Render DataTable, how?

Question

Hello, I have a function that returns a DataTable in my asp code-behind page but don't know how to render it. So far I've tried calling the function in the Load_Page event but it doesn't work.
I assume I have to return this as part of a ASP control but don't know how.

Could you please help?

Attached is the source.

Vulpes · Answer

As explained in that link, there are limitations on the types of data that a DataTable can include - essentially, just the fundamental types plus byte arrays. In particular, Button is not a valid DataType - hence the error. However, you can include a ButtonField column in the GridView itself. See http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.web.ui.webcontrols.gridview.aspx

Andy · Answer

One more thing... kind of related. I want to display a button as a column value in my table. I have a function that returns a Button type and set the column type to "System.Web.UI.WebControls.Button" but I get an exception when loading the page: Exception Details: System.ArgumentException: Column requires a valid DataType. protected DataTable Table() { ... col5.DataType = System.Type.GetType("System.Web.UI.WebControls.Button"); row[col5] = CustomButton("Click me"); } protected Button CustomButton(string caption) { Button btn = new Button(); btn.Text = caption; return btn; } What type do I need to set to display the button in my table? Thanks again! LE: According to http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.data.datacolumn.datatype.aspx there's no such datatype as Web.UI.WebControls.Button :( Still not sure how to approach this, a cast of some sort maybe?

Andy · Answer

Wow, adding the gridview control worked beautifully!!! Thanks much guys!

Satyapriya Nayak · Answer

Hi Andy, Try this, Untitled Page using System; using System.Configuration; using System.Data; using System.Linq; using System.Web; using System.Web.Security; using System.Web.UI; using System.Web.UI.HtmlControls; using System.Web.UI.WebControls; using System.Web.UI.WebControls.WebParts; using System.Xml.Linq; public partial class _Default : System.Web.UI.Page { protected void Page_Load(object sender, EventArgs e) { Table(); } void Table() { DataTable table = new DataTable("emp"); DataColumn col1 = new DataColumn("Column1"); DataColumn col2 = new DataColumn("Column2"); DataColumn col3 = new DataColumn("Column3"); DataColumn col4 = new DataColumn("Column4"); col1.DataType = System.Type.GetType("System.String"); col2.DataType = System.Type.GetType("System.String"); col3.DataType = System.Type.GetType("System.String"); col4.DataType = System.Type.GetType("System.String"); table.Columns.Add(col1); table.Columns.Add(col2); table.Columns.Add(col3); table.Columns.Add(col4); DataRow row = table.NewRow(); row[col1] = "Content1"; row[col2] = "Content2"; row[col3] = "Content3"; row[col4] = "Content4"; table.Rows.Add(row); DataSet ds; ds = new DataSet(); ds.Tables.Add(table); DataGrid1.DataMember = "emp"; DataGrid1.DataSource = ds; DataGrid1.DataBind(); } } Thanks If this post helps you mark it as answer

Vulpes · Answer

If you place a GridView control on your page, then you can bind your DataTable to that: protected void Page_Load(object sender, EventArgs e) { if (!IsPostBack) { GridView1.DataSource = Table(); GridView1.DataBind(); } }