How do you include .html or .asp file using razor?

Question

Is it possible to use server side include in Razor view engine to include .html or .asp file? We have an .html file and .asp files that contain website menus that are used

Answer 1

Create a HtmlHelper extension method that gets the contents of the files:

public static class HtmlHelpers
{
  public static MvcHtmlString WebPage(this HtmlHelper htmlHelper, string url)
  {
    return MvcHtmlString.Create(new WebClient().DownloadString(url));
  }
}

Usage:

@Html.WebPage("/serverside/menus/MainMenu.asp");

Answer 2

Using includes is not the correct way to use menus with mvc. You should be using a shared layout and/or partial views.

However if for some odd reason, you must include an html file, here is a way to do it.

Helpers/HtmlHelperExtensions.cs

using System.Web;
using System.Web.Mvc;
using System.Net;

namespace MvcHtmlHelpers
{
    public static class HtmlHelperExtensions
    {
        public static MvcHtmlString WebPage(this HtmlHelper htmlHelper, string serverPath)
        {
            var filePath = HttpContext.Current.Server.MapPath(serverPath);
            return MvcHtmlString.Create(new WebClient().DownloadString(filePath));
        }
    }
}

Add new namespace to web.config

<pages pageBaseType="System.Web.Mvc.WebViewPage">
  <namespaces>
    <add namespace="MvcHtmlHelpers"/>
  </namespaces>
</pages>

Usage:

@Html.WebPage("/Content/pages/home.html")