Can you render a single instance of an object through a partial using collections?

So for example, if I have a partial that works with @users as a collection, i.e.

<%= render :partial => 'dashboard/dashboard_pane', :collection => @users %>

where

@users = User.all

But DOESNT seem to work with a single instance

<%= render :partial => 'dashboard/dashboard_pane', :collection => @user %>

where

@user = User.first

The questions is, why?

I guess it's looping an Array.

Try with:

[ User.first ]

To use this partial with a single object, you should't be calling it with :collection. Try this instead:

<%= render :partial => 'dashboard/dashboard_pane', :object => @users.first %>

I think the answer is because it's not a collection :)

As @apneadiving said try putting it in an array. A very contrived alternative is to make it into a bona fide collection:

@users = User.find_all_by_id(@user.id)

I wouldn't recommend this though.