When does SqlDataSource populate control?

Question

I have a webform with a sqldatasource that populates a DropDownList . The webform's Page_Load reads from that DropDownList .

It seems that the values are not present in the DropDownList when Page_Load executes; DropDownList.Items.Count equals 0 during Page_Load.

So when exactly is the dropdown populated? I know I can populate it in the codebehind, but I prefer using sqldatasource .

Thanks.

Answer 1

This MSDN link helped me out.

At Page_Load , the SqlDataSource control hasn't been bound. Just call DropDownList.DataBind() before I access the control.