Unlock the Power of SharePoint Lists: Dynamic Filter Action using JS

Are you tired of sifting through endless lists in SharePoint, only to find that one crucial piece of information? Do you wish there was a way to make your lists more interactive and user-friendly? Look no further! In this article, we’ll explore the magic of SharePoint List Dynamic Filter Action using JavaScript.

What is Dynamic Filtering?

In a nutshell, dynamic filtering allows users to filter list items based on specific criteria, without reloading the page or requiring any manual intervention. This means that as users interact with the list, the filter criteria are updated in real-time, providing a seamless and efficient experience.

Why Use JavaScript for Dynamic Filtering?

There are several reasons why JavaScript is the ideal choice for dynamic filtering in SharePoint:

• Flexibility: JavaScript allows you to create custom filtering solutions that cater to your specific business needs.
• Real-time Updates: JavaScript enables instantaneous updates to the filter criteria, providing users with a responsive experience.
• Customization: With JavaScript, you can tailor the filtering mechanism to suit your list’s unique requirements.

Prerequisites

Before we dive into the coding aspect, make sure you have the following:

1. A SharePoint site with a list that contains the data you want to filter.
2. A basic understanding of JavaScript and HTML.
3. A code editor or IDE of your choice (e.g., Visual Studio Code, Notepad++, etc.).

Step 1: Create a Custom List View

Create a new list view or edit an existing one to include the columns you want to use for filtering. In this example, we’ll use a list called “Employees” with columns for “Department”, “Job Title”, and “Location”.

Column Name	Data Type
Department	Text
Job Title	Text
Location	Text

Step 2: Add a JavaScript Web Part

In your SharePoint site, navigate to the page where you want to add the dynamic filter functionality. Click on the “Add a Web Part” button and select “Media and Content” > “Script Editor”. This will add a Script Editor Web Part to your page.

<div>
  <script type="text/javascript">
    // Our JavaScript code will go here
  </script>
</div>

Step 3: Write the JavaScript Code

In the Script Editor Web Part, add the following JavaScript code:

<script type="text/javascript">
  // Get the list view web part
  var listViewWP = document.getElementById("ListViewWebPart");

  // Get the list items
  var listItems = listViewWP.getElementsByClassName("ms-list-item");

  // Create a dictionary to store the filter criteria
  var filterCriteria = {};

  // Function to apply the filter
  function applyFilter() {
    // Loop through the list items
    for (var i = 0; i < listItems.length; i++) {
      var listItem = listItems[i];
      var department = listItem.cells[0].innerText;
      var jobTitle = listItem.cells[1].innerText;
      var location = listItem.cells[2].innerText;

      // Check if the filter criteria match
      if (filterCriteria.department && department !== filterCriteria.department) {
        listItem.style.display = "none";
      } else if (filterCriteria.jobTitle && jobTitle !== filterCriteria.jobTitle) {
        listItem.style.display = "none";
      } else if (filterCriteria.location && location !== filterCriteria.location) {
        listItem.style.display = "none";
      } else {
        listItem.style.display = "block";
      }
    }
  }

  // Function to update the filter criteria
  function updateFilterCriteria(fieldName, fieldValue) {
    filterCriteria[fieldName] = fieldValue;
    applyFilter();
  }

  // Add event listeners to the filter dropdowns
  document.querySelectorAll(".filter-dropdown").forEach(function(dropdown) {
    dropdown.addEventListener("change", function() {
      var fieldName = dropdown.getAttribute("data-field");
      var fieldValue = dropdown.value;
      updateFilterCriteria(fieldName, fieldValue);
    });
  });

  // Initialize the filter
  applyFilter();
</script>

Step 4: Add Filter Dropdowns

Create three dropdown menus, one for each column, using the following HTML code:

<select class="filter-dropdown" data-field="Department">
  <option value="">All Departments</option>
  <option value="Sales">Sales</option>
  <option value="Marketing">Marketing</option>
  <option value="IT">IT</option>
</select>

<select class="filter-dropdown" data-field="JobTitle">
  <option value="">All Job Titles</option>
  <option value="Software Engineer">Software Engineer</option>
  <option value="Marketing Manager">Marketing Manager</option>
  <option value="IT Support Specialist">IT Support Specialist</option>
</select>

<select class="filter-dropdown" data-field="Location">
  <option value="">All Locations</option>
  <option value="New York">New York</option>
  <option value="Los Angeles">Los Angeles</option>
  <option value="Chicago">Chicago</option>
</select>

Step 5: Test Your Dynamic Filter

Save your changes and test your dynamic filter by selecting different options from the dropdown menus. The list should update in real-time, showing only the items that match the selected filter criteria.

Tips and Variations

Here are some additional tips and variations to enhance your dynamic filter:

• Use CSS to style your filter dropdowns and list items for a more visually appealing experience.
• Add more advanced filtering options, such as AND/OR logic, using JavaScript conditional statements.
• Use SharePoint’s built-in filtering capabilities, such as the “Filter” button, to complement your custom dynamic filter.
• Integrate your dynamic filter with other SharePoint features, like workflows or conditional formatting, to create a more comprehensive solution.

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve covered the basics of creating a SharePoint List Dynamic Filter Action using JavaScript. By following these steps, you can create a more interactive and user-friendly experience for your users. Remember to experiment with different variations and enhancements to make your dynamic filter truly shine!

Don’t forget to bookmark this article and share it with your colleagues and friends who might benefit from this SharePoint magic trick!

Happy coding, and see you in the next article!

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