@data-template : The Inline Template Content Attribute

The data-template attribute allows you to define template content inline as a string attribute value, rather than as child elements. This provides a convenient way to specify simple templates, dynamically generate template content, or create templates from external sources.

On this page

Summary
Usage
- Basic Syntax
Supported Elements
Binding Values
Notes
Examples
See Also

Summary

The data-template attribute enables inline template definition, providing:

Inline HTML content specification as an attribute value
Dynamic template generation from code or external sources
Simplified syntax for simple templates
Programmatic template creation without DOM manipulation

This attribute is useful for:

Simple conditional templates with minimal content
Dynamically generated template content
Templates loaded from databases or external files
Programmatic document generation
Templates with content determined at runtime

Note: When data-template is specified, it takes precedence over child elements within the template or conditional component.

Usage

The data-template attribute is applied to <if> elements and can be used with <template> elements (via the data-content attribute synonym):

<!-- Simple conditional template -->
<if data-test=""
    data-template="<div style='color: red;'>Important message</div>">
</if>

<!-- On template element (use data-content) -->
<template data-bind=""
          data-content="<div></div>">
</template>

Basic Syntax

<!-- Conditional rendering with inline template -->
<if data-test=""
    data-template="<p>HTML content here</p>">
</if>

<!-- Bound value for dynamic template -->
<if data-test=""
    data-template="">
</if>

<!-- Template element (use data-content attribute) -->
<template data-bind=""
          data-content="<span></span>">
</template>

Supported Elements

The data-template attribute is supported on the following elements:

<if> - Conditional rendering element

Note: For <template> elements, use the synonym attribute data-content instead.

Binding Values

Attribute Values

Value Type	Description
HTML String	Literal HTML markup as a string
Binding Expression	Expression that evaluates to HTML string: ``

Type

Type: string (HTML markup) Default: null (use child elements)

Expression Support

The attribute accepts literal HTML strings or binding expressions:

<!-- Literal HTML -->
<if data-test=""
    data-template="<div class='alert'>Alert content</div>">
</if>

<!-- Bound from model -->
<if data-test=""
    data-template="">
</if>

<!-- Conditional expression -->
<if data-test=""
    data-template="">
</if>

Notes

Precedence Over Child Elements

When data-template is specified, it takes precedence over any child elements:

<!-- This child content is IGNORED -->
<if data-test=""
    data-template="<p>Inline template</p>">
    <p>This content will NOT be rendered</p>
</if>

<!-- Rendered output will be: <p>Inline template</p> -->

HTML Escaping

HTML content within the attribute value must be properly escaped:

<!-- Single quotes inside double quotes -->
<if data-test=""
    data-template="<div style='color: red;'>Text</div>">
</if>

<!-- Or use HTML entities -->
<if data-test=""
    data-template="<div style=&quot;color: red;&quot;>Text</div>">
</if>

Data Binding Within Templates

Inline templates support full data binding syntax:

<if data-test=""
    data-template="<div><strong></strong> - </div>">
</if>

Namespace Handling

When used within HTML documents, the inline template content inherits the HTML namespace automatically:

<html xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>
<body>
    <if data-test=""
        data-template="<div>Content</div>">
    </if>
    <!-- Div element has HTML namespace automatically -->
</body>
</html>

Dynamic Template Loading

Templates can be loaded from external sources:

<!-- Model: { condition: true, templateContent: "<div>Loaded content</div>" } -->
<if data-test=""
    data-template="">
</if>

Multi-Line Content

For readability, use appropriate quoting:

<if data-test=""
    data-template="<div style='padding: 10pt; border: 1pt solid black;'>
                      <h3>Title</h3>
                      <p>Content goes here</p>
                   </div>">
</if>

Performance Considerations

Inline templates are parsed once during document initialization
No significant performance difference vs. child elements
Useful for programmatic generation to avoid DOM manipulation
Cache template strings when generating many similar templates

Comparison with Child Elements

Use inline templates when:

Content is simple and fits in one line
Template is generated dynamically
Content is loaded from external source
Programmatic generation is easier

Use child elements when:

Content is complex or multi-line
Better readability is desired
IDE support for HTML editing is important
Content contains many nested elements

Examples

1. Simple Conditional Message

Display a simple message conditionally:

<if data-test=""
    data-template="<div style='color: red; font-weight: bold;'>Error occurred!</div>">
</if>

2. Dynamic Content from Model

Load template content from model property:

<!-- Model: { showNotice: true, noticeHtml: "<div class='notice'>Important notice</div>" } -->
<if data-test=""
    data-template="">
</if>

3. Conditional Badge

Display different badge styles:

<if data-test=""
    data-template="<span style='background-color: red; color: white; padding: 5pt; border-radius: 3pt;'>URGENT</span>">
</if>

<if data-test=""
    data-template="<span style='background-color: green; color: white; padding: 5pt; border-radius: 3pt;'>NORMAL</span>">
</if>

4. Inline Alert Box

Conditional alert with styling:

<if data-test=""
    data-template="<div style='background-color: #fff3cd; border: 1pt solid #ffc107; padding: 15pt; margin: 10pt 0;'>
                      <strong>Warning:</strong> 
                   </div>">
</if>

5. Dynamic Icon Display

Show different icons based on status:

<if data-test=""
    data-template="<span style='color: green; font-size: 14pt;'>✓ Complete</span>">
</if>

<if data-test=""
    data-template="<span style='color: orange; font-size: 14pt;'>⧗ In Progress</span>">
</if>

6. Programmatically Generated Template

Generate template content in code:

<!-- Model: { showDetails: true, detailsHtml: GenerateDetailsHtml() } -->
<if data-test=""
    data-template="">
</if>

// C# code to generate template
string GenerateDetailsHtml()
{
    var sb = new StringBuilder();
    sb.Append("<div style='padding: 10pt;'>");
    sb.Append("<h3>Generated Details</h3>");
    sb.Append("<ul>");
    foreach (var item in items)
    {
        sb.AppendFormat("<li>{0}</li>", item);
    }
    sb.Append("</ul>");
    sb.Append("</div>");
    return sb.ToString();
}

7. Database-Loaded Template

Load template content from database:

<!-- Model: { showCustomSection: true, customHtml: LoadFromDatabase("section_template") } -->
<if data-test=""
    data-template="">
</if>

8. Conditional Pricing Display

Show pricing with conditional formatting:

<if data-test=""
    data-template="<div style='text-align: center;'>
                      <div style='text-decoration: line-through; color: #999;'>$</div>
                      <div style='color: red; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: bold;'>$</div>
                      <div style='color: red; font-size: 10pt;'>Save %!</div>
                   </div>">
</if>

Add conditional footer information:

<if data-test=""
    data-template="<div style='margin-top: 20pt; padding: 10pt; background-color: #f8d7da; border: 2pt solid #dc3545;'>
                      <strong style='color: #dc3545;'>CONFIDENTIAL:</strong>
                      This document contains proprietary information.
                   </div>">
</if>

10. Inline User Badge

Display user type badge:

<div>
    User: 
    <if data-test=""
        data-template="<span style='background-color: #dc3545; color: white; padding: 3pt 8pt; margin-left: 5pt; font-size: 8pt; border-radius: 3pt;'>ADMIN</span>">
    </if>
    <if data-test=""
        data-template="<span style='background-color: #ffc107; color: black; padding: 3pt 8pt; margin-left: 5pt; font-size: 8pt; border-radius: 3pt;'>PREMIUM</span>">
    </if>
</div>

11. Conditional Watermark

Add watermark for draft documents:

<if data-test=""
    data-template="<div style='position: absolute; top: 50%; left: 50%; transform: rotate(-45deg);
                               font-size: 72pt; color: rgba(255,0,0,0.2); font-weight: bold;'>
                      DRAFT
                   </div>">
</if>

12. Simple Table Row

Conditional table row with inline template:

<table style="width: 100%;">
    <tr>
        <td>Order Status:</td>
        <td>
            <if data-test=""
                data-template="<span style='color: green; font-weight: bold;'>✓ Shipped</span>">
            </if>
            <if data-test=""
                data-template="<span style='color: orange; font-weight: bold;'>⧗ Pending</span>">
            </if>
            <if data-test=""
                data-template="<span style='color: red; font-weight: bold;'>✗ Cancelled</span>">
            </if>
        </td>
    </tr>
</table>

13. Internationalized Content

Load locale-specific templates:

<!-- Model: { language: "en", contentEn: "<p>English content</p>", contentEs: "<p>Contenido español</p>" } -->
<if data-test=""
    data-template="">
</if>

<if data-test=""
    data-template="">
</if>

14. Conditional QR Code

Show QR code with description:

<if data-test=""
    data-template="<div style='text-align: center; margin: 20pt 0;'>
                      <img src='' style='width: 100pt; height: 100pt;'/>
                      <div style='font-size: 8pt; color: #666; margin-top: 5pt;'>
                        Scan to access online version
                      </div>
                   </div>">
</if>

15. Terms and Conditions Section

Conditionally include terms:

<if data-test=""
    data-template="<div style='margin-top: 30pt; padding: 15pt; border-top: 2pt solid black;'>
                      <h3 style='margin: 0 0 10pt 0;'>Terms and Conditions</h3>
                      <div style='font-size: 8pt; line-height: 1.4;'>
                        
                      </div>
                   </div>">
</if>

16. Status Indicator Panel

Multi-line status panel:

<if data-test=""
    data-template="<div style='background-color: #fff3cd; border-left: 5pt solid #ffc107; padding: 15pt; margin: 10pt 0;'>
                      <div style='font-weight: bold; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 5pt;'>
                        System Status Alert
                      </div>
                      <div>
                        Current Status: <strong></strong>
                      </div>
                      <div style='margin-top: 5pt; font-size: 9pt; color: #666;'>
                        Last Updated: 
                      </div>
                   </div>">
</if>

17. Conditional Signature Block

Add signature block for certain document types:

<if data-test=""
    data-template="<div style='margin-top: 40pt; padding: 20pt; border: 1pt solid #000;'>
                      <div style='margin-bottom: 30pt;'>
                        <div>Signature: _________________________________</div>
                      </div>
                      <div style='margin-bottom: 10pt;'>
                        <div>Print Name: _________________________________</div>
                      </div>
                      <div>
                        <div>Date: _________________________________</div>
                      </div>
                   </div>">
</if>

18. Simple Payment Instructions

Conditional payment details:

<if data-test=""
    data-template="<div style='background-color: #d1ecf1; padding: 10pt; margin: 10pt 0;'>
                      <strong>Payment Instructions:</strong><br/>
                      Please make check payable to: <br/>
                      Mail to: 
                   </div>">
</if>

<if data-test=""
    data-template="<div style='background-color: #d1ecf1; padding: 10pt; margin: 10pt 0;'>
                      <strong>Wire Transfer Instructions:</strong><br/>
                      Bank: <br/>
                      Account: <br/>
                      Routing: 
                   </div>">
</if>

Conditional promotional content:

<if data-test=""
    data-template="<div style='background: linear-gradient(to right, #667eea, #764ba2);
                               color: white; padding: 20pt; text-align: center;
                               margin-bottom: 20pt; border-radius: 5pt;'>
                      <div style='font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 5pt;'>
                        
                      </div>
                      <div style='font-size: 12pt;'>
                        
                      </div>
                      <div style='margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 9pt;'>
                        Offer expires: 
                      </div>
                   </div>">
</if>

20. Complex Conditional Layout

Multi-section conditional content:

<if data-test=""
    data-template="<div style='border: 2pt solid #336699; padding: 15pt; margin: 20pt 0;'>
                      <div style='background-color: #336699; color: white; padding: 10pt; margin: -15pt -15pt 15pt -15pt;'>
                        <h2 style='margin: 0;'>Detailed Summary</h2>
                      </div>
                      <table style='width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;'>
                        <tr>
                          <td style='padding: 5pt; border-bottom: 1pt solid #ddd; font-weight: bold;'>Total Items:</td>
                          <td style='padding: 5pt; border-bottom: 1pt solid #ddd; text-align: right;'></td>
                        </tr>
                        <tr>
                          <td style='padding: 5pt; border-bottom: 1pt solid #ddd; font-weight: bold;'>Subtotal:</td>
                          <td style='padding: 5pt; border-bottom: 1pt solid #ddd; text-align: right;'>$</td>
                        </tr>
                        <tr>
                          <td style='padding: 5pt; border-bottom: 1pt solid #ddd; font-weight: bold;'>Tax:</td>
                          <td style='padding: 5pt; border-bottom: 1pt solid #ddd; text-align: right;'>$</td>
                        </tr>
                        <tr>
                          <td style='padding: 5pt; font-weight: bold; font-size: 12pt;'>Total:</td>
                          <td style='padding: 5pt; text-align: right; font-weight: bold; font-size: 12pt;'>$</td>
                        </tr>
                      </table>
                   </div>">
</if>