DataTrigger where value is NOT null? - wpf

Question

I know that I can make a setter that checks to see if a value is NULL and do something. Example:
<TextBlock>
<TextBlock.Style>
<Style>
<Style.Triggers>
<DataTrigger Binding="{Binding SomeField}" Value="{x:Null}">
<Setter Property="TextBlock.Text" Value="It's NULL Baby!" />
</DataTrigger>
</Style.Triggers>
</Style>
</TextBlock.Style>
</TextBlock>
But how can I check for a "not" value... as in "NOT NULL", or "NOT = 3"? Is that possible in XAML?
Results: Thanks for your answers... I knew I could do a value converter (which means I would have to go in code, and that would not be pure XAML as I hoped for). However, that does answer the question that effectively "no" you can't do it in pure XAML. The answer selected, however, shows probably the best way to create that kind of functionality. Good find.

Answer 1

This is a bit of a cheat but I just set a default style and then overrode it using a DataTrigger if the value is null...
<Style>
<!-- Highlight for Reviewed (Default) -->
<Setter Property="Control.Background" Value="PaleGreen" />
<Style.Triggers>
<!-- Highlight for Not Reviewed -->
<DataTrigger Binding="{Binding Path=REVIEWEDBY}" Value="{x:Null}">
<Setter Property="Control.Background" Value="LightIndianRed" />
</DataTrigger>
</Style.Triggers>
</Style>

Answer 2

You can use an IValueConverter for this:
<TextBlock>
<TextBlock.Resources>
<conv:IsNullConverter x:Key="isNullConverter"/>
</TextBlock.Resources>
<TextBlock.Style>
<Style>
<Style.Triggers>
<DataTrigger Binding="{Binding SomeField, Converter={StaticResource isNullConverter}}" Value="False">
<Setter Property="TextBlock.Text" Value="It's NOT NULL Baby!"/>
</DataTrigger>
</Style.Triggers>
</Style>
</TextBlock.Style>
</TextBlock>
Where IsNullConverter is defined elsewhere (and conv is set to reference its namespace):
public class IsNullConverter : IValueConverter
{
public object Convert(object value, Type targetType, object parameter, CultureInfo culture)
{
return (value == null);
}
public object ConvertBack(object value, Type targetType, object parameter, CultureInfo culture)
{
throw new InvalidOperationException("IsNullConverter can only be used OneWay.");
}
}
A more general solution would be to implement an IValueConverter that checks for equality with the ConverterParameter, so you can check against anything, and not just null.

Answer 3

I ran into a similar limitation with DataTriggers, and it would seem that you can only check for equality. The closest thing I've seen that might help you is a technique for doing other types of comparisons other than equality.
This blog post describes how to do comparisons such as LT, GT, etc in a DataTrigger.
This limitation of the DataTrigger can be worked around to some extent by using a Converter to massage the data into a special value you can then compare against, as suggested in Robert Macnee's answer.

Answer 4

Compare with null (As Michael Noonan said):
<Style>
<Style.Triggers>
<DataTrigger Binding="{Binding SomeProperty}" Value="{x:Null}">
<Setter Property="Visibility" Value="Collapsed" />
</DataTrigger>
</Style.Triggers>
</Style>
Compare with not null (without a converter):
<Style>
<Setter Property="Visibility" Value="Collapsed" />
<Style.Triggers>
<DataTrigger Binding="{Binding SomeProperty}" Value="{x:Null}">
<Setter Property="Visibility" Value="Visible" />
</DataTrigger>
</Style.Triggers>
</Style>

Answer 5

I'm using this to only enable a button if a listview item is selected (ie not null):
<Style TargetType="{x:Type Button}">
<Setter Property="IsEnabled" Value="True"/>
<Style.Triggers>
<DataTrigger Binding="{Binding ElementName=lvMyList, Path=SelectedItem}" Value="{x:Null}">
<Setter Property="IsEnabled" Value="False"/>
</DataTrigger>
</Style.Triggers>
</Style>

Answer 6

You can use DataTrigger class in Microsoft.Expression.Interactions.dll that come with Expression Blend.
Code Sample:
<i:Interaction.Triggers>
<i:DataTrigger Binding="{Binding YourProperty}" Value="{x:Null}" Comparison="NotEqual">
<ie:ChangePropertyAction PropertyName="YourTargetPropertyName" Value="{Binding YourValue}"/>
</i:DataTrigger
</i:Interaction.Triggers>
Using this method you can trigger against GreaterThan and LessThan too.
In order to use this code you should reference two dll's:
System.Windows.Interactivity.dll
Microsoft.Expression.Interactions.dll

Answer 7

<StackPanel.Style>
<Style>
<Setter Property="StackPanel.Visibility" Value="Visible"></Setter>
<Style.Triggers>
<DataTrigger Binding="{Binding ElementName=ProfileSelectorComboBox, Path=SelectedItem.Tag}" Value="{x:Null}">
<Setter Property="StackPanel.Visibility" Value="Collapsed"></Setter>
</DataTrigger>
</Style.Triggers>
</Style>
</StackPanel.Style>
I just used the inverse logic here...setting my stackpanel to invisible when my comboitem is not populated, it works pretty well!

Answer 8

Stop! No converter! I dont want to "sell" the library of this guy, but I hated the fact of doing converter everytime I wanted to compare stuff in XAML.
So with this library : https://github.com/Alex141/CalcBinding
you can do that [and a lot more] :
First, In the declaration of the windows/userControl :
<Windows....
xmlns:conv="clr-namespace:CalcBinding;assembly=CalcBinding"
>
then, in the textblock
<TextBlock>
<TextBlock.Style>
<Style.Triggers>
<DataTrigger Binding="{conv:Binding 'MyValue==null'}" Value="false">
<Setter Property="Background" Value="#FF80C983"></Setter>
</DataTrigger>
</Style.Triggers>
</TextBlock.Style>
</TextBlock>
The magic part is the conv:Binding 'MYValue==null'. In fact, you could set any condition you wanted [look at the doc].
note that I am not a fan of third party. but this library is Free, and little impact (just add 2 .dll to the project).

Answer 9

My solution is in the DataContext instance (or ViewModel if using MVVM). I add a property that returns true if the Not Null condition I want is met.
Public ReadOnly Property IsSomeFieldNull() As Boolean
Get
Return If(SomeField is Null, True, False)
End Get
End Property
and bind the DataTrigger to the above property.
Note: In VB.NET be sure to use the operator If and NOT the IIf function, which doesn't work with Null objects.
Then the XAML is:
<DataTrigger Binding="{Binding IsSomeFieldNull}" Value="False">
<Setter Property="TextBlock.Text" Value="It's NOT NULL Baby!" />
</DataTrigger>

Answer 10

If you are looking for a solution that does not use IValueConverter, you can always go with below mechanism
<StackPanel>
<TextBlock Text="Border = Red when null value" />
<Border x:Name="border_objectForNullValueTrigger" HorizontalAlignment="Stretch" Height="20">
<Border.Style>
<Style TargetType="Border">
<Setter Property="Background" Value="Black" />
<Style.Triggers>
<DataTrigger Binding="{Binding ObjectForNullValueTrigger}" Value="{x:Null}">
<Setter Property="Background" Value="Red" />
</DataTrigger>
</Style.Triggers>
</Style>
</Border.Style>
</Border>
<TextBlock Text="Border = Green when not null value" />
<Border HorizontalAlignment="Stretch" Height="20">
<Border.Style>
<Style TargetType="Border">
<Setter Property="Background" Value="Green" />
<Style.Triggers>
<DataTrigger Binding="{Binding Background, ElementName=border_objectForNullValueTrigger}" Value="Red">
<Setter Property="Background" Value="Black" />
</DataTrigger>
</Style.Triggers>
</Style>
</Border.Style>
</Border>
<Button Content="Invert Object state" Click="Button_Click_1"/>
</StackPanel>

Answer 11

Converter:
public class NullableToVisibilityConverter: IValueConverter
{
public object Convert(object value, Type targetType, object parameter, CultureInfo culture)
{
return value == null ? Visibility.Collapsed : Visibility.Visible;
}
}
Binding:
Visibility="{Binding PropertyToBind, Converter={StaticResource nullableToVisibilityConverter}}"

Answer 12

You can use a converter or create new property in your ViewModel like that:
public bool CanDoIt
{
get
{
return !string.IsNullOrEmpty(SomeField);
}
}
and use it:
<DataTrigger Binding="{Binding SomeField}" Value="{Binding CanDoIt}">