
public class MyModel
{
public List<SelectListItem> TaxIDType = new List<SelectListItem>()
{
new SelectListItem() { Text = "FEIN", Value = "FEIN" },
new SelectListItem() { Text = "SSN", Value = "SSN" }
};
}
Note: if you want, you can even make the property static, however, you will need to change the way you reference the property on the view (will explain it eventually)
Create the model and pass it to the view.
public ActionResult Index()
{
var viewModel = new MyModel();
return View(viewModel);
}
In the view, state that your view uses MyModel class. You can do it by putting the #model helper on the top of your view (.cshtml file).
#model WebApplication3.Controllers.MyModel
Here, WebApplication3.Controllers is a namespace of your model and MyModel is it's name. Don't use the listed namespace and model, but change them to your own.
Use the DropDownListFor helper as following
#Html.DropDownListFor(x => ??, Model.TaxIDType)
In the example, Model is a property which is being populated by the framework to let your acecss a class instance which you passes in View() method inside the controller. (MyModel instance in this case).
By writing Model.TaxIDType you are referencing the property which contains the list of items to poppulate the dropdown.
Notice, that the property in the model isn't marked as static, that's why we have to access it via the instance (Model) reference. However, you can, indeed, make the property static. In that case, you will need to change the usage in the view to the following:
#Html.DropDownListFor(x => ??, MyModel.TaxIDType)
The last thing to mention: take a look at the question marks. In order to get the selected value back, you will need to map it to the model. One way to do it is to extend the model.
public class MyModel
{
public string SelectedTaxIdType { get; set; }
public List<SelectListItem> TaxIDType = new List<SelectListItem>()
{
new SelectListItem() { Text = "FEIN", Value = "FEIN" },
new SelectListItem() { Text = "SSN", Value = "SSN" }
};
}
and than modify the view
#Html.DropDownListFor(x => x.SelectedTaxIdType, Model.TaxIDType)