set default sort - multiple columns, some hidden

[Ken]

I have a scenario where the client wants to see "assigned" employees at the top of the list.  An assigned employee has multiple criteria, some of which are based on visible columns, some invisible.  I want this to always be the default sort and not allow the user to change it.  I also don't want to see the arrows over the visible columns.

Any help would be appreciated!

[Ken]

Well, I sort of found a way to do this:

I added a custom comparer that looks at the columns I need sorted.
I created a dummy invisible column called Weight and set it to sort descending.
I assign an instance of the comparer to the grid.

Is this the best way?

[Richard Slade]

Hello Ken,

Personally what I would do in this situation is

• create (in my datasource) a column that indicates "assigned".
• Make this column not visible to the user
• Sort by this column programatically (see this help topic)
• Do not allow sorting on the grid

this.radGridView1.EnableSorting = false;

 

Hope that helps
Richard

 

[Alexander]

Hello Ken,

The Richard's suggestion goes in the correct direction. I would like to mention that setting the EnableSorting property of RadGridView to 'false' will remove the currently added SortDescriptors. This is why I could suggest you the following approach to achieve your requirements:

1. Add your visible/invisible columns.
2. Add the desired SortDescriptors to both visible and invisible columns as required.
3. Set the AllowSort property of your columns to 'false'. It will not allow the user to change the sorting.
4. Use the ViewCellFormatting event of RadGridView to hide the sorting arrow:

private void radGridView1_ViewCellFormatting(object sender, CellFormattingEventArgs e)
{
    GridHeaderCellElement cell = e.CellElement as GridHeaderCellElement;
    if (cell == null)
    {
        return;
    }

    List<RadElement> elements = cell.GetChildrenByType(typeof(ArrowPrimitive));
    if (elements.Count > 0)
    {
        elements[0].Visibility = ElementVisibility.Collapsed;
    }
}

I hope it helps in your scenario.

Best regards,
Alexander
the Telerik team