CODEWITHSUNDEEP
c#asp.net-mvc
WorksOnMyLocal
WorksOnMyLocal

Reputation: 1689

unable to convert a list object into a data table

I have a JSON object which i get from an ajax post call,which i am mapping it to my list of Customclass objects like below.

[ObjectFilter(Param = "postdata", RootType = typeof(List<ExportToExcel8020>))]
        public void ExportToExcel(List<ExportToExcel8020> text) 
        
{
  //List<ExportToExcel8020> rm = text.AsEnumerable().ToList();
  //DataTable UserDt = rm .ToDataTable();
  DataTable UserDt = text.ToDataTable();
}

This is how my list object looks,

enter image description here

Now I want this generic list object to be converted into a datatable, i am trying to do this by using the below method. But i get an error which says

'System.Collections.Generic.List<...Domain.Common.ExportToExcel8020>' does not contain a definition for 'ToDataTable' and no extension method 'ToDataTable' accepting a first argument of type...

'System.Collections.Generic.List<...Domain.Common.ExportToExcel8020>' could not be found (are you missing a using directive or an assembly reference?)

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)
            {
                //Setting column names as Property names
                dataTable.Columns.Add(prop.Name);
            }
            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;
        }

The reason i need it as a datatable is to use openxml and export an excel file.

Is there something wrong with my code? or is my apporach itself is wrong?

Upvotes: 1

Views: 460

Answers (1)

Skintkingle
Skintkingle

Reputation: 1579

This looks like you are trying to write an extension method. the method signature needs to have this as a keyword to the first parameter which then specifies the type you are extending (and passes in the instance of the object when the extension method is called). try

public static DataTable ToDataTable<T>(this List<T> items)

as the method signature.

Upvotes: 3

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