binding to the ToString() method in a DataTemplate

Question

Is there any easy way to bind to the ToString() method in a DataTemplate? I would expect the Text property of a TextBlock to use ToString() by default for its Text property, but that does not happen. So any easy way to do this:

<DataTemplate x:Key="myTemplate">
    <TextBlock Text="{Binding ToString()}"/>
<DataTemplate>

score 67 · Accepted Answer · answered Nov 29 '12 at 16:23

67

You can use Text="{Binding}". The ToString() method is invoked implicitly.

answered Nov 29 '12 at 16:23

amnezjak

2,011
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18

This also works well when binding to an enum where you want to display the `Enum.ToString()`. – saluce Oct 28 '15 at 20:00
how do you pass parmaeter to the `ToString()`method ? (for instance, for formatting a `TimeSpan`) – Pac0 Aug 31 '20 at 09:48
1

@Pac0 Check the StringFormat parameter – amnezjak Sep 02 '20 at 10:10
Also works with `Text="{x:Bind}"` – Felix Nov 16 '21 at 22:01

score 7 · Answer 2 · edited Apr 08 '16 at 09:21

7

you can use a Converter. like this:

public class PropertyValueStringConverter : IValueConverter
{
    public object Convert(object value, Type targetType, object parameter, System.Globalization.CultureInfo culture)
    {
        return value.ToString();
    }

    public object ConvertBack(object value, Type targetType, object parameter, System.Globalization.CultureInfo culture)
    {
        throw new NotImplementedException();
    }
}

edited Apr 08 '16 at 09:21

Maljam

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answered Nov 29 '12 at 15:27

FelixFang

136
3

This worked for me. with a slight edit. return value != null ? value.ToString() : string.Empty; – Jgraham Jun 13 '13 at 14:38

score 5 · Answer 3 · answered Nov 29 '12 at 16:42

Unfortunately, you cant bind control to method but you can circumvent to do that look:

public string GetText()
{
    return "I am happy";
}

public string MyText
{
    get { return GetText(); }
}

Now in XAML:

<DataTemplate x:Key="myTemplate">
    <TextBlock Text="{Binding MyText}"/>
<DataTemplate>

be careful MyText property must be in the context of the window.

score 1 · Answer 4 · answered Nov 29 '12 at 16:12

1

It would make more sense to add a string property, for that specific ToString() method, to the object you are binding to.

answered Nov 29 '12 at 16:12

Geerten

1,027
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22

score 0 · Answer 5 · edited May 23 '17 at 11:54

0

WPF does not support binding to methods directly, but you could use custom IValueConverter, ObjectDataProvider or any other approach as described here.

edited May 23 '17 at 11:54

Community

1
1

answered Nov 29 '12 at 15:26

Jarek Kardas

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binding to the ToString() method in a DataTemplate

5 Answers5