How to create global helper functions?

Question

I want to create some global helper functions. I understood that i must place them in a .cshtml file in App_Code. I created this file:

@helper CreatePostForm(string action, string controller, string id, params string[] hiddens)
{       
    using (BeginForm(action, controller, System.Web.Mvc.FormMethod.Post, new { id = id }))
    {
        @Html.AntiForgeryToken()
        foreach(string hidden in hiddens)
        {
            @Html.Hidden(hidden)   
        }
    }
}

The problem is that BeginForm and AntiForgeryToken methods are nor recognized. How to make it right?

PS: i am using .net 4.5, asp.net mvc 4

For those who would need global helper functions in ASP.NET Core I presented a possible solution here: stackoverflow.com/questions/32331157/… — Adam Simon
– Adam Simon, Commented Sep 30, 2020 at 8:53

nemesv · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-10 19:55:36Z

3

The solution is to pass in the HtmlHelper object as a parameter into your helper:

@helper CreatePostForm(HtmlHelper html, 
                       string action, string controller, string id, 
                       params string[] hiddens)
{       
    using (html.BeginForm(action, controller, FormMethod.Post, new { id = id }))
    {
        @html.AntiForgeryToken()
        foreach(string hidden in hiddens)
        {
            @html.Hidden(hidden)   
        }
    }
}

You should also add the required @using statements to your helper file to make the extension methods like BeginForm work:

@using System.Web.Mvc.Html
@using System.Web.Mvc

And then you need to call your helper method something like this:

@MyHelpers.CreatePostForm(Html, "SomeAtion", "SomeContoller" , "SomeId")

edited Oct 10, 2012 at 19:55

answered Oct 10, 2012 at 19:20

nemesv

140k16 gold badges424 silver badges364 bronze badges

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

5 Comments

gigi Over a year ago

I still can't access those methods on html parameter. Secondly, i can use Html in that cshtml. The problem is with those extension methods( BeginForm, AntiForgeryToken).

nemesv Over a year ago

These are all extension methods have you added the required usings at the top of your helper file? @using System.Web.Mvc.Html @using System.Web.Mvc

ashes999 Over a year ago

I don't really like passing Html as an input. But adding this to try and make an extension didn't work on my helper. Is there any other way? (Other than a real extension class, which is harder to build.)

nemesv Over a year ago

@ashes999 There is no other way. If you want to a global helper method and use Html then you need to pass in a HtmlHelper. Or you need to create a proper extension class and create a regular HtmlHelper extension.

Rudey Over a year ago

You don't have to pass anything to global helper functions. See my answer.

Rudey · Accepted Answer · 2019-06-07 13:58:02Z

1

You don't have to pass the HtmlHelper object as a parameter. Just put this in your .cshtml file residing in App_Code:

@functions {
    private new static HtmlHelper<dynamic> Html => ((WebViewPage)WebPageContext.Current.Page).Html;
}

Other useful members are:

private static UrlHelper Url => ((WebViewPage)WebPageContext.Current.Page).Url;

private static ViewContext ViewContext => ((WebViewPage)WebPageContext.Current.Page).ViewContext;

answered Jun 7, 2019 at 13:58

Rudey

5,0255 gold badges47 silver badges89 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

How to create global helper functions?

2 Answers 2

5 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

5 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related