Data Binding Overview

Depending on the configuration of its DataSource, the UI for ASP.NET MVC Grid provides different types of data binding.

The Data Binding is part of Telerik UI for ASP.NET MVC, a professional grade UI library with 100+ components for building modern and feature-rich applications. To try it out sign up for a free 30-day trial.

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• Local data binding
• Remote data binding
• SignalR data binding
• Custom Binding
• Server Binding

The Telerik UI for ASP.NET MVC Grid enables you to populate it with data by using server and Ajax data binding.

• The server binding binds the Grid to a supplied model and the Grid makes HTTP and GET requests when binding.
• The Ajax binding makes Ajax requests to get the data for the Grid.

The following table lists the basic feature differences between the server and Ajax binding.

Feature	Server Binding	Ajax Binding
Templates	In the server-bound mode, the Grid templates use server-side expressions and .NET code—C# or Visual Basic. Templates are executed server-side.	In the Ajax-bound mode, the Grid uses Kendo UI templates. Templates are executed on the client and use JavaScript.
Full-Page Updates	The Grid makes HTTP GET requests to ASP.NET MVC action methods which cause a full-page refresh.	The Grid makes Ajax requests which cause partial page update. The Grid retrieves only the data needed for the current page.

Loading Overlay Types

The Telerik UI Grid for ASP.NET MVC exposes two types of loading indicators:

• The GridLoaderType.LoadingPanel adds an overlay element with a loading spinner over the main content of the Grid. This is the default type.

• The GridLoaderType.Skeleton uses the SkeletonContainer widget to show a simplified preview of each of the grid's cells. The Skeleton loading type aims at helping the user gain an idea of what the content would look like when the loading completes. It also makes the page load time appear shorter.

Check the Skeleton loading type in action in the live demo below:

• Skeleton Loading Type Demo

See Also

• Remote Ajax Binding by the Grid HtmlHelper for ASP.NET MVC (Demo)
• Local Ajax Binding by the Grid HtmlHelper for ASP.NET MVC (Demo)
• WebAPI Binding by the Grid HtmlHelper for ASP.NET MVC (Demo)
• OData Binding by the Grid HtmlHelper for ASP.NET MVC (Demo)
• SignalR Binding by the Grid HtmlHelper for ASP.NET MVC (Demo)
• Custom Ajax Binding by the Grid HtmlHelper for ASP.NET MVC (Demo)