TextBoxFor value not passed to model

Hello, I have the following in my view:

       @Html.TextBoxFor(m => m.LastName, new { @class = "filterInput" })

The user supplies a value and clicks:

@Html.ActionLink("Export to Excel", "ExportToExcel")

Which gets data from the model and then exports the data to excel:

 public void ExportToExcel(PortalAccountMappingModel model)
        {
            var data = model.GetExport();
            ExportHelper.ExportExcel();
        }


In the  model.GetExport(); I pass the value to filter data and return what I need to export.

But the model is not being updated to reflect what the user entered in the TextBoxFor so my data does not get filtered.

Why is that? Is it because I'm not doing an ActionResult and the view never updates the model when the user enters data into the TextBoxFor?
Scott BaldridgeAsked:
Who is Participating?

[Product update] Infrastructure Analysis Tool is now available with Business Accounts.Learn More

x
I wear a lot of hats...

"The solutions and answers provided on Experts Exchange have been extremely helpful to me over the last few years. I wear a lot of hats - Developer, Database Administrator, Help Desk, etc., so I know a lot of things but not a lot about one thing. Experts Exchange gives me answers from people who do know a lot about one thing, in a easy to use platform." -Todd S.

inxniCommented:
Looks like you want to post data to a form but Html.ActionLink only generates a link, it doesn't post values to form. Change it to button and mark your method with HttpPost.

In case you really want to use ActionLink to post, try see here
0
Scott BaldridgeAuthor Commented:
Thanks for responding inxni!
I'm new to MVC and having a hard time figuring out how to deal with this situation. I have a jqgrid in the view which is populated when the view is loaded. There is a search button that allows the user to filter results for the grid. I need to add an additional button to export the grid to excel.
After trying several changes to the [HttpPost] for the view I can't get it to initially load the grid, allow searching/filtering and also allow export.

How can I change the  [HttpPost] to allow for all these functions?

//View
@using (Html.BeginForm())
{
<div class="divImportButton" title="@Resources.Admin_PortalAccountsMapping_ImportLabel">
    <input type="button" value="@Resources.Admin_PortalAccountsMapping_ImportLabel" class="btnImport" />
    <input type="button" value="Export to Excel" />
 </div>

<div class="criteriaContainer">
    
        @Html.LabelFor(m => m.AccountCode, Resources.Admin_PortalAccountsMapping_AccountCode)
        @Html.TextBoxFor(m => m.AccountCode, new { @class = "filterInput" })

        @Html.LabelFor(m => m.AccountName, Resources.Admin_PortalAccountsMapping_AccountName)
        @Html.TextBoxFor(m => m.AccountName, new { @class = "filterInput" })

        @Html.LabelFor(m => m.CustomerName, Resources.Admin_PortalAccountsMapping_CustomerName)
        @Html.TextBoxFor(m => m.CustomerName, new { @class = "filterInput" })

        @Html.LabelFor(m => m.FirstName, Resources.Admin_PortalAccountsMapping_FirstName)
        @Html.TextBoxFor(m => m.FirstName, new { @class = "filterInput" })

        @Html.LabelFor(m => m.LastName, Resources.Admin_PortalAccountsMapping_LastName)
        @Html.TextBoxFor(m => m.LastName, new { @class = "filterInput" })

        @Html.LabelFor(m => m.OnlyAccountWithoutMapping, Resources.Admin_PortalAccountsMapping_OnlyAccountsWithoutMapping)
        @Html.SimpleCheckBoxFor(m => m.OnlyAccountWithoutMapping)

        <input type="submit" value="@Resources.Common_Search" name="button" /> 
</div>
}

@Html.Partial("~/Views/Partial/JqGridView.cshtml", Model.Grid)


//Controller
 [HttpGet]
        [CaseDBAuthorization(PermissionType.PortalAccountsMapping)]
        public ActionResult PortalAccountMapping()
        {
            return View(new PortalAccountMappingModel());
        }

        [HttpPost]
        [CaseDBAuthorization(PermissionType.PortalAccountsMapping)]
        public ActionResult PortalAccountMapping(PortalAccountMappingModel model)
        {
            if (IsJqGrid)
            {
                UpdateModel(model.Grid.UpdateParams);
                return Json(model.GetRows());
            }
            else return null;
        }


//Export code
            var data = model.GetExport();
            ExportHelper.ExportExcel(data, Constants.PORTAL_ACCOUNT_MAPPING_REPORT_NAME, typeof(PortalAccountMappingReportItem));

Open in new window

0
Scott BaldridgeAuthor Commented:
I have changed my [HttpPost] and think I'm almost there! Everything seems to work except when doing a search the jqgrid does not load and the only thing showing in the view is the json data.
What am I doing wrong?
public ActionResult PortalAccountMapping(string button, PortalAccountMappingModel model)
        {
            if (IsJqGrid)
            {
                UpdateModel(model.Grid.UpdateParams);
                return Json(model.GetRows());
            }
            else if (button == "Export to Excel")
            {
                var data = model.GetExport();
                ExportHelper.ExportExcel(data, Constants.PORTAL_ACCOUNT_MAPPING_REPORT_NAME, typeof(PortalAccountMappingReportItem));
                return null;
            }
            else if (button == "Search")
            {
                UpdateModel(model.Grid.UpdateParams);
                return Json(model.GetRows());
            }
            else return null;
        }

Open in new window

0
inxniCommented:
Instead of return Json, try return a View and pass json data as model.
Like this 
return View("ViewName", jsondata);

Open in new window

0

Experts Exchange Solution brought to you by

Your issues matter to us.

Facing a tech roadblock? Get the help and guidance you need from experienced professionals who care. Ask your question anytime, anywhere, with no hassle.

Start your 7-day free trial
It's more than this solution.Get answers and train to solve all your tech problems - anytime, anywhere.Try it for free Edge Out The Competitionfor your dream job with proven skills and certifications.Get started today Stand Outas the employee with proven skills.Start learning today for free Move Your Career Forwardwith certification training in the latest technologies.Start your trial today
.NET Programming

From novice to tech pro — start learning today.