Add partial view in layout with controller and also using area

Question

I have started using asp .net mvc and I am getting some trouble with the routing. I want to have a partial view in the layout file. I also have areas. My routing is as follows:

routes.IgnoreRoute("{resource}.axd/{*pathInfo}");

routes.MapRoute(
    "Default", // Route name
    "{controller}/{action}/{id}", // URL with parameters
    new { area = "Home", controller = "Home", action = "Index", id = UrlParameter.Optional }, // Parameter defaults
    null
).DataTokens.Add("area", "Home");

// home and error page
routes.MapRoute("", "error", new { area = "", controller = "Home", action = "Error" });
routes.MapRoute("home_default", "", new { area = "Home", controller = "Home", action = "Index" });

I am trying to use

@{ Html.RenderAction("Index", "_Menu"); } 

in the layout file. I have define a _Menu controller in the controllers folder outside the areas. I am actually getting

The controller for path '/project/' was not found or does not implement IController.

Is there a way to do that?

Answer 1

Calling:

Html.RenderAction("Index", "_Menu");

Is exactly the same as calling this RenderAction :

Html.RenderAction("Index", "_Menu", new { area = "<currentArea>" });

So if you want to make sure a call is to the non-area controller you need to:

Html.RenderAction("Index", "_Menu", new { area = ""});