MVC3 HTMLHelper defaults

Question

I have an html helper that I\'d like to set a default on.

@Html.EditorFor(model => model.DateFrom)

What\'s the syntax to set the default val

Answer 1

I believe the only HTML Helper that supports a default value is the Html.DropDownList(). It has an optionLabel parameter that allows you to set the default option at the top of the dropdown list. For example:

Html.DropDownList("CustomerId", "Select a Customer")

As Henry, mentioned if you would like to set a default value on other HTML helpers, set it within the model or roll your own helper.

Answer 2

I dont think that using EditorFor you can set a default value. Consider setting it in the accessors on your model?

To do it on other types ( TextBoxFor etc ) You can set a value but not a default value. So you would need to do:

@if(Model.something == null)
{
   @Html.TextBoxFor(m => m.ID, new { @Value = "Value!"})
} else {
   @Html.TextBoxFor(m => m.ID)
}

As I would reccomend:

private DateTime? _date;
public DateTime? date {
get {
   if(_date == null)
      _date = DateTime.Now;
   return _date;
}
set {
   _date = value;
}
}

Using things such as jquery date picker allow you to have a default value if the problem is that you are just posting nothing back if it has not been selected.