How to filter pageBlockTable rows without modifying the source list?

Question

Title says it all.

Similar to <apex:pageBlockTable first={!first} rows={!rows}/> OOTB attributes which filters rows based on index, I'm trying to find an OOTB solution for rendering only specific rows which match text filter criteria. For example: selecting Department picklist = Audit will show Audit professionals only in the pageBlockTable.

My current non-OOTB solution is to change the pageBlockTable's source list to value={!subsetList} and update a master list accordingly (whenever any textbox values or checkboxes in the table are changed).

Answer 1

Good question, I don't think there is OOTB solution for that.

apex:pageBlockTable just represents a Salesforce styled table. Like in HTML table you would need to do your own filtering in Server.

You can maybe use a Hierarchical custom setting which display filters out results based on specified value(s).

For better performance, Use JavaScript Remoting or Remote Objects, instead value/rerender attributes or actionSupport/function.

Answer 2

Solution is non-OOTB and EASY.

Maintain a MASTER LIST separately in the controller. And tie a subset list to the pageBlockTable VALUE="{!subsetList}".

Upon filter change (selectOption change) on the UI,

• simply assign a new List<Wrapper/sObject>() to the subsetList
• create a new subsetList from the master list by a for-loop and using the .add() method for master list items which are equal to the filter.

Apparently, this is a shallow copy.

(Shallow copy is immensely beneficial. Example: Inputcheckbox/inputfield changes on a FILTERED pageBlock table (value="{!subsetList}) automatically reflects in the master list variable in the controller.)