handsontable
JavaScript Data Grid / Data Table with a Spreadsheet Look & Feel. Works with React, Angular, and Vue. Supported by the Handsontable team ⚡
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Quick Overview
Handsontable is a JavaScript data grid component with spreadsheet-like features. It provides an Excel-like interface for web applications, allowing users to view, edit, and manipulate large datasets directly in the browser. Handsontable is highly customizable and supports various data types, cell types, and advanced features like sorting, filtering, and validation.
Pros
- Extensive features: Offers a wide range of spreadsheet-like functionalities
- High performance: Efficiently handles large datasets with smooth scrolling
- Customizable: Provides numerous options for styling and behavior customization
- Active development: Regularly updated with new features and bug fixes
Cons
- Learning curve: Can be complex to set up and configure for advanced use cases
- Limited free version: Some features are only available in the paid Pro version
- Performance impact: Heavy customization can affect performance with large datasets
- Browser compatibility: Some advanced features may not work in older browsers
Code Examples
- Basic initialization:
const container = document.getElementById('example');
const hot = new Handsontable(container, {
data: [
['', 'Tesla', 'Volvo', 'Toyota', 'Ford'],
['2019', 10, 11, 12, 13],
['2020', 20, 11, 14, 13],
['2021', 30, 15, 12, 13]
],
rowHeaders: true,
colHeaders: true,
height: 'auto',
licenseKey: 'non-commercial-and-evaluation'
});
- Adding custom cell types:
const container = document.getElementById('example');
const hot = new Handsontable(container, {
data: [
['', 'Price', 'Stock'],
['Product A', 10.99, 15],
['Product B', 15.99, 8],
['Product C', 5.99, 22]
],
columns: [
{},
{ type: 'numeric', format: '$0,0.00' },
{ type: 'numeric' }
],
licenseKey: 'non-commercial-and-evaluation'
});
- Implementing data validation:
const container = document.getElementById('example');
const hot = new Handsontable(container, {
data: [
['', 'Email', 'Password'],
['User 1', '', ''],
['User 2', '', ''],
['User 3', '', '']
],
columns: [
{},
{
validator: (value, callback) => {
callback(/^[^\s@]+@[^\s@]+\.[^\s@]+$/.test(value));
}
},
{
validator: (value, callback) => {
callback(value.length >= 8);
}
}
],
licenseKey: 'non-commercial-and-evaluation'
});
Getting Started
-
Install Handsontable via npm:
npm install handsontable
-
Import Handsontable in your JavaScript file:
import Handsontable from 'handsontable'; import 'handsontable/dist/handsontable.full.min.css';
-
Create a container element in your HTML:
<div id="example"></div>
-
Initialize Handsontable:
const container = document.getElementById('example'); const hot = new Handsontable(container, { data: [['', 'A', 'B'], [1, 'X', 'Y'], [2, 'P', 'Q']], rowHeaders: true, colHeaders: true, licenseKey: 'non-commercial-and-evaluation' });
Competitor Comparisons
The best JavaScript Data Table for building Enterprise Applications. Supports React / Angular / Vue / Plain JavaScript.
Pros of ag-grid
- More extensive feature set, including advanced filtering, sorting, and grouping
- Better performance with large datasets (100,000+ rows)
- More customizable with a wider range of themes and styling options
Cons of ag-grid
- Steeper learning curve due to its complexity
- More expensive enterprise version for advanced features
- Larger bundle size, which may impact initial load times
Code Comparison
ag-grid:
import { Grid } from 'ag-grid-community';
const gridOptions = {
columnDefs: [{ field: 'name' }, { field: 'age' }],
rowData: [{ name: 'John', age: 30 }, { name: 'Jane', age: 25 }]
};
new Grid(document.querySelector('#myGrid'), gridOptions);
Handsontable:
import Handsontable from 'handsontable';
const hot = new Handsontable(document.getElementById('example'), {
data: [['John', 30], ['Jane', 25]],
colHeaders: ['Name', 'Age']
});
Both libraries offer powerful data grid solutions, but ag-grid provides more advanced features and better performance for large datasets. However, this comes at the cost of increased complexity and potentially higher licensing fees. Handsontable, while simpler, may be more suitable for smaller projects or those requiring a gentler learning curve.
A lightning fast JavaScript grid/spreadsheet
Pros of SlickGrid
- Lightweight and fast, especially for large datasets
- Highly customizable with extensive plugin system
- Better support for frozen columns and rows
Cons of SlickGrid
- Less active development and community support
- Steeper learning curve due to more complex API
- Limited built-in features compared to Handsontable
Code Comparison
SlickGrid:
var grid = new Slick.Grid("#myGrid", data, columns, options);
grid.onCellChange.subscribe(function (e, args) {
// Handle cell change
});
Handsontable:
var hot = new Handsontable(container, {
data: data,
columns: columns,
afterChange: function (changes, source) {
// Handle cell change
}
});
Both libraries offer powerful grid functionality, but SlickGrid focuses on performance and customization for large datasets, while Handsontable provides a more user-friendly API with a wider range of built-in features. SlickGrid's event-based approach contrasts with Handsontable's configuration-driven setup, reflecting their different design philosophies.
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Pros of TanStack Table
- Lightweight and flexible, with a smaller bundle size
- Framework-agnostic, supporting React, Vue, Solid, and vanilla JS
- Highly customizable with a powerful plugin system
Cons of TanStack Table
- Steeper learning curve due to its headless nature
- Less out-of-the-box functionality compared to Handsontable
- Requires more setup and configuration for advanced features
Code Comparison
Handsontable:
const hot = new Handsontable(container, {
data: data,
columns: columns,
rowHeaders: true,
colHeaders: true
});
TanStack Table:
const table = useReactTable({
data,
columns,
getCoreRowModel: getCoreRowModel()
});
Both libraries offer powerful table functionality, but they cater to different use cases. Handsontable provides a more complete solution with built-in features, while TanStack Table offers greater flexibility and customization options. The choice between them depends on project requirements, development preferences, and the desired level of control over the table implementation.
React components for efficiently rendering large lists and tabular data
Pros of react-virtualized
- Specialized for rendering large lists and tabular data efficiently
- Lightweight and focused on virtualization, with a smaller bundle size
- More flexible for custom UI components and layouts
Cons of react-virtualized
- Less out-of-the-box features compared to Handsontable
- Requires more custom implementation for complex spreadsheet-like functionality
- Steeper learning curve for advanced use cases
Code Comparison
react-virtualized:
import { List } from 'react-virtualized';
<List
width={300}
height={300}
rowCount={1000}
rowHeight={20}
rowRenderer={({ key, index, style }) => (
<div key={key} style={style}>Row {index}</div>
)}
/>
Handsontable:
import Handsontable from 'handsontable';
const hot = new Handsontable(container, {
data: [['', 'Tesla', 'Volvo', 'Toyota', 'Ford'],
['2019', 10, 11, 12, 13],
['2020', 20, 11, 14, 13],
['2021', 30, 15, 12, 13]],
rowHeaders: true,
colHeaders: true
});
react-virtualized is better suited for efficient rendering of large datasets in custom UIs, while Handsontable provides a more complete spreadsheet-like experience out of the box. The choice depends on specific project requirements and desired level of customization.
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Handsontable is a JavaScript Data Grid with a spreadsheet-like look and feel.
Use it with JavaScript, TypeScript, or frameworks such as React, Angular, and Vue. With its spreadsheet-like editing features, itâs perfect for building data-rich internal apps. It allows users to enter, edit, validate, and process data from various sources. Common use cases include resource planning software (ERP), inventory management systems, digital platforms, and data modeling applications.
Website â Documentation â Themes â API â Community

⨠Key Features
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Built-in themes
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Flexible API
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Virtualization
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IME support
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Internationalization
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RTL support
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Accessibility
â
Keyboard shortcuts
â
Sorting data
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Filtering data
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400 built-in formulas
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Configurable selection
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Data validation
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Conditional formatting
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Merged cells
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Frozen rows and columns
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Hiding rows and columns
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Right-click context menu
ðª Installation
Below, you'll find the installation guide for the JavaScript component. If you're using a specific framework, refer to its dedicated wrapper for installation instructions:
Install with npm
You can also use Yarn, NuGet or load the package from CDN.
npm install handsontable
Provide an HTML container
<!-- Set the container's ID and apply the desired theme -->
<div id="handsontable-example" class="ht-theme-main-dark-auto"></div>
Setup
import Handsontable from 'handsontable';
// Base CSS rules
import 'handsontable/styles/handsontable.min.css';
// Main theme variables
import 'handsontable/styles/ht-theme-main.min.css';
const element = document.getElementById('handsontable-grid');
new Handsontable(element, {
data: [
{ company: 'Tagcat', country: 'United Kingdom', rating: 4.4 },
{ company: 'Zoomzone', country: 'Japan', rating: 4.5 },
{ company: 'Meeveo', country: 'United States', rating: 4.6 },
],
columns: [
{ data: 'company', title: 'Company', width: 100 },
{ data: 'country', title: 'Country', width: 170, type: 'dropdown', source: ['United Kingdom', 'Japan', 'United States'] },
{ data: 'rating', title: 'Rating', width: 100, type: 'numeric' },
],
rowHeaders: true,
navigableHeaders: true,
tabNavigation: true,
multiColumnSorting: true,
headerClassName: 'htLeft',
licenseKey: 'non-commercial-and-evaluation',
});
CDN-based setup
Show/Hide code
If your environment does not support imports, you can use the code below to quickly set up and run a data grid with basic configuration options.
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8" />
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" />
<title>Handsontable - JavaScript Data Grid Example</title>
<link
rel="stylesheet"
href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/handsontable/styles/handsontable.min.css"
/>
<link
rel="stylesheet"
href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/handsontable/styles/ht-theme-main.min.css"
/>
</head>
<body>
<div id="handsontable-grid" class="ht-theme-main-dark-auto"></div>
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/handsontable/dist/handsontable.full.min.js"></script>
<script>
const element = document.getElementById("handsontable-grid");
new Handsontable(element, {
data: [
{ company: "Tagcat", country: "United Kingdom", rating: 4.4 },
{ company: "Zoomzone", country: "Japan", rating: 4.5 },
{ company: "Meeveo", country: "United States", rating: 4.6 },
],
columns: [
{ data: "company", title: "Company", width: 100 },
{ data: "country", title: "Country", width: 170, type: "dropdown", source: ["United Kingdom", "Japan", "United States"] },
{ data: "rating", title: "Rating", width: 100, type: "numeric" },
],
rowHeaders: true,
navigableHeaders: true,
tabNavigation: true,
multiColumnSorting: true,
headerClassName: "htLeft",
licenseKey: "non-commercial-and-evaluation",
});
</script>
</body>
</html>
ð Resources
ð¤ Is Handsontable a Data Grid or a Spreadsheet?
Handsontable is a data grid component written in JavaScript, not a spreadsheet. However, it brings in many features typically found in spreadsheet software. We designed it this way because spreadsheet-like patterns are often the most user-friendly when it comes to data entry and management.
Spreadsheet-like features in Handsontable:
- Keyboard shortcuts compliant with either Google Sheets or Excel
- 400 spreadsheet formulas via native integration with HyperFormula
- Keyboard navigation across headers that can be disabled, making only cells navigable
- TAB navigation across cells that can be disabled
- Built-in undo-redo functionality
- Powerful clipboard capabilities for copy-paste operations
- Ability to scroll the grid within the container (
div
) or window - Data binding in the form of an array of objects or arrays of arrays
- Built-in cell editors like a date picker or dropdown list
At first glance, it might seem that a data table, spreadsheet, and data grid are just different names for the same thing - an interactive table displaying data. In reality, these tools serve different purposes and offer distinct functionalities, designed to meet specific needs. Handsontable sits comfortably in the data grid category while incorporating many of the best aspects of spreadsheet software.
ð Support
We're here to help!
If you're using Handsontable with a free, non-commercial license, you can:
- Join the conversation on GitHub Discussions to share ideas, suggest features, or discuss changes.
- Report any bugs you find on our GitHub Issue Board.
- Connect with other developers and find answers on our Developer Forum.
If you have a commercial license, feel free to contact us directly at support@handsontable.com or use our contact form.
ð Licenses
Handsontable is available under two licensing options, allowing you to choose the one that best fits your needs. Each license comes with its own terms and conditions, as outlined below:
â Free license for non-commercial use, and evaluation purposes
This license is available for non-commercial purposes such as teaching, academic research, or evaluation. It allows you to use Handsontable free of charge under the terms specified in the non-commercial license agreement.
Learn more here.
â¡ Commercial license
For commercial use, a paid license is required. This license includes support and maintenance to ensure you get the most out of Handsontable. The commercial license can be purchased directly from Handsoncode or through an authorized reseller. See the pricing page for details.
ð License Key
For projects covered by the free non-commercial license, simply use the phrase 'non-commercial-and-evaluation'
as your license key.
If you're using Handsontable in a project that supports commercial activities, you'll need to purchase a license key at handsontable.com/pricing. You can find more details in our documentation.
ð Contributing
Contributions are welcome, but before you make them, please read the Contributing Guide and accept the Contributor License Agreement.
Created and maintained by the Handsontable Team ð
© 2012 - 2025 Handsoncode
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