how to load xml file into dropdownlist in asp.net

Question

the file looks like this:

    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
    <data>
    <a7190>
    <food>Almond</food>
    <food>American Cheese</food>
    <food>Apple</food>
    </a7190>
    <a7191>
    <food>Trout</food>
    <food>Tuna</food>
</a7191>
    <food>Turkey</food>
    <food>Wheat</food>
<a7193>
    <food>Yogurt</food>
    </a7193>
    </data>

i ONLY need to load the a7190, a7191, etc

i am using asp.net and although i am pretty well-versed with vb.net, asp.net is completely new to me

what text/value do you want in the dropdown list?

ScottE
– ScottE

2009-06-12 15:59:59 +00:00
Commented Jun 12, 2009 at 15:59 — ScottE
– ScottE, Commented Jun 12, 2009 at 15:59
@ScottE i just want the A71.. tags

Alex Gordon
– Alex Gordon

2009-06-12 16:22:26 +00:00
Commented Jun 12, 2009 at 16:22 — Alex Gordon
– Alex Gordon, Commented Jun 12, 2009 at 16:22

Zarepheth · Accepted Answer · 2013-05-22 23:53:10Z

3

This article describes how to do this using the XMLDataSource present in ASP.NET.

EDIT: I just ran the code through the C# to VB converter located here, so the syntax is not guaranteed.

Protected Sub Page_Load(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs)
    If Not IsPostBack Then
         'call to the function to populate dropdownlist from xml'
         PopulateDDLFromXMLFile()
    End If
End Sub

    'populates the dropdownlist from xml file'
    Public Sub PopulateDDLFromXMLFile()
        Dim ds As New DataSet()
        ds.ReadXml(MapPath("~/Resources/XMLFile.xml"))
        
        'get the dataview of table "Country", which is default table name'
        Dim dv As DataView = ds.Tables("Country").DefaultView
        'or we can use:'
        'DataView dv = ds.Tables[0].DefaultView;'
        
        'Now sort the DataView vy column name "Name"'
        dv.Sort = "Name"
        
        'now define datatext field and datavalue field of dropdownlist'
        ddlCountry.DataTextField = "Name"
        ddlCountry.DataValueField = "ID"
        
        'now bind the dropdownlist to the dataview'
        ddlCountry.DataSource = dv
        ddlCountry.DataBind()
    End Sub

edited May 22, 2013 at 23:53

Zarepheth

2,6202 gold badges35 silver badges53 bronze badges

answered Jun 12, 2009 at 15:45

Matthew Jones

26.3k17 gold badges105 silver badges156 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

4 Comments

Alex Gordon Over a year ago

@Matthew Jones very nice is there a vb version of this?

Matthew Jones Over a year ago

In this case, the code will only populate the dropdownlist on page load, not on any subsequent postbacks.

Matthew Jones Over a year ago

No, I live in Phoenix, and I have a really common name.

Alex Gordon Over a year ago

it doesnt understand what dim as new "dataset" means. it doenst know what dataset is

Brian Sullivan · Accepted Answer · 2009-06-12 15:42:37Z

1

I don't know that ASP.NET gives you any tools here that you wouldn't have in a console app or Windows app. You might try using LINQ-to-XML to pull out the elements you need, and bind that result as a datasource to your dropdown.

answered Jun 12, 2009 at 15:42

Brian Sullivan

28.8k24 gold badges82 silver badges92 bronze badges

1 Comment

Alex Gordon Over a year ago

@Brian Sullivan can you please describe how to do this. im a beginner! thanks

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

how to load xml file into dropdownlist in asp.net

2 Answers 2

4 Comments

1 Comment

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

4 Comments

1 Comment

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related