RadGrid for ASP.NET
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Insert/Update/Delete records > Insert records > Inserting values in-place and EditForms

Glossary Item Box

Insert operation

Generally, there are three common techniques to insert grid row with InPlace and EditForms edit mode:
  1. Enabling the automatic operations for the control - this is a codeless approach and requires zero lines of code (see this online demo for more info).
  2. Use the ExtractValuesFromItem(dictonaryObject, editedItem) method (available since version 3.0 of Telerik RadGrid). You can create an empty dictionary object and pass it as first parameter of the ExtractValuesFromItem() method to extract the values from the inserted item (which is the second parameter to that method). The dictionary object will hold key -> value pairs where each key will be the DataField of the insertion field column and the corresponding value will be the data entered by the user. 
  3. Fetch the data from each editor field individually through the auto-generated column editors. For this purpose you will need to iterate through the editable fields for the inserted grid row and modify the grid source on every loop.

The code below demonstrates the both approaches about how to perform the insert operation in Telerik RadGrid when the user presses the Insert button from the insertion form (thus firing the InsertCommand event). 

Note that we use the ViewState property (named GridSource) to update the grid source
ASPX/ASCX Copy Code
<rad:RadGrid id="RadGrid1" runat="server">
   <MasterTableView AutoGenerateColumns="False">
    <Columns>
     <rad:GridBoundColumn HeaderText="OrderID" DataField="OrderID" ReadOnly="True" UniqueName="OrderID"
       Display= "False"></rad:GridBoundColumn>
     <rad:GridBoundColumn HeaderText="EmployeeID" DataField="EmployeeID" UniqueName="EmployeeID"></rad:GridBoundColumn>
     <rad:GridBoundColumn HeaderText="OrderDate" DataField="OrderDate" UniqueName="OrderDate"></rad:GridBoundColumn>
     <rad:GridBoundColumn HeaderText="ShipName" DataField="ShipName" UniqueName="ShipName"></rad:GridBoundColumn>
     <rad:GridEditCommandColumn UniqueName="EditCommandColumn"></rad:GridEditCommandColumn>
    </Columns>
   </MasterTableView>
</rad:RadGrid>
<asp:Label id="Label1" style="Z-INDEX: 102; LEFT: 744px; POSITION: absolute; TOP: 56px" runat="server"></asp:Label>

1)

C# Copy Code
private DataTable GridSource
{
  get
  {
   Object obj = this.ViewState["_gds"];
   if(obj != null)
   {
    return (DataTable)obj;
   }
   else
   {
    DataTable table = DataSourceHelperCS.GetDataTable("SELECT TOP 10 OrderID, EmployeeID, OrderDate, ShipName FROM Orders");
    this.ViewState[ "_gds"] = table;
    return table;
   }
  }
}
private void RadGrid1_NeedDataSource(object source, Telerik.WebControls.GridNeedDataSourceEventArgs e)
{
     RadGrid1.DataSource = this.GridSource;
}
private void RadGrid1_InsertCommand(object source, Telerik.WebControls.GridCommandEventArgs e)
{
  GridEditableItem editedItem = e.Item as GridEditableItem;
  DataTable ordersTable = this.GridSource;

  DataRow newRow = ordersTable.NewRow();

  //As this example demonstrates only in-memory editing, a new primary key value should be generated
  //This should not be applied when updating directly the database
  DataRow[] allValues = ordersTable.Select( "", "OrderID", DataViewRowState.CurrentRows );
  if (allValues.Length > 0)
  {
   newRow["OrderID"] = (int)allValues[allValues.Length - 1]["OrderID"] + 1;
  }
  else
  {
   newRow["OrderID"] = 1; //the table is empty;
  }

  //Set new values
  Hashtable newValues = new Hashtable();
  //The GridTableView will fill the values from all editable columns in the hash
  e.Item.OwnerTableView.ExtractValuesFromItem(newValues, editedItem);

  try
  {
   foreach( DictionaryEntry entry in newValues )
   {
    newRow[(string)entry.Key] = entry.Value;
   }
  }
  catch( Exception ex )
  {
   Label1.Text += "Unable to insert into Orders. Reason: " + ex.Message;
   e.Canceled = true;
  }

  ordersTable.Rows.Add( newRow );
  //Code for updating the database ca go here...

  Label1.Text += "Order " + newRow["OrderID"] + " inserted" ;

}
VB.NET Copy Code
Private ReadOnly Property GridSource As DataTable
 Get
  Dim obj As Object = Me.ViewState("_gds")
  If (Not (obj) Is Nothing) Then
   Return CType(obj,DataTable)
  Else
   Dim table As DataTable = DataSourceHelperVB.GetDataTable("SELECT TOP 10 OrderID, EmployeeID, OrderDate, ShipName FROM Orders")
   Me.ViewState("_gds") = table
   Return table
  End If
 End Get
End Property

Private Sub RadGrid1_NeedDataSource(ByVal source As Object, ByVal e As Telerik.WebControls.GridNeedDataSourceEventArgs)
 RadGrid1.DataSource = Me.GridSource
End Sub

Private Sub RadGrid1_InsertCommand(ByVal source As Object, ByVal e As Telerik.WebControls.GridCommandEventArgs)
 Dim editedItem As GridEditableItem = CType(e.Item,GridEditableItem)
 Dim ordersTable As DataTable = Me.GridSource
 Dim newRow As DataRow = ordersTable.NewRow
 'As this example demonstrates only in-memory editing, a new primary key value should be generated
 'This should not be applied when updating directly the database
 Dim allValues() As DataRow = ordersTable.Select("", "OrderID", DataViewRowState.CurrentRows)
 If (allValues.Length > 0) Then
  newRow("OrderID") = (CType(allValues((allValues.Length - 1))("OrderID"), Integer) + 1)
 Else
  newRow("OrderID") = 1
  'the table is empty;
 End If
 'Set new values
 Dim newValues As Hashtable = New Hashtable
 'The GridTableView will fill the values from all editable columns in the hash
 e.Item.OwnerTableView.ExtractValuesFromItem(newValues, editedItem)
 Try
  For Each entry As DictionaryEntry In newValues
   newRow(CType(entry.Key, String)) = entry.Value
  Next
 Catch ex As Exception
  Label1.Text = (Label1.Text + ("Unable to insert into Orders. Reason: " + ex.Message))
  e.Canceled = true
 End Try
 ordersTable.Rows.Add(newRow)
 'Code for updating the database ca go here...
 Label1.Text = (Label1.Text + ("Order " _
    + (newRow("OrderID") + " inserted")))
End Sub

2)

C# Copy Code
private DataTable GridSource
{
  get
  {
   Object obj = this.ViewState["_gds"];
   if(obj != null)
   {
    return (DataTable)obj;
   }
   else
   {
    DataTable table = DataSourceHelperCS.GetDataTable("SELECT TOP 10 OrderID, EmployeeID, OrderDate, ShipName FROM Orders");
    this.ViewState[ "_gds"] = table;
    return table;
   }
  }
}
private void RadGrid1_NeedDataSource(object source, Telerik.WebControls.GridNeedDataSourceEventArgs e)
{
     RadGrid1.DataSource = this.GridSource;
}
private void RadGrid1_InsertCommand(object source, Telerik.WebControls.GridCommandEventArgs e)
{
  GridEditableItem editedItem = e.Item as GridEditableItem;
  GridEditManager editMan = editedItem.EditManager;
  DataTable ordersTable = this.GridSource;

  DataRow newRow = ordersTable.NewRow();

  //As this example demonstrates only in-memory editing, a new primary key value should be generated
  //This should not be applied when updating directly the database
  DataRow[] allValues = ordersTable.Select( "", "OrderID", DataViewRowState.CurrentRows );
  if (allValues.Length > 0)
  {
   newRow["OrderID"] = (int)allValues[allValues.Length - 1]["OrderID"] + 1;
  }
  else
  {
   newRow["OrderID"] = 1; //the table is empty;
  }

  //Set new values

foreach( GridColumn column in e.Item.OwnerTableView.RenderColumns)
{
 if ( column is IGridEditableColumn )
 {
  IGridEditableColumn editableCol = (column as IGridEditableColumn);
  if ( editableCol.IsEditable )
  {
   IGridColumnEditor editor = editMan.GetColumnEditor( editableCol );

   string editorText = "unknown";
   object editorValue = null;

   if ( editor is GridTextColumnEditor )
   {
    editorText = (editor as GridTextColumnEditor).Text;
    editorValue = (editor as GridTextColumnEditor).Text;
   }

   if ( editor is GridBoolColumnEditor )
   {
    editorText = (editor as GridBoolColumnEditor).Value.ToString();
    editorValue = (editor as GridBoolColumnEditor).Value;
   }

   if ( editor is GridDropDownColumnEditor )
   {
    editorText = (editor as GridDropDownColumnEditor).SelectedText + "; " +
     (editor as GridDropDownColumnEditor).SelectedValue;
    editorValue = (editor as GridDropDownColumnEditor).SelectedValue;
   }

   try
   {
    newRow[column.UniqueName] = editorValue;
   }
  catch( Exception ex )
  {
   Label1.Text += "Unable to insert into Orders. Reason: " + ex.Message;
   e.Canceled = true;
  }
 }
}
}

  ordersTable.Rows.Add(newRow);
  this.GridSource.AcceptChanges();

  //Code for updating the database ca go here...

  Label1.Text += "Order " + newRow["OrderID"] + " inserted" ;

}

 

VB.NET Copy Code
Private ReadOnly Property GridSource As DataTable
 Get
  Dim obj As Object = Me.ViewState("_gds")
  If (Not (obj) Is Nothing) Then
   Return CType(obj,DataTable)
  Else
   Dim table As DataTable = DataSourceHelperVB.GetDataTable("SELECT TOP 10 OrderID, EmployeeID, OrderDate, ShipName FROM Orders")
   Me.ViewState("_gds") = table
   Return table
  End If
 End Get
End Property
Private Sub RadGrid1_NeedDataSource(ByVal source As Object, ByVal e As Telerik.WebControls.GridNeedDataSourceEventArgs)
 RadGrid1.DataSource = Me.GridSource
End Sub
Private Sub RadGrid1_InsertCommand(ByVal source As Object, ByVal e As Telerik.WebControls.GridCommandEventArgs)
 Dim editedItem As GridEditableItem = CType(e.Item,GridEditableItem)
 Dim editMan As GridEditManager = editedItem.EditManager
 Dim ordersTable As DataTable = Me.GridSource

 Dim newRow As DataRow = ordersTable.NewRow

 'As this example demonstrates only in-memory editing, a new primary key value should be generated
 'This should not be applied when updating directly the database
 Dim allValues() As DataRow = ordersTable.Select("", "OrderID", DataViewRowState.CurrentRows)
 If (allValues.Length > 0) Then
  newRow("OrderID") = (CType(allValues((allValues.Length - 1))("OrderID"), Integer) + 1)
 Else
  newRow("OrderID") = 1
  'the table is empty;
 End If
 'Set new values
 Dim column As GridColumn
 For Each column In e.Item.OwnerTableView.Columns
  If TypeOf column Is IGridEditableColumn Then
   Dim editableCol As IGridEditableColumn = CType(column, IGridEditableColumn)

   If (editableCol.IsEditable) Then
    Dim editor As IGridColumnEditor = editMan.GetColumnEditor(editableCol)
    Dim editorText As String = "unknown"
    Dim editorValue As Object = Nothing
    If (TypeOf editor Is GridTextColumnEditor) Then
     editorText = CType(editor, GridTextColumnEditor).Text
     editorValue = CType(editor, GridTextColumnEditor).Text
    End If
    If (TypeOf editor Is GridBoolColumnEditor) Then
     editorText = CType(editor, GridBoolColumnEditor).Value.ToString()
     editorValue = CType(editor, GridBoolColumnEditor).Value
    End If
    If (TypeOf editor Is GridDropDownColumnEditor) Then
     editorText = CType(editor, GridDropDownColumnEditor).SelectedText + "; "
     + CType(editor, GridDropDownColumnEditor).SelectedValue
     editorValue = CType(editor, GridDropDownColumnEditor).SelectedValue
    End If
    Try
     newRow(column.UniqueName) = editorValue
 Catch ex As Exception
  Label1.Text = (Label1.Text + ("Unable to insert into Orders. Reason: " + ex.Message))
  e.Canceled = true
 End Try
EndIf
EndIf
Next

 ordersTable.Rows.Add(newRow)
 Me.GridSource.AcceptChanges()

 'Code for updating the database ca go here...
 Label1.Text = (Label1.Text + ("Order " _
    + (newRow("OrderID") + " inserted")))
End Sub



Note: You can also see the Accessing cells and rows section for more details about insert dependance from the Display/Visible/ReadOnly properties of grid columns.   

Setting predefined values for different column editors

You can use the API for controlling automatic operations  to achieve your goal. To set default values for GridBoundColumn/GridDropDownColumn/GridCheckBoxColumn/etc. field you can create ListDictionary object and set these preset values using the columns UniqueNames as keys.

For GridTemplateColumn fields, make sure that you specify the field to which you bind the control inside the template column as key for the dictionary object (passed to the InsertItem(newValues) method).

Below is a sample demonstration:

ASPX/ASCX Copy Code
<rad:RadGrid ID="RadGrid2" runat="server">
 <MasterTableView Width="100%" CommandItemDisplay="Top"
  DataSourceID="AccessDataSource1" AutoGenerateColumns="False">
        <Columns>
           <rad:GridTemplateColumn HeaderText="Check/Uncheck" UniqueName="BoolColumn">   
            <EditItemTemplate>  
              <asp:CheckBox ID="chkBoxEdit" runat="server" Checked='<%# Bind("Bool") %>' />  
            </EditItemTemplate>  
            <ItemTemplate>  
              <asp:CheckBox ID="chkBoxDefault" runat="server" Checked='<%# Eval("Bool") %>' />  
            </ItemTemplate>
           </rad:GridTemplateColumn>
          <rad:GridBoundColumn DataField="CompanyName" HeaderText="CompanyName"
           UniqueName= "CompanyName">
          </rad:GridBoundColumn>
          <rad:GridBoundColumn DataField="ContactName" HeaderText="ContactName"
           UniqueName= "ContactName">
          </rad:GridBoundColumn>
          <rad:GridTemplateColumn UniqueName="CountryColumn" DataField="Country">
            <ItemTemplate>
             <asp:Label ID="Label1" runat="server"
              Text='<%# Eval("Country") %>'></asp:Label>
            </ItemTemplate>
            <EditItemTemplate>
             ContactTitle:  
              <asp:DropDownList ID="ddList1" runat="server"
               DataTextField="Country"
               DataValueField="Country"
               DataSource='<%# LoadCountryNames()  %>'
               SelectedValue='<%# Bind("Country") %>'></asp:DropDownList>
            </EditItemTemplate>
           </rad:GridTemplateColumn>
           <rad:GridEditCommandColumn UniqueName="EditCommandColumn">
           </rad:GridEditCommandColumn>
         </Columns>
 </MasterTableView>
</rad:RadGrid>
<asp:AccessDataSource ID="AccessDataSource1" DataFile="~/Grid/Data/Access/Nwind.mdb"
 SelectCommand="SELECT TOP 10 CompanyName, ContactName, ContactTitle FROM Customers"
 runat="server"></asp:AccessDataSource>

And in the code-behind:

VB.NET Copy Code
Protected Sub RadGrid1_ItemCommand(ByVal source As Object, ByVal e As Telerik.WebControls.GridCommandEventArgs) Handles RadGrid2.ItemCommand
 If (e.CommandName = RadGrid.InitInsertCommandName) Then
  'cancel the default operation
  e.Canceled = True

  'Prepare an IDictionary with the predefined values
  Dim newValues As System.Collections.Specialized.ListDictionary = New
  System.Collections.Specialized.ListDictionary()
  newValues("ContactName") = "default contact name"
  newValues("CompanyName") = " default company name"

  'set default value for the dropdown list inside the EditItemTemplate
  newValues("Country") = "Germany"
  'set default checked state for checkbox inside the EditItemTemplate
  newValues("Bool") = False

  'Insert the item and rebind
  e.Item.OwnerTableView.InsertItem(newValues)
 End If
End Sub
C# Copy Code
protected void RadGrid1_ItemCommand(object source, Telerik.WebControls.GridCommandEventArgs e)
{
if (e.CommandName == RadGrid.InitInsertCommandName)
{
 // cancel the default operation
 e.Canceled = true;

 //Prepare an IDictionary with the predefined values
 System.Collections.Specialized.ListDictionary newValues = new System.Collections.Specialized.ListDictionary();
 newValues["ContactName"] = "default contact name";
 newValues["CompanyName"] = " default company name";

 //set default value for the dropdown list inside the EditItemTemplate
 newValues["Country"] = "Germany";

 //set default checked state for the checkbox inside the EditItemTemplate
 newValues["Bool"] = false;

 //Insert the item and rebind
 e.Item.OwnerTableView.InsertItem(newValues);

}
}

The other option is to set AppendDataBoundItems="true" for the dropdown list (residing in edit template of template column) and add default empty item in the dropdown control to avoid exception generation on initial insert:

ASPX/ASCX Copy Code
<rad:GridTemplateColumn>
  <ItemTemplate>
     <%# Eval("ProductID") %>
   </ItemTemplate>
     <EditItemTemplate>
     <asp:DropDownList ID="DropDownList1" AppendDataBoundItems="true" DataSourceID="AccessDataSource2"
       DataTextField="ProductID" DataValueField="ProductID" SelectedValue='<%# Bind("ProductID") %>' runat="server">
         <asp:ListItem Text="" Value="" />
       </asp:DropDownList>
     </EditItemTemplate>
</rad:GridTemplateColumn>

This is a codeless approach, however have in mind that this empty option will be displayed in the dropdown editor of an existing edited grid row as well.