Data Binding Overview
RadListBox fully supports binding to various types of data sources:
Data sources can support both hierarchical and non-hierarchical structures. However, RadListBox only works with a flat structure. Items cannot contain children.
Databinding Properties and Methods
The following properties and methods are used when binding the ListBox to a data source:
DataSource property - Set to an instance of your data source. This is mandatory when binding the ListBox at runtime.
DataSourceID property - Set to the ID of your data source. This is mandatory when binding the ListBox declaratively.
DataMember property - If the data source is a DataSet and DataMember is set, then the ListBox is bound to the DataTable with the respective name in the DataSet. If DataMember is not set, the ListBox is bound to the first DataTable in the DataSet.
DataTextField property - This is the field name from the data source to bind to the Text property of the items.
DataValueField property - This is the field name from the data source to bind to the Value property of the items.
DataKeyField property - This is the field name from the data source that is the primary key. It must be set when reordering, transferring or deleting are enabled and AllowAutomaticUpdates="True".
DataSortField property - This is the field name from the data source that determines sort order (e.g. the select query is sorted by this column). This property and the DataKeyField properties must be set in order the RadListBox to perform reorders automatically (AllowAutomaticUpdates="True").
DataBind method - Call this method after you have set the aforementioned properties when binding at runtime. This method is mandatory for binding at runtime.
If you need to map additional fields from the Data Source to properties of the ListBox item, you can use the ItemDataBound event. See inding To ASP DataSource Components for an example.
Appending Data Bound Items
RadListBox exposes the AppendDataBoundItems property (False by default). If you bind the ListBox using the DataBind method, all ListBox items are automatically cleared.
Setting AppendDataBoundItems to True preserves the items that are already present in the ListBox. This lets you bind RadListBox to multiple data sources or use both unbound and bound modes.