[asp.net-mvc] Differences between Html.TextboxFor and Html.EditorFor in MVC and Razor

Why by default were these changed when adding a new "edit" view? What are advantages when using EditorFor() vs. TextboxFor()?

I found this

By default, the Create and Edit scaffolds now use the Html.EditorFor helper instead of the Html.TextBoxFor helper. This improves support for metadata on the model in the form of data annotation attributes when the Add View dialog box generates a view.

This question is related to asp.net-mvc asp.net-mvc-3 razor

The answer is


The advantages of EditorFor is that your code is not tied to an <input type="text". So if you decide to change something to the aspect of how your textboxes are rendered like wrapping them in a div you could simply write a custom editor template (~/Views/Shared/EditorTemplates/string.cshtml) and all your textboxes in your application will automatically benefit from this change whereas if you have hardcoded Html.TextBoxFor you will have to modify it everywhere. You could also use Data Annotations to control the way this is rendered.


TextBoxFor: It will render like text input html element corresponding to specified expression. In simple word it will always render like an input textbox irrespective datatype of the property which is getting bind with the control.

EditorFor: This control is bit smart. It renders HTML markup based on the datatype of the property. E.g. suppose there is a boolean property in model. To render this property in the view as a checkbox either we can use CheckBoxFor or EditorFor. Both will be generate the same markup.

What is the advantage of using EditorFor?

As we know, depending on the datatype of the property it generates the html markup. So suppose tomorrow if we change the datatype of property in the model, no need to change anything in the view. EditorFor control will change the html markup automatically.


The Html.TextboxFor always creates a textbox (<input type="text" ...).

While the EditorFor looks at the type and meta information, and can render another control or a template you supply.

For example for DateTime properties you can create a template that uses the jQuery DatePicker.


There is also a slight difference in the html output for a string data type.

Html.EditorFor:  
<input id="Contact_FirstName" class="text-box single-line" type="text" value="Greg" name="Contact.FirstName">

Html.TextBoxFor:
<input id="Contact_FirstName" type="text" value="Greg" name="Contact.FirstName">

This is one of the basic differences not mentioned in previous comments:
Readonly property will work with textbox for and it will not work with EditorFor.

@Html.TextBoxFor(model => model.DateSoldOn, new { @readonly = "readonly" })

Above code works, where as with following you can't make control to readonly.

@Html.EditorFor(model => model.DateSoldOn, new { @readonly = "readonly" })

Examples related to asp.net-mvc

Using Lato fonts in my css (@font-face) Better solution without exluding fields from Binding Vue.js get selected option on @change You must add a reference to assembly 'netstandard, Version=2.0.0.0 How to send json data in POST request using C# VS 2017 Metadata file '.dll could not be found The default XML namespace of the project must be the MSBuild XML namespace How to create roles in ASP.NET Core and assign them to users? The model item passed into the dictionary is of type .. but this dictionary requires a model item of type How to use npm with ASP.NET Core

Examples related to asp.net-mvc-3

Better solution without exluding fields from Binding IIs Error: Application Codebehind=“Global.asax.cs” Inherits=“nadeem.MvcApplication” Can we pass model as a parameter in RedirectToAction? return error message with actionResult Why is this error, 'Sequence contains no elements', happening? Failed to load resource: the server responded with a status of 500 (Internal Server Error) in Bind function 500.19 - Internal Server Error - The requested page cannot be accessed because the related configuration data for the page is invalid String MinLength and MaxLength validation don't work (asp.net mvc) How to set the value of a hidden field from a controller in mvc How to set a CheckBox by default Checked in ASP.Net MVC

Examples related to razor

Uncaught SyntaxError: Invalid or unexpected token How to pass a value to razor variable from javascript variable? error CS0103: The name ' ' does not exist in the current context how to set radio button checked in edit mode in MVC razor view @Html.DropDownListFor how to set default value Razor MVC Populating Javascript array with Model Array How to add "required" attribute to mvc razor viewmodel text input editor How to correctly use Html.ActionLink with ASP.NET MVC 4 Areas Multiple radio button groups in MVC 4 Razor How to hide a div element depending on Model value? MVC