Currently the ForeignKey column expects data to be loaded in it initially. This could be either local data or remote data.

For scenarios that involve using large data, it would be helpful if we can have more flexibility with the way data is loaded in the column's editor (e.g., DropDownList). For example, we want to use cascading ForeignKey editors. Once a selection is made in the first dropdown, the second cascades and is loaded with the respective data. This is not viable at the moment, because the data must be supplied to the ForeignKey column initially. If an empty collection is passed initially:

columns.ForeignKey(c => c.Field1, new List<SelectListItem>(), "Value", "Text").Width(100);

and the dropdown is then loaded with data after the Grid's Edit popup opens, the ForeignKey column will display the DataFieldValue as text, because no initial data has been provided.

An option to load data on demand would be a welcome performance enhancement.