Convert a DataTable to a List<> using C# or VB.NET

A user recently asked me a question on converting a DataTable to a List<> in .NET 2.0. Here’s the code to do so:

// Assuming there is a DataTable called dt
List<DataRow> drlist = new List<DataRow>();

foreach (DataRow row in dt.Rows)
{
    drlist.Add((DataRow)row);
}

VB.NET

' Assuming there is a DataTable called dt
Dim drlist As New List(Of DataRow)()

For Each row As DataRow In dt.Rows
    drlist.Add(CType(row, DataRow))
Next row

Please note that this is just a prototype and may not cover all scenarios.

Note: I have not tested this but in .NET 3.5, you should be able to do this:

List<DataRow> drlist = dt.AsEnumerable().ToList();

About The Author

Suprotim Agarwal, Developer Technologies MVP (Microsoft Most Valuable Professional) is the founder and contributor for DevCurry, DotNetCurry and SQLServerCurry. He is the Chief Editor of a Developer Magazine called DNC Magazine. He has also authored two Books - 51 Recipes using jQuery with ASP.NET Controls. and The Absolutely Awesome jQuery CookBook.

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3 comments:

Anonymous said...: thanks for the post it was very useful

protected void RetrieveData_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
List drList = new List();
foreach (DataRow row in dt.Rows)
{
drList.Add((DataRow)row);
}
foreach (DataRow s in drList)
{
Response.Write(s.ItemArray[0].ToString()+" "+s.ItemArray[1].ToString()+"
");
}
}; January 11, 2010 at 10:11 AM
Anonymous said...: List list = new List(dataTable.Select());
List customList = list.ConvertAll(e=>new CustomType{ Member1= (e["Processed"])
});; September 1, 2010 at 6:19 AM
Unknown said...: hi bro when in convert datatable to list i am getting error plz help me out!!!!
public string RecieveClassRoom(List classes)
{
//List ClassListed = new List();
List drList = new List().ToList();

using (SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection(conStr))
{
SqlDataAdapter ada = new SqlDataAdapter ( "sp_FetchCategories" , conn);
DataTable dt = new DataTable ();

foreach(DataRow row in dt.Rows)
{
drList.Add((DataRow)row);
drList.Add(new ClassRoom{RollNum='1'});
}
}
return string.Format("Thank you, {0} number of rows recieved!",rowsInserted);
}; January 9, 2013 at 2:29 AM