Welcome to the world of DataTables, where data management knows no bounds. In our quest to master DataTables, we’ll embark on a journey that allows you to take control of buttons, filters, and search functionality using external DOM elements. Imagine a scenario where you have form elements outside your DataTables that seamlessly influence the behavior of your tables. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of harnessing the power of external DOM elements to enhance user interactions, streamline data management, and make your DataTables truly responsive to user input.
Let’s dive right in!
The Art of External DOM Elements
Imagine a DataTable that’s more than just a static display. You have dynamic form elements placed outside your table, and they hold the key to fine-tuning your data interactions.
Embrace External DOM Elements:
The use of external DOM elements in DataTables empowers you to create a dynamic user experience. These elements, whether they are select boxes, checkboxes, or text fields, extend your DataTables’ capabilities beyond the ordinary.
Use Cases:
The integration of external DOM elements is ideal when you want to provide users with advanced filtering options, custom searches, or enhanced data interactions. Let’s explore how to achieve this.
Incorporating External Select Boxes for Enhanced Filtering
HTML:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://cdn.datatables.net/1.11.5/css/jquery.dataTables.min.css">
<script type="text/javascript" charset="utf8" src="https://code.jquery.com/jquery-3.6.0.min.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" charset="utf8" src="https://cdn.datatables.net/1.11.5/js/jquery.dataTables.min.js"></script>
</head>
<body>
<label for="categorySelect">Filter by Category:</label>
<select id="categorySelect">
<option value="">All</option>
<option value="Technology">Technology</option>
<option value="Finance">Finance</option>
<option value="Health">Health</option>
</select>
<table id="dataTable" class="display">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Name</th>
<th>Age</th>
<th>Category</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>John Doe</td>
<td>30</td>
<td>Technology</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jane Smith</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>Finance</td>
</tr>
<!-- Add more data rows here -->
</tbody>
</table>
<script>
$(document).ready(function() {
var table = $('#dataTable').DataTable();
// Link select box to 'Category' column
$('#categorySelect').on('change', function() {
table.columns(2).search(this.value).draw();
});
});
</script>
</body>
</html>
Expected Result:
Users can select a category from the dropdown, and the table will filter based on the chosen category. Choosing “All” will display all data.
Enhancing Data Selection with External Checkboxes
HTML:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://cdn.datatables.net/1.11.5/css/jquery.dataTables.min.css">
<script type="text/javascript" charset="utf8" src="https://code.jquery.com/jquery-3.6.0.min.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" charset="utf8" src="https://cdn.datatables.net/1.11.5/js/jquery.dataTables.min.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" charset="utf8" src="https://cdn.datatables.net/select/1.3.4/js/dataTables.select.min.js"></script>
</head>
<body>
<table id "dataTable" class="display">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Name</th>
<th>Age</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>John Doe</td>
<td>30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jane Smith</td>
<td>25</td>
</tr>
<!-- Add more data rows here -->
</tbody>
</table>
<button id="selectAll">Select All</button>
<button id="deselectAll">Deselect All</button>
<script>
$(document).ready(function() {
var table = $('#dataTable').DataTable({
select: true
});
$('#selectAll').on('click', function() {
table.rows().select();
});
$('#deselectAll').on('click', function() {
table.rows().deselect();
});
});
</script>
</body>
</html>
Expected Result
Users can click “Select All” to select all rows or “Deselect All” to deselect all rows in the table.
Adding External Text Fields for Custom Search
HTML:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://cdn.datatables.net/1.11.5/css/jquery.dataTables.min.css">
<script type="text/javascript" charset="utf8" src="https://code.jquery.com/jquery-3.6.0.min.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" charset="utf8" src="https://cdn.datatables.net/1.11.5/js/jquery.dataTables.min.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" charset="utf8" src="https://cdn.datatables.net/searchbuilder/1.1.0/js/dataTables.searchBuilder.min.js"></script>
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://cdn.datatables.net/searchbuilder/1.1.0/css/searchBuilder.dataTables.min.css">
</head>
<body>
<input type="text" id="customSearch" placeholder="Custom Search">
<table id="dataTable" class="display">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Name</th>
<th>Age</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>John Doe</td>
<td>30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jane Smith</td>
<td>25</td>
</tr>
<!-- Add more data rows here -->
</tbody>
</table>
<script>
$(document).ready(function() {
var table = $('#dataTable').DataTable({
dom: 'lBfrtip',
buttons: ['copy', 'excel', 'csv', 'pdf', 'print']
});
$('#customSearch').on('input', function() {
table.search(this.value).draw();
});
});
</script>
</body>
</html>
Expected Result
Users can enter search queries in the text field, and the table will filter based on the custom search criteria.
Conclusion
The power of external DOM elements in DataTables is a game-changer in data management. It allows you to extend your DataTables’ capabilities beyond the ordinary, providing a seamless and responsive user experience. By leveraging external form elements, you can fine-tune filtering, data selection, and custom searches, making your DataTables more dynamic and user-friendly.
As you explore DataTables and data management, remember that external DOM elements empower you to create data tables that are truly responsive to user input, enhancing the overall user experience.
Stay tuned for more DataTables tutorials and happy coding!
