# Adding ASP.NET Web API Support to an Existing Visual Studio ASP.NET MVC Project

> Add ASP.NET Web API support to an existing MVC project by installing the Microsoft.AspNet.WebApi NuGet package, creating a WebApiConfig class with route mappings, and registering it in Global.asax before the default MVC route. This enables the Web.TextControl MVC HtmlHelper.

- **Author:** Bjoern Meyer
- **Published:** 2015-12-12
- **Modified:** 2026-03-05
- **Description:** Add ASP.NET Web API support to an existing MVC project by installing the Microsoft.AspNet.WebApi NuGet package, creating a WebApiConfig class with route mappings, and registering it in Global.asax before the default MVC route. This enables the Web.TextControl MVC HtmlHelper.
- **2 min read** (363 words)
- **Tags:**
  - HTML5
  - WebApi
- **Web URL:** https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2015/12/12/adding-aspnet-web-api-support-to-an-existing-visual-studio-aspnet-mvc-project/
- **LLMs URL:** https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2015/12/12/adding-aspnet-web-api-support-to-an-existing-visual-studio-aspnet-mvc-project/llms.txt
- **LLMs-Full URL:** https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2015/12/12/adding-aspnet-web-api-support-to-an-existing-visual-studio-aspnet-mvc-project/llms-full.txt

---

*TXTextControl.Web.MVC* is using the ASP.NET Web API framework to synchronize the edited document with the server in order to render the output in a true WYSIWYG manner.

From [Microsoft MSDN](https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh833994%28v=vs.108%29.aspx):

> ASP.NET Web API is a framework that makes it easy to build HTTP services that reach a broad range of clients, including browsers and mobile devices. ASP.NET Web API is an ideal platform for building RESTful applications on the .NET Framework.

In our MVC tutorial, we describe how to create a new ASP.NET MVC project with Web API support. But very often, TX Text Control is added to existing MVC projects. This tutorial shows how to add ASP.NET Web API support to an existing MVC project.

1. Click *Manage NuGet Packages...* from the *Project* main menu.
2. Set the *Package source* to *nuget.org* and search for *Microsoft.AspNet.WebApi*. Select the package *Microsoft.AspNet.WebApi* and click on *Install*. Accept the license for all 4 packages by clicking *I Accept*.
    
    ![Adding ASP.NET Web API support to an existing ASP.NET MVC project](https://s1-www.textcontrol.com/assets/dist/blog/2015/12/12/a/assets/visualstudio_nuget_webapi.webp "Adding ASP.NET Web API support to an existing ASP.NET MVC project")
3. In the *Solution Explorer*, select the folder *App\_Start* and choose *Add New Item...* from the *Project* main menu. Select *Class* as the new item and name it *WebApiConfig.cs*. Confirm with *Add*.
    
    Add the following code to the newly created config file and import the namespace *System.Web.Http*:
    
    ```
    using System.Web.Http;
    
    public class WebApiConfig
    {
      public static void Register(HttpConfiguration configuration)
      {
        configuration.Routes.MapHttpRoute("API Default", "api/{controller}/{id}",
          new { id = RouteParameter.Optional });
      }
    }
    ```
4. Import the namespace *System.Web.Http* in *Global.asax.cs*.
5. In the file *Global.asax.cs*, call *GlobalConfiguration.Configure(WebApiConfig.Register);* in *MvcApplication.Application\_Start()* before registering the default web application route:
    
    ```
    protected void Application_Start()
    {
        GlobalConfiguration.Configure(WebApiConfig.Register);
        AreaRegistration.RegisterAllAreas();
        RouteConfig.RegisterRoutes(RouteTable.Routes);
    }
    ```

That's it - you added Web API support to your ASP.NET MVC project. Now, you can use the *TXTextControl.Web.MVC* HtmlHelper in your web application.

---

## About Bjoern Meyer

As CEO, Bjoern is the visionary behind our strategic direction and business development, bridging the gap between our customers and engineering teams. His deep passion for coding and web technologies drives the creation of innovative products. If you're at a tech conference, be sure to stop by our booth - you'll most likely meet Bjoern in person. With an advanced graduate degree (Dipl. Inf.) in Computer Science, specializing in AI, from the University of Bremen, Bjoern brings significant expertise to his role. In his spare time, Bjoern enjoys running, paragliding, mountain biking, and playing the piano.

- [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bjoernmeyer/)
- [X](https://x.com/txbjoern)
- [GitHub](https://github.com/bjoerntx)

---

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