Setting the ASP.NET DataList Object dialog box options

This dialog box creates and adds an ASP.NET DataList object to a page. This object is only available with ASP.NET document types.

To set the ASP.NET DataList Object dialog box options:

1. If you want, change the name of the DataList.

   Dreamweaver gives the DataList a default name.

2. Associate a DataSet with the DataList.

   You can select an existing DataSet or enter an arbitrary value. By default, the first DataSet in the list is selected.

3. To organize the items in a table, select the Organize Items In a Table option.

   If using a table, specify the number of columns in the table. If the number is greater than one, specify a fill order for the table cells: select the Wrap Top to Bottom option to wrap the data horizontally or select the Wrap Left to Right to wrap the data vertically.

4. Specify the data to be displayed in the DataList by doing the following in order:
   • Select the Item template for the Templates list. The Item template represents all the rows in the list other than the header and footer rows.
   • Click the Add Data Field to Contents button. The Add Data Field dialog box appears.
   • Select a DataSet column and click OK to close the dialog box. Dreamweaver adds an appropriate data binding expression to the Contents box in the DataList Object dialog box.
   • Format the data to be displayed by enclosing the binding expression with HTML tags in the Contents box.
5. Adjust the layout of the DataList, as required.

   You control the layout of a DataList by selecting from the templates in the Templates list and then adding HTML tags in the Contents text box. The available templates are:

   Template	Description
   Header	The text and controls to render at the beginning of the list.
   Item	The HTML elements and controls to render once for each row in the data source.
   Alternating Item	Similar to the Item template element, but rendered for every other row in the DataList. If you use this template, you typically create a different look for it, such as a different background color than that of the Item template.
   Edit Item	The layout of an item when it is in edit mode. This template typically contains editing controls such as Text Box controls.
   Select Item	The elements to render when the user selects an item in the DataList. Typical uses are to visually mark the row using a background or font color. You can also expand the item by displaying additional fields from the data source.
   Separator	The elements to render between each item. A typical example might be a line (using an <HR> element).
   Footer	The text and controls to render at the end of the list.

6. Click OK to close the dialog box and create the DataList.

Related topics

• Adding an ASP.NET DataList to your page
• Modifying a DataGrid or DataList object