Overriding filter icon for list grids

[fhisg]

I answered to a question in the SmartClient forum (not SmartGWT) but it's just as relevant to SmartGWT. Sorry if posting it here is considered rude, I didn't know how to proceed.

The question was why the filter icon in the header of list grids, show right most if filtering is enabled, didn't allow for customization. Here's one potential use case...

If you set your grid to filterOnKeypress = true then the filter icon is essentially of no use. Clicking it issues an extra DS request that returns the same results already displayed in the grid (assuming the data in the DS didn't change). What would be useful in such cases is to replace the filter icon with a reset icon to clear all column filters at once. Of course, the icon image would have to be different too to avoid confusion.
Our customers requested such a feature in our application and looking for ways to implement that I also sought this forum.

Due to lack of an extension point the only option that came to mind was to place a custom icon/button at the exact same position as the filter icon. I'd much rather refrain from implementing such an ugly hack, though.

Cheers,
Marcel

[amcculley]

This has been brought up several times on the forums in the last couple of years. Some people just put a "blank" image in the theme to replace that icon.

That being said, I agree. There are a few usability things with SmartGwt widgets that could use a refresh but the API exists to do these yourself and there is always the option of sponsoring it.

[fhisg]

but the API exists to do these yourself

This is more of a general remark, right? I haven't found an API to override/modify the behavior of the filter icon (as you said, the image is easy).

[amcculley]

I was referring to the overall look and feel of the SmartGwt widgets which some are starting to show their age a bit (ListGrids, Forms, etc).

We've had to do some extensive work to get our app to look and behave the way it does.... and it looks great. This is a testament to the solid foundation they have in their framework and the ability we have to customize it. But it took a bunch of trial and error, css styling, and a good bit of re-usable Java code.

That being said - it sure would be nice to get a more modern and fresher experience out of the box.