How can I override the ToString() method in C#?

Question

I want to override the Tostring() method for changing some characters. Is it possible? If yes, How can I do this?

Answer 1

In your class where you want to override it in, add:

public override string ToString()
{
  // return your string representation
}

Answer 2

As per your question, to change some characters in the ToString implementation, you need to call the existing ToString method by using the base keyword:

public override string ToString()
{
    return base.ToString().Replace("something", "another thing");
}

Note that if you forget the base keyword it will call itself repeatedly until you get a StackOverflowException.

Answer 3

Add the following in the class you want to override the ToString function:

public override string ToString()
{
    // Add your implementation here
}

Answer 4

See example at MSDN.

public override String ToString() 
{
    return String.Format("Test {0}", 101);
}

Answer 5

All you need is to try to write public override, and then Visual Studio will create the method for you like this:

 public override string ToString()
 {
      // Implement your own code and return desired string
 }

Answer 6

If someone looks for a general answer to "How to override the ToString() method", I've written a post, "Override ToString() using JSON serialization or something else."

In a summary, the following technologies can be used to simplify creation of ToString():

1. JSON serialization (either DataContractJsonSerializer, JSON.NET or the NuGet package JsonValue).

2. XmlSerialize

3. LINQPad's dump an arbitrary object to an HTML string

4. ServiceStack.Text C# .NET Extension method: T.Dump();