html - How to do a ASP.NET MVC Ajax form post with multipart/form-data?

Question

I am working on a ASP.NET MVC web site which has a form that allows for the upload of files using the multipart/form data enctype option on the form tag like so

<form enctype="multipart/form-data" method="post" action='<%= Url.Action("Post","Entries",new {id=ViewData.Model.MemberDetermination.DeterminationMemberID})  %>'>

How would I write this to do an ASP.NET MVC Ajax form post instead?

Answer 1

It is possible but it's a long way. Step 1: write your form

ex:

@using (Ajax.BeginForm(YourMethod, YourController, new { id= Model.Id }, new AjaxOptions {//needed options }, new { enctype = "multipart/form-data" }))
{
    <input type="file" id="image" name="image" />
    <input type="submit" value="Modify" />
}

Step 2: intercept the request and send it to the server

<script type="text/javascript">
    $(function() {
        $("#form0").submit(function(event) {
            var dataString;
            event.preventDefault();
            var action = $("#form0").attr("action");
            if ($("#form0").attr("enctype") == "multipart/form-data") {
                //this only works in some browsers.
                //purpose? to submit files over ajax. because screw iframes.
                //also, we need to call .get(0) on the jQuery element to turn it into a regular DOM element so that FormData can use it.
                dataString = new FormData($("#form0").get(0));
                contentType = false;
                processData = false;
            } else {
                // regular form, do your own thing if you need it
            }
            $.ajax({
                type: "POST",
                url: action,
                data: dataString,
                dataType: "json", //change to your own, else read my note above on enabling the JsonValueProviderFactory in MVC
                contentType: contentType,
                processData: processData,
                success: function(data) {
                    //BTW, data is one of the worst names you can make for a variable
                    //handleSuccessFunctionHERE(data);
                },
                error: function(jqXHR, textStatus, errorThrown) {
                    //do your own thing
                    alert("fail");
                }
            });
        }); //end .submit()
    });
</script>

Step 3: Because you make an ajax call you probably want to replace some image or something of multipart/form-data

ex:

handleSuccessFunctionHERE(data)
{
    $.ajax({
        type: "GET",
        url: "/Profile/GetImageModified",
        data: {},
        dataType: "text",
        success: function (MSG) {
            $("#imageUploaded").attr("src", "data:image/gif;base64,"+msg);
        },
        error: function (msg) {
            alert(msg);
        }
    });
}

The MSG variable is an base64 encrypted string. In my case it's the source of the image.

In this way I managed to change a profile picture and after that the picture is immediately updated. Also make sure you add in Application_Start (global.asax) ValueProviderFactories.Factories.Add(new JsonValueProviderFactory()); Pretty nice no?

P.S.: This Solution works so don't hesitate to ask more details.