Use Case Question: JSON for ALL instantiation needs

KJustice · May 2021

Hi - I'd like to know if this is possible as I have a specific use case for it.

I know I can use JSON for the data, but is there a means of using JSON (a separate JSON file) to configure the datatable itself including the columns such that the only thing on the html page would be a div that datatables uses?

JLegault · May 2021

I build my tables fairly similarly to how you're describing, you'll need to build out the table using JavaScript, PHP, or whatever Web language you desire to build out the DataTable from the JSON that describes it. Given that the options for building a DataTable is in a format that is JSON valid, it should be as easy as

$('#example').DataTable(inJSON);

Where inJSON is the JSON describing the table you want to build.

such that the only thing on the html page would be a div

My example would support this, but note that you will need at least some JavaScript for the table to be formed (my line above) plus you'll need all the JavaScript and CSS files for DataTables itself, you won't be able to run a DataTable without JavaScript on the page.