formatting data in a gridview column

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Hi,
I have a table in database called agent which has an autogenerated "agent id" of type int.I use this table to get data in to a gridview. when i display data in a gridview i want to show the "agent id" as A0001 instead of 1. how can i achieve this using either c# or sql?
Thanks in advance.

Posted 21-Apr-11 17:15pm

Laksh112

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2 solutions

Solution 2

how can i achieve this using either c#
In your gridview, there is a method RowDataBound (ItemDataBound for Datagrids), use this method. While databind, this method would be called for every row. You can change the value of any cell as desired.

C#

protected void myGridview_RowDataBound(object sender, GridViewRowEventArgs e)
{
  if (e.Row.RowType == DataControlRowType.DataRow)
  {
    // Get the AgentId cell and modify the text as per desired
  }
}

how can i achieve this using either SQL
While fetching the data, you must be using a query. In the query, while getting data from the column just append the necessary string to it. Like,

SQL

SELECT "A000"+ cast(agentID as nvarchar) as AgentId FROM myTable

I would suggest going with SQL way to modify it as it would be simple and easier.

Posted 21-Apr-11 18:39pm

Sandeep Mewara

Comments

CodeHawkz 22-Apr-11 1:17am

This would work as long as the AgentId is a single digit number. But this will not work beyond that. For instance, your solution will generate "A0001" for AgentID = 1 and "A00010" for AgentID = 10 where as the expected result is "A0010". One less zero :) I think you should revise your solution.

Sandeep Mewara 22-Apr-11 1:53am

And why so? OP did not said that it has to be 5 characters always!

Based on the question, I think the solution is fine and needs no change.

CodeHawkz 22-Apr-11 2:28am

Common sense :) You wouldn't create an ID which grows the number right? If you wanted it to grow, you wouldn't add the preceding 0's right? Would you?

In other words, you would keep it like "A1", "A2", "A234" or you would keep it like "A001", "A002", "A999". Does this sound sane to you? >> "A001", "A0010", "A00100". It would be perfectly allright, if the the "A00" part was something like "ATX" like a prefix :)

Hope I made some sense :)

Sandeep Mewara 22-Apr-11 2:31am

Common sense :) You wouldn't create an ID which grows the number right? If you wanted it to grow, you wouldn't add the preceding 0's right? Would you?
I disagree. I have seen requirements like having a fixed string always attached.

I too can contradict your logic by saying what if the number is more than 4 digits - say 99999? Common sense? :)

CodeHawkz 22-Apr-11 2:36am

Requirements? I have too. :lol: But look at this instance, not other instances. This requirement :)

If the fixed string is not preferred you do not add the preceding 0's. He meaning to use the 3 digit fixed length number along with "A" prefix means, he needs one. Isn't it? Any idea or experience of requirements which contradicts that one?

Sandeep Mewara 22-Apr-11 2:40am

It's very simple my friend - There is no reason why you say I am WRONG. I did not say you are wrong. Both are correct and it depends on the requirmeent, scenarios and what OP wants. Since that is not clear and specific, I find it wrong on your part to say me wrong or question my common sense.

If you find things so obvious and my answer incorrect, I can just say we differ in thoughts.

CodeHawkz 22-Apr-11 2:46am

Lol.. Plz dun take things personal :D Come on man, you are acting as if I said you should be extinguished from earth.

I just pointed out that your solution won't work for his question as I think. The "Solution 1" is more appropriate in d sense of generating the ID. If it was joined with your solution (if that was done inside the event you mentioned), it would be a perfect solution. That's it.

Nothing personal. lol. You got issues man :D

Sandeep Mewara 22-Apr-11 2:52am

I clearly pointed that OP was not specific on what you say, yet you are trying to prove that the answer I gave is not correct. What can I add on here.

<o>won't work for his question as I think.
Exactly.

The "Solution 1" is more appropriate in d sense of generating the ID. If it was joined with your solution (if that was done inside the event you mentioned), it would be a perfect solution.
Please don't change your thoughts now. You never said that. Whole time you were trying to prove my answer wrong. I already agreed on what you said had OP posted it to be fixed digits.

You got issues man
I can say the same for you! :)

CodeHawkz 22-Apr-11 2:54am

rofl :D This is fun.. I am bored @ wrk n u r just awsm... Quick tempered ppl r vry easy 2 pick on, u know dat? :D Kk.. I'll stop :D

Btw, no offense meant. Just gave it my thoughts. No hard feelings mate :) Keep up the good work. But it won't kill to be not to be perfectly correct... Just a thought. Bbye

Sandeep Mewara 22-Apr-11 2:55am

Yes. True. :)

Not just it, I am in mood today to reply. ;)

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nit_singh · Accepted Answer · 2011-04-21T18:17:00

Solution 1

Can you try like that, as I think it may solve your problem

XML

<columns>
 <asp:templatefield>
      <itemtemplate>
           <%#"A"+string.Format("{0:0000}", Eval("agent_ID")) >
      </itemtemplate>
 </asp:templatefield>
</columns>

Posted 21-Apr-11 18:17pm

nit_singh

Updated 21-Apr-11 18:27pm

v2

Comments

Ankur^\m/ 22-Apr-11 0:31am

That should help, 5!

CodeHawkz 22-Apr-11 1:15am

That's indeed the correct answer. But just on a side note, this line below is not recommended practice.
<%#"A"+string.Format("{0:0000}", Eval("agent_ID")) >

You should change this to,
<%#string.Format("A{0:0000}", Eval("agent_ID")) >

The reason is that, string.Format uses string buffers internally to create the required string. But the use of "+" in string concatenation creates a memory problem (I know it's not significant here). Just as a best practice :)