Please help: "Specified cast is not valid" error when binding the Visible propery of a hyperlink con

[keithb]

Using a GridView, I get a "Specified cast is not valid" error when binding
the Visible propery of a hyperlink control to a DataTable text field. The
error goes away if I replace the data binding statement with "true" or
"false". This code causes the error:

<asp:HyperLink ID="HyperLink1"
runat="server"
NavigateUrl='<%#
Eval("c2Hyperlink1Link") %>'
Target="_blank"
Text='<%#
Eval("c2Hyperlink1Text") %>'
Visible='<%#
Eval("c2Hyperlink1Visible") %>' ></asp:HyperLink>

This code runs without error:

<asp:HyperLink ID="HyperLink1"
runat="server"
NavigateUrl='<%#
Eval("c2Hyperlink1Link") %>'
Target="_blank"
Text='<%#
Eval("c2Hyperlink1Text") %>'
Visible="true" >'

></asp:HyperLink>

I do not understand this, because in both cases the Visible property
receives the same text value, "true". Any suggestions or ideas will be
greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Keith

 

[Cowboy \(Gregory A. Beamer\)]

It is seeing "true" (string) not true (boolean), or visa versa. You will
have to cast out the value as the correct type. Easiest way is to alter the
SQL Statement that creates the value and cast there, as you will not have to
change your binding at all.

--
Gregory A. Beamer
MVP; MCP: +I, SE, SD, DBA

*************************************************
Think outside of the box!
*************************************************

 

[Guest]

What if your data column has value of Null?
Make sure you are getting True/False value out of database.

Try convert value to Boolean explicitly

Visible='<%#
Ctype(Eval("c2Hyperlink1Visible"), Boolean) %>' ></asp:HyperLink>

 

[keithb]

The data comes from a DataTable that is defined by an XSD file. I see no way
of defining the data field as Boolean. It looks like all of the fields are
text.

Thanks,

Keith

 

[starsky163]

solution

In case someone else happens to bounce into this post. This works

<asp:CheckBox ID="cbxDisplay" runat="server" Checked='<%# Convert.ToBoolean(Eval("Display") == DBNull.Value ? "False" : Eval("Display")) %>' />