ASPxGrid: Should You Upgrade to ASPxGridView?

If you're currently using the ASPxGrid then you might have wondered if you should transition from the ASPxGrid to the ASPxGridView.

Please note that if you're currently using the ASPxGrid then conversion will not be easy and we recommend that you only switch when ready.

The ASPxGrid has been around for a few years now and even though it's been deprecated as of the v2007 vol 2 release, it will continue to be supported for the indefinite future. What that means is that you can continue to use the ASPxGrid secure in the knowledge that support will help you and that any bugs you find will either be fixed or worked around. Note that enhancements will no longer be made to the ASPxGrid.

But if you want to upgrade to the ASPxGridView then what are your options?

ASPxGridView.ConvertFromASPxGrid()

Unfortunately, there is no ConvertFromASPxGrid method. Why not? Simply because the two grids are very different by design and operate in fundamentally different ways.

When you're converting any project from one grid to another grid, you are in for a bit of work. It's not a trivial task to simply replace the ASPxGrid with the ASPxGridView.

Help is on the way

Our excellent support department, myself and others are here to help you figure out the new ASPxGridView so you can transition your project to take full advantage of the ASPxGridView.

Should you switch?

For new/rewrite projects, the answer is an absolute Yes!

However, if you have heavily invested in the ASPxGrid in your current projects and there is little or no time to convert them, then no.

The ASPxGridView offers many more advantages that are well worth the effort and time it takes to convert.

Where's the Designer?

Fans of the ASPxGrid will know the designer quite well. The designer is invoked from the ASPxGrid's smart tag. Oddly enough, it was created to solve some of the shortcomings of the ASPxGrid. However, it turned out that many of you liked the designer.

The designer has not been recreated for the ASPxGridView and there no plans to recreate it.

While you may miss the designer, you'll find that it's not necessary with the ASPxGridView. Take a look at the smart tag and properties window from the ASPxGridView:

Notice how the most common tasks are easily available through the smart tag?

In fact, the overall API for the ASPxGridView has been vastly improved so you'll easily find the properties categorized within the Visual Studio properties window.

How do I call [this] method in ASPxGridView?

If you cannot find a particular method/property or you're having trouble converting your project then simply ask us. In the coming months we're planning on publishing and maintaining an FAQ on grid conversion as your questions come in and we answer them.

Do you have any conversion concerns that you would like to see addressed?

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