Is there anyway of consolidating similar data bindings and/or triggers in XAML?

Question

I have a user control that hosts other controls. The way I implemented this is via data templates that define the control that should be associated with a specific view-model. These view-models have similar properties and interaction triggers. Please see XAML snippet below.

The problem with this approach is that I would have to copy-paste the data bindings if I want to support a new view-model. Is there any way of consolidating all similar data bindings and/or triggers into one template? I don't want to type/copy-paste the same data binding definitions into each control. (Yes, I know, I'm that lazy.)

<UserControl.Resources>   
    <DataTemplate DataType="{x:Type vm:SomeViewModel1}">
        <TextBlock Canvas.Left="{Binding Left}"
                   Canvas.Top="{Binding Top}"
                   RenderTransform="{Binding Transform}"
                   Height="{Binding Height}"
                   Width="{Binding Width}">
            <i:Interaction.Triggers>
                <i:EventTrigger EventName="MouseEnter">
                    <cmd:EventToCommand Command="{Binding MouseEnterCommand}"/>
                </i:EventTrigger>
                <i:EventTrigger EventName="MouseLeave">
                    <cmd:EventToCommand Command="{Binding MouseLeaveCommand}"/>
                </i:EventTrigger>
            </i:Interaction.Triggers>
        </TextBlock>
    </DataTemplate>

    <DataTemplate DataType="{x:Type vm:SomeViewModel2}">
        <Rectangle Canvas.Left="{Binding Left}"
                   Canvas.Top="{Binding Top}"
                   RenderTransform="{Binding Transform}"
                   Height="{Binding Height}"
                   Width="{Binding Width}">
            <i:Interaction.Triggers>
                <i:EventTrigger EventName="MouseEnter">
                    <cmd:EventToCommand Command="{Binding MouseEnterCommand}"/>
                </i:EventTrigger>
                <i:EventTrigger EventName="MouseLeave">
                    <cmd:EventToCommand Command="{Binding MouseLeaveCommand}"/>
                </i:EventTrigger>
            </i:Interaction.Triggers>
        </Rectangle>
    </DataTemplate>

    <DataTemplate DataType="{x:Type vm:SomeViewModel3}">
        <Button Canvas.Left="{Binding Left}"
                Canvas.Top="{Binding Top}"
                RenderTransform="{Binding Transform}"
                Height="{Binding Height}"
                Width="{Binding Width}">
            <i:Interaction.Triggers>
                <i:EventTrigger EventName="MouseEnter">
                    <cmd:EventToCommand Command="{Binding MouseEnterCommand}"/>
                </i:EventTrigger>
                <i:EventTrigger EventName="MouseLeave">
                    <cmd:EventToCommand Command="{Binding MouseLeaveCommand}"/>
                </i:EventTrigger>
            </i:Interaction.Triggers>
        </Button>
    </DataTemplate>

    <DataTemplate DataType="{x:Type vm:SomeViewModel4}">
       <!-- Do not want copy-paste code here... -->
    </DataTemplate>
</UserControl.Resources>

Please check this link. http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1665267/datatemplate-datatypecollectionentity — Prince Ashitaka, Oct 11 '10 at 05:05
I think that's for a different problem altogether. That's for a list of items. My problem is dealing with objects of similar traits. — Ilian, Oct 13 '10 at 23:30
Hi, this fits in your case as well. You'll have those VM's whom all want to share the same template. — Prince Ashitaka, Oct 14 '10 at 03:41

score 1 · Accepted Answer · edited May 23 '17 at 11:55

1

You can use common style, and put both your properties and triggers (which are also properties) inside this style, look at this StackOverflow question for more details.

edited May 23 '17 at 11:55

Community

1
1

answered Oct 11 '10 at 12:48

Amittai Shapira

3,749
1
30
54

I think you're correct. Although I still do not know how to do this in detail, at least I now know the general direction. Thanks. – Ilian Oct 13 '10 at 23:35

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Oct 08 '10 at 15:48

0

What about putting the triggers into a resource and associating them with your controls. Or use a custom base class for your DataTemplates.

answered Oct 08 '10 at 15:48

Ruedi Steinmann

41
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I'm not really an expert in XAML. Do you have any code snippet available to illustrate that? – Ilian Oct 09 '10 at 06:10

Is there anyway of consolidating similar data bindings and/or triggers in XAML?

2 Answers2