How to sort columns in an ASP.NET GridView if using a custom DataSource?

Question

I can't get my GridView to enable a user to sort a column of data when I'm using a custom SqlDataSource. I have a GridView in which the code in the ASP reference to it in the HTML is minimal: ``` ``` In the code-behind I attach a dynamically-created SqlDataSource (the columns it contains are not always the same so the SQL used to create it is constructed at runtime). For example: I set up the columns... ``` BoundField column = new BoundField(); column.DataField = columnName; column.HeaderText = "Heading"; column.SortExpression = columnName; grid.Columns.Add(column); ``` the data source... ``` SqlDataSource dataSource = new SqlDataSource( "System.Data.SqlClient", connectionString, generatedSelectCommand); ``` then the gridview... ``` grid.DataSource = dataSource; grid.DataKeyNames = mylistOfKeys; grid.DataBind(); ``` At the moment nothing happens when a user clicks on a column headin…

Accepted Answer

First you need to add an event:

```
<asp:GridView AllowSorting="True" OnSorting="gvName_Sorting" ...
```

Then that event looks like:

```
protected void gvName_Sorting( object sender, GridViewSortEventArgs e )
{
    ...
    //rebind gridview
}
```

You basically have to get your data again.

You're right that it looks messy and there is a better way: ASP.Net MVC

Unfortunately that's a drastically different page model.

How to sort columns in an ASP.NET GridView if using a custom DataSource?

Solution

Problem