Model binder wont pass checkbox value into integer property

Question

My user model has an int property called active (its an int because I didn't create the model nor the database, its getting used as a boolean..). I'm creating the action /Users/Edit/ that will be editting the model, so I've got a form with a checkbox for the active property. When the submit button is pressed the model binder will put all the form data together into one single object and pass it as a parameter to /Users/Edit.

But when I try to save the changes to the database, I check ModelState.isValid and it returns false because the model binder won't change the boolean into an integer.

How can I solve this problem?

Answer 1

1) Edit Db to make it a bit

2) Change the property on your view model to a bool

3) Use DisplayFor in your Razor View

It will now automatically generate a checkbox and check it accordingly.

Answer 2

Let's assume worst case that you cannot change your Db to a bool. Then you would use a View Model to perform the data transformation for you.

Say your user model is such:

public class StaticModel {

    public string description { get; set; }
    public int IsActive { get; set; }

}

Then you create a view model (facade style):

public class StaticModelFacade {

    StaticModel _value;    

    public StaticModelFacade(StaticModel value) {

        _value = value;

    }

    public string description {
        get {return _value.description;}
        set {_value.description = value;}
    }

    public bool IsActive {
        get { return _value.IsActive = 1; }
        set { _value.IsActive = value ? 1 : 0 }
    }

}

Your view now binds to a bool and all is wired up Ok.