Customize the Error Message MVC for an invalid DateTime in ASP.NET MVC4

Question

I am having trouble specifying the error message for the validation of a DateTime input value using data annotations in my model. I would really like to use the proper DateT

Answer 1

I have one dirty solution.

Create custom model binder:

public class CustomModelBinder : DefaultModelBinder
{
    public override object BindModel(ControllerContext controllerContext, ModelBindingContext bindingContext)
    {
        var value = bindingContext.ValueProvider.GetValue(bindingContext.ModelName);
        if(value != null && !String.IsNullOrEmpty(value.AttemptedValue))
        {
            T temp = default(T);
            try
            {
                temp = ( T )TypeDescriptor.GetConverter(typeof(T)).ConvertFromString(value.AttemptedValue);
            }
            catch
            {
                bindingContext.ModelState.AddModelError(bindingContext.ModelName, "A valid Date or Date and Time must be entered eg. January 1, 2014 12:00AM");
                bindingContext.ModelState.SetModelValue(bindingContext.ModelName, value);
            }

            return temp;
        }
        return base.BindModel(controllerContext, bindingContext);
    }
}

And then in Global.asax.cs:

protected void Application_Start()
{
    //...
    ModelBinders.Binders.Add(typeof(DateTime), new CustomModelBinder());