A critical vulnerability was discovered in React Server Components (Next.js). Our systems remain protected but we advise to update packages to newest version. Learn More

Per Magne Skuseth
Mar 21, 2014
  4698
(5 votes)

Add some color to your UI

Here is a little trick to spice up the editorial view when using simple selection lists in EPiServer:
The SelectItem Text property in selection factories can contain html, which means that you can easily make the editorial controls look a bit more exciting.

public class BlockColorSelectionFactory : ISelectionFactory
{
    public IEnumerable<ISelectItem> GetSelections(ExtendedMetadata metadata)
    {
        yield return new SelectItem()
        {
            Text = "<span class='colorselector blue'></span>Blue",
            Value = "blue"
        };
        yield return new SelectItem()
        {
            Text = "<span class='colorselector white'></span>White",
            Value = "white" 
        };
        yield return new SelectItem()
        {
            Text = "<span class='colorselector gray'></span>Gray",
            Value = "dark"
        };
        yield return new SelectItem()
        {
            Text = "<span class='colorselector black'></span>Black",
            Value = "black"
        };
    }
}
In this case, the colorselector css classes are defined in a style sheet that is registered as a client resource.
 
[SelectOne(SelectionFactoryType = typeof(BlockColorSelectionFactory))]
public virtual string ColorTheme { get; set; }
 
 color
 
Here is another example, where I’ve used an image tag:
public class LanguageSelectionFactory : ISelectionFactory
{
    public IEnumerable<ISelectItem> GetSelections(ExtendedMetadata metadata)
    {
        var languageBranches = ServiceLocator.Current.GetInstance<ILanguageBranchRepository>().ListEnabled();
        return languageBranches.Select(branch => new SelectItem()
        {
            Text = string.Format("<img class='flag' src='/App_Themes/Default/Images/flags/{0}.gif'/>{1}", branch.LanguageID, branch.Name),
            Value = branch.LanguageID
        });
    }
}

flags

… And when using SelectMany:

 langz

Mar 21, 2014

Comments

Mari Jørgensen
Mari Jørgensen Mar 21, 2014 01:29 PM

Nice! I like it! :)

Jan 28, 2015 04:42 PM

I can't get this to work in the latest version.
It just displays the HTML markup instead of an image.

Any ideas?

Jul 31, 2015 04:07 PM

I've got the same issue as Kristoffer Av Ekenstam , did you ever find a resolution?

Per Magne Skuseth
Per Magne Skuseth Oct 8, 2015 04:21 PM

This will only work for CMS 7.x, I'm afraid.

Please login to comment.
Latest blogs
Looking back at Optimizely in 2025

Explore Optimizely's architectural shift in 2025, which removed coordination cost through a unified execution loop. Learn how agentic Opal AI and...

Andy Blyth | Dec 17, 2025 |

Cleaning Up Content Graph Webhooks in PaaS CMS: Scheduled Job

The Problem Bit of a niche issue, but we are building a headless solution where the presentation layer is hosted on Netlify, when in a regular...

Minesh Shah (Netcel) | Dec 17, 2025

A day in the life of an Optimizely OMVP - OptiGraphExtensions v2.0: Enhanced Search Control with Language Support and Synonym Slots

Supercharge your Optimizely Graph search experience with powerful new features for multilingual sites and fine-grained search tuning. As search...

Graham Carr | Dec 16, 2025

A day in the life of an Optimizely OMVP - Optimizely Opal: Specialized Agents, Workflows, and Tools Explained

The AI landscape in digital experience platforms has shifted dramatically. At Opticon 2025, Optimizely unveiled the next evolution of Optimizely Op...

Graham Carr | Dec 16, 2025