Data Binding Overview

RadAutoCompleteBox supports binding to various data sources, which include:

• Array, ArrayList

• DataTable, DataSet, DataView

• ASP 2.0 DataSource types

• Web Service

• WCF Service

• OData

Databinding Properties and Methods

The following properties and methods are used when binding RadAutoCompleteBox to a data source.

• DataSource property - set to an instance of your data source. This is mandatory when binding RadAutoCompleteBox at runtime.

• DataSourceID property - set to the ID of your data source. This is mandatory when binding RadAutoCompleteBox declaratively.

• DataMember property - if the data source is a DataSet and DataMember is a set, then RadAutoCompleteBox is bound to the DataTable with the respective name in the DataSet. If DataMember is not set, RadAutoCompleteBox is bound to the first DataTable in the DataSet.

• DataTextField property - field name from the data source bound to the AutoCompleteBoxItemData's Text property.

• DataValueField property - field name from the data source bound to the AutoCompleteBoxItemData's Value property.

• DataBind method - is called after the aforementioned properties are set when binding at runtime.

DataBind method can be omitted when binding to a data source at runtime.

Using Templates with Data Bound Drop-Down Items

You can also use templates with a data bound RadAutoCompleteBox. To bind the defined template to column values, use DataBinder.Eval expressions in its definition.

Example:

C#

<%# DataBinder.Eval(Container.DataItem, "ColumnName") %>

The Container.DataItem can be used to access AutoCompleteBoxItemData when it is in bound mode. AutoCompleteBoxItemData, however, must be bound before accessing its data from the DataItem.