Initializing Input.Style=display:none breaks set_visible(a)

[Wyatt]

I wanted a RadNumericTextBox and a RadDateTimePicker to be loaded hidden, but later be made visible via javascript.  Perhaps the most elegant solution is to use AJAX, but in my case I want the hide and unhide to always happen instantly, so javascript is the best choice.  I found a work around for both, but it's ugly.  Perhaps I overlooked something.  Perhaps a future release can handle this issue better.  Here's my solution.

Initialization

Protected Overrides Sub CreateChildControls()
...
    RadDateTimePicker1.Style("display") = "none"
...
    RadNumericTextBox1.ClientEvents.OnLoad = "function(){$find(""" & RadNumericTextBox1.ClientID & """).set_visible(false);}"
...
End Sub

Javascript display function

var display = function(control, visible) {
    if (control.style) { //normal
        control.style.display = visible ? "" : "none";
    }
    else {
        if (control._numberFormat) { //numeric
            control.set_visible(visible);
        }
        else { //datetime
            $get(control.get_id() + "_wrapper").style.display = visible ? "inline-block" : "none";
        }
    }
}

As odd as this approach is, it's the most straight forward one I could find.  Any better suggestions?

[Dimo]

Hello Wyatt,

The problem is caused by a couple of specifics of the RadInput textboxes and RadDatePickers, so your workaround is OK. In the future we may research how to make showing these controls more intuitive when they have been initially hidden.

Another option in your case is to toggle the display style of some parent element of the textboxes / pickers.

Best wishes,
Dimo
the Telerik team

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[Wyatt]

Thanks for the feedback!  I tried using a couple different parent elements (HtmlGenericControl("div") and Table) without success.  I was unable to find them via Control.ClientID with $get, document.getElementById, or $find.  I'm guessing this had something to with the fact that these controls are part of a RadTreeView templated node.  AJAX shouldn't have been a factor, because I tested the initial page load.  In the same templated node, $find worked for RadNumericTextBox and RadDateTimePicker, and $get worked for TextBox and LiteralControl.

[Dimo]

Hi Wyatt,

$get() and document.getElementById() is the same thing. If it does not work for a generic HTML element, then the ID, passed as an argument is not correct.

Kind regards,
Dimo
the Telerik team

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[Wyatt]

I'm 20 minutes of certain that the id was correct.  I checked the HTML source.  I used the exact same methodology (i.e. Control.ClientID) to successfully access elements adjacent to the div and table in the same execution thread.  I realize you get many posts per day of developers insisting that the impossible is happening, because they have overlooked something.  Nevertheless, if some other possible problem other than an incorrect ID pops into your head, let me know.  Thanks!