How to use variable from a Controller in a Directive link function? - angularjs

Question

I want to be able to use the variable "videoUrlId" from the controller 'useSpreadsheetData' below in my directive 'meetings'. How can I do this? I have looked at require but could not get it to work.
Controller:
app.controller('useSpreadsheetData', ['$scope', '$sce', 'getSpreadsheetData',
function($scope, $sce, getSpreadsheetData){
for(var x in videos) {
if(videos[x].switchValue) {
var videoUrlId = videos[x].videoUrl;
$scope.videoUrlId = videoUrlId;
break;
}
}
};
Directive:
app.directive('meetings', [ 'getCalendar', '$timeout', '$window',
function(getCalendar, $timeout, $window){
return {
restrict: 'E',
templateUrl: 'scripts/directives/meetings.html',
controller: 'useSpreadsheetData',
link: function(scope){
//Use videoUrlId variable here
}
}
}]);

Answer 1

Since you mentioned you attempted to use require, I have to assume the meetings directive will be a child element somewhere within the useSpreadsheetData controller, however without seeing your HTML, we can't be sure.
As you're not utilizing an isolate scope, your directive will prototypically inherit from the parent controller above itself, in this case useSpreadsheetData. As a result, we can simply get videoUrlId by accessing it via an interpolated expression: {{videoUrlId}}. Note the template in the meetings directive. It'll also be available within link or controller via scope.videoUrlId and $scope.videoUrlId, respectively.
Plunker: http://plnkr.co/edit/MZIgXEiku4Z2PLzl3apz
HTML
<div ng-controller="useSpreadsheetData">
Controller: <code>videoUrlId = {{videoUrlId}}</code><br>
Directive: <meetings></meetings>
</div>
JavaScript
app.controller('useSpreadsheetData', function($scope) {
var videos = [service call];
for (var x in videos) {
if (videos[x].switchValue) {
var videoUrlId = videos[x].videoUrl;
$scope.videoUrlId = videoUrlId;
break;
}
}
});
app.directive('meetings', ['$timeout', '$window',
function($timeout, $window) {
return {
restrict: 'E',
template: '<code>videoUrlId = {{videoUrlId}}</code>'
}
}
]);
Output
Controller: videoUrlId = /1
Directive: videoUrlId = /1