Question

What would be the simplest way to send a customised html email using asp.net?

I suppose ideally I would like to send html via email rather than returning it to the browser via a ActionResult, as I normally would. This way I could build the email as a view, supply it with data via a model and then fire it using standard .NET email stuff.

It this feasible / the way to do it?

Thanks,

Answer 1

This blog post has a good solution for rendering a View to a string so you can send it in email.

/// Static Method to render string - put somewhere of your choosing
public static string RenderPartialToString(string controlName, object viewData)
{
     ViewDataDictionary vd = new ViewDataDictionary(viewData);
     ViewPage vp = new ViewPage { ViewData = vd };
     Control control = vp.LoadControl(controlName);

     vp.Controls.Add(control);

     StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder();
     using (StringWriter sw = new StringWriter(sb))
     {
         using (HtmlTextWriter tw = new HtmlTextWriter(sw))
         {
             vp.RenderControl(tw);
         }
     }

     return sb.ToString();
}