Creating data tables is a key part of web app development for websites and applications that are data-driven. With such a wide variety of JavaScript table libraries that are ready for use, creating tables in HTML manually is almost pointless.
After all, designing a data table is an elaborate process. Factors such as table layout, integration of tabular data, the interaction of data tables with other components, and more importantly, the time spent to develop one make table design so complex.
Using a JavaScript table library saves any developer from manually writing every grueling function. It also reduces the chance of generating errors. Thus, this article provides you with a list of JavaScript table examples that are stunning, functional, responsive, and preferred by leading companies and web developers.
The Best JavaScript Table Libraries and Plugins
Dynatable
Dynatable is a customizable and fun to use table plugin. s It offers a simple yet extensible API that allows for easier interaction with larger datasets. It provides developers with wider control over its functionalities like sorting, searching, and filtering.
jsGrid
jsGrid is a jQuery grid plugin that uses Ajax callbacks to load data. It offers a more client-oriented solution for web tabular data representation. This jQuery JS library plugin supports basic grid operations such as filtering, inserting, data editing, sorting, and paging. It is also responsive to different web browsers, and it can be integrated with various server-side technologies such as ASP, Java Servlets PHP (JSP), ColdFusion, and more.
Datatables
Datatables is a JQuery plugin that supports basic data table functionalities such as sorting, searching, and paging without any configurations. It also works with any type of data source. It supports data from plain HTML, Ajax, a custom array before initialization, or any server-side data. Unlike other jQuery grid plugins, Datatables displays “No data available” when the source has no data instead of breaking.
This plugin features an intuitive API and it offers a wide variety of configurations. It allows developers to either use CDN or to download the JavaScript table library and integrate it into the code. Still, while it’s a favorite to some, not everyone likes it so, naturally, there are several Datatables alternatives out there.
Material-table
Material-table is one of the most popular and frequently used JavaScript table libraries with over 2,300 Stargazers or stars on Github. Many developers prefer using this JavaScript library due to its Material-styled user interface.
It offers various individual components that make it customizable and functional in any complex application. Its actions are based on single or multiple rows. Its features also include custom column rendering, a detail panel for every row, and other properties that make the UI and behavior customizable. It also enables export to CSV, and it has extensive documentation.
W2Ui
W2Ui is a JavaScript UI library that optimizes HTML5 and CSS3 for front-end web development and requires jQuery (1.9+) as a dependency library perfect for the modern web. w2ui has a declarative syntax and a clear distinction between application data and its logic layer. With only 97kb file size that is minified and GNU zipped, it has a faster load time and execution. w2ui’s file size is nine times smaller than ExtJs, and seven times smaller than Kendo IO.
There is no need to gather different plugins to meet all your data representation requirements with w2ui library. w2ui is an integrated solution that contains all major UI widgets like Layout, Popup, Toolbar, Tabs, Sidebar, Grid, Forms, and other field controls. It has a modern, superior, and stunning UX. It has complete JavaScript transparency and it is supported by different web browsers.
Stacktable
Stackable.js is a jQuery plugin that converts wide tables into a two-column key/value, stackable formats to work on smaller screens. Every row entry is stacked on top of the other, and the key elements are listed side by side for a simpler look. It only has limited options for documentation, however, it is built to make standard table elements more responsive to mobile devices.
Clusturize.js
Rendering a large amount of tabular data in a normal <table> tag makes scrolling slower. To keep the scrolling smooth when working with thousands of rows and columns, and also accelerate load time, Clusturize.js only loads a particular set of data or the data shown in viewport, and it only renders the data when necessary.
Clusturize.js converts the whole table into a container and generates only the visible part of the container. It splits the list into small clusters, hence its name.
Webix
Webix is an open-source JavaScript UI components library designed to speed up web application development. It is a spin-off from DHTMLX Touch that sooner became a standalone UI components framework. It is intuitive, responsive, and very simple to use.
Webix comes with over 50 UI widgets and .NET version. It also offers grid solutions like scheduler, pivot, spreadsheets, trees, and charts. It also provides seamless integration with Backbone.js, Angular 1 and 2, VueJS, Meteor, and other custom integrations. For having 55 widgets, the library has a lean file size of 128kb that is minified and GNU-zipped. Furthermore, it has a pleasant design and functional demos.
ngx-datatable
ngx-datatable is an Angular component designed to present complex and large data. ngx-datatable contains all necessary features from a data table library. It is lightweight, flexible, and built for modern web browsers such as CSS3, TypeScript, HTML5, and Angular v4. More importantly, it doesn’t create any data assumptions in terms of functionality like sorting, filtering, and paging.
RC-TABLE
With over 650 stars on GitHub, RC-Table is a React table component that offers multiple functionalities. It is lightweight and feature-packed. It optimizes dropdown menus on column headings to filter data. It also provides many table examples including source code.
FooTable
FooTable is a jQuery table plugin that doesn’t involve bootstrap. It has two governing principles for creating responsive data tables. The first one is to hide particular columns at the breakpoint in the CSS, and the second is to insert expandable rows to reveal the hidden data at the breakpoint. Mobile devices have different breakpoints. By default, mobile phones have 480px, while tablets have 1024px. Thus, on mobile devices, some columns are hidden, whereas, on tablets, all columns are displayed due to their wider breakpoint.
Ember Table
Ember Table is a JavaScript plugin that supports larger sets of data, and other data table features. It is capable of managing more than 100,000 rows without generating errors in its performance and rendering.
Its functionalities include reordering and resizing of columns, table resizing, table grouping, and single and multiple row selections. It also has a fixed first column by default, and a custom row and header. It also manages the transient state at the cell level.
MUI-Datatables
MUI-Datatables is a data table library built on React components or Material UI design for building responsive JavaScript data tables. It has three responsive modes “vertical”, “Standard” and “Simple” for mobile devices. MUI-Datatables is well accepted with more than 1,500 stars on GitHub and is currently updated.
It features custom components and styling, provides clear and detailed documentation, and it works on any mobile devices. It also streamlines basic grid operations such as filtering, paging, and sorting. It also comes with other features like view or hides columns, export to CSV download, and selectable rows.
jQWidgets
jQWidgets is a pure JavaScript library framework developed for building modern, professional, and responsive websites and web applications that work on different mobile devices. It was completely built on open web standards like HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, and jQuery. Just what you need for pro web app development.
It can be used with programming languages like TypeScript, leading frameworks such as Angular 6, KnockoutJS, and server-side web frameworks like ASP.NET MVC, PHP, JSP, and Node.js. It also features over 60 JavaScript UI components for React, including touch-enabled JQuery widgets, themes, input validation, drag-and-drop plugins, data adapters, built-in WAI-ARIA accessibility, as well as internationalization, and MVVM support.
Sheetsee.js
Sheetsee.js is a client-side JavaScript table library that displays and connects data from Google Spreadsheets to a website. Its functions are divided into four modules, the sheetsee, sheetsee-core, sheetsee-tables, and the sheetsee-maps. It has functionalities such as sorting, searching, and paging. Sheetsee-tables uses a templating engine, Mustache.js for template syntax, and uses JSON arrays to display tabular data.
FAQ about JavaScript table libraries
What are JavaScript table libraries used for?
Oh man, JavaScript table libraries are just the best! They’re used to easily create, manage and manipulate tables in web applications.
You know, they simplify things like sorting, filtering, and pagination without needing to reinvent the wheel. I mean, developers love them because they save a whole lot of time and energy. You can build responsive and interactive tables in no time!
How do you choose the right JavaScript table library?
Choosing the right JavaScript table library can be a bit overwhelming. But, you gotta think about your project requirements first, right? Consider things like the library size, performance, ease of use, and available features.
And don’t forget to check the library’s documentation and community support! Some popular libraries are DataTables, ag-Grid, and Handsontable. Just take your time, compare your options, and pick the one that best fits your needs.
Can I use JavaScript table libraries with popular web frameworks?
Absolutely, my friend! JavaScript table libraries are quite versatile and can be easily integrated with popular web frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue.
Many libraries offer built-in support or plugins to make it even easier. Just double-check the library’s documentation to find out if it’s compatible with your chosen framework, and you’ll be good to go.
Are JavaScript table libraries open-source or paid?
You know, that’s a great question! Some JavaScript table libraries are open-source, while others are paid or offer premium features.
Open-source libraries like DataTables or Tabulator are free, but you might find that some premium libraries, like Handsontable, offer extra bells and whistles for a price. It’s all about what works best for your project and budget.
How do I install a JavaScript table library?
Well, it’s usually a breeze to install a JavaScript table library! Most libraries are available as npm packages, so you can just run npm install <library-name> to add it to your project.
Then you’ll typically include the library’s JS and CSS files in your HTML or import them in your JavaScript. Just follow the specific instructions in the library’s documentation, and you’ll be up and running in no time!
Can I customize the look and feel of a JavaScript table library?
Oh, for sure! Customizing the look and feel of a JavaScript table library is usually a piece of cake. You can modify the default styling by tweaking the library’s CSS or applying your own custom styles.
Some libraries even offer theming options, so you can pick a predefined theme or create your own. Just dive into the documentation to see what customization options are available for your chosen library.
Do JavaScript table libraries support accessibility features?
Well, I gotta say, not all JavaScript table libraries are created equal when it comes to accessibility. But many of them do offer support for accessibility features like keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility, and ARIA attributes.
It’s important to check the library’s documentation to see if it meets your accessibility requirements before committing to it.
Can I add custom functionality to my JavaScript table?
You bet! Most JavaScript table libraries are pretty flexible and allow you to add custom functionality through callbacks, events, or plugins.
So, if you need to extend the default behavior or integrate with other libraries, you’ll likely find a way to do it. Just take a peek at the library’s documentation to see what kind of customizations are possible.
How do I handle large datasets with JavaScript table libraries?
Handling large datasets can be a bit tricky, but many JavaScript table libraries offer features to help you out. Look for things like virtual scrolling, pagination, or lazy loading to manage and display large amounts of data efficiently.
These features can significantly improve performance and user experience, so definitely keep an eye out for them when choosing your library.
Are JavaScript table libraries mobile-friendly?
Good news, most JavaScript table libraries are mobile-friendly and work well on different screen sizes and devices. They usually offer responsive design options or settings to ensure that tables look great and are easy to interact with on smaller screens.
Just make sure to test your table library on various devices and browsers to ensure a smooth experience for all your users.
Ending thoughts on the best JavaScript table libraries
This article provided you with a comprehensive list of JavaScript table libraries that offer solutions to creating tables in HTML. When choosing the right JavaScript library for your web application, make sure that its code on GitHub is updated. Check the number of developers that have already used it, as well as the number of ‘Stargazers’ or the stars are given to it. Also check its number of possible configurations, dependencies, and file size.
If you’re looking for a JavaScript table library for WordPress, wpDataTables is the best option. wpDataTables is a WordPress table plugin built for easy, fast, and effective table creation and data representation.
It features an intuitive backend module that is visually similar to the frontend. It also enables developers to use a shortcode to place the table created on the website. It provides responsive data tables that work on mobile devices. It supports large tables and other functionalities such as charts and highlighting for an enhanced visual experience for readers.
If you enjoyed reading this article on JavaScript table library, you should check out this one about WordPress table generator plugins.
We also wrote about a few related subjects like DataTables alternative, how to create the Premier League table, WordPress table plugins, how to create a table in WordPress without plugin, how to insert a table in WordPress and WordPress pricing table plugins.
