$('#dg').datagrid({ url:..., columns:..., pagination:true, defaultFilterOptions:{ placeholder:'enter filter text here...' }}).datagrid('enableFilter')
var dg = $('#dg').datagrid({ defaultFilterType: 'textbox', defaultFilterOptions: $.extend({}, $.fn.datagrid.defaults.defaultFilterOptions, { prompt: 'enter filter text here...' })});