Using SPDatasource with a dropdownlist -- Need to dynamically pass SP List

Question

I am creating a custom webpart for SP 2010. I need to use the SPDataSource control with a dropdownlist. I got this to work perfectly if the SP list is hardcoded in the node, but what if I dont know which list needs to be used and this information is passed by the user via the "Edit Web Part" of the custom web part?

Here's what works:

<SharePoint:SPDataSource runat="server" ID="FolderNameDataSource"  
DataSourceMode="List"     SelectCommand="<Query><OrderBy><FieldRef Name='Title'      
Ascending='true' /></OrderBy></Query>">
<SelectParameters> 
 <asp:Parameter Name="ListName" DefaultValue="Forms Library" /> 
</SelectParameters>

</SharePoint:SPDataSource>  
<asp:DropDownList runat="server" ID="ddlFolderNames" CssClass="title"  
DataSourceID="FolderNameDataSource" DataTextField="Title" DataValueField="Title" 
AutoPostBack ="true">
</asp:DropDownList>

DefaultValue is where the SP list is passed. How can I do all of this programmatically? I capture the user entered listname like this:

_listname = this.WebPart.FolderNameValue;

Now how can I pass this to the parameter?

Thanks, Ninel

Answer 1

• Remove the declarative binding, use the code behind
• Create a WebPart property for List Name
• Validate the ListName entered (Type of list , existence ..etc)
• If valid, bind the DropDown on runtime and make it visible.