Rendering dynamic HTML content into variable in Razor

Question

I want to render dynamic HTML content into a variable to later pass it to a function. The reason is, that I receive the actual content through another platform and I can print it out using an internal function. This function accepts values to put into placeholders.

Example:

This is my content:
{mytable}
Blah

Now I can set any content on mytable. Good. The content I want to put there is currently the following.

@using System.Data
@model Dictionary<string, DataView>
<table>
    @foreach (var group in Model)
    {
        <tr>
            <th colspan="3">@group.Key</th>
        </tr>

        foreach (DataRowView data in group.Value)
        {
            <tr>
                <td>@data.Row["col1"]</td>
                <td>@data.Row["col2"]</td>
                <td>@data.Row["col3"]</td>
            </tr>
        }
    }
</table>

Well. What is the best way to actually render the above output into a variable? I firstly thought of just appending every HTML line into a string, but it sounds rather inefficient and weak to me.

I'm not an expert in ASP.NET, I come from PHP and I know a bit about output buffers. Is this a possible way? What would you recommend?

You may want to provide a bit more info about how and where you are getting your html from, just in case someone can recommend a better strategy for what you are attempting to do (e.g. renderpartial etc). In regards to rendering out html into variables, what I like to do for my email templates and for html contained within json responses is to use the RazorEngine library (github.com/Antaris/RazorEngine). This library allows you to make use of the Razor engine itself so that you can do complex template binding. It's great to reuse your skills around Razor. :) — ctrlplusb
– ctrlplusb, Commented May 14, 2014 at 11:44
This sounds like a very good idea and I'd like to use it very well, but the contents I receive are stored in an internal SharePoint site where 'HTML noobs' are working to change texts. I tried to change the process of doing this, but they don't want to change their workflow. No chance to do it "the right and nice way". Thanks! — The Wavelength
– The Wavelength, Commented May 14, 2014 at 11:46

haim770 · Accepted Answer · 2014-05-14 11:57:25Z

1

You could create a ViewHelper:

@helper RenderTable(Dictionary<string, System.Data.DataView> model)
{
    <table>
        @foreach (var group in Model)
        {
            <tr>
                <th colspan="3">@group.Key</th>
            </tr>

            foreach (System.Data.DataRowView data in group.Value)
            {
                <tr>
                    <td>@data.Row["col1"]</td>
                    <td>@data.Row["col2"]</td>
                    <td>@data.Row["col3"]</td>
                </tr>
            }
        }
    </table>
}

Then call it:

@{
    string output = RenderTable(someData).ToHtmlString();
}

edited May 14, 2014 at 11:57

answered May 14, 2014 at 11:46

haim770

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2 Comments

The Wavelength Over a year ago

As well a nice solution and a bit more practicable to me in this situation than the solution from malkam. Thanks!

haim770 Over a year ago

This assumes you need the output stored in a variable when you're already rendering some View (i.e, you have a ViewContext available).

malkam · Accepted Answer · 2014-05-14 11:43:52Z

1

Create strongly typed partial view and add this partial view in actual view

See below link

http://www.codeproject.com/Tips/617361/Partial-View-in-ASP-NET-MVC

answered May 14, 2014 at 11:43

malkam

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1 Comment

The Wavelength Over a year ago

That's near to the solution I tried some minutes ago using sections. But RenderSection just rendered the content directly without returning it. Partial Views seem to be a nice solution, thanks!

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