How can I initially hide columns in a p:dataTable with p:columnToggler

Question

I'm using PrimeFaces v.5 with this version a new component is released that ColumnToggler, when view is rendered, refreshed all checkbox are checked as a default operation.

What I need to do is;

• to uncheck some columns when I initialize the view,
• make p:columnToggler remember checked and unchecked options when a refresh operation occurs on p:dataTable

Answer 1

In Primefaces 5.2 you can set the p:column visible attribute to false

<p:column ... visible="false">

You can ofcourse use EL in the visible attribute by colum index (reordering becomes more difficult)

<p:column ... visible="#{visibilityModel.visibleList[1]}">

It hides the column at the beginning depending on the return value and you can show/hide the column through the columnToggler checkbox

By using the ajax toggle event

<p:ajax event="toggle" listener="#{viewBean.onToggle}" />

You can update the state of the visibilityModel server side

public void onToggle(ToggleEvent e) {
    list.set((Integer) e.getData(), e.getVisibility() == Visibility.VISIBLE);
}

See this PrimeFaces blog entry for full example to actually keep/store the state of the visibility server side so it can be reused later