var table = $('#example').DataTable();
table.columns().flatten().each( function ( colIdx ) {
// Create the select list and search operation
var select = $('<select />')
.appendTo(
table.column(colIdx).footer()
)
.on( 'change', function () {
table
.column( colIdx )
.search( $(this).val() )
.draw();
} );
// Get the search data for the first column and add to the select list
table
.column( colIdx )
.cache( 'search' )
.sort()
.unique()
.each( function ( d ) {
select.append( $('<option value="'+d+'">'+d+'</option>') );
} );