Question

Easiest said with pictures.

I’m not sure how to create the 2nd column with the button. Then how to add an id so that the button runs code for the specific record.

Answer 1

Although I think actions are better, if you really need a button, here’s the easiest way:

Define a function that returns an HTML button in your model. How a view handles that button action is your call and just like any other view.

One idea is to link to a specific URL like /restart/3/ (if this button is performing a safe operation) or put form elements in each button that POSTs to a separate view with <input type="hidden" name="id" value="%(the_id)s" />

# models.py
    def restart_button(self):
        return '<a href="restart/%s">Restart Me</a>' % (self.id) 
    restart_button.allow_tags = True

# admin.py
list_display = ('restart_button', ...)

def get_urls(self):
    # use get_urls for easy adding of views to the admin
    urls = super(MyModelAdmin, self).get_urls()
    my_urls = patterns('',
        (r'^restart/(?P<id>\d)$', self.restart)
    )
    return my_urls + urls

def restart(self, request, id):
    MyModel.objects.get(id=id).restart()
    request.user.message_set.create(message="%s restarted." % id)
    return http.HttpResponseRedirect('../')