Xaml StringFormat and static strings

Question

I want to see if theres a way to combine datetime string format and static strings.

So currently I can format my date and prefix with text like this:

<TextBlock Text="{Binding MyDate StringFormat=Started {0:dd-MMM-yyyy HH:mm}}"

Results in this:

Started 01-Jan-2011 12:00

In the past I've been able to use a static string to keep a common format for my dates; like this (Note no prefixed text):

<TextBlock Text="{Binding MyDate, StringFormat={x:Static i:Format.DateTime}}" />

Where i:Format is a static class with a static property DateTime that returns the string "dd-MMM-yyyy HH:mm"

So what I'm asking; is there a way to combine these methods so that I can prefix my date and use the common static string formatter?

Answer 1

You could use something like this in place of the Binding:

public class DateTimeFormattedBinding : Binding {
    private string customStringFormat = "%date%";

    public DateTimeFormattedBinding () {
        this.StringFormat = Format.DateTime;
    }

    public DateTimeFormattedBinding (string path)
        : base(path) {
        this.StringFormat = Format.DateTime;
    }

    public string CustomStringFormat {
        get {
            return this.customStringFormat;
        }
        set {
            if (this.customStringFormat != value) {
                this.customStringFormat = value;
                if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(this.customStringFormat)) {
                    this.StringFormat = this.customStringFormat.Replace("%date%", Format.DateTime);
                }
                else {
                    this.StringFormat = string.Empty;
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

Then use it like {local:DateTimeFormattedBinding MyDate, CustomStringFormat=Started %date%}

You could probably make the replacement generic also, and set it via a different property (or properties).