filter by DataKeys or DataItem's text?

[Jayd]

I am using a RadFilter with a RadGrid.  So far I have only got the RadFilter to work when my FilterExpression's FieldName is equal to a GridBoundColumn's DataField.

I have a column where the text displayed to the user is a concatenation of 3 fields from my DataSource.  However, I want the user to be able to filter by each of these fields individually.  Adding the individual fields as DataKeys did not work.  Right now I have it working by having 3 GridBoundColumns with DataField set to each of the 3 individual fields, and Visible=false.  Are there any performance implications to this approach?  Even if there aren't any, I still think it's messy code.  I would prefer to use the DataKey if possible.

I have another column where the value from my DataSource is an int.  However, to get the value I display to the user, I cast this int to an enum and call ToString().  I am building my filter expressions programmatically.  Right now it seems like I would have to build a RadFilterEqualToFilterExpression<int> for this column.  However, all my other columns would use RadFilterEqualToFilterExpression<string>.  My code would be much simpler if I could use RadFilterEqualToFilterExpression<string> for all my columns.  Is it possible to filter by DataItem["uniqueName"].Text?

Thank you!

[Tsvetina]

Hi Jayd,

It might be easier for you if instead of pointing the grid as a filtered control for the RadFilter, you could just add declarative field editors and use them to build the filterexpression. Then, in the ApplyExpressions event of the filter, create an appropriate type of query provider, build a filter expression and set it to RadGridInstance.MasterTableView.FilterExpression. Finally, rebind the grid:

protected void RadFilter1_ApplyExpressions(object sender, RadFilterApplyExpressionsEventArgs e)
{
    RadFilterSqlQueryProvider provider = new RadFilterSqlQueryProvider();
    provider.ProcessGroup(e.ExpressionRoot);
    grdRequest.MasterTableView.FilterExpression = provider.Result;
    grdRequest.Rebind();
}

Kind regards,
Tsvetina
the Telerik team

[Jayd]

I don't see how this would allow me to filter by the DataItem's text.

[Tsvetina]

Hello Jayd,

If the text contains two fields, as it indeed seems so from your initial post, this approach might not help. Excuse me for missing that part.
As for using a string filter expression instead of int, I assume it might not work, since it will not match the syntax expected by the datasource that you use. You can see for yourself how the expressions will differ if you use string instead of int type of expression here:
http://www.telerik.com/help/aspnet-ajax/grid-operate-with-filter-expression-manually.html (the table at the bottom)
Generally, you can build expressions that match the fields in the datasource. If you create an additional string field containing the two pieces of data, you will be able to filter by it. If you have two separate fields, you will need to build an expression for each of them separately and add them to the same group.

All the best,
Tsvetina
the Telerik team