DataTables example Flat array data source

When loading data from an Ajax source, by default, DataTables will look for the data to use in the data parameter of a returned object (e.g. { "data": [...] }). This can easily be change by using the dataSrc option of the ajax initiation option.

The ajax.dataSrc has a number of ways in which it can be used:

  • As a string (e.g. dataSrc: 'myData') - obtain data from a different property in the source object.
  • As an empty string (e.g. dataSrc: '') - the data source is not an object but an array.
  • As a function (e.g. dataSrc: function(json) {}) - a function can be used to transform the data from one source format to another (for example you could convert from XML to a Javascript object). The value returned from the function is used as the data for the table.

The example below shows ajax.dataSrc being used as an empty string. This tells DataTables that the JSON loaded is a plain array, not an object with an array inside it as is the default.

NamePositionOfficeExtn.Start dateSalary
NamePositionOfficeExtn.Start dateSalary
Airi SatouAccountantTokyo54072008/11/28$162,700
Angelica RamosChief Executive Officer (CEO)London57972009/10/09$1,200,000
Ashton CoxJunior Technical AuthorSan Francisco15622009/01/12$86,000
Bradley GreerSoftware EngineerLondon25582012/10/13$132,000
Brenden WagnerSoftware EngineerSan Francisco13142011/06/07$206,850
Brielle WilliamsonIntegration SpecialistNew York48042012/12/02$372,000
Bruno NashSoftware EngineerLondon62222011/05/03$163,500
Caesar VancePre-Sales SupportNew York83302011/12/12$106,450
Cara StevensSales AssistantNew York39902011/12/06$145,600
Cedric KellySenior Javascript DeveloperEdinburgh62242012/03/29$433,060
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The Javascript shown below is used to initialise the table shown in this example:

Javascript
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$(document).ready(function() {
    $('#example').DataTable( {
        "ajax": {
            "url": "data/objects_root_array.txt",
            "dataSrc": ""
        },
        "columns": [
            { "data": "name" },
            { "data": "position" },
            { "data": "office" },
            { "data": "extn" },
            { "data": "start_date" },
            { "data": "salary" }
        ]
    } );
} );

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

Other examples

Basic initialisation

Advanced initialisation

Styling

Data sources

API

Ajax

Server-side

Plug-ins

Please refer to the DataTables documentation for full information about its API properties and methods.
Additionally, there are a wide range of extensions and plug-ins which extend the capabilities of DataTables.

DataTables designed and created by SpryMedia Ltd © 2007-2015
DataTables is licensed under the MIT license.