convert datatable to list c# code example

Example 1: c# list to datatable

Just add this function and call it, it will convert List to DataTable.

public static DataTable ToDataTable<T>(List<T> items)
{
        DataTable dataTable = new DataTable(typeof(T).Name);

        //Get all the properties
        PropertyInfo[] Props = typeof(T).GetProperties(BindingFlags.Public | BindingFlags.Instance);
        foreach (PropertyInfo prop in Props)
        {
            //Defining type of data column gives proper data table 
            var type = (prop.PropertyType.IsGenericType && prop.PropertyType.GetGenericTypeDefinition() == typeof(Nullable<>) ? Nullable.GetUnderlyingType(prop.PropertyType) : prop.PropertyType);
            //Setting column names as Property names
            dataTable.Columns.Add(prop.Name, type);
        }
        foreach (T item in items)
        {
           var values = new object[Props.Length];
           for (int i = 0; i < Props.Length; i++)
           {
                //inserting property values to datatable rows
                values[i] = Props[i].GetValue(item, null);
           }
           dataTable.Rows.Add(values);
      }
      //put a breakpoint here and check datatable
      return dataTable;
}

Example 2: how to map datatable to list in c#

public List<T> ConvertToList<T>(DataTable dt)
{
    var columnNames = dt.Columns.Cast<DataColumn>()
            .Select(c => c.ColumnName)
            .ToList();
    var properties = typeof(T).GetProperties();
    return dt.AsEnumerable().Select(row =>
    {
        var objT = Activator.CreateInstance<T>();
        foreach (var pro in properties)
        {
            if (columnNames.Contains(pro.Name))
            {
                 PropertyInfo pI = objT.GetType().GetProperty(pro.Name);
                 pro.SetValue(objT, row[pro.Name] == DBNull.Value ? null : Convert.ChangeType(row[pro.Name], pI.PropertyType));
            }
        }
        return objT;
   }).ToList();
}