Bind button in DataTemplate to command in the form's ViewModel

Question

My problem is similar to the one described in this question:
WPF MVVM Button Control Binding in DataTemplate

Here is my XAML:

Answer 1

It's:

{Binding DataContext.FireCommand,
         RelativeSource={RelativeSource AncestorType=ListBox}}

No need to walk up to the root unless you actually change the DataContext along the way, but as the ListBox seems to bind to a property on the main VM this should be enough.

The only thing i recommend reading is the Data Binding Overview, and the Binding class documentation (including its properties).

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Also here is a short explanation on how bindings are constructed: A binding consists of a source and a Path relative to that source, by default the source is the current DataContext. Sources that can be set explicitly are: Source, ElementName & RelativeSource. Setting any of those will override the DataContext as source.

So if you use a source like RelativeSource and want to access something in the DataContext on that level the DataContext needs to appear in the Path.

Answer 2

This may be considered unrelated by most, but this search is only 1 of 3 results that you'll find searching for data binding commands to controls inside a data template--as it relates to Xamarin Forms. So, maybe it'll help someone now-a-days.

Like me you may wonder how to bind commands inside a BindableLayout. Credit jesulink2514 for answering this at Xamarin Forums, where it's probably overlooked by many because of all the comments. Here's his solution, but I'm including the link below:

<ContenPage x:Name="MainPage">
<ListView Grid.Row="1"
              ItemsSource="{Binding Customers}"
              VerticalOptions="Fill"
              x:Name="ListviewCustomer">
      <ListView.ItemTemplate>
        <DataTemplate>
      <Label Text="{Binding Property}"/>
          <Button Command="{Binding BindingContext.ItemCommand, Source={x:Reference MainPage}}" 
                         CommandParameter="{Binding .}">Click me</Button>
        </DataTemplate>
      </ListView.ItemTemplate>
    </ListView>
</ContentPage>

https://forums.xamarin.com/discussion/comment/217355/#Comment_217355