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Tables

The Table component is an all inclusive and accessible table based on correct HTML semantics.

Please use the properties instead of overwriting the styles. And if you miss a feature, get in touch with us.

NB: If you have more than three (3) columns, please consider to use border property in order to enhance accessibility.

Accessibility

Tables do both serve as a way of navigation for screen readers and other assertive technologies. But they also help to give data an ordered structure.

Use the documentation from MDN – The Table element for more information on making semantic correct tables, including scope, align, colSpan and rowSpan.

Here is a list of things you may follow along in order to ensure your coded tables still are accessible:

  • Keep a semantic correct structure.
  • Let tables align the column width, when possible.
  • Do not use CSS display property on any table element.
  • Do not overwrite styles in general, but rather get in touch with DNB UX.
  • Never put a table inside a table.
  • Text inside tables do not need to be wrapped inside a paragraph as well. They give screen readers no additional useful information.

Table header components

  • <Th.SortButton /> to be used for additional sorting functionality.
  • <Th.HelpButton /> to be used for help related content.

Alignment

Use e.g. align="right" on a <Th>, <Td> or <Tr> to align a table header or a table data element.

Fixed layout

You may consider using table-layout: fixed;. You can use the modifier property fixed for doing so and combine it with CSS e.g. width: 40% on specific table headers.

Scrollable

Depending on your situation, you may want to wrap your Table within Table.ScrollView:

import { Table } from '@dnb/eufemia'
render(
<Table.ScrollView>
<Table />
</Table.ScrollView>,
)

Sticky header

You have two options (both have their downsides):

  1. use sticky={true}. It works even when using a Table.ScrollView or a overflow: hidden; is used on any parent elements. And it works inside a Drawer as well. The downside is, that it uses JavaScript and the browser may drop some frames, which results in a potential flickering during scrolling.

  2. use sticky="css-position" for using the CSS position: sticky; method. It is super smooth. But then you can not use a overflow: hidden; or overflow: auto; on any parent elements. This is a know issue happening on every modern browser.

Method no. 2 should be used when a max-height is set to the wrapping Table.ScrollView e.g.:

<Table.ScrollView style={{ maxHeight: '20rem' }}>
<Table sticky="css-position" />
</Table.ScrollView>

Have a look at this example.

Sortable table

Optionally, make use of the following React Hook to handle the Th.SortButton directions.

It can be used as a "controller" for your own sorting logic of your data.

By default, it will cycle trough three stages ['asc', 'desc', 'off'].

Show how to use the useHandleSortState React Hook.

import useHandleSortState from '@dnb/eufemia/components/table/useHandleSortState'
// You can also provide a default that will be used as the fallback e.g.
const defaultOptions = { direction: 'asc', modes: ['asc', 'desc', 'off'] }
export const YourComponent = () => {
const { sortState, sortHandler, activeSortName } = useHandleSortState(
{
// Define your column names with options (optional)
column1: { active: true }, //
column2: { direction: 'desc', modes: ['asc', 'desc'] }, // overwrite the defaultOptions
column3: { modes: ['asc', 'off'] }, // will only allow one direction
column4: {}, // etc.
},
defaultOptions,
)
// Use these properties for your custom sorting logic
console.log(sortState.column1.direction) // returns either "asc", "desc" or "off"
console.log(activeSortName) // returns the current active one: "column1" (returns null when nothing is active)
// Handle your logic
useEffect(() => {
switch (sortState.column1.direction) {
default:
case 'asc':
setYourLocalState(mockData.sort(compareFunctionAsc))
break
case 'desc':
setYourLocalState(mockData.sort(compareFunctionsDesc))
break
case 'off':
setYourLocalState(mockData)
break
}
}, [sortState.column1.direction])
return (
<Table>
<thead>
<Tr>
<Th
sortable
active={sortState.column1.active}
reversed={sortState.column1.reversed}
>
<Th.SortButton
text="Column 1"
title="Sort this column"
on_click={sortHandler.column1}
/>
</Th>
</Tr>
</thead>
</Table>
)
}