Examine Columns in ASP.NET Dynamic Data MetaTable

This is how you get access to all columns in a MetaTable that serves as a data source to your controls like a DetailsView or a GridView. Dynamic Data generates the following code for each ASP.NET page by default:

   protected MetaTable table;

   protected void Page_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)

   {

       table = DetailsDataSource.GetTable();

       Title = table.DisplayName;

   }

The MetaTable class has a Columns property that returns a collection of MetaColumns for the table. This allows us to enumerate through the collection and check for any custom attributes on table columns:

    

   foreach (MetaColumn column in table.Columns)

   {

      if (column.Attributes.OfType<MyCustomAttribute>().Count() > 0)

          ......

      }

   }

This is based on a tip found at this blog.