Get the text from Html.DropdownListFor…MVC3

Question

I have a model:

public class DocumentModel
{
    public int TypeID { get; set; }
    public List DocumentTypes { get; set; }
}

Answer 1

You may not get this easily with the default model binding. You have to a small workaround like this.

1) Add a new property to your model/viewmodel to store the selected text

public class DocumentModel
{
    public int TypeID { get; set; }
    public List DocumentTypes { get; set; }
    public string SelctedType { set;get;}
}

2) Use Html.HiddenFor Helper method to create a hidden variable in the form for this property

@Html.HiddenFor(x => x.SelctedType)

3) Use little javascript to override the submit ! ie; When user submits the form, Get the selected Text from the dropdown and set that value as the value of the Hidden field.

$(function () {
    $("form").submit(function(){
        var selTypeText= $("#TypeID option:selected").text();
        $("#SelctedType").val(selTypeText);           
    });
});

Now in your HTTPPost action method, This will be available in the SelectedType property.

[HttpPost]
public void UploadDocument(DocumentModel model)
{
   if(ModelState.IsValid)
   {
      string thatValue=model.SelectedType;
   }
}