Nested editing - single selection

This example demonstrates Editor's ability to edit data multiple layers deep, which we term nested editing. Using the datatable field type we can use another Editor instance to make the data in the field editable in exactly the same way we can for the host table.

In this case the list of options for the site is editable, letting options be created, edited or removed from the list as required without needing to leave the form for another page. Since there is only a single selection possible for the site field, buttons are present on the nested table to allow CRUD actions on the nested table. For multiple selection, see the nested editing with multiple selection example.

First name	Last name	Phone #	Location
First name	Last name	Phone #	Location

Javascript
HTML
CSS
Ajax
Server-side script
Comments

The Javascript shown below is used to initialise the table shown in this example:

var siteEditor = new DataTable.Editor({
	ajax: '../php/sitesNested.php',
	fields: [
		{
			label: 'City:',
			name: 'name'
		},
		{
			label: 'Continent:',
			name: 'continent',
			type: 'datatable'
		}
	]
});

var editor = new DataTable.Editor({
	ajax: '../php/joinNested.php',
	fields: [
		{
			label: 'First name:',
			name: 'users.first_name'
		},
		{
			label: 'Last name:',
			name: 'users.last_name'
		},
		{
			label: 'Phone #:',
			name: 'users.phone'
		},
		{
			label: 'Site:',
			name: 'users.site',
			type: 'datatable',
			editor: siteEditor,
			optionsPair: {
				value: 'id'
			},
			config: {
				ajax: '../php/sitesNested.php',
				buttons: [
					{ extend: 'create', editor: siteEditor },
					{ extend: 'edit', editor: siteEditor },
					{ extend: 'remove', editor: siteEditor }
				],
				columns: [
					{
						title: 'Name',
						data: 'name'
					},
					{
						title: 'Continent',
						data: 'continent'
					}
				]
			}
		}
	],
	table: '#example'
});

$('#example').DataTable({
	ajax: {
		url: '../php/joinNested.php',
		type: 'POST'
	},
	columns: [
		{ data: 'users.first_name' },
		{ data: 'users.last_name' },
		{ data: 'users.phone' },
		{ data: 'sites.name' }
	],
	layout: {
		topStart: {
			buttons: [
				{ extend: 'create', editor: editor },
				{ extend: 'edit', editor: editor },
				{ extend: 'remove', editor: editor }
			]
		}
	},
	select: true
});

const siteEditor = new DataTable.Editor({
	ajax: '../php/sitesNested.php',
	fields: [
		{
			label: 'City:',
			name: 'name'
		},
		{
			label: 'Continent:',
			name: 'continent',
			type: 'datatable'
		}
	]
});

const editor = new DataTable.Editor({
	ajax: '../php/joinNested.php',
	fields: [
		{
			label: 'First name:',
			name: 'users.first_name'
		},
		{
			label: 'Last name:',
			name: 'users.last_name'
		},
		{
			label: 'Phone #:',
			name: 'users.phone'
		},
		{
			label: 'Site:',
			name: 'users.site',
			type: 'datatable',
			editor: siteEditor,
			optionsPair: {
				value: 'id'
			},
			config: {
				ajax: '../php/sitesNested.php',
				buttons: [
					{ extend: 'create', editor: siteEditor },
					{ extend: 'edit', editor: siteEditor },
					{ extend: 'remove', editor: siteEditor }
				],
				columns: [
					{
						title: 'Name',
						data: 'name'
					},
					{
						title: 'Continent',
						data: 'continent'
					}
				]
			}
		}
	],
	table: '#example'
});

new DataTable('#example', {
	ajax: {
		url: '../php/joinNested.php',
		type: 'POST'
	},
	columns: [
		{ data: 'users.first_name' },
		{ data: 'users.last_name' },
		{ data: 'users.phone' },
		{ data: 'sites.name' }
	],
	layout: {
		topStart: {
			buttons: [
				{ extend: 'create', editor: editor },
				{ extend: 'edit', editor: editor },
				{ extend: 'remove', editor: editor }
			]
		}
	},
	select: true
});

In addition to the above code, the following Javascript library files are loaded for use in this example:

The HTML shown below is the raw HTML table element, before it has been enhanced by DataTables:

This example uses a little bit of additional CSS beyond what is loaded from the library files (below), in order to correctly display the table. The additional CSS used is shown below:

The following CSS library files are loaded for use in this example to provide the styling of the table:

This table loads data by Ajax. The latest data that has been loaded is shown below. This data will update automatically as any additional data is loaded.

The script used to perform the server-side interaction for this demo is shown below. This server uses PHP, so the PHP script is shown, however our download packages include the equivalent script for other platforms, including .NET and Node.js. Server-side scripts can be written in any language, using the protocol described in the Editor documentation.

Nested editing - single selection

Other examples

Simple initialisation

Advanced initialisation

DataTables as an input

Dates and time

DataTables extensions

Inline editing

Bubble editing

API

Standalone

Styling

Plug-ins

DataTables