How to hide a column (GridView) but still access its value?

Question

I have a GridView with a DataSource (SQL Database). I want to hide a column, but still be able to access the value when I select the record. Can someone show me

Answer 1

Here is how to get the value of a hidden column in a GridView that is set to Visible=False: add the data field in this case SpecialInstructions to the DataKeyNames property of the bound GridView , and access it this way.

txtSpcInst.Text = GridView2.DataKeys(GridView2.SelectedIndex).Values("SpecialInstructions")

That's it, it works every time very simple.