Question

I may well be looking at this problem backwards but I am curious none the less. Is there a way to build a DataTable from what is currently displayed in the DataGridView?

To be clear, I know you can do this DataTable data = (DataTable)(dgvMyMembers.DataSource); however that includes hidden columns. I would like to build it from the displayed columns only.

Hope that makes sense.

---

So I ended up trying a combination of a couple of answers as that seemed best. Below is what I am trying. Basically I am creating the DataTable from the DataSource and then working backwards based on if a column is visible or not. However, after it removes a column I get a Collection was modified; enumeration operation may not execute on the next iteration of the foreach.

I am confused as I am not trying to modify the DataGridView, only the DataTable so what’s up?

DataTable data = GetDataTableFromDGV(dgvMyMembers);


    private DataTable GetDataTableFromDGV(DataGridView dgv)
    {
        var dt = ((DataTable)dgv.DataSource).Copy();
        foreach (DataGridViewColumn column in dgv.Columns)
        {
            if (!column.Visible)
            {
                dt.Columns.Remove(column.Name);
            }
        }
        return dt;
    }

Answer 1

Well, you can do

DataTable data = (DataTable)(dgvMyMembers.DataSource);

and then use

data.Columns.Remove(...);

I think it’s the fastest way. This will modify data source table, if you don’t want it, then copy of table is reqired. Also be aware that DataGridView.DataSource is not necessarily of DataTable type.