Bind to ObservableCollection specific Index - wpf

Question

I have the next class:
public class GridViewControlModel : NotificationObject
{
DataTable datasource;
public DataTable Datasource
{
get
{
return datasource;
}
set
{
datasource = value;
RaisePropertyChanged("Datasource");
}
}
ObservableCollection<string> fieldsNames;
public ObservableCollection<string> FieldsNames
{
get
{
if (fieldsNames == null)
{
fieldsNames = new ObservableCollection<string>();
}
return fieldsNames;
}
set
{
fieldsNames = value;
RaisePropertyChanged("FieldsNames");
}
}
//and more properties
}
The property "FieldsNames" contains list of columns Headers that I want bind to GridView data column header.
In my ViewModel I created property - GridViewControlModel CurrentGridViewData and I want to bind my GridView columns headers to my CurrentGridViewData.FieldsNames[indexes]
for example
<dxg:GridColumn1 Header="{Binding CurrentGridViewData, Path=CurrentGridViewData.FieldsNames[0]}">
<dxg:GridColumn2 Header="{Binding CurrentGridViewData, Path=CurrentGridViewData.FieldsNames[1]}">
and so on...
Im working with DevExpress gridCointrol but Im don`t think its matter .
How can I bind property to specific ObservableCollection index?
I will explain what Im trying to do.
I have GridControl with many views.
When the user switch view the grid control need to change its entire structure (different number of columns, columns headers, column size, types and etc). I created a class which contains all the properties and settings for each view (this CurrentGridViewData class from my question) and when the user switch view I change the reference fo CurrentGridViewData to the right view instance and by binding I want to make all grid changes.
Is there a better way?
Thanks
Thanks
I think I found possible solution related to DevExpress GridControl.
Look at the next link
http://documentation.devexpress.com/#wpf/CustomDocument10121
What are you thinking? Is it better approach than using DataTemplate?
Thanks

Answer 1

My solution for you would be to create a DataTemplate for each of the model you want to bind to your DataGrid.
For example lets say you have 3 different DataTables: OrdersDataTable, CustomersDataTable and ProductsDataTable.
First thing would be to replace your DataGrid control by a simple ContentControl.
<ContentControl Content="{Binding DataTable}"/>
Then add and create those DataTemplate in your application ressources.
<DataTemplate DataType="{x:Type local:OrdersDataTable}">
<DataGrid ItemsSource="{Binding}">
<DataGrid.Columns>
<DataGridTextColumn Binding="{Binding ID}" Header="ID"/>
<DataGridTextColumn Binding="{Binding Tax}" Header="Tax"/>
<DataGridTextColumn Binding="{Binding NetAmount}" Header="NetAmount"/>
</DataGrid.Columns>
</DataGrid>
</DataTemplate>
<DataTemplate DataType="{x:Type local:CustomersDataTable}">
<DataGrid ItemsSource="{Binding}">
<DataGrid.Columns>
<DataGridTextColumn Binding="{Binding ID}" Header="ID"/>
<DataGridTextColumn Binding="{Binding FirstName}" Header="First name"/>
<DataGridTextColumn Binding="{Binding LastName}" Header="Last name"/>
</DataGrid.Columns>
</DataGrid>
</DataTemplate>
<DataTemplate DataType="{x:Type local:ProductsDataTable}">
<DataGrid ItemsSource="{Binding}">
<DataGrid.Columns>
<DataGridTextColumn Binding="{Binding ID}" Header="ID"/>
<DataGridTextColumn Binding="{Binding Name}" Header="Name"/>
<DataGridTextColumn Binding="{Binding Quantity}" Header="Quantity"/>
<DataGridTextColumn Binding="{Binding UnitPrice}" Header="UnitPrice"/>
</DataGrid.Columns>
</DataGrid>
</DataTemplate>
This way, when you will bind your DataTable to the content control, it will lookup for the concrete DataTable type and crawl the application resources to find a corresponding DataTemplate to display your DataTable.
I recommend to use a Style for the DataGrid control so you don't have to reproduce the style in all the DataTemplate.
NB: The DataGrid.ItemsSource might not be correct for you, just adapt it.