ContextMenu.PlacementTarget is not getting set, no idea why

Answer 1

I realise that this is old and answered, but it doesn't seem properly answered. I came across a similar post and left a full answer. You might like to take a look as you can get it working with just a few adjustments to your code.

First, name your view UserControl... I generally name all of mine This for simplicity. Then remembering that our view model is bound to the DataContext of the UserControl, we can bind to the view model using {Binding DataContext, ElementName=This}.

So now we can bind to the view model, we have to connect that with the ContextMenu.DataContext. I use the Tag property of the object with the ContextMenu (the PlacementTarget) as that connection, in this example, a Grid:

    
        ...
    

We can then access the view model properties and commands in the ContextMenu by binding the ContextMenu.DataContext property to the PlacementTarget.Tag property (of the Grid in our example):

Note the binding on the MenuItem.CommandTarget property. Setting this ensures that the target element on which the specified command is raised is the PlacementTarget, or the Grid in this case.

Also note the CommandParameter binding. This binds to the DataContext of the PlacementTarget, or the Grid in this case. The DataContext of the Grid will be inherited from the DataTemplate and so your data item is now bound to the object parameter in your Command if you're using some implementation of the ICommand interface:

public bool CanExecuteDeleteFileCommand(object parameter)
{
    return ((YourDataType)parameter).IsInvalid;
}

public void ExecuteDeleteFileCommand(object parameter)
{
    Delete((YourDataType)parameter);
}

Or if you are using some kind of RelayCommand delegates directly in your view model:

public ICommand Remove
{
    get 
    {
        return new ActionCommand(execute => Delete((YourDataType)execute), 
            canExecute => return ((YourDataType)canExecute).IsInvalid); 
    }
}