Can't find TableCell in DataList - asp.net

Question

I have an ASP.Net 4.6.1 DataList on a web page with methods for both OnItemDataBound and OnItemCreated:
<asp:DataList runat="server" ID="dlAssocDetail" HorizontalAlign="Center" OnEditCommand="dlAssocDetail_EditCommand" OnUpdateCommand="dlAssocDetail_UpdateCommand"
OnCancelCommand="dlAssocDetail_CancelCommand" OnItemCommand="dlAssocDetail_ItemCommand" OnItemDataBound="dlAssocDetail_ItemDataBound" OnItemCreated="dlAssocDetail_ItemCreated">
<ItemTemplate>
<asp:Table runat="server" Font-Names="Arial" HorizontalAlign="Center" CellPadding="20" CellSpacing="20" BackColor="WhiteSmoke" BorderColor="LightGray">
<asp:TableRow runat="server">
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>User ID: </b><asp:Label runat="server" ID="lbEID" Text=<%# Bind("EmployeeID") %> />
</asp:TableCell>
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Attorney Name: </b><asp:Label runat="server" ID="lbName" Text=<%# Bind("AttorneyName") %> />
</asp:TableCell>
</asp:TableRow>
<asp:TableRow runat="server">
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Title: </b><asp:Label runat="server" ID="lbTitle" Text=<%# Bind("Title") %> />
</asp:TableCell>
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Anniversary Date: </b><asp:Label runat="server" ID="lbADate" Text=<%# Bind("AnniversaryDate") %> />
</asp:TableCell>
</asp:TableRow>
<asp:TableRow runat="server">
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Balance: </b><asp:Label runat="server" ID="lbBalance" Text=<%# Bind("Balance") %> />
</asp:TableCell>
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Allotment Amount: </b><asp:Label runat="server" ID="lbAAmt" Text=<%# Bind("AllotmentAmount") %> />
</asp:TableCell>
</asp:TableRow>
</asp:Table><br />
<asp:Table runat="server" Font-Names="Arial" HorizontalAlign="Center" CellPadding="20" CellSpacing="20" BackColor="WhiteSmoke" BorderColor="LightGray">
<asp:TableRow runat="server">
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Description: </b><asp:Label runat="server" ID="lbDesc" Text=<%# Bind("Description") %> />
</asp:TableCell>
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Approved: </b><asp:CheckBox runat="server" ID="cbApproved" Enabled="false" Checked=<%# Bind("Approved") %> />
<b>Rejected: </b><asp:CheckBox runat="server" ID="cbRejected" Enabled="false" />
</asp:TableCell>
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Status: </b><asp:Label runat="server" ID="lbStatus" Text=<%# Bind("OrderStatus") %> />
</asp:TableCell>
</asp:TableRow>
<asp:TableRow runat="server">
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Request Date: </b><asp:Label runat="server" ID="lbReqDate" Text=<%# Bind("RequestDate") %> />
</asp:TableCell>
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Order Date: </b><asp:Label runat="server" ID="lbOrderDate" Text=<%# Bind("OrderDate") %> />
</asp:TableCell>
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Received Date: </b><asp:Label runat="server" ID="lbReceivedDate" Text=<%# Bind("ReceivedDate") %> />
</asp:TableCell>
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Paid/Reimb Date: </b><asp:Label runat="server" ID="lbPaidDate" Text=<%# Bind("Paid_ReimbDate") %> />
</asp:TableCell>
</asp:TableRow>
<asp:TableRow runat="server">
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Total Amount: </b><asp:Label runat="server" ID="lbTotal" Text=<%# Bind("TotalAmount") %> />
</asp:TableCell>
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Paid By Firm: </b><asp:Label runat="server" ID="lbByFirm" Text=<%# Bind("Paid_Reimb_Amt_ByFirm") %> />
</asp:TableCell>
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Paid By Attorney: </b><asp:Label runat="server" ID="lbByAttorney" Text=<%# Bind("PaidAmountByAttorney") %> />
</asp:TableCell>
</asp:TableRow>
<asp:TableRow runat="server">
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Operating System: </b><asp:RadioButtonList runat="server" ID="rblOS" Enabled="false" SelectedValue=<%# Bind("OSID") %>
RepeatDirection="Horizontal">
<asp:ListItem Text="Apple" Value="1" />
<asp:ListItem Text="Windows" Value="2" />
</asp:RadioButtonList>
</asp:TableCell>
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Device Type: </b><asp:RadioButtonList runat="server" ID="rblDType" Enabled="false" SelectedValue=<%# Bind("DeviceTypeID") %>
RepeatDirection="Horizontal">
<asp:ListItem Text="Desktop" Value="1" />
<asp:ListItem Text="Laptop" Value="2" />
<asp:ListItem Text="iPad" Value="3" />
<asp:ListItem Text="Peripheral" Value="4" />
</asp:RadioButtonList>
</asp:TableCell>
<asp:TableCell runat="server" ID="tcSpecs">
<b>Specs: </b><br /><asp:HyperLink runat="server" ID="hlSpecs" Enabled="false" />
</asp:TableCell>
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Upload: </b><asp:FileUpload runat="server" ID="fluUpload" AllowMultiple="true" Enabled="false" />
</asp:TableCell>
</asp:TableRow>
<asp:TableRow runat="server">
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<asp:Button runat="server" ID="btnEdit" CommandName="Edit" Text="Edit" Font-Bold="true" Font-Names="Arial"
BackColor="WhiteSmoke" BorderStyle="Outset" Height="40" Width="100" Font-Size="Large" />
<asp:Button runat="server" ID="btnNew" CommandName="New" Text="New" Font-Bold="true" Font-Names="Arial"
BackColor="WhiteSmoke" BorderStyle="Outset" Height="40" Width="100" Font-Size="Large" />
</asp:TableCell>
</asp:TableRow>
<asp:TableRow runat="server">
<asp:TableCell runat="server" ColumnSpan="3" HorizontalAlign="Center">
<asp:Label runat="server" ID="lbSuccess" Font-Bold="true" Font-Names="Arial" Font-Size="X-Small" ForeColor="Red" />
</asp:TableCell>
</asp:TableRow>
</asp:Table>
</ItemTemplate>
<EditItemTemplate>
<asp:Table runat="server" Font-Names="Arial" HorizontalAlign="Center" CellPadding="20" CellSpacing="20" BackColor="WhiteSmoke" BorderColor="LightGray">
<asp:TableRow runat="server">
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>User ID: </b><asp:Label runat="server" ID="lbEID" Text=<%# Bind("EmployeeID") %> />
</asp:TableCell>
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Attorney Name: </b><asp:Label runat="server" ID="lbName" Text=<%# Bind("AttorneyName") %> />
</asp:TableCell>
</asp:TableRow>
<asp:TableRow runat="server">
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Title: </b><asp:Label runat="server" ID="lbTitle" Text=<%# Bind("Title") %> />
</asp:TableCell>
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Anniversary Date: </b><asp:Label runat="server" ID="lbADate" Text=<%# Bind("AnniversaryDate") %> />
</asp:TableCell>
</asp:TableRow>
<asp:TableRow runat="server">
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Balance: </b><asp:Label runat="server" ID="lbBalance" Text=<%# Bind("Balance") %> />
</asp:TableCell>
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Allotment Amount: </b><asp:Label runat="server" ID="lbAAmt" Text=<%# Bind("AllotmentAmount") %> />
</asp:TableCell>
</asp:TableRow>
</asp:Table><br />
<asp:Table runat="server" Font-Names="Arial" HorizontalAlign="Center" CellPadding="20" CellSpacing="20" BackColor="WhiteSmoke" BorderColor="LightGray">
<asp:TableRow runat="server">
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Description: </b><asp:TextBox runat="server" ID="tbDesc" Text=<%# Bind("Description") %> />
</asp:TableCell>
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Approved: </b><asp:CheckBox runat="server" ID="cbApproved" Checked=<%# Bind("Approved") %> />
<b>Rejected: </b><asp:CheckBox runat="server" ID="cbRejected" />
</asp:TableCell>
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Status: </b><asp:DropDownList runat="server" ID="ddlStatus" />
</asp:TableCell>
</asp:TableRow>
<asp:TableRow runat="server">
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Request Date: </b><asp:ImageButton runat="server" ID="ibReqDate" ImageUrl="~/images/Calendar-icon.png" AlternateText="Click here to display calendar" />
<asp:TextBox runat="server" ID="tbReqDate" Text=<%# Bind("RequestDate") %> />
<ajax:CalendarExtender runat="server" ID="ceReqDate" TargetControlID="tbReqDate" PopupButtonID="ibReqDate" />
<asp:ImageButton runat="server" ID="ibDelReqDate" ImageUrl="~/images/cal_nodate.gif" /><br />
<asp:RegularExpressionValidator runat="server" ValidationExpression="^[0-9]+[-/][0-9]+[-/][0-9][0-9][0-9][0-9]$"
ControlToValidate="tbReqDate" ErrorMessage="Correct Format is MM/DD/YYYY" Font-Bold="true" ForeColor="Red"
SetFocusOnError="true" Font-Size="XX-Small" />
</asp:TableCell>
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Order Date: </b><asp:ImageButton runat="server" ID="ibOrderDate" ImageUrl="~/images/Calendar-icon.png" AlternateText="Click here to display calendar" />
<asp:TextBox runat="server" ID="tbOrderDate" Text=<%# Bind("OrderDate") %> />
<ajax:CalendarExtender runat="server" ID="ceOrderDate" TargetControlID="tbOrderDate" PopupButtonID="ibOrderDate" />
<asp:ImageButton runat="server" ID="ibDelOrderDate" ImageUrl="~/images/cal_nodate.gif" /><br />
<asp:RegularExpressionValidator runat="server" ValidationExpression="^[0-9]+[-/][0-9]+[-/][0-9][0-9][0-9][0-9]$"
ControlToValidate="tbOrderDate" ErrorMessage="Correct Format is MM/DD/YYYY" Font-Bold="true" ForeColor="Red"
SetFocusOnError="true" Font-Size="XX-Small" />
</asp:TableCell>
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Received Date: </b><asp:ImageButton runat="server" ID="ibReceivedDate" ImageUrl="~/images/Calendar-icon.png" AlternateText="Click here to display calendar" />
<asp:TextBox runat="server" ID="tbReceivedDate" Text=<%# Bind("ReceivedDate") %> />
<ajax:CalendarExtender runat="server" ID="ceReceivedDate" TargetControlID="tbReceivedDate" PopupButtonID="ibReceivedDate" />
<asp:ImageButton runat="server" ID="ibDelReceivedDate" ImageUrl="~/images/cal_nodate.gif" /><br />
<asp:RegularExpressionValidator runat="server" ValidationExpression="^[0-9]+[-/][0-9]+[-/][0-9][0-9][0-9][0-9]$"
ControlToValidate="tbReceivedDate" ErrorMessage="Correct Format is MM/DD/YYYY" Font-Bold="true" ForeColor="Red"
SetFocusOnError="true" Font-Size="XX-Small" />
</asp:TableCell>
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Paid/Reimb Date: </b><asp:ImageButton runat="server" ID="ibPaidDate" ImageUrl="~/images/Calendar-icon.png" AlternateText="Click here to display calendar" />
<asp:TextBox runat="server" ID="tbPaidDate" Text=<%# Bind("Paid_ReimbDate") %> />
<ajax:CalendarExtender runat="server" ID="cePaidDate" TargetControlID="tbPaidDate" PopupButtonID="ibPaidDate" />
<asp:ImageButton runat="server" ID="ibDelPaidDate" ImageUrl="~/images/cal_nodate.gif" /><br />
<asp:RegularExpressionValidator runat="server" ValidationExpression="^[0-9]+[-/][0-9]+[-/][0-9][0-9][0-9][0-9]$"
ControlToValidate="tbPaidDate" ErrorMessage="Correct Format is MM/DD/YYYY" Font-Bold="true" ForeColor="Red"
SetFocusOnError="true" Font-Size="XX-Small" />
</asp:TableCell>
</asp:TableRow>
<asp:TableRow runat="server">
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Total Amount: </b><asp:TextBox runat="server" ID="tbTotal" Text=<%# Bind("TotalAmount") %> /><br />
<asp:RegularExpressionValidator runat="server" ValidationExpression="^[0-9]+\.{0,1}[0-9]{0,2}$" ControlToValidate="tbTotal"
ErrorMessage="Must be a number" Font-Bold="true" ForeColor="Red" SetFocusOnError="true" Font-Size="XX-Small" />
</asp:TableCell>
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Paid By Firm: </b><asp:TextBox runat="server" ID="tbByFirm" Text=<%# Bind("Paid_Reimb_Amt_ByFirm") %> /><br />
<asp:RegularExpressionValidator runat="server" ValidationExpression="^[0-9]+\.{0,1}[0-9]{0,2}$" ControlToValidate="tbByFirm"
ErrorMessage="Must be a number" Font-Bold="true" ForeColor="Red" SetFocusOnError="true" Font-Size="XX-Small" />
</asp:TableCell>
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Paid By Attorney: </b><asp:TextBox runat="server" ID="tbByAttorney" Text=<%# Bind("PaidAmountByAttorney") %> /><br />
<asp:RegularExpressionValidator runat="server" ValidationExpression="^[0-9]+\.{0,1}[0-9]{0,2}$" ControlToValidate="tbByAttorney"
ErrorMessage="Must be a number" Font-Bold="true" ForeColor="Red" SetFocusOnError="true" Font-Size="XX-Small" />
</asp:TableCell>
</asp:TableRow>
<asp:TableRow runat="server">
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Operating System: </b><asp:RadioButtonList runat="server" ID="rblOS" SelectedValue=<%# Bind("OSID") %>
RepeatDirection="Horizontal">
<asp:ListItem Text="Apple" Value="1" />
<asp:ListItem Text="Windows" Value="2" />
</asp:RadioButtonList>
</asp:TableCell>
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Device Type: </b><asp:RadioButtonList runat="server" ID="rblDType" SelectedValue=<%# Bind("DeviceTypeID") %>
RepeatDirection="Horizontal">
<asp:ListItem Text="Desktop" Value="1" />
<asp:ListItem Text="Laptop" Value="2" />
<asp:ListItem Text="iPad" Value="3" />
<asp:ListItem Text="Peripheral" Value="4" />
</asp:RadioButtonList>
</asp:TableCell>
<asp:TableCell runat="server" ID="tcSpecs">
<b>Specs: </b><asp:HyperLink runat="server" ID="hlSpecs" />
</asp:TableCell>
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<b>Upload: </b><asp:FileUpload runat="server" ID="fluUpload" AllowMultiple="true" />
</asp:TableCell>
</asp:TableRow>
<asp:TableRow runat="server">
<asp:TableCell runat="server">
<asp:Button runat="server" ID="btnUpdate" CommandName="Update" Text="Update" Font-Bold="true" Font-Names="Arial"
BackColor="WhiteSmoke" BorderStyle="Outset" Height="40" Width="100" Font-Size="Large" />
<asp:Button runat="server" ID="btnCancel" CommandName="Cancel" Text="Cancel" Font-Bold="true" Font-Names="Arial"
BackColor="WhiteSmoke" BorderStyle="Outset" Height="40" Width="100" Font-Size="Large" />
</asp:TableCell>
</asp:TableRow>
<asp:TableRow runat="server">
<asp:TableCell runat="server" ColumnSpan="3" HorizontalAlign="Center">
<asp:Label runat="server" ID="lbSuccess" Font-Bold="true" Font-Names="Arial" Font-Size="X-Small" ForeColor="Red" />
</asp:TableCell>
</asp:TableRow>
</asp:Table>
</EditItemTemplate>
</asp:DataList>
I'm trying to find a TableCell in the DataList. The ID of the TableCell is tcSpecs. When either the ItemDataBound or ItemCreated event fires, it doesn't see tcSpecs, i.e., tcSpecs remains null. Here's my code:
protected void dlAssocDetail_ItemDataBound(object sender, DataListItemEventArgs e)
{
TableCell tc = (TableCell)e.Item.FindControl("tbSpecs");
}
protected void dlAssocDetail_ItemCreated(object sender, DataListItemEventArgs e)
{
TableCell tc = (TableCell)e.Item.FindControl("tbSpecs");
}
What am I doing wrong? How do I find this TableCell?
Backing up a bit, what I'm trying to accomplish is to dynamically create a bunch of HyperLink controls on the page. I'm trying to find the TableCell so I have somewhere to put them. If anyone can suggest an alternative to using the TableCell, I'm open to that, too. Thanks much.

Answer 1

I figured this out. First you have to find the Table, then the TableRow, then the TableCell. So:
protected void dlAssocDetail_ItemDataBound(object sender, DataListItemEventArgs e)
{
Table ta = (Table)e.Item.FindControl("myTable");
foreach (TableRow row in ta.Rows)
foreach (TableCell cell in row.Cells)
//do something
}