Model Binding

You can implement model binding in the DropDownList with both local data and remote data.

Local Data

Local data is the data that is available on the client when the DropDownList is initialized.

1. Pass the data to the view through ViewData.

   public ActionResult Index()
   {
       ViewData["products"] = GetProducts();
   
       return View(new ProductViewModel
       {
           ProductID = 4,
           ProductName = "ProductName4"
       });
   }
   
   private static IEnumerable<ProductViewModel> GetProducts()
   {
       var products = Enumerable.Range(0, 2000).Select(i => new ProductViewModel
       {
           ProductID = i,
           ProductName = "ProductName" + i
       });
   
       return products;
   }
   

2. Add the DropDownList to the view and bind it to the data that is saved in the ViewData.

       @model MvcApplication1.Models.ProductViewModel
   
       @(Html.Kendo().DropDownListFor(m => m.ProductID)
           .DataValueField("ProductID")
           .DataTextField("ProductName")
           .BindTo((System.Collections.IEnumerable)ViewData["products"])
       )
   

Remote Data

You can configure the DropDownList to get its data from a remote source by making an AJAX request.

1. Create an action that returns the data as a JSON result.

   public ActionResult Index()
   {
       return View(new ProductViewModel
       {
           ProductID = 4,
           ProductName = "ProductName4"
       });
   }
   
   public JsonResult GetProductsAjax()
   {
       var products = Enumerable.Range(0, 500).Select(i => new ProductViewModel
       {
           ProductID = i,
           ProductName = "ProductName" + i
       });
   
       return Json(products, JsonRequestBehavior.AllowGet);
   }
   

2. Add the DropDownList to the view and configure its DataSource to use remote data.

       @model MvcApplication1.Models.ProductViewModel
   
       @(Html.Kendo().DropDownListFor(m => m.ProductID)
           .Filter("contains")
           .DataTextField("ProductName")
           .DataValueField("ProductID")
           .OptionLabel("Select product...")
           .DataSource(source =>
           {
               source.Read(read =>
               {
                   read.Action("GetProductsAjax", "Home");
               })
               .ServerFiltering(false);
           })
       )
   

See Also

• ASP.NET MVC DropDownList from database
• Server-Side API