Various return types of action in MVC application

Various return types of action in MVC application

In this article we will discuss various return types of Action. Generally in MVC application the default return type of action is ActionResult but we can return those type of value whose class is derive from ActionResult class.  Here we will see various return types one by one with example.

Return default View

If we do not specify any view name when we want to return view then by default, default view will be returned.  In below example, from Index action we are returning view but we did not specify view name, then by default it will call the view which is attached with this action.

public class TestController : Controller
    {
        public ActionResult Index()
        {
            return View();
        }
 
    }

Return Specific view from Action.

If we don’t want to call default view then we can specify view name. For example in below example we have specify view name. We have to keep in mind that the view should be in the same controller folder. Otherwise we have to keep view in shared folder.

public class TestController : Controller
    {
        public ActionResult Index()
        {           
          return View("Index");
        }
    }

Return content

Sometimes it needs to return raw string data rather than calling any view. In this situation we can return content. In below example we are returning Content and it will return simple string in browser.

public class TestController : Controller
    {
        public ActionResult Index()
        {          
          return Content("The content is return from Action");
        }
}

Return to Different Action

This is common situation where it needs to call other action from some other action. In below example we have created two actions in Test controller. Where from Index action we will call Called action. To do same ,we have to use RedirectToAction() function.

public class TestController : Controller
    {
        public ActionResult Index()
        {
            return RedirectToAction("Called");
        }
        public ActionResult Called()
        {
            return Content("Called by Index Action");
        }
    }
 

Now, please note that both actions are in same controller. When both actions are in same controller then action name is enough to call specific action.

Redirect to Different Action within same or different controller

When we want to call any action which belongs to different controller, we have to specify path of that controller. In below example we want to call Called action which belongs to Test1 controller from Index action which belongs to Test controller.

public class TestController : Controller
    {
        public ActionResult Index()
        {
            return RedirectToAction("../Test1/Called");
        }
        
    }
    public class Test1Controller : Controller
    {
        public ActionResult Called()
        {
            return Content("Called from Test Controller");
        }
    }
 
 

Conclusion:-

In this article we have seen how to call view and action from any other action. There are many more return type of action. In next few articles we will discuss them.