ASP.NET MVC passing Model together with files back to controller

Question

I want to get some data from my user. So first, I use a controller to create a view which receives a Model:

public ViewResult CreateArticle()
{
    Article newArticle = new Article();
    ImagesUploadModel dataFromUser = new ImagesUploadModel(newArticle);
    return View(dataFromUser);
}

Then, I have the view:

<asp:Content ID="Content1" ContentPlaceHolderID="MainContentPlaceHolder" runat="server">

    <h2>AddArticle</h2>

    <% using (Html.BeginForm("CreateArticle", "Admin", FormMethod.Post, new { enctype = "multipart/form-data" })){ %>


                <%= Html.LabelFor(model => model.newArticle.Title)%>
                <%= Html.TextBoxFor(model => model.newArticle.Title)%>
   
                <%= Html.LabelFor(model => model.newArticle.ContentText)%>
                <%= Html.TextBoxFor(model => model.newArticle.ContentText)%>

                <%= Html.LabelFor(model => model.newArticle.CategoryID)%>
                <%= Html.TextBoxFor(model => model.newArticle.CategoryID)%>

                <p>
                    Image1: <input type="file" name="file1" id="file1" />
                </p>
                <p>
                    Image2: <input type="file" name="file2" id="file2" />
                </p>

            <div>
                <button type="submit" />Create
            </div>



    <%} %>


</asp:Content>

and finally - the original controller, but this time configured to accept the data:

   [HttpPost]
    public ActionResult CreateArticle(ImagesUploadModel dataFromUser)
    {
        if (ModelState.IsValid)
        {
            HttpPostedFileBase[] imagesArr;
            imagesArr = new HttpPostedFileBase[2]; 
            int i = 0;
            foreach (string f in Request.Files)
            {
                HttpPostedFileBase file = Request.Files[f];
                if (file.ContentLength > 0)
                    imagesArr[i] = file;
            }

The rest of this controller does not matter since no matter what I do, the count attribute of Request.Files (or Request.Files.Keys) remains 0. I simply can't find a way to pass the files from the form (the Model passes just fine).

possible duplicate of ASP.NET MVC posted file model binding when parameter is Model — bzlm
– bzlm, Commented Oct 7, 2010 at 6:14

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 11:46:16Z

3

You might want to consider not posting the files with the rest of the form- there are good reasons and other ways you can achieve what you want.

Also, check out this question and this advice regarding file uploads in MVC.

edited May 23, 2017 at 11:46

CommunityBot

11 silver badge

answered Oct 7, 2010 at 2:53

Matt Kocaj

11.6k6 gold badges53 silver badges79 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

2 Comments

Tom Teman Over a year ago

Well, I guess I'll just split it up into 2 views then :-P thanks.

Matt Kocaj Over a year ago

It could even be the same view with two forms in it (another way to achieve the "2 step process").

Darin Dimitrov · Accepted Answer · 2010-10-07 06:25:12Z

3

You could add the files to your view model:

public class ImagesUploadModel
{
    ...
    public HttpPostedFileBase File1 { get; set; }
    public HttpPostedFileBase File2 { get; set; }
}

And then:

[HttpPost]
public ActionResult CreateArticle(ImagesUploadModel dataFromUser)
{
    if (ModelState.IsValid)
    {
        // Use dataFromUser.File1 and dataFromUser.File2 directly here
    }
    return RedirectToAction("index");
}

answered Oct 7, 2010 at 6:25

Darin Dimitrov

1.0m275 gold badges3.3k silver badges3k bronze badges

5 Comments

Tom Teman Over a year ago

that would be an awesome solution, but how do I update the model data in the view. that is - how does the upload mechanism work (what replaces <input type="file" name="file1" id="file1" /> ?)

Darin Dimitrov Over a year ago

There's no HTML helper built into ASP.NET MVC currently that allows you to generate file inputs. You need to generate them manually or use one of the helpers in MVCContrib.

Tom Teman Over a year ago

Well, I guess I'll just split it up into 2 views then :-P thanks.

ujjaval Over a year ago

@DarinDimitrov Got error:- No MediaTypeFormatter is available to read an object of type 'CommentModel' from content with media type 'multipart/form-data'

Darin Dimitrov Over a year ago

@ujjaval, you seem to be attempting to use this in a Web API controller action. My answer is about ASP.NET MVC.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

ASP.NET MVC passing Model together with files back to controller

2 Answers 2

2 Comments

5 Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

2 Comments

5 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related