text-table vs table vs cli-table vs table-layout vs ascii-table
Node.js Table Formatting Libraries Comparison
1 Year
text-tabletablecli-tabletable-layoutascii-tableSimilar Packages:
What's Node.js Table Formatting Libraries?

These libraries are designed to create and format tables in the console for Node.js applications. They help developers present data in a structured and visually appealing manner, making it easier to read and understand complex information. Each library has its unique features and use cases, catering to different formatting needs and preferences.

NPM Package Downloads Trend
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Package
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text-table30,269,295---11 years agoMIT
table13,012,118915335 kB26a month agoBSD-3-Clause
cli-table2,847,7142,28317.3 kB183 years ago-
table-layout1,859,5712362 kB15 months agoMIT
ascii-table156,185184-239 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: text-table vs table vs cli-table vs table-layout vs ascii-table

Ease of Use

  • text-table:

    text-table is very easy to use, making it a great choice for developers looking for a quick solution to display tabular data without any frills.

  • table:

    table is extremely user-friendly, focusing on providing a clean interface for rendering tables. It is ideal for quick implementations where ease of use is a priority.

  • cli-table:

    cli-table offers a more comprehensive API but may require a bit more understanding to utilize its full potential. However, once familiar, developers can create complex tables with ease.

  • table-layout:

    table-layout may require a deeper understanding of layout management, as it emphasizes control over table dimensions. Users should be comfortable with specifying layout properties to get the best results.

  • ascii-table:

    ascii-table is designed for simplicity, allowing developers to create tables with minimal setup. Its API is straightforward, making it easy to integrate into projects without a steep learning curve.

Customization

  • text-table:

    text-table has minimal customization capabilities, focusing on delivering a simple text output. It is best for straightforward use cases where advanced styling is not necessary.

  • table:

    table provides basic customization options but is not as extensive as cli-table. It allows for some styling but is primarily focused on simplicity.

  • cli-table:

    cli-table shines in customization, allowing developers to define styles, colors, and even row and column spans. This flexibility makes it suitable for applications requiring tailored table appearances.

  • table-layout:

    table-layout allows for detailed customization of table dimensions and layouts, making it ideal for applications that need precise control over how data is presented.

  • ascii-table:

    ascii-table offers limited customization options, focusing mainly on basic ASCII formatting. It is great for standard outputs but may not fit all styling needs.

Performance

  • text-table:

    text-table is very performant for simple tables, as it focuses on delivering quick outputs without complex processing. It is ideal for applications needing fast and efficient table rendering.

  • table:

    table is designed for performance with minimal overhead, making it a good choice for applications that need to render tables quickly without sacrificing readability.

  • cli-table:

    cli-table can handle larger datasets effectively, but performance may vary based on the complexity of the table. It is generally efficient but may require optimization for very large tables.

  • table-layout:

    table-layout may introduce some performance overhead due to its focus on layout management. It is best used when precise control is necessary, but users should be aware of potential performance impacts.

  • ascii-table:

    ascii-table is lightweight and performs well for small to medium-sized tables. It is optimized for speed, making it suitable for applications that require quick console outputs.

Output Format

  • text-table:

    text-table generates plain text tables, making it suitable for environments where minimal formatting is required. It is a good choice for basic data presentation.

  • table:

    table outputs basic text tables, focusing on clarity and simplicity. It is ideal for applications that prioritize straightforward data presentation without additional styling.

  • cli-table:

    cli-table supports colored and styled outputs, enhancing the visual appeal of console applications. It is great for applications that require a more engaging user interface.

  • table-layout:

    table-layout focuses on structured output, allowing for precise control over how data is displayed. It is useful for applications that need specific formatting rules.

  • ascii-table:

    ascii-table outputs tables in pure ASCII format, making it suitable for environments where graphical representation is not possible. It is perfect for simple console applications.

Community and Support

  • text-table:

    text-table has a small but supportive community, making it easier to find basic help and examples. Its simplicity often means that users can quickly get up to speed without extensive resources.

  • table:

    table has a moderate community presence, providing some resources for support. It is not as widely adopted as cli-table but still has a dedicated user base.

  • cli-table:

    cli-table has a larger community and more resources available, making it easier to find help and examples online. It is well-documented and widely used in the Node.js ecosystem.

  • table-layout:

    table-layout has a niche audience, which may limit community support. Users may need to rely more on documentation and personal experimentation for troubleshooting.

  • ascii-table:

    ascii-table has a smaller community, which may result in limited support and fewer resources for troubleshooting. However, its simplicity often means less need for extensive support.

How to Choose: text-table vs table vs cli-table vs table-layout vs ascii-table
  • text-table:

    Use text-table for a quick and efficient way to create simple text-based tables. It is lightweight and works well for basic table needs without any complex features.

  • table:

    Opt for table if you want a minimalistic approach with a focus on simplicity. It is easy to use and perfect for straightforward table rendering without additional overhead.

  • cli-table:

    Select cli-table for a more feature-rich table formatting experience. It supports colored output, complex layouts, and customizable styles, making it suitable for applications that require more advanced table features.

  • table-layout:

    Consider table-layout if you need a library that allows for precise control over table dimensions and layouts. It is useful for applications where the table structure is critical and requires specific formatting rules.

  • ascii-table:

    Choose ascii-table if you need a simple and lightweight solution for creating ASCII tables without any dependencies. It is straightforward to use and ideal for quick console outputs.

README for text-table

text-table

generate borderless text table strings suitable for printing to stdout

build status

browser support

example

default align

var table = require('text-table');
var t = table([
    [ 'master', '0123456789abcdef' ],
    [ 'staging', 'fedcba9876543210' ]
]);
console.log(t);
master   0123456789abcdef
staging  fedcba9876543210

left-right align

var table = require('text-table');
var t = table([
    [ 'beep', '1024' ],
    [ 'boop', '33450' ],
    [ 'foo', '1006' ],
    [ 'bar', '45' ]
], { align: [ 'l', 'r' ] });
console.log(t);
beep   1024
boop  33450
foo    1006
bar      45

dotted align

var table = require('text-table');
var t = table([
    [ 'beep', '1024' ],
    [ 'boop', '334.212' ],
    [ 'foo', '1006' ],
    [ 'bar', '45.6' ],
    [ 'baz', '123.' ]
], { align: [ 'l', '.' ] });
console.log(t);
beep  1024
boop   334.212
foo   1006
bar     45.6
baz    123.

centered

var table = require('text-table');
var t = table([
    [ 'beep', '1024', 'xyz' ],
    [ 'boop', '3388450', 'tuv' ],
    [ 'foo', '10106', 'qrstuv' ],
    [ 'bar', '45', 'lmno' ]
], { align: [ 'l', 'c', 'l' ] });
console.log(t);
beep    1024   xyz
boop  3388450  tuv
foo    10106   qrstuv
bar      45    lmno

methods

var table = require('text-table')

var s = table(rows, opts={})

Return a formatted table string s from an array of rows and some options opts.

rows should be an array of arrays containing strings, numbers, or other printable values.

options can be:

  • opts.hsep - separator to use between columns, default ' '
  • opts.align - array of alignment types for each column, default ['l','l',...]
  • opts.stringLength - callback function to use when calculating the string length

alignment types are:

  • 'l' - left
  • 'r' - right
  • 'c' - center
  • '.' - decimal

install

With npm do:

npm install text-table

Use with ANSI-colors

Since the string length of ANSI color schemes does not equal the length JavaScript sees internally it is necessary to pass the a custom string length calculator during the main function call.

See the test/ansi-colors.js file for an example.

license

MIT