How to: Specify the Binding Source

In data binding, the binding source object refers to the object you obtain your data from. This topic describes the different ways of specifying the binding source.

Example

If you are binding several properties to a common source, you want to use the DataContext property, which provides a convenient way to establish a scope within which all data-bound properties inherit a common source.

In the following example, the data context is established on the root element of the application. This allows all child elements to inherit that data context. Data for the binding comes from a custom data class, NetIncome, referenced directly through a mapping and given the resource key of incomeDataSource.

For the complete code sample, see Binding Modes Sample.

<Grid
  xmlns="https://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
  xmlns:x="https://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
  x:Class="SDKSample.DirectionalBinding"
  xmlns:c="clr-namespace:SDKSample"
  Name="Page1"
>
  <Grid.Resources>
    <c:NetIncome x:Key="incomeDataSource"/>
    <Style TargetType="{x:Type TextBlock}">
      <Setter Property="Padding" Value="8"/>
    </Style>
    <Style TargetType="{x:Type TextBox}">
      <Setter Property="Margin" Value="0,6,0,0"/>
    </Style>
  </Grid.Resources>
  <Grid.DataContext>
    <Binding Source="{StaticResource incomeDataSource}"/>
  </Grid.DataContext>

    ...

</Grid>

Note:
The above example instantiates the object in markup and uses it as a resource. If you want to bind to an object that has already been instantiated in code, you need to set the DataContext property programmatically. For an example, see How to: Make Data Available for Binding in XAML.

Alternatively, if you want to specify the source on your individual bindings explicitly, you have the following options. These take precedence over the inherited data context.

Property	Description
Source	You use this property to set the source to an instance of an object. If you do not need the functionality of establishing a scope in which several properties inherit the same data context, you can use the Source property instead of the DataContext property. For more information, see Source.
RelativeSource	This is useful when you want to specify the source relative to where your binding target is. Some common scenarios where you may use this property is when you want to bind one property of your element to another property of the same element or if you are defining a binding in a style or a template. For more information, see RelativeSource.
ElementName	You specify a string that represents the element you want to bind to. This is useful when you want to bind to the property of another element on your application. For example, if you want to use a Slider to control the height of another control in your application, or if you want to bind the Content of your control to the SelectedValue property of your ListBox control. For more information, see ElementName.

See Also

Reference

System.Windows.FrameworkElement.DataContext
System.Windows.FrameworkContentElement.DataContext

Concepts

Property Value Inheritance
Data Binding Overview
Binding Declarations Overview

Other Resources

Binding Modes Sample
Data Binding Samples
Data Binding How-to Topics