Selecting Excel rows with data in first column via Linq

Question

I'm trying to select just the rows from an Excel spreadsheet that have data in the first column.

Here's the code I'm using:

        IEnumerable<Row> dataRows =
          from row in worksheet.Descendants<Row>()
          where (row.RowIndex > 2 
            && row.Descendants<Cell>().First().CellValue != null)
          select row;

When I run this code, the debugger tells me "Error in implicit conversion. Cannot convert null object."

I can't figure out what the null object is. I assume that each row has a non-null first cell (though, of course, the CellValue of the cell in question may be null).

Can anyone tell what I am doing wrong here?

Thanks in advance for your help.

My problem actually appears to be with the RowIndex property. For some reason, it's null on some of the rows in my spreadsheet. — Steve, Apr 30 '12 at 22:08

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Jul 26 '12 at 15:30

If a row or cell is empty, it can be null. The null object can be coming from a row that doesn't have a value in the first cell (and was never initialized).

So when you run row.Descendants<Cell>().First().CellValue, the null object is coming from .First(), that cell has not yet been initialized.

Try the following:

IEnumerable<Row> dataRows =
    from row in templateWorksheetPart.Worksheet.Descendants<Row>()
    where (row.RowIndex > 2 
        && row.Descendants<Cell>().First() != null                        
        && row.Descendants<Cell>().First().CellValue != null)
    select row;

Selecting Excel rows with data in first column via Linq

1 Answers1