Prevent Column Auto-Generation

Updated on Sep 15, 2025

As you know, if AutoGenerateColumns="True" (which is by default), RadGridView creates a column for each property of the underlying business object. This article shows how to not auto generate a column for a specific property.

There are two ways to accomplish this:

1. Using DataAnnotations.

Apllying this approach you need to add a reference to the System.ComponentModel.DataAnnotations assembly and mark your property with [Display(AutoGenerateField = false)] attribute.

Example 1: Using DataAnnotations.

C#

	private ObservableCollection<Player> players;
	
	[Display(AutoGenerateField = false)]
	public ObservableCollection<Player> Players
	{
	    get
	    {
	        if (null == this.players)
	        {
	            this.players = new ObservableCollection<Player>();
	        }
	        return this.players;
	    }
	}

Now, RadGridView will not generate a column for the Players property.

2. Canceling AutoGeneratingColumn event for a particular column.

Example 2: Canceling adding a column in AutoGeneratingColumn event

C#

	private void clubsGrid_AutoGeneratingColumn(object sender, GridViewAutoGeneratingColumnEventArgs e)
	{
	    if (e.Column.UniqueName == "Players")
	    {
	        e.Cancel = true;
	    }
	}

See Also

• Show/Hide Columns outside of RadGridView