LINQ to Entities does not recognize the method

Question

As you've figured out, Entity Framework can't actually run your C# code as part of its query. It has to be able to convert the query to an actual SQL statement. In order for that to work, you will have to restructure your query expression into an expression that Entity Framework can handle.

public System.Linq.Expressions.Expression<Func<Charity, bool>> IsSatisfied()
{
    string name = this.charityName;
    string referenceNumber = this.referenceNumber;
    return p => 
        (string.IsNullOrEmpty(name) || 
            p.registeredName.ToLower().Contains(name.ToLower()) ||
            p.alias.ToLower().Contains(name.ToLower()) ||
            p.charityId.ToLower().Contains(name.ToLower())) &&
        (string.IsNullOrEmpty(referenceNumber) ||
            p.charityReference.ToLower().Contains(referenceNumber.ToLower()));
}

I got the same error in this code:

 var articulos_en_almacen = xx.IV00102.Where(iv => alm_x_suc.Exists(axs => axs.almacen == iv.LOCNCODE.Trim())).Select(iv => iv.ITEMNMBR.Trim()).ToList();

this was the exactly error:

System.NotSupportedException: 'LINQ to Entities does not recognize the method 'Boolean Exists(System.Predicate`1[conector_gp.Models.almacenes_por_sucursal])' method, and this method cannot be translated into a store expression.'

I solved this way:

var articulos_en_almacen = xx.IV00102.ToList().Where(iv => alm_x_suc.Exists(axs => axs.almacen == iv.LOCNCODE.Trim())).Select(iv => iv.ITEMNMBR.Trim()).ToList();

I added a .ToList() before my table, this decouple the Entity and linq code, and avoid my next linq expression be translated

NOTE: this solution isn't optimal, because avoid entity filtering, and simply loads all table into memory

I ran into the same problem today, this was the first link I hit. However I was not looking for verifying my query. So if somebody else has the same issue and are looking for this solution it is added here. My issue was in another link.

It is the most common exception occurs when working with entity framework and converting data inside IQueryable result for filtering.

using (var context = new CustomerContext())
{
    var item = context.InvoiceItems
        .Where(i => i.Code == code.ToString())
        .FirstOrDefault();
}

Several solutions exist. Move ToString() call to a separate line.

using (var context = new CustomerContext())
{
    string codeStr = code.ToString();
    var item = context.InvoiceItems
        .Where(i => i.Code == codeStr)
        .FirstOrDefault();
}

Use EF Extension Method,

using (var context = new CustomerContext())
{
    var item = context.InvoiceItems
        .Where(i => i.Code == SqlFunctions.StringConvert(code))
        .FirstOrDefault();
}

Convert IQueryable result to IEnumerable before Filtering

using (var context = new CustomerContext())
{
    var item = context.InvoiceItems.AsEnumerable()
        .Where(i => i.Code == code.ToString())
        .FirstOrDefault();
}