Batch Grid Edit Cell when not in Editor Template

[ASAP Developer]

I'm using a batch grid with InCell editing and am wanting to know a way to set a particular column into edit mode.  

I've tried using editCell, and so far it hasn't caused any of the cells to go into edit mode :(

In this particular case, we have a ClientTemplate column specified which has a button (really its a link...) in it.  When the user clicks the button I would like a particular cell in that row to switch to edit mode.  For reference here's what the specific column template looks like:
 columns.Template(t => { }).HeaderTemplate("")
                .ClientTemplate(@"
                    <a href='javascript: void(0)' class='abutton SecondaryActiveBtn' onclick='editVariableRate(this)' title='Edit'>Edit</a>")
                .Width(100).Title("");

Here is the particular javascript method that gets called on the button click:
 function editVariableRate(element) {
        grid = $("#variableFee").data("kendoGrid");     
        var cell = $(element).closest("tr").find("td:eq(2)");
        grid.editCell(cell);
}

Am I doing something wrong here because the particular column never goes into edit mode.

[ASAP Developer]

For reference, I can do the following successfully using the same "cell" variable:

var cellIndex = grid.cellIndex(cell);

and cellIndex gets assigned correctly, so I don't think its a problem of selecting the particular cell...

[ASAP Developer]

While I did not get a response.. after far too long of banging my head into my desk I have discovered the solution!  All I did was swap the link in the column template to be a input button and it works fine now.  

<input type='button' class='abutton SecondaryActiveBtn' onclick='editVariableRate(this)' value='Edit'></input>

I hope this helps prevent some future soul from having to go through the turmoil I have gone through :)  Cheers!