How to convert List> to a DataTable

Question

How would I convert List<List<string>> to a DataTable? I am trying to set the DataSource of a gridview to a List<List<string>> variable.

Answer 1

public static DataTable ToDataTable(this List<List<string>> list)
{
    DataTable dt = new DataTable();
    list.First().ForEach(colname => dt.Columns.Add(colname));
    foreach (List<string> row in list.Skip(1))
        dt.Rows.Add(row.ToArray());
    return dt;
}

Answer 2

This can easily be done using extension methods.

Add this class to your solution

static class ListExtensions
{
    public static DataTable ToDataTable(this List<List<string>> list)
    {
        DataTable tmp = new DataTable();
        foreach (List<string> row in list)
        {
            tmp.Rows.Add(row.ToArray());
        }
        return tmp;
    }
}

then use the extension method like this:

List<List<string>> myList = new List<List<string>>();
// Fill with values...
DataTable table = myList.ToDataTable();

Answer 3

I would rather set DataSource of the grid to BindableList, which you would perhaps create easier, instead of double nested List, you would have List of Rows (where the Row is business entity represented, for example Customer).