The System.Web.UI.WebControls.SiteMapPath control uses a System.Web.SiteMapProvider as a source for the site map data it renders. If the SiteMapPath.SiteMapProvider property is not set, the System.Web.UI.WebControls.SiteMapPath control uses the provider identified by the System.Web.SiteMap.Provider property, which is the default System.Web.SiteMapProvider defined for the site in the configuration hierarchy, typically the System.Web.XmlSiteMapProvider. Setting the SiteMapPath.SiteMapProvider property directs the System.Web.UI.WebControls.SiteMapPath control to render the site map data that the provider defines.

The System.Web.UI.WebControls.SiteMapPath control works directly with a System.Web.SiteMapProvider and its System.Web.SiteMapNode objects to display site map information. Other controls, such as System.Web.UI.WebControls.Menu and System.Web.UI.WebControls.TreeView, require a data abstraction, provided by the System.Web.UI.WebControls.SiteMapDataSource class, to display the same site navigation information.

The value of this property is stored in view state.

This property cannot be set by themes or style sheet themes. For more information, see System.Web.UI.ThemeableAttribute and ASP.NET Themes Overview.