Web Forms & MVC Data Grid — Multiple Cell Selection (v22.1)

ASP.NET Team Blog
21 July 2022

Our most recent update introduced multi cell selection support to the DevExpress Web Forms and MVC Grid View, Vertical Grid, and Tree List controls. This new feature allows users to select a cell range by hovering the mouse over the control - then copying the range (and pasting it into grid cells, external controls, or Microsoft Excel).

To enable multi cell selection in your DevExpress-powered WebForms or MVC app, set edit mode to Batch and the EnableMultipleCellSelection property to true.

<dx:ASPxGridView ID="Grid" runat="server" DataSourceID="DemoDataSource"  KeyFieldName="ProductID">
    <SettingsEditing Mode="Batch">
        <BatchEditSettings EnableMultipleCellSelection="true" />
    </SettingsEditing>
</dx:ASPxGridView>

Available Interactions

This new feature allows users to select values as they would in Microsoft Excel. Specifically, multi-select allows users to:

  • Select multiple cells via a pointing device or the keyboard.

  • Use our built-in context menu and shortcuts (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V) to copy/paste cell values.

  • Copy and paste selected cells in the same grid, or in a spreadsheet document.

  • Copy values and paste them in all selected cells.

Cell Selection API

The following API allows you to integrate cell selection within your WebForms and/or MVC app:

  • The SelectCell method selects a cell.
  • The UnselectCell method deselects a cell.
  • The GetSelectedCells method obtains information about the selected cells.
  • The CellSelectionChanging event fires when a user selects or deselects a cell.

To explore this feature in greater detail, navigate to the following online demo: Multiple Cell Selection

Your Feedback Matters

Do you find the multi cell selection features useful in your application and helpful for your end users? Which other customization capabilities for the DevExpress ASP.NET Data Grid do you want to see in the future?

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