I was asked a question about this on Twitter, so thought I’d create a quick post about it.

The example below shows how to use a DataTemplate that is defined in XAML with a ListView control that is dynamically created in the code behind.

1 Create a New WPF Application

Create  WPF application project in Visual Studio.

2 Create The basic XAML

Replace the contents of the MainWindow XAML to the following:

<Window x:Class="WpfApplication1.MainWindow"
        xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
        xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
        Title="MainWindow" Height="350" Width="525">
    <Window.Resources>
        <DataTemplate x:Key="DaysDataTemplate">
            <Grid Background="Cyan">
                <TextBlock Text="{Binding}"></TextBlock>
            </Grid>
        </DataTemplate>
    </Window.Resources>
    <Grid Name="RootContainer" />
</Window>

This defines a DataTemplate called DaysDataTemplate that simply binds the value and has a cyan background so we can see if it is being applied.

We also give the root container (Grid) a name RootContainer so we can reference it later in the code behind.

3 Dynamically Add A Control in Code

In the code behind of MainWindow, modify the code too look like this:

using System.Windows;
using System.Windows.Controls;

namespace WpfApplication1
{
    public partial class MainWindow : Window
    {
        public MainWindow()
        {
            InitializeComponent();

            // Create new dynamic control that we want to add
            var daysList = new ListView();

            // use the DataTemplate that is defined in the XAML of this window
            daysList.ItemTemplate = (DataTemplate) this.Resources["DaysDataTemplate"];

            // If the DataTemplate was defined elsewhere, e.g. in the App.xaml :
            //daysList.ItemTemplate = (DataTemplate)Application.Current.Resources["DaysDataTemplate"];
            
            // Create some sample data for the list
            daysList.ItemsSource = new[] {"Monday", "Tuesday", "etc."};

            // Dynamically add the new list control to the root container
            RootContainer.Children.Add(daysList);
        }
    }
}

4 Run the Application

Run the application and you should see the list with cyan background:

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