c# - Navigating through multiple child views contained in Main Window

Question

I am working on a an WPF MVVM application where I need to have a Main Window with just a logo and it has to show child views inside it. I don't have any controls in Main Window all the controls reside in child view for example Buttons like Next, Back, Cancel and some text blocks etc. Now If users select Next button on the child view I have to draw or load the next child view inside the Main Window. If Back button is clicked I have to go back to the previous child view. So basically I am changing the child views depending on which button is clicked. Also I am maintaining different view models for every child view. Now the problem is I am not able to figure how should I link the child views to there respective view models. This application is similar to some Installation applications where different dialogs are shown depending on the selection and the button clicked by the user.I am new to this wpf and don't want to use MVVM Light , Prism etc. Any detailed help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

One of the easiest ways to associate any data type with XAML controls is to use a DataTemplate. Therefore, you can simply add something like this into your Application.Resources and as long as you do not set the x:Key properties on the DataTemplates, then they will be explicitly applied by the Framework whenever it comes across instances of your view models:

<DataTemplate DataType="{x:Type ViewModels:HomeViewModel}">
    <Views:HomeView />
</DataTemplate>
...
<DataTemplate DataType="{x:Type ViewModels:MainViewModel}">
    <Views:MainView />
</DataTemplate>

Then displaying the view is as simple as this:

<ContentControl Content="{Binding YourViewModelProperty"} />

In code behind, or your view model:

YourViewModelProperty = new MainViewModel();

It's often handy to create a base class for your view models and then the YourViewModelProperty can of that type and you will be able to interchange them using the same property and ContentControl.

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UPDATE >>>

The general idea is that you have one MainViewModel class with one BaseViewModel property data bound to one ContentControl in MainWindow.xaml... the navigation controls should also be in MainWindow.xaml and not in the views themselves. In this way, the MainViewModel class is responsible for changing the property to the relevant view model instances when it receives navigation Commands from the MainWindow.xaml.