In a WPF binding, how can I manipulate the data I'm binding, like, say concat two strings together?

Question

I'd really like to be able to do some manipulation to the stuff I'm binding. Similar to being able to call String.Format() in a <%#%> tag in ASP.Net.

For example, assuming this is the type I'm binding:

class User {
   public string FirstName { get; set; }
   public string LastName { get; set; }
   public int Age { get; set; }
}

and this is the Label I'm binding it to (I know this won't work):

<Label Name="someLabel" Content="{Binding LastName+,+FirstName+ +Age}")/>

Where I want the outcome to be: Smith,John 32

Answer 1

Try this:

class User {
   //...
   public string NameAndAge
   {
      get
      {
         return string.Format("{0}, {1} {2}",LastName , FirstName , Age);
      };
   }
}



<Label Name="someLabel" Content="{Binding NameAndAge}")/>

Answer 2

I ended up doing this:

<TextBlock>
    <TextBlock Text="{Binding LastName}"/><Run>,</Run>
    <TextBlock Text="{Binding FirstName}"/>
    <TextBlock Text="{Binding Age}"/>
</TextBlock>

Figured I'd leave that answer in here for anyone that has the same problem I did.

I'm still curious to see if anyone else knows a more clever way to accomplish this, as this seems a little hokey.

Answer 3

Multibinding + StringFormat (3.5 sp1)!!!!!

<TextBlock>
<TextBlock.Text>
    <MultiBinding StringFormat="{0}, {1} {2}">
      <Binding Path="LastName"/>
      <Binding Path="FirstName"/>
      <Binding Path="Age"/>
    </MultiBinding>
</TextBlock.Text>
</TextBlock>