How to set default value for ASP.NET MVC DropDownList from ViewBag

Question

In the controller Index I have the following:

ViewBag.Assignees = (await GetAllUsers()).Select(a =>
            new SelectListItem
            {
                Text = a.DisplayName,
                Value = a.Username,
                Selected = a.DisplayName == "John Smith"
            }).OrderBy(x => x.Text).ToList();

In the View, I have the following:

 @Html.DropDownListFor(model => model.Assignee, 
                       ViewBag.Assignees as List<SelectListItem>, 
                       "Select Assignee", 
                       new { id = "ddlAssignee", @class = "form-control"})

The dropdownlist populates as expected, however, the default (selected = true) value, which does exist, does not get set. Can someone advise what is wrong in the above?

UPDATE:

By Changing the SelectListItem.Value to a.DisplayName (same as SelectedListItem.Text) I achieved it. Still not sure what prevents the dropdownlist from displaying the item with Selected = true

Look at my answer [here](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/57312206/edit-view-droplist-select-option-dislaying-the-current-value/57332068#57332068) and see if it helps — Bosco, Aug 07 '19 at 17:16
@Bosco your solution populates the dropdownlist and displays the first item on the list. In my scenario, the default value is dynamic. — amindomeniko, Aug 07 '19 at 17:55

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Aug 07 '19 at 17:18

0

If the model.Assignee comes with value, and if it is an int it will be defaulted to 0, it will override the SelectListItem selected value.

I suggest to set up the model.Assignee.

answered Aug 07 '19 at 17:18

KodiakMx

236
2
11

Adding a new property to my model just to assign a default value does not seem the best approach. I have multiple of these dropdownlists in my page and would to stay away from this as much as I can. Any other workaround? – amindomeniko Aug 07 '19 at 17:56

score 0 · Answer 2 · edited Jun 20 '20 at 09:12

0

Here two ways that i use.
WAY 1

@Html.DropDownListFor(model => model.Assignee, 
                      ViewBag.Assignees as List<SelectListItem>, 
                      "Value", // property to be set as Value of dropdown item
                      "Text",  // property to be used as text of dropdown item
                      "1"), // value that should be set selected of dropdown
                      new { id = "ddlAssignee", @class = "form-control"})


WAY 2 

<select name="SelectName" value="1" class="w-100">
  @foreach (var item in ViewBag.Collection) {
    <option value="@item.Id">@item.Name</option>
  }
</select>

I hope it work for you

@Html.DropDownListFor how to set default value

edited Jun 20 '20 at 09:12

Community

1
1

answered Aug 07 '19 at 18:11

Hector Lara

182
1
10

I need to determine the default value in the controller and not the view. – amindomeniko Aug 07 '19 at 18:36
@amindomeniko do you want to know the selected value?? – Hector Lara Aug 07 '19 at 23:20
Yes, I have a default text "John Smith" in the controller – amindomeniko Aug 08 '19 at 20:33
@amindomeniko you will receibe it from the property name of the select – Hector Lara Aug 10 '19 at 01:11

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Aug 07 '19 at 18:41

In your view set:

 @Html.DropDownListFor(model => model.Assignee, 
                       ViewBag.Assignees as List<SelectListItem>, 
                       "Select Assignee", 
                       new { id = "ddlAssignee", @class = "form-control", @value = "Default value"})

score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Aug 04 '20 at 09:18

0

When you have list already defined. Use This

@Html.DropDownList("CoverageDropDown", new SelectList(Model.youList, "Code", "Description",item.seletecItem), "Select")

answered Aug 04 '20 at 09:18

Saksham Kumar

1
1

How to set default value for ASP.NET MVC DropDownList from ViewBag

4 Answers4