In this article I will explain with an example, how to display data from database in HTML Table in ASP.Net using C# and VB.Net.
 
 
Database
I have made use of the following table Customers with the schema as follows.
Display data from database in HTML table in ASP.Net
 
I have already inserted few records in the table.
Display data from database in HTML table in ASP.Net
 
Note: You can download the database table SQL by clicking the download link below.
          Download SQL file
 
 
HTML Markup
The HTML Markup consists of a PlaceHolder within which the HTML Table will be displayed.
<asp:PlaceHolder ID = "PlaceHolder1" runat="server" />
 
 
Namespaces
You will need to import the following namespaces.
C#
using System.Data;
using System.Text;
using System.Configuration;
using System.Data.SqlClient;
 
VB.Net
Imports System.Data
Imports System.Text
Imports System.Configuration
Imports System.Data.SqlClient
 
 
Displaying data from database in HTML Table using C# and VB.Net
Inside the Page Load event, first the DataTable is populated with the records from the Customers table.
Then using the StringBuilder class, a string consisting of an HTML Table is generated by iterating through the columns and the rows of the DataTable.
Finally, the HTML string is displayed on the page by adding the Literal control to the PlaceHolder.
C#
protected void Page_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    if (!this.IsPostBack)
    {
        //Populating a DataTable from database.
        DataTable dt = this.GetData();
 
        //Building an HTML string.
        StringBuilder html = new StringBuilder();
 
        //Table start.
        html.Append("<table border = '1'>");
 
        //Building the Header row.
        html.Append("<tr>");
        foreach (DataColumn column in dt.Columns)
        {
            html.Append("<th>");
            html.Append(column.ColumnName);
            html.Append("</th>");
        }
        html.Append("</tr>");
 
        //Building the Data rows.
        foreach (DataRow row in dt.Rows)
        {
            html.Append("<tr>");
            foreach (DataColumn column in dt.Columns)
            {
                html.Append("<td>");
                html.Append(row[column.ColumnName]);
                html.Append("</td>");
            }
            html.Append("</tr>");
        }
 
        //Table end.
        html.Append("</table>");
 
        //Append the HTML string to Placeholder.
        PlaceHolder1.Controls.Add(new Literal { Text = html.ToString() });
    }
}
 
private DataTable GetData()
{
    string constr = ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["constr"].ConnectionString;
    using (SqlConnection con = new SqlConnection(constr))
    {
        using (SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("SELECT CustomerId, Name, Country FROM Customers"))
        {
            using (SqlDataAdapter sda = new SqlDataAdapter())
            {
                cmd.Connection = con;
                sda.SelectCommand = cmd;
                using (DataTable dt = new DataTable())
                {
                    sda.Fill(dt);
                    return dt;
                }
            }
        }
    }
}
 
VB.Net
Protected Sub Page_Load(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles Me.Load
    If Not Me.IsPostBack Then
        'Populating a DataTable from database.
        Dim dt As DataTable = Me.GetData()
 
        'Building an HTML string.
        Dim html As New StringBuilder()
 
        'Table start.
        html.Append("<table border = '1'>")
 
        'Building the Header row.
        html.Append("<tr>")
        For Each column As DataColumn In dt.Columns
            html.Append("<th>")
            html.Append(column.ColumnName)
            html.Append("</th>")
        Next
        html.Append("</tr>")
 
        'Building the Data rows.
        For Each row As DataRow In dt.Rows
            html.Append("<tr>")
            For Each column As DataColumn In dt.Columns
                html.Append("<td>")
                html.Append(row(column.ColumnName))
                html.Append("</td>")
            Next
            html.Append("</tr>")
        Next
 
        'Table end.
        html.Append("</table>")
 
        'Append the HTML string to Placeholder.
       PlaceHolder1.Controls.Add(New Literal() With { _
          .Text = html.ToString() _
        })
    End If
End Sub
 
Private Function GetData() As DataTable
    Dim constr As String = ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings("constr").ConnectionString
    Using con As New SqlConnection(constr)
        Using cmd As New SqlCommand("SELECT CustomerId, Name, Country FROM Customers")
            Using sda As New SqlDataAdapter()
                cmd.Connection = con
                sda.SelectCommand = cmd
                Using dt As New DataTable()
                    sda.Fill(dt)
                    Return dt
                End Using
            End Using
        End Using
    End Using
End Function
 
 
Screenshots
HTML table as displayed on the page
Display data from database in HTML table in ASP.Net
 
HTML Table as seen on the source of the page
Display data from database in HTML table in ASP.Net
 
 
Demo
View Demo
 
 
Downloads
Download Code