Binding to FocusManager.FocusedElement

Question

I have application with several datagrids and export to excel command, which gets focused datagrid as a command parameter. Is it possible to bind CommandParameter to FocusManager.FocusedElement, or do I have to set them explicity?

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

Yes, you can bind to the FocusedElement. Something like:

<Button ...
    CommandParameter="{Binding (FocusManager.FocusedElement), RelativeSource={RelativeSource AncestorType={x:Type Window}}}" />

Depending on your focus scopes, you may need to change the Window to another element.

But personally, I'd setup up the command's handler to see if the parameter is null. If it is then I'd programmatically get the FocusManager.FocusedElement.

var element = parameter as DataGrid;
if (element == null)
    element = FocusManager.FocusedElement as DataGrid.

You can also search up the visual tree as needed to the get the associated DataGrid.

Answer 2

Why can't you have the CLR property on your ViewModel say "SelectedDataGrid" which you updates whenever any of your DataGrid gets Focus. Simply used that property in your code, instead of passing it from your View.