Digital information and data come in different types and proportions. Organizing them takes a special skill.
Good organization of web content and copy brings more impact to the users. Readers can scan through loads of information and understand it with ease.
Using data tables is a great way to organize data, especially large sets of information.
Data tables are good UI design elements that provide structure to loads of web data. This allows users to scan, filter, analyze, and take action on important information.
To give more ideas on how to utilize data tables on websites, here are some great examples of data tables. There are also tips on how to design one.
Common Uses of Data Tables
A data table has many functions, but it is commonly used to:
- Organize data to make it easier to read and pleasing to look at.
- Sort different types and amounts of information including fixed and dynamic data.
- Make comparisons, due to its chart-like layout. Often used for comparing products and services, and even pricing plans.
Tips on Designing Data Tables
Make a table with multiple functions.
A data table should help users to scan and understand information. It should also enable them to analyze, compare, and take corresponding actions.
Anchor contextual content when scrolling.
This is useful when sorting large sets of data and viewing them on smaller screens. It helps users understand the data they’re reading.
Prioritize common actions.
A data table should help users save time and effort. It does this by enabling them to finish common actions and repetitive tasks without navigating to another web page.
Enable data filters.
Allowing users to manipulate and filter data helps them find needed information. They also learn new insights and can compare data.
Use a horizontal scrolling option for large sets of data.
Horizontal scrolling works well on data tables with lots of information and columns. Users can also have an option to anchor certain columns for better data comparison.
Put pagination for long tables.
Avoid long data tables by dividing them into multiple pages with a fixed number of rows and pagination. Enable users to also customize the number of rows to show on each page.
Putting pagination indicates which page they are on for easy navigation.
Make table rows expandable.
Another design solution for tables containing bulk data is making table rows expandable. Expandable or collapsible rows allow users to read additional information while maintaining table context.
Use customizable columns.
These allow users to manipulate web content and select specific columns of data they need for a task. It also enhances the user experience.
Users should also have an option to create and save a preset of columns for future use.
14 Great Examples of Data Table UI Design
Adaptive Pricing Table
This data table has a clean and modern design. It is perfect for presenting pricing plans for subscriptions.
This CSS3 table is free and easy to use. It is also customizable.
Users can alter the text and color to enhance the overall appearance.
DataTables JSON sample using Material Design
This material data table is an ideal design for creating an office database. It contains pagination and search controls, and has an option to add more profiles.
The data table also enables users to arrange and sort data in ascending and descending order.
Fixed table header
This CSS data table by Nikhil Krishnan features a fixed header, borderless columns, and a vertical scrolling control.
The table has a clean outer border and an anchored header. This allows users to look at the variables while scrolling down the table.
Nutrition Facts Table in HTML and CSS
The next one of these data table examples shows a CSS data table presenting the nutrition facts of a food item. The appearance is similar to that of a product label.
Users can customize the data table according to the nutritional content of the food item. However, this could take some time to fill in.
Responsive Table
Designed by Geoff Yuen, this data table example has a modern design and a customizable color scheme.
The HTML table has expandable rows and columns. So data can fit in each table cell when the window is either compressed or stretched.
Crisp table
This CSS3 data table features a hover effect that highlights the row the user points at. The rows have alternating colors to enhance readability.
It also has a simple design and clean layout with white column borders making it easy to look at a certain table element if you want to.
Style the scroll (flipped headers)
This is a great example of a data table with a horizontal scrolling option.
Unlike other data tables, its header is anchored on the first column. This helps users to avoid losing context when scrolling through data columns.
The data table has a very simple design and aside from texts, it also accepts input like emojis.
< Table > Responsive
This responsive data table design by Pablo Garcia features a 3D hover effect when the user points at a table cell. It also highlights the row of the hovered table cell.
The rows have alternating colors for better readability. The data table has a dark color scheme with pink accents which makes it ideal for futuristic web themes.
Fade and Blur on Hover Data Table
This JavaScript data table by Jack Rugile features a fade and blur on hover effect when users point on a row.
The effect highlights and provides more focus on the hovered row. It does this by blurring out the remaining rows.
The data table has a simple layout and a grey color scheme.
Responsive & Accessible Data Table
The next one of these data table examples has a very simple layout and a clean design that helps the data stand out.
Its table rows have alternating white and grey colors for better readability. The header and borders have a distinct green color.
Tablexeperementation
The example shows a race timetable that features a zoom on hover effect. The row scales up when users hover over the row and returns to its original form when the pointer moves away.
The CSS data table has borderless columns for wider data space. It also has alternating row colors for readability.
Material Design – Responsive Table
This CSS3 data table has a simple layout and a clean white design. These complement the color highlight on hover effect.
It has a table constructor feature. This enables users to customize the color of the row highlight, enable the hover effect, and show table borders.
Few columns, many rows
This is a data table with a simple design that works on both text and numerical data. The columns are borderless and the table rows have alternating colors.
Those structuring data into a list may benefit from this design.
Responstable 2.0: a responsive table solution
This data table example features a column of select buttons that can be used for creating forms.
The columns have equal width and the rows have alternating white and light blue colors. The header has a distinct teal color to highlight variables.
FAQ about data tables
What is a DataTable?
What are the different types of DataTables?
There are two types of data tables: simple and multi-dimensional.
Simple table:
Multi-dimensional table:
What are statistical tables?
A table is a data arrangement in rows and columns or a complex structure. Tables are usually used in communication, research, and data analysis. We created an article on statistical tables a while back. Check it out.
Ending thoughts on these great examples of data tables
Using a data table is a great way to organize a bulk of web content. It doesn’t only improve the visual design and layout of a web page but also enhances the user experience.
Data tables allow users to scan through information and help them create an analysis.
When designing a data table, it is important to provide users with control over the content. Allowing them to manipulate and filter data according to their needs makes the table more useful.
The examples of data tables show an array of design ideas. These will help you to create a data table for your website.
If you enjoyed reading this article on examples of data tables, you should check out this one about how to make a data table.
We also wrote about a few related subjects like pricing table examples, DataTables alternatives, JavaScript table library, comparison tables, statistical tables, how to create a table in WordPress without a plugin, how to insert a table in WordPress, WordPress pricing table plugins, and how to create statistical tables in WordPress.
