WPF databinding to a list of datetime objects

Question

I have a combo box that I want to bind to a list of datetime objects, but I want to show the datetime objects in short time format. I'm pretty sure I need to use some form of data template for this, but I can't figure out how to bind to the datetime object's ToShortTime method within the data template.

Can someone point me in the right direction?

Answer 1

You could set the Converter property on the binding. Implement IValueConverter to make the change to a string. The MSDN docs for IValueConverter actually use this as an example.

Answer 2

Assuming you're using .NET 3.0 or 3.5 with SP1, you can simply use the StringFormat to specify the format, for example:

<TextBlock Text="{Binding Source={x:Static sys:DateTime.Now}, StringFormat='{}{0:t}'}" />

Will show the current date time with short time format ('t' standard date time format modifier, exactly the same as calling DateTime.Now.ToString("t")).

Edit: If you're already in a data template having a DateTime as the DataContext, just use:

<TextBlock Text="{Binding StringFormat='{}{0:t}'}" />