What is HTML helper in MVC?
HTML Helpers can be considered as a method that returns you a string. This string can describe the specific type of detail of your requirement. Example: We can utilize the HTML Helpers to perform standard HTML tags, for example, HTML<input>, and any <img> tags.
In ASP.NET MVC, writing raw HTML for every textbox, label, dropdown, or form element becomes repetitive. MVC solves this problem using HTML Helpers, which generate clean HTML UI elements using simple C# methods. This makes coding faster, more readable, and less error-prone.
What is the type of HTML Helpers?
HTML Helpers are categorized into three types are as follows:
- Inline HTML helpers
- Built-in HTML helpers
- Standard HTML Helpers
- Strongly Typed HTML helpers
- Templated HTML helpers
- Custom HTML helpers
Ways to write Syntax of Inline Html Helper:
@helper HelperName(Parameters list..)
{
// code…..
}
What is an HTML helper class?
HtmlHelper is a class that is introduced in MVC 2. It is used to create HTML controls programmatically. It provides built-in methods to generate controls on the view page. In this topic, we have tabled constructors, properties, and methods of this class.
HTML Helper Cheatsheet(Ways to learn easily):
| @Html.AntiForgeryToken | It generates a hidden form field (anti-forgery token) that is validated when the form is submitted. |
| Html.AttributeEncode | To convert the specified attribute value to an HTML-encoded string |
| @Html.Encode | To convert the specified value to an HTML-encoded string |
| @{Html.EnableClientValidation();} | To enables or disable client validation |
| Html.EnableUnobtrusiveJavaScript | To enable or disables unobtrusive JavaScript |
| @Html.FormatValue | To Format Value |
| @Html.Raw | To return markup that is not HTML encoded |
| @{Html.RenderPartial(..);} | Writes directly to the response output stream instead of returning a string |
| @Html.Action | executes a separate controller action and returns as a string |
| Html.RenderAction | executes a separate controller action and renders the result directly to the response. |
How do I add HTML attributes to a Razor HtmlHelper?
You can use htmlAttributes property:
@Html.TextBoxFor(x => x.User, htmlAttributes : new { @class = “cssclass” } )
Define Html.TextBox | HTML Helpers
Html.TextBox is loosely-typed because model property name is in the string. Here is the syntax for Html.TextBox().
MvcHtmlString Html.TextBox(string name, string value, object htmlAttributes)
Create Label in MVC
The HtmlHelper class includes two extension methods to generate HTML label element: Label() and LabelFor().
Html.LabelFor()
The Html.LabelFor<TModel,TProperty>() helper method is a strongly typed extension method. It generates a html label element for the model object property specified using a lambda expression.
What is an HTML Helper in MVC?
An HTML Helper is a method in ASP.NET MVC that helps you generate standard HTML UI elements—like textboxes, labels, dropdowns, radio buttons, images, etc.—using C# code instead of writing raw HTML manually.
In simple words:
An HTML Helper is a method that returns a string containing HTML markup.
Example
Instead of writing:
<input type="text" name="UserName" />
You can write:
@Html.TextBox("UserName")
This makes the view cleaner and strongly linked with the model.
Types of HTML Helpers in ASP.NET MVC
HTML Helpers are commonly divided into these categories:
1. Inline HTML Helpers
You can write your own simple helper using Razor @helper.
Syntax:
@helper HelperName(parameters)
{
// HTML markup here
}
2. Built-in HTML Helpers
Helpers provided by MVC by default, such as:
Html.TextBox()Html.Label()Html.TextArea()Html.Password()Html.CheckBox()Html.DropDownList()
3. Standard HTML Helpers (Loosely Typed)
They take string names of fields.
Example:
@Html.TextBox("UserName")
4. Strongly Typed HTML Helpers
These are linked directly to the Model using Lambda expressions.
Example:
@Html.TextBoxFor(x => x.UserName)
5. Templated HTML Helpers
Used in Editor Templates and Display Templates.
Examples:
@Html.EditorFor()@Html.DisplayFor()
6. Custom HTML Helpers
You can create your own helper method:
Example:
public static MvcHtmlString MyButton(this HtmlHelper helper, string text)
{
return new MvcHtmlString($"<button>{text}</button>");
}
What is the HtmlHelper Class?
HtmlHelper is the core MVC class responsible for generating HTML elements programmatically.
It contains methods to render:
Input fields
Labels
DropDownLists
Validation messages
Partial views
Actions
It was introduced in ASP.NET MVC 2 and extended in later versions.
HTML Helper Cheat Sheet (Quick Reference)
| Helper | Purpose |
|---|---|
@Html.AntiForgeryToken() | Generates anti-forgery security token |
@Html.Raw() | Outputs HTML without encoding |
@Html.FormatValue() | Formats value |
@Html.RenderPartial() | Writes a partial view directly |
@Html.Partial() | Returns a partial as string |
@Html.Action() | Executes a controller action and returns HTML |
@Html.RenderAction() | Executes action and writes directly |
How to Add HTML Attributes in HTML Helpers?
@Html.TextBoxFor(model => model.UserName, new { @class = "input-box", placeholder = "Enter name" })Define Html.TextBox | HTML Helpers
Html.TextBox is a loosely typed helper.
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