DataTables example Nested object data (arrays)

The information read from an Ajax data source can be arbitrarily complex, but still be displayed by DataTables through the columns.data option, which is particularly useful for working with JSON feeds in an already defined format.

The columns.data option has the ability to read information not only from objects, but also from arrays using the same dotted object syntax as for objects. In addition to this, when working with an array data source columns.data can process the data to combine and display the data in simple forms (more complex forms can be defined by using columns.data as a function).

This example shows two different aspects of using columns.data to read arrays:

  • The Name column is sourced from an array of two elements (first and last name), which are automatically concatenated together. This is done by using array bracket syntax, with the characters between the brackets being used as the glue between elements (e.g. name[, ]).
  • The Position, Start date and Salary columns are read directly from array elements using dotted object notation (e.g. hr.0). Note that the order in which the data can be used in the columns does not have to match the order in which it is defined in the data source. The structure of the row's data source in this example is:
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{
    "name": [
        "Nixon",
        "Tiger"
    ],
    "hr": [
        "System Architect",
        "$3,120",
        "2011/04/25"
    ],
    "office": "Edinburgh",
    "extn": "5421"
}
NamePositionOfficeExtn.Start dateSalary
NamePositionOfficeExtn.Start dateSalary
Acosta, JenniferJunior Javascript DeveloperEdinburgh34312013/02/01$75,650
Alexander, JonasDeveloperSan Francisco81962010/07/14$86,500
Baldwin, SergeData CoordinatorSingapore83522012/04/09$138,575
Bartlett, PrescottTechnical AuthorLondon36062011/05/07$145,000
Berry, YuriChief Marketing Officer (CMO)New York61542009/06/25$675,000
Bradshaw, JacksonDirectorNew York10422008/09/26$645,750
Bruce, MichaelJavascript DeveloperSingapore53842011/06/27$183,000
Burks, SukiDeveloperLondon68322009/10/22$114,500
Butler, HermioneRegional DirectorLondon10162011/03/21$356,250
Butler, UnityMarketing DesignerSan Francisco53842009/12/09$85,675
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The Javascript shown below is used to initialise the table shown in this example:

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$(document).ready(function() {
    $('#example').DataTable( {
        "ajax": "data/objects_subarrays.txt",
        "columns": [
            { "data": "name[, ]" },
            { "data": "hr.0" },
            { "data": "office" },
            { "data": "extn" },
            { "data": "hr.2" },
            { "data": "hr.1" }
        ]
    } );
} );

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