Multiple tables under different query tabs - only first tabs table buttons work... about tabletools

You need to use fnResizeButtons when the tab is made visible. The example in the documentation is for jQuery UI, but I'm sure Bootstrap will have some similar event hook available.

[ulumi]

if added this to my jquery extra scripts.. it seems to be doing something to the buttons, but it actually preventing me to click on the first one as well as all others now...

$( "#tabs" ).tabs();

$("#tabs").tabs( {
    "show": function(event, ui) {
        var jqTable = $('table.display', ui.panel);
        var jqTable = $('table.dataTables', ui.panel);

        if ( jqTable.length > 0 ) {
            var oTableTools = TableTools.fnGetInstance( jqTable[0] );
            if ( oTableTools != null && oTableTools.fnResizeRequired() )
            {
                /* A resize of TableTools' buttons and DataTables' columns is only required on the
                 * first visible draw of the table
                 */
                jqTable.dataTable().fnAdjustColumnSizing();
                oTableTools.fnResizeButtons();
            }
        }
    }
} );

/* DATATABLES */



        $('.dataTables').each(function(index) {

            $( this ).dataTable({
                "bJQueryUI": true,
                "order": [ 0, 'desc' ],
                "dom": 'T<"clear">lfrtip',
                "tableTools": {
                    "sSwfPath": "/includes/components/datatable/TableTools-2.2.3/swf/copy_csv_xls.swf"
                }
            });
        });

That looks like jQuery UI tab code. You mentioned you were using bootstrap - you might want to look at their documentation for the tabs: http://getbootstrap.com/javascript/#tabs