DropdownlistFor throws an error - asp.net-mvc

Question

I am using hardcoded string values for dropdownlist to the view , and passing the selected value from database , where 0 = pending , 1 = complete and 3 = awaiting, below is the code for view and controller:
var paymentStatus = new[] { "Pending", "Complete", "AwaitingPayment" };
ViewData["StatusID"] = new SelectList(paymentStatus, "Value", "Text", booking.StatusID);
<tr><td>Status</td><td><%: Html.DropDownListFor(m => m.StatusID, ViewData["StatusID"] as SelectList)%></td></tr>
It comes up with the error :
DataBinding: 'System.String' does not contain a property with the name 'Value'.

Answer 1

The problem with your example is that you are passing a string array into the SelectList and then telling the SelectList to use the Value and Text properties (which a string does not have). You should probably create a class for this:
public class Status {
public int Id { get; set; }
public string Text { get; set; }
}
var statusTypes = new List<Status> {
new Status { Id = 1, Text = "Pending" },
new Status { Id = 2, Text = "Complete" },
new Status { Id = 3, Text = "AwaitingPayment" }
};
Better yet, create a repository for this data:
var statusTypes = statusRepository.GetStatusTypes();
Pass this into your SelectList:
SelectList statusList = new SelectList(statusTypes, "Id", "Text", booking.StatusID);
// return this in a ViewModel or use ViewData like you are now:
ViewData["Status"] = statusList;
return View(statusList);

Answer 2

Please use view models:
var paymentStatuses = new[]
{
new SelectListItem { Value = "0", Text = "Pending" },
new SelectListItem { Value = "1", Text = "Complete" },
new SelectListItem { Value = "3", Text = "AwaitingPayment" },
};
var model = new SomeViewModel
{
StatusID = booking.StatusID,
Statuses = new SelectList(paymentStatuses, "Value", "Text")
}
return View(model);
and then:
<tr>
<td>
Status
</td>
<td>
<%= Html.DropDownListFor(m => m.StatusID, Model.Statuses) %>
</td>
</tr>
or if you insist on this ViewData (I don't recommend it, especially as you already have a view model):
var paymentStatuses = new[]
{
new SelectListItem { Value = "0", Text = "Pending" },
new SelectListItem { Value = "1", Text = "Complete" },
new SelectListItem { Value = "3", Text = "AwaitingPayment" },
};
ViewData["Statuses"] = new SelectList(paymentStatuses, "Value", "Text");
var model = new SomeViewModel
{
StatusID = booking.StatusID
}
return View(model);
and in the view:
<tr>
<td>
Status
</td>
<td>
<%= Html.DropDownListFor(m => m.StatusID, ViewData["Statuses"] as SelectList) %>
</td>
</tr>

Answer 3

The error shows it is unable to Fine "Value" , you have to do something like
new SelectList(paymentStatus, booking.Status, "Text", booking.StatusID)
bookin.Status will be the any text property of booking. hope this help