Dynamic change ViewStart layout path in MVC 3

Question

In my MVC project has 2 Areas which is Admin and Client and I need to dynamic config Layout for Client side, In _ViewStart (in client) file will set layout for all of client page.

Layout = "~/Views/Shared/_Layout.cshtml";

So if we need to change client layout we can change Layout path of cshtml file in _ViewStart file right? I cant find how to change inside ViewStart file or Is there another solution in this case.

Thanks for your Help :)

Answer 1

Remember that anything within the @{ ... } is treated as code. So, it should be a simple matter of placing a condition in there to change how it's inherited:

@{
  Layout = "~/Views/Shared/_Layout.cshtml";
  if (User.Current.IsAuthenticated) {
    Layout = "~/Views/Shared/_AdminLayout.cshtml";
  }
}

Though you're probaby better off looking at Themes (and have an admin/user theme). Alternatively, you can make your _Layout.cshtml smarter and have it handle the different views based on conditions as well.

See Also: MVC3 Razor - Is there a way to change the Layout depending on browser request?

Answer 2

Your question has not enough information to give you a complete code sample.

But basicly you can do this

if (InsertIsAdminLogicHere) {
     Layout = "~/Views/Shared/_AdminLayout.cshtml";
} else {
     Layout = "~/Views/Shared/_Layout.cshtml";
}

If you show us how you determine admin or not, we can provide more help.

hope this helps