Cannot access first cell data, returns object Object (rendered cell)

INFJulian

Hello, I'm struggling to access the data from a row's first cell, here's the code:

        var table = $('#dataTable').DataTable({
            "processing": true,
            "serverSide": true,
            "lengthChange": false,
            "pageLength": 50,
            "dom": 'lrtip',
            "ajax": "db/sales_invoices.php",
            "columns": [
                { "data": null, render: function ( data, type, row ) { return data.prefix+data.number; } },
                { "data": 2 },
                { "data": 3 },
                { "data": 4 },
                { "data": null, render: function ( data, type, row ) { return data.total+" "+data.currency; } }
            ]               
        });

Now, within the table I'm using jQuery UI dialog and I want the title of that dialog to be the rendered first cell, as this is the invoice number (generated with a prefix).

The following code just returns object Object:

var thisTitle = table.row( this ).cell(this,0).data();

However, if I change 0 to 1, it will return the data from the second column. I'm so confused it's driving me crazy.

When I check the console log for the .cell(this,0), it returns the data of the entire row and I don't know how to access the invoice prefix and number within that data... this is what console.log(thisTitle) returns:

Object {2: "Test", 3: "19/04/15 - 10:59:54", 4: "UNPAID", DT_RowId: "row_14", prefix: "INV_", number: "00001", total: "120.00", currency: "GBP"}

I just need 'prefix' and 'number' from that data string but regardless of what I try, I can't access it - I'm sure there's some simple solution, could anyone please help? Thank you so much in advance.

allan

So the issue is that the first cell doesn't have any data as such - you've got data: null. However, DataTables is rendering content into the cell, which you can obtain using the cell().render() method:

var thisTitle = table.cell(this,0).render('display');

Note that you don't need to use row( this ) for this use case - the cell() selector is enough.

Allan

INFJulian

Hi Allan, that's perfect. I just wanted to say thank you, I came here about 4 years ago looking for support for one of my clients and you were very quick to respond then too, it's nice to see that you're still as dedicated. I really appreciate your help and I will send some more support your way at the end of the month. Thanks again.

allan

Hi,

You are very welcome :-). Great to hear you are still using DataTables!

Allan