RadDataForm

[Leos]

Hello,
firstly - big thanks for RadDataForm.

I have some questions, maybe tips, for this new component.

1) Is possible in customized DataForm use other component than DataFormXxxField?  For example Image. How? I tested TextBlock but data in Text property did not displayed (binded?).
2) How to change width of Label?
3) What is Mode property ? Possible values are AddNew, Edit, ReadOnly.
4) I need to place READONLY item, for example ID field. I need to have this field ReadOnly in ALL modes, including Edit mode. I tested IsReadOnly (see code bellow) but in Edit mode I can .still modify this field. Because here is not somehing as "DataFormTextBlockField" (and I dont know how to create it - point 1)  I dont see any way how to solve it. Note that I have set attribute Editable to false too.

<telerik:DataFormDataField Grid.Row="0" Label="Id"  IsReadOnly="True"  DataMemberBinding="{Binding Id}"/>

5) Will be nice to use Display.Name attribute for Label ( in AutoGeneratedFields Mode ), but this was already answered yesterday.
6) Does exist some way how to access/bind attributes in customized mode? For example how to bind Label to attribute Display.Name, or to show Description the same way how it is worked in AutoGenerate mode.
7) When user moves with TAB key then Label (?) has probably TabStop set to true, because to move to next field two TABs are needed.

Note: customized = AutoGenerateFields set to false and content is readed from specified DataTemplate.

Thanks.
Leos

Sorry if my English is bad/easy.

[HDC]

I can not answer all of those question, but here is what i did:

 

<telerik:RadDataForm.EditTemplate>
                   <DataTemplate>
                       <Grid>
                           <Grid.ColumnDefinitions>
                               <ColumnDefinition Width="80"></ColumnDefinition>
                               <ColumnDefinition></ColumnDefinition>
                           </Grid.ColumnDefinitions>
                           <Grid.RowDefinitions>
                               <RowDefinition></RowDefinition>
                               <RowDefinition></RowDefinition>
                           </Grid.RowDefinitions>
                           <telerik:Label Grid.Column="0" Grid.Row="0">Name:</telerik:Label>
                           <telerik:DataFormDataField Grid.Column="1" Grid.Row="0">
                               <TextBox Text="{Binding Name, Mode=TwoWay}" IsEnabled="true"></TextBox>
                           </telerik:DataFormDataField>
                       </Grid>
                   </DataTemplate>
               </telerik:RadDataForm.EditTemplate>

The templates allow you to define the composition of the form. (there are three of them). The template allows to define whatever length you want the fields to have. It also allows you to do with tabbing whatever it is you want it to do. As for attributes, i suppose you can't have it both ways, if you define your own layout, your display attribute would not be taken into account. The other attributes (for example validation) would probably still be taken into account.

I hope this helps you.... took me long enough to figure it out ;o)

[Pavel Pavlov]

Hi Leos,

Directly on your questions:
1) Is possible in customized DataForm use other component than DataFormXxxField?  For example Image. How? I tested TextBlock but data in Text property did not displayed (binded?).

In case you need to place  and bind arbitrary control ( other than DataFormFileld) , you need to defne and set one or all of the 3 templates : ReadOnlyTemplate, EditTemplate, NewItemTemlate.
Inside the template you may place a textbox or an image and the binding should look like : 
    <TextBox Text={Binding CurrentItem.MyProperty}/>
*Please have in mind that this is valid for the beta only .We have decided to change this to 
    <TextBox Text={Binding MyProperty}/>  as this is more intuitive.

2) How to change width of Label?
For the beta version there is MinWidth of 200 px set for the label . For the official version this is going to be removed and some additional properties to control the label appearance should be introduced.

3) What is Mode property ? Possible values are AddNew, Edit, ReadOnly.
This property indicates what mode is the DataForm using at the moment e.g. if the user presses the Edit button , RadDataForm enters Edit mode and the Edit template is applied.

4) I need to place READONLY item, for example ID field. I need to have this field ReadOnly in ALL modes, including Edit mode. I tested IsReadOnly (see code bellow) but in Edit mode I can .still modify this field. Because here is not somehing as "DataFormTextBlockField" (and I dont know how to create it - point 1)  I dont see any way how to solve it. Note that I have set attribute Editable to false too.

You can place a TextBlock the way described in point 1.
6) Does exist some way how to access/bind attributes in customized mode? For example how to bind Label to attribute
You can only set these directly ( can not bind ) as the DataContext does not yet expose attributes info.

7) When user moves with TAB key then Label (?) has probably TabStop set to true, because to move to next field two TABs are needed.
This sounds like a bug and is going to be addressed immediately.

In addition : Thankyou for the interest and the questions for RadDataForm . I am treating this post as a valuable beta version feedback and I am updating your Telerik points.

In case you find anything else which needs an improvement or a fix , do not hesitate to contact me .

Kind regards,
Pavel Pavlov
the Telerik team

[Leos]

Thank you to both.

I have one more question. I need to submit data immediatelly when user commits with "OK" button.
Note: this is idea (or better to say usual practice) of our customer, application is on intranet so there is not performance problem.
This is working fine with editing, because here is EditEnded event where I can call SubmitChanges().
But what about delete? Here does exist DeletingItem event only but record is deleted after it.
I found one way -  using event CurrentItemChanged. But will be better to have DeletedItem event or something similar.
I have also one idea - property ConfirmDelete and delete confirmation. If will be this property set to true, then DataForm will be set to similar mode as is EDIT mode and user must press OK to confirm deleting or Cancel to reject.

Best regards,
Leos

[Pavel Pavlov]

Hi Leos,

Thanks again for getting back to us! Your feedback is being directly taken in concern and the event requested has been added to the API of RadDataForm.
This will ba available in the official version coming next week.
I am updating your Telerik points.
Regarding the confirmation dialog. We need some time to clear the concept of how to provide an easy and flexible way to the user for this one.

All the best,
Pavel Pavlov
the Telerik team

[Leos]

Hi Pavel,

please don't forget to add HeaderTemplate.
Will be also fine to have some example how to modify visual frontend of DF.
For example how to add custom buttons or move OK+CANCEL up, to main toolbar .
Thanks.
Leos

[Pavel Pavlov]

Hello Leos,

I am not sure we are going to add a header template property. Here are some details :
the Header property is an object ( not a string) .  This means that except the standard header being a string , you may also place there an arbitrary UI element .  This to a high extent makes the presence of such property obsolete.

Regarding your second query  - you are absolutely right , such article/ example  is needed , an I am going to take care for it .

Greetings,
Pavel Pavlov
the Telerik team

[Rupert Henson]

Hi,

I just upgraded to RadControls v2011_1_0411 (from v2011_1_0315 previously) in order to get the handy LabelStyle property for the RadDataForm, but in doing so I've found that the RadDataForm's Mode property is now read-only ?

I'm using RadDataForm in a RadWindow, which I open in either Edit existing or Add New mode, so I need to set the mode in the constructor of the window based on a passed indicator, but that seems to be no longer possible (?).

Previously I used to be able to:-

 

 

If bNewMode Then

 

 

 

    Me.DataForm1.Mode = Data.DataForm.RadDataFormMode.AddNew

 

 

 

 

    Me.Header = "Add New Template..."

 

 

 

Else

 

 

 

    Me.DataForm1.Mode = Data.DataForm.RadDataFormMode.Edit

 

    Me.Header = "Edit Template..."

End

 

 

If

 

But now it's changed to a Dependency property so I tried the following:-

 

 

If bNewMode Then

 

 

 

    Me.DataForm1.SetValue(RadDataForm.ModeProperty, Data.DataForm.RadDataFormMode.AddNew)

 

 

 

 

    Me.Header = "Add New Template..."

 

 

 

Else

 

 

 

    Me.DataForm1.SetValue(RadDataForm.ModeProperty, Me.DataForm1.Mode = Data.DataForm.RadDataFormMode.Edit)

 

 

 

 

    Me.Header = "Edit Template..."

 

End

 

 

If

 

But this fails at runtime, complaining about ModeProperty being read-only.

Is there some other way I can change between Edit and AddNew modes of the RadDataForm at runtime as I used to be able to? (I do not supply the built in control action buttons for the user to select to add new or edit existing).

Regards,

Rupert.

[Pavel Pavlov]

Hi Rupert Henson,

Please excuse us for the inconvenience. We needed to avoid some discrepancies and also make the API compliant with the one of the MS Toolkit DataForm .

You still have the control over the mode in RadDataForm by calling the respective methods - e.g. to enter edit mode - you need to call he BeginEdit() method. To enter thew insert mode - call the AddNew method etc.

Sincerely,
Pavel Pavlov
the Telerik team

[jon]

Any word on getting some examples on overriding the OK CANCEL button click events, moving them on the form, or adding additional buttons?

[Vanya Pavlova]

Hello Jon,

 

You may always predefine the template of RadDataForm and change it in the way you need.
If you want to read more about RadDataForm's styling, please follow this link. 

Best wishes,
Vanya Pavlova
the Telerik team

[Mian]

I have added a RadDataForm (asp.net ajax), and added datasource and generated fields using the design wizard.

it is inserting and updating the data. but it do not view the fields and data. On
clicking next, previous, it is also navigating records, but do not view
the fields.

when i press insert or update, then it view the fields and the data. Please help.

following is the auto-generated code

   <telerik:RadAjaxManager ID="RadAjaxManager1" runat="server">
    </telerik:RadAjaxManager>
    <asp:Label ID="Label1" runat="server" Text="Label"></asp:Label>
    <telerik:RadDataForm ID="RadDataForm11" runat="server" DataKeyNames="ProductID" DataSourceID="SqlDataSource1" Visible="true"    >
        <LayoutTemplate>
            <div class="RadDataForm RadDataForm_<%# Container.Skin %> rdfInlineBlock rdfNoFieldHint">
                <div id="itemPlaceholder" runat="server">
                </div>
                <div class="rdfPager">
                    <span>
                    <asp:Button ID="btnFirst" runat="server" CommandArgument="First" CommandName="Page" CssClass="rdfFirst" Text=" " ToolTip="First" />
                    <asp:Button ID="btnPrev" runat="server" CommandArgument="Prev" CommandName="Page" CssClass="rdfPrev" Text=" " ToolTip="Previous" />
                    </span><span>
                    <asp:Button ID="btnNext" runat="server" CommandArgument="Next" CommandName="Page" CssClass="rdfNext" Text=" " ToolTip="Next" />
                    <asp:Button ID="btnLast" runat="server" CommandArgument="Last" CommandName="Page" CssClass="rdfLast" Text=" " ToolTip="Last" />
                    </span>
                </div>
            </div>
</LayoutTemplate>
        <ItemTemplate>
            <fieldset >
                <legend >View</legend>
                <div class="rdfRow">
                    <asp:Label ID="ProductNameLabel2" runat="server"  Text="ProductName"></asp:Label>
                    <asp:Label ID="ProductNameLabel1" runat="server" Text='<%# Eval("ProductName") %>' />
                </div>
                <div class="rdfRow">
                    <asp:Label ID="UnitPriceLabel2" runat="server"  Text="UnitPrice"></asp:Label>
                    <asp:Label ID="UnitPriceLabel1" runat="server"  Text='<%# Eval("UnitPrice") %>' />
                </div>
                <div class="rdfRow">
                    <asp:Label ID="UnitsInStockLabel2" runat="server"  Text="UnitsInStock"></asp:Label>
                    <asp:Label ID="UnitsInStockLabel1" runat="server"  Text='<%# Eval("UnitsInStock") %>' />
                </div>
                <div class="rdfRow">
                    <asp:Label ID="ProductIDLabel2" runat="server"  Text="ProductID"></asp:Label>
                    <asp:Label ID="ProductIDLabel1" runat="server"  Text='<%# Eval("ProductID") %>' />
                </div>
                <div class="rdfCommandButtons">
                    <hr class="rdfHr" />
                    <telerik:RadButton ID="InitInsertButton" runat="server" ButtonType="SkinnedButton" CausesValidation="False" CommandName="InitInsert" Text="Insert" ToolTip="Insert" />
                    <telerik:RadButton ID="EditButton" runat="server" ButtonType="SkinnedButton" CausesValidation="False" CommandName="Edit" Text="Edit" ToolTip="Edit" />
                    <telerik:RadButton ID="DeleteButton" runat="server" ButtonType="SkinnedButton" CausesValidation="False" CommandName="Delete" Text="Delete" ToolTip="Delete" />
                </div>
            </fieldset>
        </ItemTemplate>
        <EditItemTemplate>
            <fieldset class="rdfFieldset rdfBorders">
                <legend class="rdfLegend">Edit</legend>
                <div class="rdfRow">
                    <asp:Label ID="ProductNameLabel2" runat="server" AssociatedControlID="ProductNameTextBox" CssClass="rdfLabel rdfBlock" Text="ProductName"></asp:Label>
                    <telerik:RadTextBox ID="ProductNameTextBox" runat="server" Text='<%# Bind("ProductName") %>' WrapperCssClass="rdfInput" />
                </div>
                <div class="rdfRow">
                    <asp:Label ID="UnitPriceLabel2" runat="server" AssociatedControlID="UnitPriceTextBox" CssClass="rdfLabel rdfBlock" Text="UnitPrice"></asp:Label>
                    <telerik:RadNumericTextBox ID="UnitPriceTextBox" runat="server" DataType="Double" DbValue='<%# Bind("UnitPrice") %>' Skin="<%#Container.OwnerDataForm.Skin %>" WrapperCssClass="rdfInput" />
                </div>
                <div class="rdfRow">
                    <asp:Label ID="UnitsInStockLabel2" runat="server" AssociatedControlID="UnitsInStockTextBox" CssClass="rdfLabel rdfBlock" Text="UnitsInStock"></asp:Label>
                    <telerik:RadNumericTextBox ID="UnitsInStockTextBox" runat="server" DataType="Int16" DbValue='<%# Bind("UnitsInStock") %>' NumberFormat-DecimalDigits="0" Skin="<%#Container.OwnerDataForm.Skin %>" WrapperCssClass="rdfInput" />
                </div>
                <div class="rdfRow">
                    <asp:Label ID="ProductIDLabel2" runat="server" CssClass="rdfLabel rdfBlock" Text="ProductID"></asp:Label>
                    <asp:Label ID="ProductIDLabel1" runat="server" CssClass="rdfFieldValue" Text='<%# Eval("ProductID") %>' />
                </div>
                <div class="rdfCommandButtons">
                    <hr class="rdfHr" />
                    <telerik:RadButton ID="UpdateButton" runat="server" ButtonType="SkinnedButton" CommandName="Update" Text="Update" ToolTip="Update" />
                    <telerik:RadButton ID="CancelButton" runat="server" ButtonType="SkinnedButton" CausesValidation="False" CommandName="Cancel" Text="Cancel" ToolTip="Cancel" />
                </div>
            </fieldset>
        </EditItemTemplate>
        <InsertItemTemplate>
            <fieldset class="rdfFieldset rdfBorders">
                <legend class="rdfLegend">Insert</legend>
                <div class="rdfRow">
                    <asp:Label ID="ProductNameLabel2" runat="server" AssociatedControlID="ProductNameTextBox" CssClass="rdfLabel rdfBlock" Text="ProductName"></asp:Label>
                    <telerik:RadTextBox ID="ProductNameTextBox" runat="server" Text='<%# Bind("ProductName") %>' WrapperCssClass="rdfInput" />
                </div>
                <div class="rdfRow">
                    <asp:Label ID="UnitPriceLabel2" runat="server" AssociatedControlID="UnitPriceTextBox" CssClass="rdfLabel rdfBlock" Text="UnitPrice"></asp:Label>
                    <telerik:RadNumericTextBox ID="UnitPriceTextBox" runat="server" DataType="Double" DbValue='<%# Bind("UnitPrice") %>' Skin="<%#Container.OwnerDataForm.Skin %>" WrapperCssClass="rdfInput" />
                </div>
                <div class="rdfRow">
                    <asp:Label ID="UnitsInStockLabel2" runat="server" AssociatedControlID="UnitsInStockTextBox" CssClass="rdfLabel rdfBlock" Text="UnitsInStock"></asp:Label>
                    <telerik:RadNumericTextBox ID="UnitsInStockTextBox" runat="server" DataType="Int16" DbValue='<%# Bind("UnitsInStock") %>' NumberFormat-DecimalDigits="0" Skin="<%#Container.OwnerDataForm.Skin %>" WrapperCssClass="rdfInput" />
                </div>
                <div class="rdfCommandButtons">
                    <hr class="rdfHr" />
                    <telerik:RadButton ID="PerformInsertButton" runat="server" ButtonType="SkinnedButton" CommandName="PerformInsert" Text="Insert" ToolTip="Insert" />
                    <telerik:RadButton ID="CancelButton" runat="server" ButtonType="SkinnedButton" CausesValidation="False" CommandName="Cancel" Text="Cancel" ToolTip="Cancel" />
                </div>
            </fieldset>
        </InsertItemTemplate>
        <EmptyDataTemplate>
            <div class="RadDataForm RadDataForm_<%# Container.Skin %>">
                <div class="rdfEmpty">
                    There are no items to be displayed.</div>
            </div>
        </EmptyDataTemplate>
        </telerik:RadDataForm>
    <asp:SqlDataSource ID="SqlDataSource1" runat="server" ConflictDetection="CompareAllValues" ConnectionString="<%$ ConnectionStrings:DefaultConnection %>" DeleteCommand="DELETE FROM [Products] WHERE [ProductID] = @original_ProductID AND (([ProductName] = @original_ProductName) OR ([ProductName] IS NULL AND @original_ProductName IS NULL)) AND (([UnitPrice] = @original_UnitPrice) OR ([UnitPrice] IS NULL AND @original_UnitPrice IS NULL)) AND (([UnitsInStock] = @original_UnitsInStock) OR ([UnitsInStock] IS NULL AND @original_UnitsInStock IS NULL))" InsertCommand="INSERT INTO [Products] ([ProductName], [UnitPrice], [UnitsInStock]) VALUES (@ProductName, @UnitPrice, @UnitsInStock)" OldValuesParameterFormatString="original_{0}" SelectCommand="SELECT [ProductName], [UnitPrice], [UnitsInStock], [ProductID] FROM [Products]" UpdateCommand="UPDATE [Products] SET [ProductName] = @ProductName, [UnitPrice] = @UnitPrice, [UnitsInStock] = @UnitsInStock WHERE [ProductID] = @original_ProductID AND (([ProductName] = @original_ProductName) OR ([ProductName] IS NULL AND @original_ProductName IS NULL)) AND (([UnitPrice] = @original_UnitPrice) OR ([UnitPrice] IS NULL AND @original_UnitPrice IS NULL)) AND (([UnitsInStock] = @original_UnitsInStock) OR ([UnitsInStock] IS NULL AND @original_UnitsInStock IS NULL))">
        <DeleteParameters>
            <asp:Parameter Name="original_ProductID" Type="Int32" />
            <asp:Parameter Name="original_ProductName" Type="String" />
            <asp:Parameter Name="original_UnitPrice" Type="Double" />
            <asp:Parameter Name="original_UnitsInStock" Type="Int16" />
        </DeleteParameters>
        <InsertParameters>
            <asp:Parameter Name="ProductName" Type="String" />
            <asp:Parameter Name="UnitPrice" Type="Double" />
            <asp:Parameter Name="UnitsInStock" Type="Int16" />
        </InsertParameters>
        <UpdateParameters>
            <asp:Parameter Name="ProductName" Type="String" />
            <asp:Parameter Name="UnitPrice" Type="Double" />
            <asp:Parameter Name="UnitsInStock" Type="Int16" />
            <asp:Parameter Name="original_ProductID" Type="Int32" />
            <asp:Parameter Name="original_ProductName" Type="String" />
            <asp:Parameter Name="original_UnitPrice" Type="Double" />
            <asp:Parameter Name="original_UnitsInStock" Type="Int16" />
        </UpdateParameters>
    </asp:SqlDataSource>






Best Regards,
imran

[Dimitrina]

Hi,

As you are using RadDataForm for ASP.NET Ajax, I would suggest you posting your question here: 
http://www.telerik.com/forums/aspnet-ajax/dataform.

Regards,
Dimitrina
Telerik