Trying to find ClientID of web form

[Neo Geshel]

I need to get the ClientID of a form field for some JavaScript. About
25+ web sites I visited recommend the following method for finding the
client ID of a web form:

Web Form -> <asp:TextBox ID="datefield" type="hidden" Runat="Server" />
Client ID -> <%= datefield.ClientID() %>

Unfortunately, this only provides the following error:

Compilation Error
Compiler Error Message: BC30451: Name 'datefield' is not declared.
Source Error:
Line 200:
Line 201:
Line 202:<%= datefield.ClientID() %>
Line 203:
Line 204:

Why does this throw an error on my page? IF this is wrong, why did the
other 25+ MVP's (who recommended this method) also get it wrong?

As a hint, here are a few URL's where it gives the exact method that
fails for me:
http://www.syncfusion.com/FAQ/aspnet/WEB_c5c.aspx (#28.10, link doesn't
work)
http://www.startvbdotnet.com/aspsite...s/default.aspx
http://www.thecodeproject.com/aspnet...in_asp_net.asp
http://youngpup.net/2004/distro (second scrollbox)
http://www.ondotnet.com/pub/a/dotnet...t&x-order=date

And perhaps the clearest example that an author claims works, but
doesn't work with me:
http://www.janetsystems.co.uk/Defaul...=72&itemid=137

Also, how does one make an <asp:TextBox /> invisible on the web page?
Using a Type="hidden" doesn't seem to do the trick (it is still visible).

TIA
....Geshel
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[Juan T. Llibre]

First, a comment :

None of the sites you provided links for are run by MVPs.
Please don't imply that 25+ MVPs "got it wrong".

Second, I ran the exact code segment you provided

<form runat="server">
<asp:TextBox ID="datefield" type="hidden" Runat="Server" /><br/>
<%= datefield.ClientID() %>
</form>

and it runs fine inline.
The clientID for the "datefield" textbox is returned as "datefield".

re:

Also, how does one make an <asp:TextBox /> invisible on the web page?
Using a Type="hidden" doesn't seem to do the trick (it is still visible).
You're mixing HTML syntax with ASP.NET controls syntax.

If you don't want the textbox visible, use :
<asp:TextBox ID="datefield" Runat="Server" Visible="false" />


Juan T. Llibre
ASP.NET MVP
http://asp.net.do/foros/
Foros de ASP.NET en Español
Ven, y hablemos de ASP.NET...
======================

"Neo Geshel" <go****@geshel.org> wrote in message
news:er**************@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...I need to get the ClientID of a form field for some JavaScript. About
25+ web sites I visited recommend the following method for finding the
client ID of a web form:

Web Form -> <asp:TextBox ID="datefield" type="hidden" Runat="Server" />
Client ID -> <%= datefield.ClientID() %>

Unfortunately, this only provides the following error:

Compilation Error
Compiler Error Message: BC30451: Name 'datefield' is not declared.
Source Error:
Line 200:
Line 201:
Line 202:<%= datefield.ClientID() %>
Line 203:
Line 204:

Why does this throw an error on my page? IF this is wrong, why did the
other 25+ MVP's (who recommended this method) also get it wrong?

As a hint, here are a few URL's where it gives the exact method that fails for me:
http://www.syncfusion.com/FAQ/aspnet/WEB_c5c.aspx (#28.10, link doesn't work)
http://www.startvbdotnet.com/aspsite...s/default.aspx
http://www.thecodeproject.com/aspnet...in_asp_net.asp
http://youngpup.net/2004/distro (second scrollbox)
http://www.ondotnet.com/pub/a/dotnet...t&x-order=date

And perhaps the clearest example that an author claims works, but doesn't work with me:
http://www.janetsystems.co.uk/Defaul...=72&itemid=137

Also, how does one make an <asp:TextBox /> invisible on the web page?
Using a Type="hidden" doesn't seem to do the trick (it is still visible).

TIA
...Geshel

[Neo Geshel]

Juan T. Llibre wrote:

First, a comment :

None of the sites you provided links for are run by MVPs.
Please don't imply that 25+ MVPs "got it wrong".
Okay, so I exaggerate a little.
Second, I ran the exact code segment you provided

<form runat="server">
<asp:TextBox ID="datefield" type="hidden" Runat="Server" /><br/>
<%= datefield.ClientID() %>
</form>

and it runs fine inline.
The clientID for the "datefield" textbox is returned as "datefield".
Unfortunately, it DOES NOT work for me.

Strangely enough, "dg.clientID" *does* work, but that's because "dg" is
the ID of the DataGrid, and "dg" (which is returned) is the full
clientID that one can see in the Table that is sent to the client.

However, [controlname].ClientID *DOES NOT WORK* for anything other than
the DataGrind ID. It throws an error that crashes the page.
re:

Also, how does one make an <asp:TextBox /> invisible on the web page?
Using a Type="hidden" doesn't seem to do the trick (it is still visible).

You're mixing HTML syntax with ASP.NET controls syntax.

If you don't want the textbox visible, use :
<asp:TextBox ID="datefield" Runat="Server" Visible="false" />

Ah. Thanks. That works, but not as required. I think I'll apply a style.

Juan T. Llibre
ASP.NET MVP
http://asp.net.do/foros/
Foros de ASP.NET en Espa�ol
Ven, y hablemos de ASP.NET...
======================

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