Back to the top

How to Copy DataRows Between DataTables

1. Create a new Visual C# Console Application project. Class1.cs is created by default.
2. If the Code window is not open, right-click Class1.cs in Solution Explorer, and click View Code.
3. Delete all of the code from the Code window.
4. Copy the following code, and paste it in the Code window:

   using System;
   using System.Data;
   using System.Data.SqlClient;
   
   namespace ImportRowCS
   {
       class Class1
       {
           static void Main(string[] args)
           {
               // 
               // TODO: Add code to start application here.
               DataTable tblProducts = new  DataTable();
               DataTable tblProductsCopy = new DataTable();
   
               int tblProductsCount;
               int tblProductsCopyCount;
               int i;
       // Change the connection string to your server.
       SqlConnection Conn = new SqlConnection("Server=(local);
                                               database=Northwind;
                                               UID=<User ID>;PWD=<Password>");
       // Create the DataAdapter.
       SqlDataAdapter da = new SqlDataAdapter("Select * from products", Conn);
       // Fill the DataSet with data.
       DataSet ds = new DataSet();
       da.Fill(ds, "products");
       tblProducts = ds.Tables["products"];
       tblProductsCount = tblProducts.Rows.Count;
   
       // Write the number of rows in the Products table to the screen.
       Console.WriteLine("Table tblProducts has " + tblProductsCount.ToString() + " Rows");
   
       // Loop through the top five rows, and write the first column to the screen.
       for (i=0; i<=4;++i)
               {
                   Console.WriteLine("Row(" + i.ToString() + ") = " + tblProducts.Rows[i][1]);
               }
          
   
       // Use Clone method to copy the table structure (Schema).
       tblProductsCopy = tblProducts.Clone();
   
       // Use the ImportRow method to copy from Products table to its clone.
               for (i=0; i<=4;++i)
               {
               tblProductsCopy.ImportRow(tblProducts.Rows[i]);
               }
           tblProductsCopyCount = tblProductsCopy.Rows.Count;
       // Write blank line.
       Console.WriteLine();
       // Write the number of rows in tblProductsCopy table to the screen.
       Console.WriteLine("Table tblProductsCopy has " + 
                         tblProductsCopyCount.ToString() + " Rows");
   
       // Loop through the top five rows, and write the first column to the screen.
               for(i = 0; i<=tblProductsCopyCount - 1;++i)
               {
                   Console.WriteLine("Row(" + i.ToString() + ") = " + tblProductsCopy.Rows[i][1]);
               }
   
       // This line keeps the console open until you press ENTER.
       Console.ReadLine();
   
           }
       }
   }
   					

5. Modify the connection string as appropriate for your environment.
6. Press the F5 key to build and run the project. Note that the program's output appears as follows in the Command window:

   Table tblProducts has 77 Rows
   Row(0) = Chai
   Row(1) = Chang
   Row(2) = Aniseed Syrup
   Row(3) = Chef Anton's Cajun Seasoning
   Row(4) = Chef Anton's Gumbo Mix
   
   Table tblProductsCopy has 5 Rows
   Row(0) = Chai
   Row(1) = Chang
   Row(2) = Aniseed Syrup
   Row(3) = Chef Anton's Cajun Seasoning
   Row(4) = Chef Anton's Gumbo Mix
   						

7. When you are finished, press ENTER to close the Command window.

Back to the top

Additional Notes

DataTable DataTable1 = new DataTable();
DataTable DataTable2 = new DataTable();
DataView DataView1 = new DataView();
DataSet DataSet1 = new DataSet();

// Copy the entire DataTable.
DataTable2 = DataTable1.Copy();
DataSet1.Tables.Add(DataTable2);
				

// Copy from the results of a Select method.
foreach (DataRow MyDataRow in DataTable1.Select("Region = 'WA'"))
{
	DataTable2.ImportRow(MyDataRow);
}
Console.WriteLine(DataTable2.Rows.Count);
Console.ReadLine();

// Copy from the results of a DataView.
DataView1 = DataTable1.DefaultView;
DataView1.RowFilter = "Region = 'WA'";
for (int i = 0; i <= DataView1.Count - 1; ++i)
{
	DataTable2.ImportRow(DataView1[I].Row);
}
Console.WriteLine(DataTable2.Rows.Count);
Console.ReadLine();
				

Back to the top