title: Custom Filter records in Free-jqgrid 4.15.4
body: <p>I have one question regarding custom filters in free jqGrid 4.15.4. I want to implement a search functionality where if I select 'less than but not null or empty' filter then it should show only rows of records which column isn't null or empty. I am able to create custom filter which gives 'is null' or 'isn't null' from <a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/41441826/free-jqgrid-a-custom-filter-rule-for-empty-and-not-empty">this thread</a>.
  But when I tried to create for mine requirement, I wasn't able to figure out what operator I have to use for 'less than but not null or empty'.</p>
  
  <p>for example, I have used this code sample to create custom filter:</p>
  
  <pre><code> customUnaryOperations: ["lne"],
   customSortOperations: {
             lne: {
                  operand: "&lt;!=''",
                  text: "less but not empty",
                  filter: function (options) {
                      var v = options.item[options.cmName];
                      if (v !== undefined &amp;&amp; v !== "") {
                          return true;
                      }
                  }
              }
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>The above operator I've used in search option toolbar. </p>
  
  <pre><code>searchoptions: {
                       searchOperators: true,
                       sopt: ['eq', 'lt', 'gt','lne'],
                   }, search: true, 
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Meanwhile, I don't want to use  <strong>formatter: "integer"</strong> (suggested <a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/36086398/jqgrid-filter-toolbar-filters-out-null-values-in-grid-data">here</a>) as this only assigns 0 to all null record column cells, and still visible in records whenever one selects <strong>'less than'</strong> filter . </p>
  
  <p>For reference, I've created one <a href="https://jsfiddle.net/x3fger4z/7/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">fiddle</a> which consists of the requirement and two images for more clarity. So, Can anyone help me out on this? I hope I'vent re-asked this again. </p>
  
  <p>Thank you in advance.</p>
  
  <p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/p4JGX.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/p4JGX.jpg" alt="Grid_With_NoFiltersIN_SalaryField"></a></p>
  
  <p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/yBc8f.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/yBc8f.jpg" alt="Grid_with_Filter_InSalary_ButEmptyRecords"></a></p>