Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Tables in React JS

Tables are one of those things in web development that seem deceptively simple, until you actually start building one. In modern web apps, tables are everywhere. They power everything from user lists and product grids to dynamic data feeds and admin dashboards, thanks to their ability to organize and display structured data.

Whether you're showing thousands of rows or just a few, a well-built table can transform the way users interact with your app.

Who wouldn't want that kind of impact?

Now, here's where React really shines. With its component-based architecture, React makes it easy to create reusable, modular table components. While creating a simple, static table is straightforward, React's flexibility makes it possible to implement more advanced features like sorting, pagination, and live updates; either through custom code or by leveraging popular libraries.

And let's be honest, with apps moving faster and interfaces becoming more data-heavy, interactive features have quickly become table stakes.

Learning to build tables in React brings functionality and the ability to create better experiences. Presenting data clearly and interactively helps users make decisions faster and improves engagement.

And once you've learned the basics, you can do just about anything with tables in your applications.

Building React JS Tables From Scratch

When it comes to building tables in React, there are three main approaches: static tables, dynamic tables, and reusable table components. Each has its own strengths, depending on what you're trying to accomplish.

Static Tables
Static tables are the simplest. They use hardcoded data directly within the component, like this:

function StaticTable() {
  return (
    <table>
      <thead>
        <tr>
          <th>Name</th>
          <th>Age</th>
          <th>Gender</th>
        </tr>
      </thead>
      <tbody>
        <tr>
          <td>Anom</td>
          <td>19</td>
          <td>Male</td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
          <td>Megha</td>
          <td>19</td>
          <td>Female</td>
        </tr>
        <tr>
          <td>Subham</td>
          <td>25</td>
          <td>Male</td>
        </tr>
      </tbody>
    </table>
  );
}

This is great for unchanging datasets, think about displaying things like static user guidelines or archived records.

Dynamic Tables
Dynamic tables take it up a notch. They use arrays or API responses to populate rows, making them ideal for applications with frequently updated data.

import { useState, useEffect } from 'react';

function DynamicTable() {
  const [data, setData] = useState([]);

  useEffect(() => {
    const fetchData = async () => {
      const response = await fetch('https://api.example.com/data');
      const result = await response.json();
      setData(result);
    };
    fetchData();
  }, []);

  return (
    <table>
      <thead>
        <tr>
          {data.length > 0 &&
            Object.keys(data[0]).map((key) => <th key={key}>{key}</th>)}
        </tr>
      </thead>
      <tbody>
        {data.map((item, index) => (
          <tr key={index}>
            {Object.values(item).map((val, idx) => (
              <td key={idx}>{val}</td>
            ))}
          </tr>
        ))}
      </tbody>
    </table>
  );
}

Dynamic tables are like the Swiss Army knife of data presentation; they adjust to what you need, whether it’s live updates or external data.

Reusable Table Components
Reusable components are all about flexibility and scalability. With this approach, you pass headers and rows as props.

function Table({ headers, rows }) {
  return (
    <table>
      <thead>
        <tr>
          {headers.map((header, idx) => (
            <th key={idx}>{header}</th>
          ))}
        </tr>
      </thead>
      <tbody>
        {rows.map((row, idx) => (
          <tr key={idx}>
            {row.map((cell, idy) => (
              <td key={idy}>{cell}</td>
            ))}
          </tr>
        ))}
      </tbody>
    </table>
  );
}

// Usage
const headers = ['Name', 'Age', 'Gender'];
const rows = [
  ['Anom', 19, 'Male'],
  ['Megha', 19, 'Female'],
  ['Subham', 25, 'Male'],
];

function App() {
  return <Table headers={headers} rows={rows} />;
}

Reusable components save time and reduce repetition, making them perfect for scaling your app as it grows.

Standardized data structures, like arrays of objects for rows, make all of these approaches easier to manage, especially if you’re dealing with large or varied datasets.

That’s the beauty of React: once you’ve laid the groundwork, the possibilities are endless.

Adding Features to React JS Tables

When it comes to enhancing tables in React, adding interactive features like sorting, pagination, and filtering can make all the difference. These functionalities are useful and expected in modern applications. Fortunately, React's state management and flexible composition make implementing them both straightforward and efficient.

Start with sorting. You'll need to manage a sortState object to track the active column and sort direction. Add click handlers to your column headers, and use them to toggle between ascending and descending orders.

For example, updating your dataset with Array.sort() will handle most sorting scenarios efficiently.

Next, we've got pagination. Instead of overwhelming users with endless rows of data, divide your dataset into chunks. Track the current page using state, and display only the relevant rows for that page. Adding "next" and "previous" buttons (or a page index) makes navigation intuitive.

To optimize performance, especially with large datasets, lazy-load pages when they're clicked.

Now, let's talk about filtering. Here, you'll manage a filterState object that stores the active filter(s). Combine it with filter functions like Array.filter() to dynamically narrow down rows based on user input.

Think search bars or dropdown filters for seamless usability.

A few best practices can improve your implementation. Stick to minimal, predictable markup to keep rendering snappy. Use reusable JSX components for customization, like a <TableRow> or <TableHeader>, and callbacks for advanced behaviors.

Whenspeed is important, libraries like React Table can supercharge your workflow by handling much of the heavy lifting.

You'll end up with a table that features more than basic functionality and offers a pleasant experience for users to interact with.

Best Practices for React Table Components

Building tables in React might seem overwhelming at first; breaking the process down into manageable steps makes it straightforward.

We began with static tables, perfect for simple, unchanging data. Then, we explored dynamic tables, which shine when dealing with external or frequently updated datasets. We covered reusable table components, the ultimate choice for scalability and flexibility, especially in growing applications.

From there, we layered on features like sorting, pagination, and filtering to enhance usability and empower users to navigate data seamlessly.

Whether it's structuring your table for performance, leveraging React’s reusable components, or using libraries like React Table, the goal is always the same: delivering a fast, intuitive, and scalable experience.

And that’s the beauty of React, it’s a toolkit that evolves with your needs.

By focusing on lightweight design, predictable structures, and adaptable data props, you set yourself up for a smoother development cycle and future-proofed solutions.

Now, if you’re ready to take your app from idea to execution, expand beyond tables, At NextBuild, we specialize in transforming concepts into fully functional MVPs, fast.

Whether it’s a data-heavy dashboard or an AI-powered innovation, we’re here to help you disrupt your industry without getting bogged down in development details.

Reach out to us today to bring your vision to life.