Question

I have a table where each row has a category column and a sub-category column. I need to let the users chose a category to filter, and then only show the sub-categories that are related so they can filter further. I’m thinking it could be a select drop-down list and only show a second drop-down list when sub-categories exist. I’ve seen some examples that use server-side scripts (such as Remy Sharp’s solution http://remysharp.com/2007/01/20/auto-populating-select-boxes-using-jquery-ajax/) but I just need strictly a client-side jQuery solution. Anyone have suggestions on the best way to do this or examples of it?

Answer 1

I like Dan’s idea, so I expanded on it (quite a bit). You should be able to paste this into a text editor and watch it work.

Basically, it’s using classes on the TRs to show and hide them, and using a larger number of hidden selects to show groups of subcategories.

<script type="text/javascript"
 src="http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.4.2/jquery.min.js"></script>

<select id="masterCategory">
  <option value="all">All</option>
  <option value="sandwiches">Sandwiches</option>
  <option value="bagels">Bagels</option>
</select>

<div>

  <select id="all">
    <option value="all">All</option>
    <option value="pastrami">Pastrami</option>
    <option value="pbj">PBJ</option>
    <option value="baconranch">Bacon &amp; Ranch</option>
    <option value="jalapeno">Jalapeno</option>
    <option value="onion">Onion</option>
    <option value="poppyseed">Poppyseed</option>
  </select>

  <select id="sandwiches" style="display: none">
    <option value="sandwiches">All</option>
    <option value="pastrami">Pastrami</option>
    <option value="pbj">PBJ</option>
    <option value="baconranch">Bacon &amp; Ranch</option>
  </select>

  <select id="bagels" style="display: none">
    <option value="bagels">All</option>
    <option value="jalapeno">Jalapeno</option>
    <option value="onion">Onion</option>
    <option value="poppyseed">Poppyseed</option>
  </select>

</div>

<table id="content">
  <tr class="sandwiches pastrami pbj"><td>sandwiches pastrami pbj</td></tr>
  <tr class="sandwiches baconranch"><td>sandwiches baconranch</td></tr>
  <tr class="bagels jalapeno"><td>bagels jalapeno</td></tr>
  <tr class="bagels onion poppyseed"><td>bagels onion poppyseed</td></tr>
</table>

<script type="text/javascript">

  $(function(){

    $('select').bind('change', function(){
      var category = $(this).val();

      $('table#content').find('tr').each(function(){
        if($(this).hasClass(category) || category == 'all'){
          $(this).show();
        } else {
          $(this).hide();    
        }
      });
    });

    $('select#masterCategory').bind('change', function(){

      $('select#' + $(this).val()).fadeIn().siblings().fadeOut();

    });

  });

</script>