handsontable vs ag-grid
Data Grid Libraries Comparison
1 Year
handsontableag-gridSimilar Packages:
What's Data Grid Libraries?

Data grid libraries are essential tools for displaying and manipulating tabular data in web applications. They provide functionalities such as sorting, filtering, and editing, allowing developers to create interactive and user-friendly interfaces for data management. Both ag-Grid and Handsontable offer robust features, but they cater to different use cases and developer preferences, making it crucial to understand their unique strengths when selecting a library for your project.

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handsontable104,41320,30820.4 MB420a month agoSEE LICENSE IN LICENSE.txt
ag-grid12,76013,252-596 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: handsontable vs ag-grid

Performance

  • handsontable:

    Handsontable is also performant but is best suited for smaller to medium-sized datasets. It provides a spreadsheet-like experience and is optimized for quick interactions, but may not perform as well as ag-Grid with very large datasets.

  • ag-grid:

    ag-Grid is optimized for performance, capable of handling millions of rows with features like virtual scrolling and efficient rendering. It employs techniques such as lazy loading and cell rendering optimization to maintain fast performance even with complex data sets.

Customization

  • handsontable:

    Handsontable provides a user-friendly API for customization, focusing on spreadsheet-like functionalities. While it allows for some customization, it may not be as flexible as ag-Grid for complex data manipulation scenarios.

  • ag-grid:

    ag-Grid offers extensive customization options, allowing developers to create tailored grid experiences. You can customize cell rendering, row grouping, and even implement custom filters and editors, making it highly adaptable to specific needs.

Data Editing

  • handsontable:

    Handsontable excels in providing a spreadsheet-like editing experience, allowing users to edit data directly in cells. It supports features like undo/redo and data validation, making it intuitive for users familiar with spreadsheet applications.

  • ag-grid:

    ag-Grid supports a wide range of editing options, including inline editing, popup editors, and custom editors. It allows for complex data validation and can handle various data types seamlessly, making it suitable for enterprise applications.

Community and Support

  • handsontable:

    Handsontable also has a supportive community and good documentation, but its commercial support may not be as extensive as ag-Grid. It is well-suited for developers who appreciate a straightforward approach without extensive enterprise features.

  • ag-grid:

    ag-Grid has a strong community and commercial support options, including comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and a dedicated support team for enterprise users. This makes it easier to find solutions and best practices for complex implementations.

Integration

  • handsontable:

    Handsontable is also framework-agnostic and can be integrated with any JavaScript framework. It provides a simple API that makes it easy to embed in existing applications, especially those requiring spreadsheet functionalities.

  • ag-grid:

    ag-Grid integrates well with various frameworks like Angular, React, and Vue, providing specific components for each. This makes it a versatile choice for developers working in different environments.

How to Choose: handsontable vs ag-grid
  • ag-grid:

    Choose ag-Grid if you need a highly customizable and feature-rich grid solution that can handle large datasets efficiently. It is ideal for enterprise applications requiring advanced features like grouping, pivoting, and server-side operations.

README for handsontable


Logo of Handsontable data grid

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, it’s 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   —   Documentation   —   Themes   —   API   —   Community


NPM version Total downloads Monthly downloads Contributors
CI status Quality gate status FOSSA status


JavaScript data grid preview

✨ Key Features

  ✅  Built-in themes
  ✅  Flexible API
  ✅  Virtualization
  ✅  IME support
  ✅  Internationalization
  ✅  RTL support
  ✅  Accessibility
  ✅  Keyboard shortcuts
  ✅  Sorting data
  ✅  Filtering data
  ✅  400 built-in formulas
  ✅  Configurable selection
  ✅  Data validation
  ✅  Conditional formatting
  ✅  Merged cells
  ✅  Frozen rows and columns
  ✅  Hiding rows and columns
  ✅  Right-click context menu

🪄 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',
});

Static Badge

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"></div>
    <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/handsontable/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>

🚀 Resources


🤔 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.


🛟 Support

We're here to help!

If you're using Handsontable with a free, non-commercial license, you can:

If you have a commercial license, feel free to contact us directly at support@handsontable.com or use our contact form.


📖 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:

① 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.

② 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.


🔑 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.


🙌 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 👋


© 2012 - 2024 Handsoncode