Multiple dropdownlists sharing the same data items.

[Rene]

I have a grid where when expanding a row I have a dropdownlist that loads it's items via ajax/json.

Now, when I expand multiple rows in 1 shot - the back end controller method used to load the items is called for each drop down (1 per detail expanded row) where the ddl's items are identical for each ddl.

Is there any way client side that we could have multiple dropdownlists refer to one set of items for selection?

Basically - something like:

a) call the controller method via ajax and get the items.
b) have each ddl point to that collection of items

Caching on the server is not an option.

[Daniel]

Hello Rene,

Using the same data for all dropdownlist is possible by using a shared dataSource and the JavaScript initialization e.g.

<script type="text/kendo" id="detail">
    <div>
        <input id="ddl#=MasterModelID#" />
    </div>
    <script>
        $("\#ddl#=MasterModelID#").kendoDropDownList({
            dataSource: sharedDataSource,
            dataTextField: "TextField",
            dataValueField: "ValueField"
        });
    <\/script>
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
    var sharedDataSource = new kendo.data.DataSource({
        transport: {
            read: {
                url: "URL"
            }
        }
    });
    sharedDataSource.read();
</script>

Regards,
Daniel
Telerik