In this article I will explain with an example, how to select from Database using Entity Framework in C# and VB.Net.
 
 

Database

I have made use of the following table Customers with the schema as follow.
Select from Database using Entity Framework in C# and VB.Net
 
I have already inserted few records in the table.
Select from Database using Entity Framework in C# and VB.Net
 
Note: You can download the database table SQL by clicking the download link below.
            Download SQL file
 
 

Form Design

The following form consists of:
DataGridView – For displaying data.
Select from Database using Entity Framework in C# and VB.Net
 
 

Configuring and connecting Entity Framework to database

First, you need to configure and connect Entity Framework to database.
Note: For more details on how to configure and connect Entity Framework to database, please refer my article Connect and configure Entity Framework step by step in Windows Forms Application.
 
 

Populating DataGridView using Entity Framework

Inside the Form_Load event handler, the records are fetched from database using Entity Framework and assigned to the DataSource property of the DataGridView.
C#
private void Form1_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    using (AjaxSamplesEntities entities = new AjaxSamplesEntities())
    {
        List<Customer> customers = (from customer in entities.Customers
                                    select customer).ToList();
        dgvCustomers.DataSource = customers;
    }
}
 
VB.Net
Private Sub Form1_Load(sender As Object, e As EventArgs)Handles MyBase.Load
    Using  entities As AjaxSamplesEntities = New AjaxSamplesEntities()
        Dim  customers As List(Of Customer) = (From customer In entities.Customers
                                               Select customer).ToList()
        dgvCustomers.DataSource = customers
    End Using
End Sub
 
 

Screenshot

Select from Database using Entity Framework in C# and VB.Net
 
 

Downloads

Download Code