Question

I’m trying to insert a column into an existing DataSet using C#.

As an example I have a DataSet defined as follows:

DataSet ds = new DataSet(); ds.Tables.Add(new DataTable()); ds.Tables[0].Columns.Add('column_1', typeof(string)); ds.Tables[0].Columns.Add('column_2', typeof(int)); ds.Tables[0].Columns.Add('column_4', typeof(string)); 

later on in my code I am wanting to insert a column between column 2 and column 4.

DataSets have methods for adding a column but I can’t seem to find the best way in insert one.

I’d like to write something like the following…

...Columns.InsertAfter('column_2', 'column_3', typeof(string)) 

The end result should be a data set that has a table with the following columns: column_1 column_2 column_3 column_4

rather than: column_1 column_2 column_4 column_3 which is what the add method gives me

surely there must be a way of doing something like this.

Edit…Just wanting to clarify what I’m doing with the DataSet based on some of the comments below:

I am getting a data set from a stored procedure. I am then having to add additional columns to the data set which is then converted into an Excel document. I do not have control over the data returned by the stored proc so I have to add columns after the fact.

Answer 1

You can use the DataColumn.SetOrdinal() method for this purpose.

DataSet ds = new DataSet(); ds.Tables.Add(new DataTable()); ds.Tables[0].Columns.Add('column_1', typeof(string)); ds.Tables[0].Columns.Add('column_2', typeof(int)); ds.Tables[0].Columns.Add('column_4', typeof(string)); ds.Tables[0].Columns.Add('column_3', typeof(string)); //set column 3 to be before column 4 ds.Tables[0].Columns[3].SetOrdinal(2);