Strange Problem with asp.net c# assigning string

Question

i have a div element in my html,

<div id="userSolution" runat="server" text="1234512345123451234512345"></div>

Yes it does contain 25 characters,

i have a button:

<asp:Button id="saveGame" runat="server" text="Save Game" onclick="saveGame_Click" />

server Code:

protected void saveGame_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    string clientInput = userSolution.Attributes["text"];
}

So why... when i debug, does clientInput = "" ?

By my reckoning... text="1234512345123451234512345"

so string clientInput= userSolution.Attribute["text"]; should work right? :s

confused...

even if the div is:

<div id="userSolution" runat="server">1234512345123451234512345</div>

and i read

string clientId = userSolution.InnerHTML;

Still Fails

Even if i read it from innerHTML and make my text value part of divs innerhtml... still fails — AlexMorley-Finch
– AlexMorley-Finch, Commented May 24, 2011 at 19:48
Inner Text Doesnt work either... Its annoying because after i've stepped over the line to realise client input = "", if i go onto inspect element using chrome, i can see that the div still holds the value... before and after the server side event handler is called! — AlexMorley-Finch
– AlexMorley-Finch, Commented May 24, 2011 at 19:57
Did you use InnerText AND move the "12345.." between the <div> and </div> tags? There is no "text" attribute for a div. Doing both of those will work. Edit: I wrote that before I saw your last edit which says you did try that. Researching further... — ashelvey
– ashelvey, Commented May 24, 2011 at 20:06

rsbarro · Accepted Answer · 2011-05-24 23:20:26Z

3

You can't post back the data that way in a div tag if you are setting the value of the div on the client side. You'll need to use a form element, like a hidden textbox if you want to use a straight ASP.NET postback.

Here's a simple example. It uses a javascript event to set the text of a HiddenField when the button is pressed and then displays the text on postback.

<%@ Page Language="C#" AutoEventWireup="true" %>
<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<head>
<script type="text/javascript">
    function copyToHiddenField() {
        var hidden = document.getElementById("<%= txtHidden.ClientID %>");
        var theDivText = document.getElementById("thedata").innerHTML;
        hidden.value = theDivText;
        return true;
    }
</script>
</head>
<body>
    <form id="form1" runat="server">
        <div id="thedata">Here's the data!</div>
        <asp:HiddenField ID="txtHidden" runat="server" />
        <asp:Button ID="btnSumbit" Text="Submit" OnClick="btnSumbit_OnClick" runat="server" />
        <asp:Literal ID="litText" runat="server" />
    </form>
</body>
</html>
<script runat="server">
protected void Page_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    btnSumbit.Attributes.Add("onclick", "return copyToHiddenField();");
}

public void btnSumbit_OnClick(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    litText.Text = txtHidden.Value;
}
</script>

EDIT
As stated in the answers/comments, you can use the InnerText property of a div tag when runat="server" is specified, but you will only be able read out the InnerText that is set when the page is rendered. Client side updates to the InnerText of the div will not be sent to the server on postback.

edited May 24, 2011 at 23:20

answered May 24, 2011 at 20:01

rsbarro

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4 Comments

ashelvey Over a year ago

You CAN do that if you really want to. Maybe the real question is why would the OP want to, and I think that's where you're headed with using a hidden field. If that's what you want though, why not use asp:HiddenField?

rsbarro Over a year ago

@ashelvey I would either use HiddenField (as in the sample code above) or use AJAX to send back the data. My point was just that since div isn't a form element, any data that is contained in the div isn't going to be a part of the POST request the browser makes when the submit button is clicked.

ashelvey Over a year ago

Right. It will be in ASP.NET state though, so it is possible, but it's definitely not the right way to do it as you've stated. I guess I'm just being pedantic. :) I agree with your approach, voting up.

AlexMorley-Finch Over a year ago

Very well explained. Works Perfectly:) Thankyou

Pablo Rodda Donate · Accepted Answer · 2011-05-24 20:51:16Z

1

Try InnerText, and also change

<div id="userSolution" runat="server" text="1234512345123451234512345"></div>

to

<div id="userSolution" runat="server">1234512345123451234512345</div>

answered May 24, 2011 at 20:51

Pablo Rodda Donate

2901 silver badge5 bronze badges

Comments

Tony Basallo · Accepted Answer · 2011-05-25 15:04:01Z

0

Use the asp:panel. That should give you what you're after (a div in client and .Text in server code

Edit

Wow, it's been a while and I actually thought there was a Text property - I even checked old projects in disbelief!! :-/

edited May 25, 2011 at 15:04

answered May 24, 2011 at 19:54

Tony Basallo

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2 Comments

AlexMorley-Finch Over a year ago

i used asp:panel Before i used div... and after asp:panel Failed i moved to divs... and now divs fail :'(

ashelvey Over a year ago

Panel does NOT have a property Text.

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