Grouping in ASP.NET MVC Grid

13 Jun 202324 minutes to read

The Grid control has options to group the records based on the required column. When grouping is applied, grouped records are organized into a hierarchical structure to facilitate easier expand and collapse of records. To enable grouping, set AllowGrouping property as true.

Columns can be grouped by simply dragging the column header and drop on the group drop area or simply click the group button which is displayed in the column. By default, sorting is done while grouping the column.

The following code example describes the above behavior.

@(Html.EJ().Grid<Object>("FlatGrid")
            .Datasource((IEnumerable<object>)ViewBag.DataSource)
            .AllowPaging()
            .AllowGrouping()
            .Columns(col =>
            {
                col.Field("OrderID").HeaderText("Order ID").Add();
                col.Field("EmployeeID").HeaderText("Employee ID").Add();
                col.Field("CustomerID").HeaderText("Customer ID").Add();
                col.Field("ShipCountry").HeaderText("Ship Country").Add();
                col.Field("Freight").HeaderText("Freight").Add();
            }))
namespace MVCSampleBrowser.Controllers
        {
            public class GridController : Controller
              { 
                public ActionResult GridFeatures()
                 {
                   var DataSource = new NorthwindDataContext().OrdersViews.ToList();
                   ViewBag.DataSource = DataSource;
                   return View();
                 }
             }
        }

The following output is displayed as a result of the above code example.

ASP.NET MVC Grid Initial Grouping

Initial Grouping

While initializing the grid itself, there is an option to group the column and display it in a hierarchical structure. To enable initial grouping, set array of column’s Field name to be grouped in GroupedColumns property of GroupSettings.

The following code example describes the above behavior.

@(Html.EJ().Grid<Object>("FlatGrid")
            .Datasource((IEnumerable<object>)ViewBag.DataSource)
            .AllowPaging()
            .AllowGrouping()
            .GroupSettings(group => { group.GroupedColumns(col => { col.Add("ShipCountry"); }); })
            .Columns(col =>
            {
                col.Field("OrderID").HeaderText("Order ID").Add();
                col.Field("EmployeeID").HeaderText("Employee ID").Add();
                col.Field("CustomerID").HeaderText("Customer ID").Add();
                col.Field("ShipCountry").HeaderText("Ship Country").Add();
                col.Field("Freight").HeaderText("Freight").Add();
            }))
namespace MVCSampleBrowser.Controllers
        {
            public class GridController : Controller
              { 
                public ActionResult GridFeatures()
                 {
                   var DataSource = new NorthwindDataContext().OrdersViews.ToList();
                   ViewBag.DataSource = DataSource;
                   return View();
                 }
             }
        }

The following output is displayed as a result of the above code example.

ASP.NET MVC Grid Multi-Column Grouping

Multi-Column Grouping

Group multiple columns by simply drag and drop the columns one by one from column header into group drop area.

The following code example describes the above behavior.

@(Html.EJ().Grid<Object>("FlatGrid")
            .Datasource((IEnumerable<object>)ViewBag.DataSource)
            .AllowPaging()
            .AllowGrouping()
            .GroupSettings(group => { group.GroupedColumns(col => { col.Add("ShipCountry"); col.Add("CustomerID"); }); })
            .Columns(col =>
            {
                col.Field("OrderID").HeaderText("Order ID").Add();
                col.Field("EmployeeID").HeaderText("Employee ID").Add();
                col.Field("CustomerID").HeaderText("Customer ID").Add();
                col.Field("ShipCountry").HeaderText("Ship Country").Add();
                col.Field("Freight").HeaderText("Freight").Add();
            }))
namespace MVCSampleBrowser.Controllers
        {
            public class GridController : Controller
              { 
                public ActionResult GridFeatures()
                 {
                   var DataSource = new NorthwindDataContext().OrdersViews.ToList();
                   ViewBag.DataSource = DataSource;
                   return View();
                 }
             }
        }

The following output is displayed as a result of the above code example.

ASP.NET MVC Grid Group Buttons

Group Buttons

To do grouping easily without doing drag and drop column header by setting ShowToggleButton property of GroupSettings as true.

The following code example describes the above behavior.

@(Html.EJ().Grid<Object>("FlatGrid")
            .Datasource((IEnumerable<object>)ViewBag.DataSource)
            .AllowPaging()
            .AllowGrouping()
            .GroupSettings(group => { group.ShowToggleButton(true); })
            .Columns(col =>
            {
                col.Field("OrderID").HeaderText("Order ID").Add();
                col.Field("EmployeeID").HeaderText("Employee ID").Add();
                col.Field("CustomerID").HeaderText("Customer ID").Add();
                col.Field("ShipCountry").HeaderText("Ship Country").Add();
                col.Field("Freight").HeaderText("Freight").Add();
            }))
namespace MVCSampleBrowser.Controllers
        {
            public class GridController : Controller
              { 
                public ActionResult GridFeatures()
                 {
                   var DataSource = new NorthwindDataContext().OrdersViews.ToList();
                   ViewBag.DataSource = DataSource;
                   return View();
                 }
             }
        }

The following output is displayed as a result of the above code example.

ASP.NET MVC Grid Hide Ungroup Button

Hide Ungroup Button

Hide ungroup button from grouped columns which is in the group drop area by setting the ShowUngroupButton property of GroupSettings as false.

The following code example describes the above behavior.

@(Html.EJ().Grid<Object>("FlatGrid")
            .Datasource((IEnumerable<object>)ViewBag.DataSource)
            .AllowPaging()
            .AllowGrouping()
            .GroupSettings(group => { group.ShowUngroupButton(false); })
            .Columns(col =>
            {
                col.Field("OrderID").HeaderText("Order ID").Add();
                col.Field("EmployeeID").HeaderText("Employee ID").Add();
                col.Field("CustomerID").HeaderText("Customer ID").Add();
                col.Field("ShipCountry").HeaderText("Ship Country").Add();
                col.Field("Freight").HeaderText("Freight").Add();
            }))
namespace MVCSampleBrowser.Controllers
        {
            public class GridController : Controller
              { 
                public ActionResult GridFeatures()
                 {
                   var DataSource = new NorthwindDataContext().OrdersViews.ToList();
                   ViewBag.DataSource = DataSource;
                   return View();
                 }
             }
        }

The following output is displayed as a result of the above code example.

ASP.NET MVC Grid Hide Grouped Column

Hide Grouped Column

While grouping a particular column, there is an option to hide the grouped columns from grid. To enable hide grouped column option, set ShowGroupedColumn property of GroupSettings as false.

The following code example describes the above behavior.

@(Html.EJ().Grid<Object>("FlatGrid")
            .Datasource((IEnumerable<object>)ViewBag.DataSource)
            .AllowPaging()
            .AllowGrouping()
            .GroupSettings(group => { group.ShowGroupedColumn(false); })
            .Columns(col =>
            {
                col.Field("OrderID").HeaderText("Order ID").Add();
                col.Field("EmployeeID").HeaderText("Employee ID").Add();
                col.Field("CustomerID").HeaderText("Customer ID").Add();
                col.Field("ShipCountry").HeaderText("Ship Country").Add();
                col.Field("Freight").HeaderText("Freight").Add();
            }))
namespace MVCSampleBrowser.Controllers
        {
            public class GridController : Controller
              { 
                public ActionResult GridFeatures()
                 {
                   var DataSource = new NorthwindDataContext().OrdersViews.ToList();
                   ViewBag.DataSource = DataSource;
                   return View();
                 }
             }
        }

The following output is displayed as a result of the above code example.

ASP.NET MVC Grid AutoSize Drop Area

AutoSize Drop Area

Drag any column header and move it to the group drop area, then its portion expands smoothly. Stop this animation by setting EnableDropAreaAutoSizing property of GroupSettings as false.

The following code example describes the above behavior.

@(Html.EJ().Grid<Object>("FlatGrid")
            .Datasource((IEnumerable<object>)ViewBag.DataSource)
            .AllowPaging()
            .AllowGrouping()
            .GroupSettings(group => { group.EnableDropAreaAutoSizing(false); })
            .Columns(col =>
            {
                col.Field("OrderID").HeaderText("Order ID").Add();
                col.Field("EmployeeID").HeaderText("Employee ID").Add();
                col.Field("CustomerID").HeaderText("Customer ID").Add();
                col.Field("ShipCountry").HeaderText("Ship Country").Add();
                col.Field("Freight").HeaderText("Freight").Add();
            }))
namespace MVCSampleBrowser.Controllers
        {
            public class GridController : Controller
              { 
                public ActionResult GridFeatures()
                 {
                   var DataSource = new NorthwindDataContext().OrdersViews.ToList();
                   ViewBag.DataSource = DataSource;
                   return View();
                 }
             }
        }

The following output is displayed as a result of the above code example.

ASP.NET MVC Grid Hide Drop Area

Hide Drop Area

To avoid ungrouping or further grouping of a column after an initial column grouping by setting ShowDropArea property of GroupSettings as false.

The following code example describes the above behavior.

@(Html.EJ().Grid<Object>("FlatGrid")
            .Datasource((IEnumerable<object>)ViewBag.DataSource)
            .AllowPaging()
            .AllowGrouping()
            .GroupSettings(group => { group.ShowDropArea(false).GroupedColumns(col => { col.Add("ShipCountry"); }); })
            .Columns(col =>
            {
                col.Field("OrderID").HeaderText("Order ID").Add();
                col.Field("EmployeeID").HeaderText("Employee ID").Add();
                col.Field("CustomerID").HeaderText("Customer ID").Add();
                col.Field("ShipCountry").HeaderText("Ship Country").Add();
                col.Field("Freight").HeaderText("Freight").Add();
            }))
namespace MVCSampleBrowser.Controllers
        {
            public class GridController : Controller
              { 
                public ActionResult GridFeatures()
                 {
                   var DataSource = new NorthwindDataContext().OrdersViews.ToList();
                   ViewBag.DataSource = DataSource;
                   return View();
                 }
             }
        }

The following output is displayed as a result of the above code example.

ASP.NET MVC Grid Group Caption Format

Group Caption Format/Group Caption Template

Using CaptionFormat property of GroupSettings you can render any type of JsRender templates or customizing the group caption text.

You can use JsRender syntax in the template.For more information about JsRender syntax, please refer the link.

NOTE

  1. It’s a standard way to enclose the template within the script tag with type as “text/x-jsrender”.
  2. Using locale property of GroupCaptionFormat, you can only customize the default group caption text.

The following code example describes the above behavior.

@(Html.EJ().Grid<Object>("FlatGrid")
            .Datasource((IEnumerable<object>)ViewBag.DataSource)
            .AllowPaging()
            .AllowGrouping()
            .GroupSettings(group => { group.CaptionFormat("#template"); })
            .ClientSideEvents(eve => { eve.ActionComplete("complete"); })
            .Columns(col =>
            {
                col.Field("OrderID").HeaderText("Order ID").Add();
                col.Field("EmployeeID").HeaderText("Employee ID").Add();
                col.Field("CustomerID").HeaderText("Customer ID").Add();
                col.Field("ShipCountry").HeaderText("Ship Country").Add();
                col.Field("Freight").HeaderText("Freight").Add();
            }))
namespace MVCSampleBrowser.Controllers
        {
            public class GridController : Controller
              { 
                public ActionResult GridFeatures()
                 {
                   var DataSource = new NorthwindDataContext().OrdersViews.ToList();
                   ViewBag.DataSource = DataSource;
                   return View();
                 }
             }
        }
<script id="template" type="text/x-jsrender">
                "{{:field}}-"{{:key}}
                  <button id="btn" class="btn">Collapse</button>
     </script>

     <script>
             function complete(args) {
                 $(".btn").ejButton({
                 click: "btnClick"
                });
             }
             function btnClick(args) {
                 var gridObj = $("#FlatGrid").data("ejGrid");
                 gridObj.expandCollapse(this.element.parent().prev());
                 $("#btn").ejButton("model.text", args.model.text == "Collapse" ? "Expand" : "Collapse");
             }
    </script>

The following output is displayed as a result of the above code example.

ASP.NET MVC Grid grouped records count in server-side

ASP.NET MVC Grid server-side

Handling grouped records count in server-side

When binding remote data to grid with on-demand data loading, only current page data knowledge is available to grid and so grouped records count would be shown based on current Page only.

This can be rectified when binding data to grid using UrlAdaptor of DataManager. The grouped column values should be passed into the groupDs property of return object from server-side along with datasource and count.

The following code example describes the above behavior.

@(Html.EJ().Grid<OrdersView>("Grouping")

  .Datasource(datasource => datasource.URL("/Grid/UrlDataSource").Adaptor("UrlAdaptor"))
  .AllowSorting()
  .AllowGrouping()
  .GroupSettings(group => { group.GroupedColumns(col => { col.Add("EmployeeID"); }); })
  .AllowPaging()
  .Columns(col =>
{
    col.Field("OrderID").HeaderText("Order ID").IsPrimaryKey(true).TextAlign(TextAlign.Right).Width(75).Add();
    col.Field("CustomerID").HeaderText("Customer ID").Width(80).Add();
    col.Field("EmployeeID").HeaderText("Employee ID").TextAlign(TextAlign.Right).Width(75).Add();
    col.Field("Freight").HeaderText("Freight").TextAlign(TextAlign.Right).Width(75).Format("{0:C}").Add();
    col.Field("OrderDate").HeaderText("Order Date").TextAlign(TextAlign.Right).Width(80).Format("{0:MM/dd/yyyy}").Add();
})
)
namespace MVCSampleBrowser.Controllers
        {
            public class GridController : Controller
              { 
                public ActionResult GridFeatures()
                 {
                   var DataSource = new NorthwindDataContext().OrdersViews.ToList();
                   ViewBag.DataSource = DataSource;
                   return View();
                 }
                public ActionResult UrlDataSource(DataManager dm)
                 {
                    IEnumerable DataSource = new NorthwindDataContext().OrdersViews.ToList();
                    int count = DataSource.AsQueryable().Count();
                    IEnumerable GroupDs = new List<object>(); ;
                    DataOperations ds = new DataOperations();
                    List<string> str = new List<string>();
                    if (dm.Group != null)
                        GroupDs = ds.PerformSelect(DataSource, dm.Group); //Pass grouped column records
                    if (dm.Sorted != null)
                        DataSource = ds.PerformSorting(DataSource, dm.Sorted);
                    DataSource = ds.PerformSkip(DataSource, dm.Skip);
                    DataSource = DataSource.AsQueryable().Take(dm.Take);
                    return Json(new {result = DataSource, count =count, groupDs = GroupDs }, JsonRequestBehavior.AllowGet);
                 }  
             }     
        }

The following output is displayed as a result of the above code example.

ASP.NET MVC Grid Handling grouped records