Convert DataGrid to DataTable

Question

What's the equivalent in .NET to convert my DataGrid to a DataTable (DataGrid.ItemsSource isn't defined in .Net csharp.

Thanks!

DataTable dt = new DataTable();
dt = ((DataView)DataGrid1.ItemsSource).ToTable();

EDIT

This isn't a duplicate since the previous code is for WPF and I'm looking for an asp.net mvc csharp answer.

Possible duplicate of [How to convert DataGrid to dataTable](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/21827339/how-to-convert-datagrid-to-datatable) — , Jun 19 '17 at 19:04
@arbitrarystringofletters No. The duplicate post's code is same as the OP's code and since he/she mentioned *`DataGrid.ItemsSource` isn't defined* so he/she definitely is not looking for a WPF solution. — Salah Akbari, Jun 19 '17 at 19:09

Salah Akbari · Accepted Answer · 2017-06-19T19:49:19.493

2

The ItemsSource is for WPF. Use the DataSource and cast it to DataTable like this:

dt = (DataTable)DataGrid1.DataSource;

EDIT: And if you get into trouble with above approach, you can use a custom method like this:

private DataTable ToDataTable(DataGridView dataGridView)
{
    var dt = new DataTable();
    foreach (DataGridViewColumn dataGridViewColumn in dataGridView.Columns)
    {
        if (dataGridViewColumn.Visible)
        {
            dt.Columns.Add();
        }
    }
    var cell = new object[dataGridView.Columns.Count];
    foreach (DataGridViewRow dataGridViewRow in dataGridView.Rows)
    {
        for (int i = 0; i < dataGridViewRow.Cells.Count; i++)
        {
            cell[i] = dataGridViewRow.Cells[i].Value;
        }
        dt.Rows.Add(cell);
    }
    return dt;
}

And then use it:

var dataTable = ToDataTable(dataGridView1);

Also MoreLinq is a good choice in case the type of Datasource is a list. Check this solution to know how to use it: https://stackoverflow.com/a/42550827/2946329

edited Jun 19 '17 at 19:49

answered Jun 19 '17 at 19:05

Salah Akbari

39,330
10
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I tried it and I get this error: Can't cast 'System.Collections.Generic.List' in type 'System.Data.DataTable' – J. Lavoie Jun 19 '17 at 19:15
@J.Lavoie - see my answer – bnem Jun 19 '17 at 19:21
@J.Lavoie OK. Check my updated answer. I provided another approach to achieve this. – Salah Akbari Jun 19 '17 at 19:31
What's the using I need in order to use DataGridView? Intellisense can't find me one – J. Lavoie Jun 19 '17 at 19:36
@S.Akbari the OP is working in ASP.NET MVC. DataGridView is a WinForms control. – bnem Jun 19 '17 at 19:39
1

@bnem OK. I know. BTW the MVC doesn't contain any helper called `DataGrid`. – Salah Akbari Jun 19 '17 at 19:40
@J.Lavoie The using is this: `using System.Windows.Forms;` – Salah Akbari Jun 19 '17 at 19:45
@J.Lavoie Another option is `MoreLinq` if the type of `Datasource` is a list. Check my updated answer again. – Salah Akbari Jun 19 '17 at 19:50
Beware, this method fails in presence of invisible columns. In the first ``foreach`` it takes it into account, but in the second one no. So in case of an invisble column , in the second ``foreach`` try to put data out of range. Tried myself. – raulmd13 Mar 08 '21 at 08:33

bnem · Answer 2 · 2017-06-19T19:27:34.840

1

If you are referring to the System.Windows.Forms.DataGrid or System.Web.UI.WebControls.DataGrid, then the best way would be to cast the Datasource property to a DataTable.

Of course the Datasource property has to actually be a DataTable underlying type to begin with. You need to know the underlying type of the object stored in the Datasource property.

If the underlying type of Datasource is a generic list, then this SO post should help: How to convert a list into data table

FYI - The Windows Forms DataGrid control, according to Microsoft, has been replaced by the DataGridView.

edited Jun 19 '17 at 19:27

answered Jun 19 '17 at 19:11

bnem

95
1
7

I'm referring to the `System.Web.UI.WebControls.DataGrid` – J. Lavoie Jun 19 '17 at 19:24
@J.Lavoie yes saw your edit and updated my answer, added a link to converting list to datatable – bnem Jun 19 '17 at 19:24
I have an error when casting, but maybe it's because the underlying type of the object stored is a class object! – J. Lavoie Jun 19 '17 at 19:31
@J.Lavoie in your comment on the other answer, you had an error because you were trying convert a generic list to a `Datatable`. Use the link I provided in my answer. – bnem Jun 19 '17 at 19:36
Ok this work perfectly except that my datetime values are converted in decimal! – J. Lavoie Jun 19 '17 at 19:41

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Jul 16 '18 at 08:28

if there is visible columns in datagridview you can use

    private DataTable ToDataTable(DataGridView dataGridView)
    {
        var dt = new DataTable();
        int columnCount = 0;
        List<int> columnNumbers= new List<int>();

        foreach (DataGridViewColumn dataGridViewColumn in dataGridView.Columns)
        {


            if (dataGridViewColumn.Visible)
            {
                dt.Columns.Add(dataGridViewColumn.Name);                   
                columnNumbers.Add(columnCount);

            }
            columnCount++;
        }

        var cell = new object[columnNumbers.Count];
        foreach (DataGridViewRow dataGridViewRow in dataGridView.Rows)
        {
            int i = 0;
            foreach (int a in columnNumbers)
            {
                cell[i] = dataGridViewRow.Cells[a].Value;
                i++;
            }
            dt.Rows.Add(cell);
        }
        return dt;
    }

score 0 · Answer 4 · edited Aug 15 '18 at 05:50

The custom method does not take into account the hidden columns. You are getting an error, because you have too many cells for the columns copied.

You can use :

int dgv1RowCount = dgv1.Rows.Count;
int numOfColumns = dgv1.Columns.GetColumnCount(DataGridViewElementStates.Visible) ;
int numCells = dgv1RowCount * numOfColumns;
// use numCells in the for loop
for (int i = 0; i < numOfCells ; i++)
{
    enter code here
}

Convert DataGrid to DataTable

4 Answers4