"Cannot change DataType of a column once it has data" error in Visual Studio 2005 DataSet Designer

Question

I've got a DataSet in VisualStudio 2005. I need to change the datatype of a column in one of the datatables from System.Int32 to System.Decimal. When I try to change the datatype in the DataSet Designer I receive the following error:

Property value is not valid. Cannot change DataType of a column once it has data.

From my understanding, this should be changing the datatype in the schema for the DataSet. I don't see how there can be any data to cause this error.

Does any one have any ideas?

Answer 1

I get the same error but only for columns with its DefaultValue set to any value (except the default <DBNull>). So the way I got around this issue was:

1. Column DefaultValue : Type in <DBNull>
2. Save and reopen the dataset

Answer 2

Since filled Datatables do not entertain a change in the schema a workaround can be applied as follows:

1. Make a new datatable

2. Use datatable's Clone method to create the datatable with the same structure and make changes to that column

3. In the end use datatable's ImportRow method to populate it with data.

HTH