Rendering a <textarea /> using data annotations

Question

I'd like to render a text area for one of the fields in my model.

I've tried applying [DataType(DataType.MultilineText)] to my field, but this doesn't do the trick.

At the moment, I am rendering the text area manually but I'd much prefer to use Html.EditorFor. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

[DataType(DataType.MultilineText)] only works if you use Html.EditorFor helper in your view:

Sample:

Model

[DataType(DataType.MultilineText)]
public string Description { get; set; }

View

Html.EditorFor(m => m.Description)

Answer 2

Why not use:

 @Html.TextAreaFor(model => model.YourProperty)

EditorFor helper is sort of "smart" helper and it's basing the rendering based on the underlying type of the property. If you want to enforce it to render a specific html input type then use other helpers.