How to edit multiple models in a single Razor View

Question

I am new to MVC3, I have an multiple models like BussinessDetails,ContactPerson,ServiceArea,Address and many more models.

Answer 1

You'll need to create a View Model that contains both of the types that you need. Something like this (assuming you're editing both an Album and an Artist):

public class MyModel
{
    public Album Album { get; set; }
    public Artist Artist { get; set; }
    public SelectList Genres { get; set; }
    public SelectList Artists{ get; set; }
}

Then change your view to use the new model like so:

@model MyModel

Then change your Get method to be something like:

public ActionResult Edit(int id) 
{
    var model = new MyModel();
    model.Album = db.Albums.Find(id);
    model.Artist = yourArtist; //whatever you want it to be
    model.Genres = new SelectList(db.Genres, "GenreId", "Name", model.Album.GenreId);
    model.Artists = new SelectList(db.Artists, "ArtistId", "Name", model.Album.ArtistId);

    return View(model);
}  

Then change your Post method to take the MyModel type:

[HttpPost]
public ActionResult Edit(MyModel model) {

    if (ModelState.IsValid) {
    //save your items here

        db.SaveChanges();

        return RedirectToAction("Index");
    }

    model.Genres = new SelectList(db.Genres, "GenreId", "Name", model.Album.GenreId);
    model.Artists = new SelectList(db.Artists, "ArtistId", "Name", model.Album.ArtistId);

    return View(album);
}      

Assuming your view has something like (wrapped in a form with a submit button of course):

@Html.EditorFor(m => m.Artist.Name) //do this for all Artist Fields
@Html.EditorFor(m =? m.Album.Name) //do this for all Album Fields

//the following two show you how to wire up your dropdowns:
@Html.DropDownListFor(m => m.Album.ArtistId, Model.Artists)
@Html.DropDownListFor(m => m.Album.GenreId, Model.Genres)