Render DataTable, how?

Andy

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.

5 Replies

Know the answer? Post it — somebody with the same question will find it here.

Vulpes15y ago
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
Andy15y ago
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?
Andy15y ago
Wow, adding the gridview control worked beautifully!!! Thanks much guys!
Satyapriya Nayak15y ago
Hi Andy,

Try this,

<%@ Page Language="C#" AutoEventWireup="true" CodeFile="Default.aspx.cs" Inherits="_Default" %>

    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
Vulpes15y ago
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();
}
}