Formatting DataBinder.Eval data

Question

How can I format data coming from a DataBinder.Eval statement in an ASPX page?

For example, I want to display the published date of the news items in a particular format in the homepage. I'm using the ASP.NET 2.0 Repeater control to show the list of news items.

The code for this goes like this:

<asp:Repeater ID="Repeater1" runat="server" DataSourceID="ObjectDataSource1">
<HeaderTemplate><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="255"></HeaderTemplate>
<ItemTemplate>
    <tr><td >
            <a href='/content/latestNews.aspx?id=<%#DataBinder.Eval(Container.DataItem, "id") %>'>
                <asp:Label ID="lblNewsTitle" runat="server" Text='<%# DataBinder.Eval(Container.DataItem, "title") %>'></asp:Label>
            </a>
    </td></tr>
    <tr><td>
           <asp:Label ID="lblNewsDate" runat="server" Text='<%# DataBinder.Eval(Container.DataItem, "publishedDate"))%>'></asp:Label>
    </td></tr>
</ItemTemplate>
<FooterTemplate></table></FooterTemplate></asp:Repeater>

Is there a way I could call a custom method with the DataBinder.Eval value as its parameter (something like below)?

<asp:Label ID="lblNewsDate" runat="server" Text='<%# GetDateInHomepageFormat(DataBinder.Eval(Container.DataItem, "publishedDate")) )%>'></asp:Label>

If yes, then where do I write the GetDateInHomepageFormat method? I tried out in the code behind page but got a run time error? If this is not possible, is there a way to do inline formatting?

Answer 1

After some searching on the Internet I found that it is in fact very much possible to call a custom method passing the DataBinder.Eval value.

The custom method can be written in the code behind file, but has to be declared public or protected. In my question above, I had mentioned that I tried to write the custom method in the code behind but was getting a run time error. The reason for this was that I had declared the method to be private.

So, in summary the following is a good way to use DataBinder.Eval value to get your desired output:

default.aspx

<asp:Label ID="lblNewsDate" runat="server" Text='<%# GetDateInHomepageFormat(DataBinder.Eval(Container.DataItem, "publishedDate")) )%>'></asp:Label>

default.aspx.cs code:

public partial class _Default : System.Web.UI.Page
{

    protected string GetDateInHomepageFormat(DateTime d)
    {

        string retValue = "";

        // Do all processing required and return value

        return retValue;
    }
}

Hope this helps others as well.

Answer 2

You can use a function into a repeater like you said, but notice that the DataBinder.Eval returns an object and you have to cast it to a DateTime.

You also can format your field inline:

<%# ((DateTime)DataBinder.Eval(Container.DataItem,"publishedDate")).ToString("yyyy-MMM-dd") %>

If you use ASP.NET 2.0 or newer you can write this as below:

<%# ((DateTime)Eval("publishedDate")).ToString("yyyy-MMM-dd") %>

Another option is to bind the value to label at OnItemDataBound event.

Answer 3

To format the date using the local date format use:

<%#((DateTime)Eval("ExpDate")).ToString("d")%>

How to Format an Eval Statement to Display a Date using Date Locale

Answer 4

You can use it this way in aspx page

<%# DataBinder.Eval(Container.DataItem, "DateColoumnName", "{0:dd-MMM-yyyy}") %>