Cache partial view output in ASP.NET MVC

How to cache the partial view output?

To cache a partial view output, we again use the same OutputCache attribute to the action method that returns partial view result. To demonstrate this, lets create a example.

First create an action method

CONTROLLER METHOD

Code - 1

public ActionResult PartialViewCache()
  {
      return View();
  }

VIEW OF THE ABOVE ACTION METHOD

Code - 2

@{
    ViewBag.Title = "Partial View Cache";
}

<h2>Partial View Cache</h2>

@{
    Html.RenderAction("PartialViewCacheChild");
}

<h2>This date and time is coming from Parent View</h2>
<p>@DateTime.Now.ToString("T")</p>

CONTROLLER METHOD

Code - 3

[ChildActionOnly]
[OutputCache(Duration = 10)]
public PartialViewResult PartialViewCacheChild()
{
    return PartialView("_PartialViewForCache");
}

The above method is a child action method only because of [ChildActionOnly] attribute, it means this method can’t be called directly from the url like any other action method. It can only be called from within a View with the help of @Html.RenderAction or @Html.Action

Now create a partial view (follow the steps described in how to create a partial view).

_PARTIALVIEWFORCACHE.CSHTML VIEW

Code - 4

<h2>This date and time is coming from Partial View</h2>
<p>@DateTime.Now.ToString("T")</p>

Above view simply returns a statement and current date time.

Now when the first Action method (Code -1, PartialViewCache) is called, the PartialViewCache view renders (Code - 2) that internally calls PartialViewCacheChild method (Code - 3) using Html.RenderAction method that returns _PartialViewForCache partial view (Code - 4).

Notice that in both view and partial view, current time is being retuned. Notice the definition of the PartialViewCacheChild method that is decorated with OutputCache with duration as 10; ie. its output will be cached for 10 seconds.

First request output of the View