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Hyperlinked Images in ASP.NET GridView

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4.75/5 (17 votes)
11 Feb 2015CPOL1 min read 114.6K   25   12
3 different techniques of adding hyperlinked image to ASP.NET GridView in data-centric RIA

Problem to Solve

A common development task is to place inside GridView the image corresponding to some "Image_URL" typically stored in the data field of underlying database, which is "hyperlinked" to another "Target_URL" also stored in the database. Image OnClick event should open the target web page. If image is missing, then the alternative text should serve as a hyperlinked text.

Three possible solutions pertinent to the ASP.NET GridView control are described below:

1. TemplateField with Hyperlink and img Element

Listing 1

ASP.NET
<asp:TemplateField>
    <ItemTemplate>
        <asp:HyperLink runat="server" NavigateUrl='<%# Eval("Wiki_URL") %>'
Target="_blank">
            <img src='<%# Eval("Image_URL") %>'  alt="Read online" />
        </asp:HyperLink>
    </ItemTemplate>
</asp:TemplateField>

2. TemplateField with ImageButton

This technique, even though it provides the minimum coding and fairly robust results, is not recommended as it uses PostBack and, thus, requires the server "round-trip", dramatically degrading the responsiveness of RIA and negatively impacting the overall user experience (it's brought here mostly for didactic purpose).

Listing 2

ASP.NET
<asp:TemplateField>
    <ItemTemplate>
            <asp:ImageButton runat="server" ImageUrl='<%# Eval("Image_URL") %>'
            PostBackUrl='<%# Eval("Target_URL") %>' AlternateText="Read online" />
    </ItemTemplate>
</asp:TemplateField>

3. TemplateField with ImageButton and Javascript window.open Added to onClick

This method requires some additional JavaScript coding, but provides maximum flexibility in terms of formatting the target window to be opened on image click event:

Listing 3

ASP.NET
<itemtemplate>
 <asp:ImageButton ID="ImageButton1" runat="server" 
 ImageUrl='<%# Eval("Image_URL") %>' 
                        OnClientClick='<%# String.Format
            ("javascript:return openTargetURL(\"{0}\")", 
            Eval("Target_URL")) %>'  AlternateText="Read online" />
</itemtemplate>
JavaScript Snippet to be Added to head Section

This sample JavaScript code snippet allows opening target web page in new browser window with customized appearance set programmatically:

HTML
<script type="text/javascript">
    function openTargetURL(url) 
    { window.open(url, "newWindow", "resizable=1,menubar=0,toolbar=0,scrollbars=1"); }
</script>

Design Notes: Server Side Image Rendering

Be aware that pertinent to Listing 1, the image is rendered as "img" element, while in two other cases it is rendered as "input type="image" element. Corresponding sample CSS3 code snippet in Listing 4 shows the best practices addressing these differences.

Listing 4

HTML
<style type="text/css">
    /* image rendered as img element within table */
    img { width:200px; }
    /* image rendered as <input> element within table */
    input[type="image"] {width:200px; }
</style>

Image Decoration via HTML5/CSS3

Various aesthetic enhancement techniques, namely single and double borders, borders with inset shadows and color gradients could be applied to the image as described in [1].

References

  1. Add Image Borders using HTML5/CSS3[^]
  2. Online Slide Show as pure HTML5 / CSS3 solution: NO Javascript[^]

License

This article, along with any associated source code and files, is licensed under The Code Project Open License (CPOL)


Written By
Engineer
United States United States
Dr. Alexander Bell (aka DrABell), a seasoned full-stack Software (Win/Web/Mobile) and Data Engineer holds PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering, authored 37 inventions and published 100+ technical articles and developed multiple award-winning apps (App Innovation Contests AIC 2012/2013 submissions) Alexander is currently focused on Microsoft Azure Cloud and .NET 6/8 development projects.

  1. HTML5/CSS3 graphic enhancement: buttons, inputs
  2. HTML5 Tables Formatting: Alternate Rows, Color Gradients, Shadows
  3. Azure web app: Engineering Calculator VOLTMATTER
  4. Azure: NYC real-time bus tracking app
  5. Quiz Engine powered by Azure cloud
  6. 'enRoute': Real-time NY City Bus Tracking Web App
  7. Advanced CSS3 Styling of HTML5 SELECT Element
  8. Aggregate Product function extends SQL
  9. YouTube™ API for ASP.NET

Comments and Discussions

 
GeneralMy vote of 3 Pin
ChenShaoHsi12-Feb-15 2:22
ChenShaoHsi12-Feb-15 2:22 
QuestionNice Article Pin
khaliqhamid20-May-14 0:56
khaliqhamid20-May-14 0:56 
AnswerRe: Nice Article Pin
DrABELL21-May-14 3:09
DrABELL21-May-14 3:09 
GeneralReason for my vote of 3 sdfghjkl Pin
Jailendra Singh27-Nov-11 19:07
Jailendra Singh27-Nov-11 19:07 
GeneralRe: Sorry, but I did not understand your message. Pin
DrABELL14-Dec-11 1:43
DrABELL14-Dec-11 1:43 
GeneralReason for my vote of 5 great! Pin
Marcio_Coelho27-Sep-11 10:57
Marcio_Coelho27-Sep-11 10:57 
GeneralRe: Thanks! Pin
DrABELL27-Sep-11 11:40
DrABELL27-Sep-11 11:40 
GeneralReason for my vote of 4 Good Article Pin
mandar13054-Aug-11 22:45
mandar13054-Aug-11 22:45 
GeneralReason for my vote of 5 nice Pin
Monjurul Habib27-Jul-11 22:17
professionalMonjurul Habib27-Jul-11 22:17 
GeneralRe: Thanks! Pin
DrABELL28-Jul-11 3:07
DrABELL28-Jul-11 3:07 
GeneralReason for my vote of 5 Good one Alex. Pin
thatraja14-Jul-11 7:20
professionalthatraja14-Jul-11 7:20 
GeneralRe: Many thanks! Pin
DrABELL14-Jul-11 8:58
DrABELL14-Jul-11 8:58 

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