Bind Pivot Grid to Data using Entity Framework or LINQ to SQL (Database First)
- 3 minutes to read
The DevExpress MVC PivotGrid supports binding to an existing data source using the LINQ or the Entity Framework.
If you already have a database, the LINQ to SQL ORM Framework or the Entity Framework ORM can automatically generate a data model that consists of classes and properties that correspond to existing database objects such as tables and columns. This development approach is called “Database First”.
This topic describes how to bind the MVC PivotGrid to a data source using the “Database First” development approach.
Note
Project requirements Your project should be prepared to use DevExpress MVC Extensions. See the following topic to learn how to prepare your project: Integration into an ASP.NET MVC Project.
To implement this kind of data binding, you need to perform the following steps.
Step 1. Create a data model
Use the required ORM framework to reverse engineer a model from an existing database.
LINQ to SQL ORM Framework
Create a LINQ to SQL data model.
Refer to the following article to learn more about the LINQ to SQL ORM Framework: LINQ to SQL.
Entity Framework ORM
Note
Before you start, make sure you have the Entity Framework installed. Learn more about how to get the Entity Framework from the following tutorial: Get Entity Framework.
Create an Entity Framework data model. The following walkthrough demonstrates how to reverse engineer a model from an existing database: Entity Framework Database First.
Note
Rebuild the solution before going on to the next step.
Step 2. Add the PivotGrid to the required View
Open the required View file (Index.cshtml in this topic), right-click the desired location in the Code Editor to display the Shortcut menu, and click Insert DevExpress MVC Extension…
The Insert DevExpress Extension wizard opens. Navigate to the tab with the Data extensions and select PivotGrid. Define the extension name and the partial view name. In the Model Class item, select the data model class; in the Data Context Class item, select the data context class and select the fields you want to add to the PivotGrid.
Click the “Insert” button and the PivotGrid will be added into your project. See this topic to learn more about the MVC Wizard: Insert DevExpress MVC Extension Wizard.
After these manipulations, Insert Extension Wizard generates a partial view with the PivotGrid‘s settings and inserts necessary code into the corresponding controller class. As a result you have a fully functional MVC PivotGrid bound to a data source using the Entity Framework.