Making a drop down list readonly but still submitting its value

Question

I am using the Html.DropDownList helper in ASP.NET MVC and I would like to make it read-only. Unfortunately, I also need it to submit its value on a form post.

I have found (through a similar question on SO) that using the below format will make the drop down read-only but it will not provide access to the control's value within the controller.

Html.DropDownList("Types", Model.Types, new { @disabled = "disabled" })

Does anyone know how to make a drop down list read-only or disabled with ASP.NET MVC while also allowing it to submit with a form post?

Answer 1

It's intended behavior on the web browser side - a disabled control will not post it's data to the server when a form is submitted.

You can fake it by putting a hidden field on the page with the value in it - just be sure to validate the data. Or use javascript to enable the field before the submit action happens.

If you're disabling a field, but still showing it on the page with some value, then there must be a way for you to know that value without having it send back from the browser to the server.

Answer 2

1. Make it a textbox instead.

2. Add a change event with javascript:

   $('#dropdown').change(function(e) { e.preventDefault(); });

3. Have a dropdown list with only 1 item in it.
4. Have a hidden item with the actual value of the dropdown in it, so that gets submitted even if the disabled dropdown doesn't.

Answer 3

You can enable it on submit. Downside: it looks weird.

$(form).submit(function() {
  $('#Types').removeAttr('disabled');
});

or copy the value into a hidden field on submit.

$(form).submit(function() {
  $('#HiddenField').val($('#Types').val());
});