DataTables Server‑Side with deferRender: Hidden Columns Payload Handling

DataTables Server‑Side with deferRender: Hidden Columns Payload Handling

The goal is to understand how DataTables processes hidden columns when deferRender is enabled in server‑side mode. In this configuration, the client still receives the full data array from the server, but columns marked visible: false may appear as empty cells.

Current documentation does not specify whether DataTables automatically removes hidden columns from the payload or whether the server must omit them. Additionally, it is unclear if deferRender influences this behavior, potentially leading to bandwidth waste or rendering quirks.

Key uncertainties remain: does DataTables strip hidden columns during server‑side rendering? If not, how are empty cells rendered for those columns? Is there a configuration option that allows the server to know which columns are hidden so it can exclude them from the JSON response?

• Does DataTables automatically remove hidden columns from the JSON payload when deferRender is active?
• When hidden columns are not stripped, how does DataTables render empty cells for them?
• Can a configuration setting be added to instruct DataTables to omit hidden columns from server responses?