Why Are My ASP.NET MVC Enums Serializing as Numbers Instead of Strings?

Troubleshooting ASP.NET MVC Enum Serialization to JSON

An ASP.NET MVC application unexpectedly serializes enums as numbers in JSON responses, instead of the desired string representations. This indicates the default serializer isn't Newtonsoft.Json (Json.NET), even if it's commonly used. Let's examine potential causes and solutions:

1. Configuration Checks:

The web.config file's content handlers might define a custom JSON serializer. However, this is unlikely if Json.NET is not explicitly configured.

2. Default Serializer Identification:

Crucially, ASP.NET MVC versions prior to MVC 5 don't use Json.NET by default; they utilize JavaScriptSerializer. To leverage Json.NET's string enum serialization, manual integration is required. Resources detailing this process include:

• "Using JSON.NET as the default JSON serializer in ASP.NET MVC 3 - is it possible?"
• "ASP.NET MVC and Json.NET"

3. Model Binding and Custom ValueProviderFactory:

For Json.NET to correctly serialize enums as strings, a custom ValueProviderFactory might be necessary. This custom factory allows the binding of JSON data to model properties during model binding. Refer to these resources for implementation details:

• "ASP.NET MVC 3 – Improved JsonValueProviderFactory using Json.Net"
• "ValueProviderFactories Class"

By addressing these points, you can ensure your ASP.NET MVC application serializes enums as strings within JSON responses, aligning with expected behavior.

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