Custom Master Page Referencing Controls in Code Behind

Question

I have built a custom SharePoint 2010 master page where I have dropped a standard asp.net DropDownList control. I also have wired up a code behind file where I want to manipulate that control from.

However for reasons not apparent to me, I am NOT able to reference this control in the code behind.

this.myDropdown

Intellisense does not show it. I cannot even get a handle on it using:

(DropDownList)Page.FindControl("myDropdown")

What am I doing wrong here?

Thanks

Answer 1

This works!

(DropDownList)this.Page.Master.FindControl("myDropdown");

Answer 2

You should be able to refer your control normally in codebehind class for the master. Check the steps to create a code behind for the master page :

1) Create a class inheriting from System.Web.UI.MasterPage.Declare the control in the class. For e.g.

 public class CustomMasterClass : System.Web.UI.MasterPage    
  {
        protected DropDownList myDropdown;

        protected void Page_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            myDropdown.Width = 200;
        }
    }

2) Build it into a dll and add to GAC.

3) Add it to the safecontrols list on your web.config.

4) Add the same control to your master page as :

    <asp:DropDownList ID="myDropdown" runat="server"/>

5) Add reference to the class in your master. For e.g. :

<%@ Master language="C#" Inherits="CustomNamespace.CustomMasterClass, CustomNamespace, Version=1.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=ae015afe5f30fb68" %>