Using jQuery DataTables to Set Dynamic Button Attributes from Table Data

Learn how to set the value of a variable from a table cell in a jQuery DataTable using an Ajax call, ensuring that each button in the table row has dynamic attributes.
---

Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: Set the value of a variable from a value found in a table cell within an Ajax call using jQuery Datatables

If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
---
Setting Dynamic Button Attributes in jQuery DataTables

Have you ever needed to dynamically set the value of an attribute in a button based on other cell data within the same row of a table? If you're working with jQuery DataTables and Ajax, this can be a common requirement. In this post, we will break down how to easily accomplish this task using a practical example that involves setting a button's data-name attribute with the first name found in the same row.

The Challenge

You’ve fetched data from an MVC controller using an Ajax call, and you're populating that data in a DataTable. Each row contains information such as ID, first name, last name, and an action button. The challenge is to ensure that each button utilizes the first name of the corresponding row as its data-name attribute.

Example Setup

Here’s a snippet of what your Ajax call and DataTable setup might look like:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

The Solution: Using columnDefs

To dynamically set the button's data-name attribute, we can use the columnDefs option within the DataTable configuration. This approach allows us to define how specific columns should be rendered. Here’s how you can implement it:

Add columnDefs to Your DataTable Initialization
This includes a rendering function that specifies how to create the button, ensuring it gets the correct data-name value from the current row's data.

Render Function Implementation
Here’s how the code would look after implementing the render function:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Breaking It Down

targets: This specifies which column in the DataTable should be modified. In our example, it’s column index 3, which corresponds to our Edit button.

render: The function that creates the action button. It uses the row parameter to access other data from the current row. Here, we're pulling First_Name and assigning it to data-name in the button.

Conclusion

By using the columnDefs and the render function within your DataTable configuration, you can effortlessly set button attributes based on the row data dynamically. This technique not only streamlines your code but also enhances the interactivity and functionality of your DataTables, making them even more powerful tools for web applications.

Implement this solution in your projects, and you'll find it makes creating dynamic and interactive tables a breeze. Happy coding!