ASPNET 4.5 WebForms ModelBinding not working with DropDownList

webforms

Solution

You could return a Dictionary in getcontacttypes and then use:

    <asp:DropDownList ID="ContactType" runat="server" AppendDataBoundItems="true"
       SelectMethod="GetContactTypes"
      DataTextField="Value" DataValueField="Key"
      SelectedValue="<%# BindItem.ContactTypeId%>"
      >
      <asp:ListItem Value="0" Text="Select"></asp:ListItem>
    </asp:DropDownList>

SelectedValue="<%# BindItem.ContactTypeId%>" is important

Problem

I'm trying to use the new ModelBinding feature in ASPNET 4.5 Webforms without success. For some reason Contact.ContactType remains null after submitting the form. Model: ``` public class Contact { public int ContactId { set; get; } public string Name { set; get; } public string Phone { set; get; } public ContactType ContactType { set; get; } } public class ContactType { public int ContactTypeId { set; get; } public string Description { set; get; } public virtual ICollection<Contact> Contacts { set; get; } } ``` ASPX: ``` <asp:FormView ID="FormView1" runat="server" ItemType="Models.Contact" DataKeyNames="ContactId" DefaultMode="Insert" InsertMethod="InsertContact" > <InsertItemTemplate> <ul> <li> <label>Name</label> <asp:DynamicControl runat="server" id="Name" DataField="Name" Mode="Insert" /> </li> <li> <label>Phone</label> <asp:DynamicControl runat="server" id="Phone" DataField="Phone" Mode="Insert" /> </li> <li> <label>Contact Type</label> <asp:DropDownList ID="ContactType" runat="server" AppendDataBoundItems="true" ItemType="Models.ContactType" SelectMethod="GetContactTypes" DataTextField="Description" DataValueField="ContactTypeId"> <asp:ListItem Value="0" Text="Select"></asp:ListItem> </asp:DropDownList> </li> <li> <asp:LinkButton ID="LinkButton1" runat="server" CommandName="Insert" Text="Insert" > </asp:LinkButton> </li> </ul> </InsertItemTemplate> </asp:FormView> ``` ASPX.CS: ``` public void InsertContact(Contact contact) { if (ModelState.IsValid) { // Save changes here } } ``` How do I get to use ModelBinding on a dropdown/listbox successfully?

Original source