JavaScript Data Grid Libraries
Tags: javascript
Published: 2023-06-07 18:02:45

The use of JavaScript data grid libraries in web and mobile apps has grown significantly. These tools can be utilized to make web designs for your site and add powerful functionality to any front-end web design.

In this article, I have compiled a list of the top 5 JavaScript libraries for developers. Feel free to familiarize yourself with some [JavaScript best practices](https://code.pieces.app/partner-collections/jwt-ultimate-how-to-guide-with-best-practices-in-javascript) we’ve gathered as well.

## What is a JavaScript Library?

A [JavaScript library](https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/computer-programming/html-css-js/using-js-libraries-in-your-webpage/a/whats-a-js-library) is a collection of pre-written [JavaScript snippets](https://code.pieces.app/collections/javascript) that you can use to perform common tasks such as making requests to a server, manipulating the DOM, or animating elements on a page. Some popular JavaScript libraries include [jQuery](https://jquery.com/), [React](https://reactjs.org/), and [Vue.js.](https://vuejs.org/) These libraries can make it easier to develop web applications by providing a set of reusable components and functions to build your app. They can help improve the performance of your app by providing optimized code that has been tested and debugged.

## What is a JavaScript Data Grid Library?

A JavaScript data grid library is a software library that provides an organized way of displaying and manipulating large amounts of tabular data in a web browser. It allows developers to create interactive tables and grids that can be integrated into web applications. JavaScript data grid libraries also provide features such as sorting, filtering, and paging to help users navigate and understand the data. There are many JavaScript data grid libraries available, each with its own set of features and characteristics.

## Why Data Grids are Important

**Improved performance**: Data grids can store and retrieve data more quickly than traditional databases, making them useful for applications that require fast access to large amounts of data.

**Scalability**: Data grids are designed to scale horizontally, meaning that they can easily handle increases in data volume and user requests by adding more servers to the grid.

**High availability**: Data grids can automatically replicate data across multiple servers, which makes them resistant to individual server failures and helps ensure that data is always available.

**Data partitioning**: Data grids can distribute data across multiple servers, which can make it easier to process large amounts of data in parallel.

**Flexible data storage**: Data grids can store a wide variety of data types, including structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data.

**Ease of use**: Many data grid libraries come with intuitive APIs and other tools that make it easy for developers to work with data grids.

**Integration with other technologies**: Data grids can be easily integrated with other technologies, such as in-memory databases and distributed cache systems.

**Cost-effectiveness**: Data grids can be more cost-effective than traditional databases for certain workloads, as they can handle large amounts of data and traffic with fewer resources.

## The 5 Best Data Grid Libraries for your Project

### 1. AG Grid

[AG Grid](https://www.ag-grid.com/) is a JavaScript data grid that allows you to manage large datasets with a lot of plug-and-play functionality. Although it was initially made for Angular, it now also supports JavaScript, React, and Vue. It supports real-time data streaming. It provides a simple open-source community version that is free to use, as well as a licensed, paid enterprise edition with more features. If you are working on a significant project, you should think about how using this data grid will benefit you and ease the burden of creating one from the start.

#### Features of AG Grid

- Cell Rendering
- CSV and Excel import/export
- Chart integration
- Keyboard navigation
- Internationalization
- Advanced in-table editing
- Row and range selection


#### Installation

To install `ag-grid`, you can use [npm (Node Package Manager)](https://www.npmjs.com/package/npm) or yarn package manager.

```
# using npm
npm install --save ag-grid ag-grid-community

# using yarn
yarn add ag-grid ag-grid-community
```

### 2. Handsontable

[Handsontable ](https://handsontable.com/)is a JavaScript component that combines data grid features with a spreadsheet-like UX.

It works with well-known frameworks like Vue, React, and [Angular](https://angular.io/). It’s simple to implement, flexible, and adaptable. It can be expanded with unique plugins, and you can edit the source code to customize it for your own product.

#### Features of Handsontable

- Filtering data
- Export to file
- Validating data
- Multiple column sorting
- Merging cells
- Freezing rows/columns
- Context menu
- Resizing rows/ columns
- Hiding rows/columns
- Comments
- Sorting
- Scrollbars


#### Installation

To install Handsontable, you can use npm by running the following command in your terminal:

```
npm install handsontable
```

### 3. Grid.js

[Grid.js](https://gridjs.io/) is a typescript-based JavaScript table plugin.

It supports JavaScript, Angular, React, and Vue. It is open source and free. You can create an advanced JavaScript table using clear and easy procedures thanks to the simplicity of Grid.js.

#### Features of Grid.js

- Easy to use
- React Native Support
- Supports modern web browsers


#### Installation

Make sure you have [Node.js](https://nodejs.org/en/download) and npm installed on your computer. Once you have Node.js and npm installed, you can install Grid.js using npm by running the following command in your terminal or command prompt:

```
npm install gridjs
```

This will install the latest version of Grid.js and all its dependencies.

### 4. Kendo UI

The [Kendo UI](https://www.telerik.com/kendo-ui) grid is a data grid that is part of the Kendo UI library. There are versions of the Kendo UI Library for jQuery, Angular, Vue, and React. A community forum and feedback site are available. Customers that buy licenses receive expanded support services. The library is not a free or open-source project.

#### Features of Kendo UI

- Row and toolbar templates
- Filtering, sorting, selection, searching, and drag-and-drop
- Globalization and localization
- Column menus and multi-column headers
- Inline, pop-up, and batch data editing


#### Installation

Kendo UI can be installed using npm by running the following command in your terminal or command prompt:

```
npm install --save @progress/kendo-ui
```

### 5. SlickGrid

[SlickGrid](https://slickgrid.net/) is a free, open-source library built upon jQuery and jQuery UI.

For developers trying to design quick, adaptable, and feature-rich grid components, it offers an excellent balance of performance and customization. The grid is designed to accept an external component as a data source.

#### Features of SlickGrid

- Virtual scrolling
- Inline editing
- Customization
- Column resizing
- Column reordering
- Pluggable cell for matters and editors
- Full keyboard navigation


#### Installation

To install SlickGrid, you can use npm. Then, open a terminal and navigate to the directory where you want to install SlickGrid. Run the following command:

```
npm install slickgrid
```

## What to Consider Before Choosing a JavaScript Data Grid Library

There are several things to consider before choosing a JavaScript data grid library:

**Features**: Consider the features that you need in a data grid library. For example, do you need support for filtering, sorting, searching, pagination, or inline editing?

**Compatibility**: Make sure that the library is compatible with the frameworks and libraries that you are using in your project.

**Performance**: Consider the performance of the library, especially if you are working with large datasets.

**Documentation and community support**: Check the documentation to see if it is easy to understand and comprehensive. It is also a good idea to check the community support for the library to see if there are active forums or if the library is being actively maintained.

**License**: Make sure the library is licensed in a way that allows you to use it in your project.

**Integration**: Consider how easy it is to integrate the library into your project. Do you need to write a lot of custom code to get it working, or is it easy to set up and get started with?

## Conclusion 

JavaScript data grid libraries have become an essential tool for web development. They are popular due to their ability to provide a fast, flexible, and efficient way to manage or present large amounts of data. There are many options available, each with its own unique features, capabilities, and limitations. Developers can choose from a variety of data grid libraries based on their specific needs and preferences. Whether you are looking for a library that provides a simple and easy-to-use interface, or one that offers advanced features, there is a JavaScript data grid library out there for you.