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Antd Table Guide: Features, Editable Cells & Fixed Header Explained

By Pavan Vadapalli

Updated on Jun 10, 2025 | 23 min read | 8.13K+ views

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Did you know? In 2025, React reigns as India’s favorite for building sleek, single-page apps—and with it, Ant Design tables have shot up in popularity. Developers are choosing Antd’s powerful Table component to handle complex data like pros, making web apps smarter and faster than ever.

Ant Design, or Antd, is a popular UI library for React JS developers seeking to craft sleek, professional interfaces without starting from scratch. It offers a comprehensive set of pre-built components that help developers build clean, consistent, and professional-looking interfaces without starting from scratch. 

The Antd Table component stands out because it combines simplicity with flexibility. Built for React JS, Ant Design Table customization makes it straightforward to set up, extend, and enhance—from basic data grids to complex interactive tables.

This blog will explore the Antd Table component in detail, providing tips, best practices, and real-world use cases to help you make the most of this powerful tool in your next project.

Ready to transform your React skills into a thriving career? Our Online Software Development Courses offer an updated curriculum, including cutting-edge topics like Generative AI, cybersecurity, full-stack development, and Game Development. Enroll now!

What is Ant Design? How To Create An Antd Table?

Ant Design, often called Antd, is a widely used UI framework built specifically for ReactJS applications. It offers a comprehensive set of pre-built components that help developers build clean, consistent, and professional-looking interfaces without starting from scratch. Among its most powerful and versatile components is the Antd Table, a tool designed to display, organize, and manage data efficiently within your React app.

The Antd Table component stands out for its balance of simplicity and extensibility. Features such as column-level sorting, advanced filtering, server-side pagination, and custom row selection logic provide fine-grained control. Its responsive design and support for custom rendering algorithms make it ideal for building performant, interactive data grids across devices.

For those looking to enhance their skill set and learn how to use the Antd Table component more effectively, consider these specialized programs from upGrad:   

Also read - What is React? A Complete Overview

Now that we understand what Antd Design is, let’s dive into the Antd Table and explore how to create and set it up within your React app.

How To Create An Antd Table?

Creating an Antd Table in React involves defining data structures with columns and dataSource props for declarative UI control. This setup enables seamless integration with dynamic data, custom rendering logic, and advanced features such as sorting, filtering, and pagination.

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Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started with creating and customizing an Antd Table in your React project:

Step 1 – Setting Up an Ant React Table

First, you need to install Ant Design in your React project if you haven’t already:

npm install antd

Then, import the Table component from Antd into your React component file:

import { Table } from 'antd';

To get started, define the structure of your table using two key props:

  • columns: An array describing each column’s header, data field, and optional rendering logic.
  • dataSource: An array containing the actual data objects to display in rows.

Here’s a simple example:

const columns = [
 { title: 'Name', dataIndex: 'name', key: 'name' },
 { title: 'Age', dataIndex: 'age', key: 'age' },
 { title: 'Address', dataIndex: 'address', key: 'address' },
];
const dataSource = [
 { key: '1', name: 'Alice', age: 32, address: '123 Main St' },
 { key: '2', name: 'Bob', age: 45, address: '456 Park Ave' },
];
<Table columns={columns} dataSource={dataSource} />;

This renders a basic table with three columns and two rows.

Step 2 – Customizing Table Columns and Rows in an Antd Table

You can customize how each column is displayed using the render function. This allows you to display buttons, icons, or even formatted text. Additionally, you can integrate the table with backend services (SQL databases or REST APIs) to make it more dynamic.

For example, to add a button inside a column:

{
 title: 'Action',
 key: 'action',
 render: (text, record) => (
   <button onClick={() => alert(`Editing ${record.name}`)}>Edit</button>
 ),
}

You can also style rows conditionally by using the rowClassName prop or inline styles based on the data content.

Step 3 – Sorting and Filtering Data in an Antd Table

Sorting and filtering are easy to implement. For sorting, add a sorter function to the column definition:

{
 title: 'Age',
 dataIndex: 'age',
 key: 'age',
 sorter: (a, b) => a.age - b.age,
}

For filtering, define a filters array and an onFilter function:

{
 title: 'Age',
 dataIndex: 'age',
 key: 'age',
 filters: [
   { text: 'Under 40', value: 'under40' },
   { text: '40 and above', value: '40plus' },
 ],
 onFilter: (value, record) =>
   value === 'under40' ? record.age < 40 : record.age >= 40,
}

This will enable users to sort by age or filter the table based on age ranges.

Step 4 – Paginating and Grouping Data in Antd Table

Grouping Rows in Antd Table

To simulate grouping, you can use a nested data structure or manipulate the data in such a way that you can visually "group" rows together. One effective approach is to structure your data with parent-child relationships and use expandable rows to show grouped data.

Here’s a more detailed example:

Organize your data into groups using a parent-child structure. In this example, we’ll group people by age range.

Use the expandable rows feature to show the grouped data, making the table behave as if the rows are grouped.

Example of Grouping Data:

Let’s consider a data set where we group people by age ranges. Here’s how you might simulate grouping:

const columns = [
 { title: 'Name', dataIndex: 'name', key: 'name' },
 { title: 'Age', dataIndex: 'age', key: 'age' },
 { title: 'Address', dataIndex: 'address', key: 'address' },
];
const dataSource = [
 {
   key: '1',
   ageGroup: 'Under 30',
   children: [
     { key: '1-1', name: 'Alice', age: 25, address: '123 Main St' },
     { key: '1-2', name: 'Bob', age: 28, address: '456 Park Ave' },
   ],
 },
 {
   key: '2',
   ageGroup: '30 and above',
   children: [
     { key: '2-1', name: 'Charlie', age: 32, address: '789 Elm St' },
     { key: '2-2', name: 'David', age: 45, address: '101 Oak St' },
   ],
 },
];
const rowSelection = {
 onChange: (selectedRowKeys, selectedRows) => {
   console.log('Selected rows:', selectedRows);
 },
};
<Table
 columns={columns}
 dataSource={dataSource}
 rowSelection={rowSelection}
 expandable={{
   expandedRowRender: (record) => (
     <Table
       columns={columns}
       dataSource={record.children}
       pagination={false}
       showHeader={false}
       rowKey="key"
     />
   ),
   rowExpandable: (record) => record.children.length > 0, // Only expand if there are children
 }}
/>;

Explanation:

  1. Parent Grouping: We create an array of objects, each with an ageGroup (e.g., 'Under 30', '30 and above') and a children array, which contains the actual rows for that group.
  2. Expandable Rows: The expandable prop in Antd’s Table is used to show the child rows when a parent row is expanded. We define the expandedRowRender function to render a nested table for the child items, and set showHeader={false} to avoid showing the header again inside the expandable rows.
  3. Pagination: Pagination is controlled at the parent level. Each child table will not have its own pagination, but you can still apply pagination to the main table.

Additional Custom Grouping:

For custom grouping without the expandable feature, you could manually manipulate the data into grouped sections, like this:

const groupedData = [
 { key: '1', group: 'Under 30', name: 'Alice', age: 25, address: '123 Main St' },
 { key: '2', group: 'Under 30', name: 'Bob', age: 28, address: '456 Park Ave' },
 { key: '3', group: '30 and above', name: 'Charlie', age: 32, address: '789 Elm St' },
 { key: '4', group: '30 and above', name: 'David', age: 45, address: '101 Oak St' },
];
<Table
 columns={columns}
 dataSource={groupedData}
 pagination={{ pageSize: 5 }}
 rowClassName={(record, index) => {
   return record.group ? 'group-row' : '';
 }}
/>

Step 5 – Adding Selections and Actions to Antd Table

Antd allows you to add row selection with checkboxes. Enable this with the rowSelection prop:

const rowSelection = {
 onChange: (selectedRowKeys, selectedRows) => {
   console.log('Selected rows:', selectedRows);
 },
};
<Table rowSelection={rowSelection} columns={columns} dataSource={dataSource} />;

This feature is helpful for bulk actions such as deleting, exporting, or marking multiple rows as read.

Step 6 – Implementing Search and Highlighting in Antd Table

In this step, we will cover two things:

  1. Adding a search box to filter data dynamically.
  2. Highlighting the search term inside the table cells where it matches.

1. Adding a Search Box for Filtering Data

First, we need a search box outside the table to dynamically filter rows as the user types. To achieve this, we'll:

  • Use React’s useState to handle the search input.
  • Filter the dataSource based on the search query.

Here’s how you can implement the search functionality:

import React, { useState } from 'react';
import { Table, Input } from 'antd';
const { Search } = Input;
const columns = [
 { title: 'Name', dataIndex: 'name', key: 'name' },
 { title: 'Age', dataIndex: 'age', key: 'age' },
 { title: 'Address', dataIndex: 'address', key: 'address' },
];
const dataSource = [
 { key: '1', name: 'Alice', age: 25, address: '123 Main St' },
 { key: '2', name: 'Bob', age: 30, address: '456 Park Ave' },
 { key: '3', name: 'Charlie', age: 35, address: '789 Elm St' },
 { key: '4', name: 'David', age: 40, address: '101 Oak St' },
];
function MyTable() {
 const [searchText, setSearchText] = useState('');
 const handleSearch = (value) => {
   setSearchText(value);
 };
 const filteredData = dataSource.filter(record =>
   record.name.toLowerCase().includes(searchText.toLowerCase()) ||
   record.address.toLowerCase().includes(searchText.toLowerCase())
 );
 return (
   <>
     <Search
       placeholder="Search..."
       onSearch={handleSearch}
       style={{ marginBottom: 16 }}
     />
     <Table
       columns={columns}
       dataSource={filteredData}
       pagination={false}
       rowKey="key"
     />
   </>
 );
}
export default MyTable;

Explanation:

  • Search Component: The Search component from Ant Design is used here for the search box. The onSearch prop is hooked to a handler that updates the searchText state.
  • Filtering Data: The filteredData is derived by checking if the name or address fields of the data contain the search query (searchText). If they do, that row will be shown.

2. Highlighting Search Terms in Table Cells

Now, let’s highlight the search term in the table cells. We can achieve this by customizing the render function for each column. We’ll use React's dangerouslySetInnerHTML to insert highlighted text, and wrap the search term with a highlighted style.

Here’s how you can implement highlighting search terms within the table cells:

import React, { useState } from 'react';
import { Table, Input } from 'antd';
const { Search } = Input;
const columns = [
 { title: 'Name', dataIndex: 'name', key: 'name', render: (text) => highlightSearchTerm(text) },
 { title: 'Age', dataIndex: 'age', key: 'age' },
 { title: 'Address', dataIndex: 'address', key: 'address', render: (text) => highlightSearchTerm(text) },
];
const dataSource = [
 { key: '1', name: 'Alice', age: 25, address: '123 Main St' },
 { key: '2', name: 'Bob', age: 30, address: '456 Park Ave' },
 { key: '3', name: 'Charlie', age: 35, address: '789 Elm St' },
 { key: '4', name: 'David', age: 40, address: '101 Oak St' },
];
function MyTable() {
 const [searchText, setSearchText] = useState('');
 const handleSearch = (value) => {
   setSearchText(value);
 };
 const filteredData = dataSource.filter(record =>
   record.name.toLowerCase().includes(searchText.toLowerCase()) ||
   record.address.toLowerCase().includes(searchText.toLowerCase())
 );
 const highlightSearchTerm = (text) => {
   if (!searchText) return text; // No highlight if no search text
   const regex = new RegExp(`(${searchText})`, 'gi');
   const parts = text.split(regex);
   return parts.map((part, index) =>
     part.toLowerCase() === searchText.toLowerCase() ? (
       <span key={index} style={{ backgroundColor: 'yellow' }}>{part}</span>
     ) : part
   );
 };
 return (
   <>
     <Search
       placeholder="Search..."
       onSearch={handleSearch}
       style={{ marginBottom: 16 }}
     />
     <Table
       columns={columns}
       dataSource={filteredData}
       pagination={false}
       rowKey="key"
     />
   </>
 );
}
export default MyTable;

Explanation:

  • highlightSearchTerm Function: This function checks if the search text is present in the given cell's text. It then uses a regular expression to split the text at each occurrence of the search term. If a part of the text matches the search term, it’s wrapped in a <span> with a yellow background to highlight it.
  • Columns Customization: The render method for the 'Name' and 'Address' columns calls this highlightSearchTerm function to display the highlighted search term inside those cells.

Result:

  1. Search Functionality: As you type in the search box, the table data dynamically updates based on the search term.
  2. Highlighting Search Term: Any instance of the search term within the table cells will be highlighted with a yellow background, making it easy to spot matches.

Step 7 – Adding Loading and Error States to Antd Table

For a better user experience, use the loading prop to show a loading spinner while data is being fetched:

<Table loading={isLoading} columns={columns} dataSource={dataSource} />;

For errors, display a message to inform the user that data could not be fetched.

Step 8 – Integrating Antd Table with Backend APIs

In this step, we will cover:

  1. Fetching data from a backend API using Axios and React Query.
  2. Managing loading and error states effectively.
  3. Dynamically updating the Antd Table when the data is fetched.

Let’s explore both approaches in detail.

1. Using Axios to Fetch Data

Axios is a popular JavaScript library for making HTTP requests. Here's how you can use Axios to fetch data for your Antd Table.

Example with Axios:

import React, { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
import { Table, Spin, Alert } from 'antd';
import axios from 'axios';
const columns = [
 { title: 'Name', dataIndex: 'name', key: 'name' },
 { title: 'Age', dataIndex: 'age', key: 'age' },
 { title: 'Address', dataIndex: 'address', key: 'address' },
];
function MyTable() {
 const [dataSource, setDataSource] = useState([]);
 const [loading, setLoading] = useState(true);
 const [error, setError] = useState(null);
 useEffect(() => {
   axios
     .get('https://api.example.com/data') // Replace with your API endpoint
     .then((response) => {
       setDataSource(response.data);
       setLoading(false);
     })
     .catch((err) => {
       setError('Error fetching data');
       setLoading(false);
     });
 }, []); // Empty dependency array ensures it runs only once when component mounts
 if (loading) return <Spin size="large" />; // Loading spinner
 if (error) return <Alert message={error} type="error" />; // Error message
 return <Table columns={columns} dataSource={dataSource} rowKey="key" />;
}
export default MyTable;

Explanation:

  • Axios GET Request: We use axios.get() to fetch data from the provided API endpoint. Upon success, the data is stored in the dataSource state.
  • Error Handling: If there's an error during data fetching, an error message is displayed using Alert.
  • Loading State: While data is being fetched, a Spin spinner is displayed to indicate loading.

2. Using React Query for Data Fetching

React Query is a powerful data-fetching library that simplifies fetching, caching, synchronization, and state management of server data. It also comes with built-in error handling, retries, and caching features that make it perfect for modern web applications.

Example with React Query:

First, install React Query:

npm install react-query

Then, you can use React Query to fetch data:

import React from 'react';
import { Table } from 'antd';
import { useQuery } from 'react-query';
import axios from 'axios';
const columns = [
 { title: 'Name', dataIndex: 'name', key: 'name' },
 { title: 'Age', dataIndex: 'age', key: 'age' },
 { title: 'Address', dataIndex: 'address', key: 'address' },
];
// Fetch function to be used with React Query
const fetchData = async () => {
 const response = await axios.get('https://api.example.com/data'); // Replace with your API endpoint
 return response.data;
};
function MyTable() {
 const { data, isLoading, isError, error } = useQuery('fetchData', fetchData);
 if (isLoading) return <div>Loading...</div>;
 if (isError) return <div>Error: {error.message}</div>;
 return <Table columns={columns} dataSource={data} rowKey="key" />;
}
export default MyTable;

Explanation:

  • useQuery Hook: React Query’s useQuery hook is used to fetch data from the API. The first argument ('fetchData') is the query key, and the second argument is the data-fetching function.
  • isLoading, isError: React Query provides easy-to-use flags like isLoading and isError to handle loading and error states.
  • Automatic Caching: React Query automatically caches the data, so if the same request is made again, it doesn’t need to refetch data.

3. Combining Data Fetching with Antd Table

Both Axios and React Query can be integrated seamlessly with Antd Table. The main difference is in how they manage state, caching, and retries.

For example, with Axios, you manually handle the state (loading, dataSource, error), while React Query abstracts that away, providing cleaner and more maintainable code with automatic caching and refetching.

Step 9 – Error Handling and Refreshing Data

For both methods, error handling is crucial to provide a good user experience. You can display an error message or retry options when something goes wrong.

For React Query, you can configure it to retry requests on failure or add refetch intervals for real-time data:

const { data, isLoading, isError, error, refetch } = useQuery('fetchData', fetchData, {
 retry: 3, // Retry up to 3 times if the request fails
 refetchInterval: 5000, // Automatically refetch data every 5 seconds
});
if (isError) {
 return (
   <div>
     Error: {error.message}
     <button onClick={refetch}>Retry</button>
   </div>
 );
}

 

4. Handling Pagination with Backend Data

When integrating with backend APIs, you may need to implement server-side pagination. Here's an example of how to add pagination while fetching data with React Query:

const fetchDataWithPagination = async (page = 1, pageSize = 10) => {
 const response = await axios.get('https://api.example.com/data', {
   params: { page, pageSize }, // Send page number and size as query parameters
 });
 return response.data;
};
const { data, isLoading, isError, error } = useQuery(
 ['fetchData', page, pageSize], // Cache query based on pagination
 () => fetchDataWithPagination(page, pageSize)
);
// Pass data into the Table with pagination
<Table
 columns={columns}
 dataSource={data?.items}
 pagination={{
   total: data?.total, // Total number of items from API
   pageSize,
   onChange: (page) => setPage(page),
 }}
/>

Explanation:

  • Pagination on Backend: We pass the page and pageSize as query parameters to the backend. The API returns the corresponding page of data, which we then pass to the Antd Table.
  • Caching Pagination State: The pagination state (page, pageSize) is used as part of the query key, which ensures React Query caches and refetches the correct data as the user navigates between pages.

If you want to learn dynamic table building with Antd in React JS, check out upGrad’s Future-Proof Your Tech Career with AI-Driven Full-Stack Development. The program will enhance your front-end skills with LeetCode-style coding challenges for enterprise-grade applications.

Also read - React Functional Components with Examples [In-Depth Guide]

With the basic setup in place, let’s explore how you can customize the Antd Table to make it fit your specific needs and enhance its functionality.

Customizing Antd Table: How to Tailor It to Your Exact Needs

Customizing the Antd Table component is where it really shines. It lets you create tables that are interactive, visually appealing, and perfectly suited to your app’s specific needs. 

For example, use cases like user management dashboards or order processing tables often require features like inline editing or conditional formatting. Whether you're dealing with simple lists or complex data, fine-tuning your table can make the experience smoother and more intuitive for your users. Let’s take a look at some of the key ways you can customize the Antd Table to meet those needs.

1. Customizing Columns

The Antd Table customization begins with defining the columns. By specifying the data types of each column—whether it’s text, numbers, or dates—you ensure the data is displayed correctly. For example, formatting numbers with commas or dates with human-readable formats can enhance usability.

  • Defining Columns with Specific Data Types
    When defining columns, it’s essential to specify the type of data that each column will display. This allows for proper formatting. For example:
  • Display dates in a human-readable format.
  • Format numbers with proper commas or decimal points.

Here’s an example of formatting numbers and dates:

const columns = [
 {
   title: 'Amount',
   dataIndex: 'amount',
   key: 'amount',
   align: 'right',
   render: (text) => new Intl.NumberFormat().format(text), // Format numbers with commas
 },
 {
   title: 'Date',
   dataIndex: 'date',
   key: 'date',
   align: 'center',
   render: (text) => new Date(text).toLocaleDateString(), // Format date
 },
];

 

  • Setting Column Alignments and Headers
    You can customize the alignment of the content within each column to ensure it looks tidy and readable. For numeric data, right alignment is common, and for textual data, left alignment works best.
{
 title: 'Amount',
 dataIndex: 'amount',
 key: 'amount',
 align: 'right', // Align numbers to the right for cleaner readability
}

       Additionally, column headers can be customized to reflect more descriptive titles. You can even add tooltips for extra context.

  • Rendering Custom Components Inside Cells
    One of Antd Table’s most powerful features is the ability to replace plain text with custom components. For example, you can use buttons, icons, badges, or even images within table cells. This adds interactivity directly within the table, enhancing its functionality.
const columns = [
 {
   title: 'Action',
   key: 'action',
   align: 'right',
   render: (_, record) => (
     <button onClick={() => alert(`Editing ${record.name}`)}>Edit</button>
   ),
 },
];

You can even add status indicators or icons based on the data.

{
 title: 'Status',
 dataIndex: 'status',
 key: 'status',
 align: 'center',
 render: (status) => (
   <span style={{ color: status === 'Active' ? 'green' : 'red' }}>
     {status}
   </span>
 ),
}

In this case, the Status column is dynamically rendered with different text colors depending on the value (Active or Inactive).

2. Dynamic Data Population

Antd Table excels at displaying dynamic data fetched from APIs or real-time sources, using JavaScript or Java on the backend. This is a core use case for any modern web app. Let's break down how to fetch and manage dynamic data for the table.

  • Fetching Data from APIs
    You can dynamically populate your table by fetching data asynchronously from a backend API. To keep the table up to date, you can use React hooks like useEffect and libraries like Axios.

Here’s an example of fetching data and displaying it in your table:

import React, { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
import { Table } from 'antd';
const DynamicTable = () => {
 const [data, setData] = useState([]);
 const [loading, setLoading] = useState(true);
 useEffect(() => {
   fetch('https://api.example.com/users')
     .then((response) => response.json())
     .then((data) => {
       setData(data);
       setLoading(false);
     })
     .catch(() => setLoading(false)); // Handle errors
 }, []); // Only run once when component mounts
 const columns = [
   { title: 'Name', dataIndex: 'name', key: 'name' },
   { title: 'Email', dataIndex: 'email', key: 'email' },
   { title: 'Role', dataIndex: 'role', key: 'role' },
 ];
 return <Table columns={columns} dataSource={data} loading={loading} rowKey="id" />;
};
export default DynamicTable;
  • Using Local State to Manage Data
    When working with dynamic data, you can easily manage the table's behavior using local state. For example, the onChange function from the Antd Table component is incredibly useful for handling pagination and filters. By connecting onChange to your local state, you can dynamically update the table's content based on user interactions.

Here’s how it works: whenever a user changes the page or adjusts a filter, the onChange function will trigger, allowing you to update the page, pageSize, or filters in your local state. This ensures the table’s content is always in sync with the user’s preferences. It’s a simple way to create a more interactive and responsive table without needing to refresh the entire page.

For instance, you could use the onChange prop like this:

const handleTableChange = (pagination, filters, sorter) => {
 setPage(pagination.current);
 setPageSize(pagination.pageSize);
 setSortedInfo(sorter);
 setFilteredInfo(filters);
};
<Table
 columns={columns}
 dataSource={data}
 pagination={{ current: page, pageSize }}
 onChange={handleTableChange}
/>

This keeps your table dynamic and responsive to user input, making it feel more interactive and fluid.

Also read - Top 28 React Projects for Beginners in 2025 [Source Code Included]

While customizing the table, you may run into challenges. Let’s take a look at common issues and best practices for troubleshooting them.

Common Challenges, Best Practices, and Troubleshooting for Antd Table

While the Antd Table is an incredibly powerful component, working with it, especially in real-world applications, comes with its own set of challenges. By recognizing these hurdles early on and following best practices, you can ensure your table performs smoothly, remains accessible, and looks great across all devices. 

Let’s explore some common issues and explore effective ways to tackle them.

1. Handling Data and Large Datasets Efficiently

For large datasets, pagination and server-side processing are crucial. The Antd Table features like pagination make it easier to break down the data into smaller, more manageable chunks, allowing for smoother user interactions. Another useful feature is virtual scrolling, which enables you to display only the rows visible on the screen, greatly improving performance when working with vast amounts of data.

Best Practices:

  • Pagination: Break your data into smaller chunks using pagination, which allows users to browse through the data without overwhelming the system. Antd's built-in pagination controls make this a breeze to implement.
<Table
 columns={columns}
 dataSource={data}
 pagination={{ pageSize: 10 }}
/>
  • Server-side processing: For massive datasets, handle sorting, filtering, and pagination on the server side. This means fetching only the data needed for the current page and reducing the amount of data rendered on the client side.
const fetchData = async (page, pageSize) => {
 const response = await fetch(`api/data?page=${page}&pageSize=${pageSize}`);
 return await response.json();
};
  • Virtual scrolling: Antd Table doesn’t support virtualization natively. To use virtual scrolling with libraries like react-window or react-virtualized, you'll need to wrap or customize the table, as it requires manual integration for optimal performance with large datasets.

Example setup with react-virtualized:

import { Table } from 'antd';
import { List } from 'react-virtualized';
const VirtualizedTable = () => {
 return (
   <List
     width={1000}
     height={400}
     rowCount={data.length}
     rowHeight={50}
     rowRenderer={({ index, key, style }) => (
       <div key={key} style={style}>{data[index].name}</div>
     )}
   />
 );
};
  • Debounce input filters and search: To optimize performance when filtering or searching, you can use debouncing to limit the frequency of updates and API calls. This reduces unnecessary re-renders and improves the user experience.

    You can achieve debouncing using lodash.debounce or React's useCallback with setTimeout. Here's a quick example with lodash.debounce:

import debounce from 'lodash.debounce';
const handleSearch = debounce((value) => {
 setSearchText(value);
}, 300); // Adjust debounce time as needed

Alternatively, using useCallback with setTimeout:

const handleSearch = useCallback((event) => {
 const timeoutId = setTimeout(() => {
   setSearchText(event.target.value);
 }, 300);
 return () => clearTimeout(timeoutId); // Clear timeout if function is called again
}, []);

Both methods help in reducing the number of function calls during rapid user input.

2. Accessibility Considerations

Creating accessible tables ensures that all users, including those using screen readers or keyboard navigation, can interact with your data.

How to Improve Accessibility:

  • Keyboard navigation: Antd Table supports keyboard controls, but make sure all interactive elements (like filters, sorting buttons, and pagination) are reachable via the keyboard tab order.
  • ARIA roles and labels: Use appropriate ARIA attributes on table headers and cells to convey the table’s structure to assistive technologies. Antd handles much of this, but custom renderers may need extra attention.
  • Focus management: When updating the table dynamically (like after filtering), manage focus so users aren’t lost or confused. For example, return focus to the search box or first row after an update.
  • Contrast and readability: Ensure sufficient color contrast, especially for custom cell renderings like status badges or highlights, so that visually impaired users can read content clearly.

3. Mobile Responsiveness

Tables often struggle on small screens because of their inherent width and complexity.

Tips for Making Antd Tables Mobile-Friendly:

  • Horizontal scrolling: Enable horizontal scroll on tables with many columns by wrapping the Table in a container with overflow-x: auto. This lets users swipe to see all columns.
  • Responsive column hiding: Use conditional rendering to hide less important columns on smaller screens, focusing on key data points. You can do this with window size listeners or CSS media queries.
  • Stacked or card views: For extreme mobile layouts, consider switching from a table to a stacked list or card layout that displays row data vertically for easier reading.
  • Adjust touch targets: Make sure interactive elements inside table cells are large enough and spaced well for touch input.

4. Known Issues

Even with its strengths, developers often run into a few common issues when using Antd Table:

  • Performance lags with large datasets: Rendering thousands of rows at once slows down the browser. Always consider pagination, virtualization, or server-side processing.
  • Styling conflicts: Antd’s default styles can clash with global CSS or other component libraries. Use scoped CSS or Antd’s theming options to keep styles consistent.
  • Column width misalignment: When using fixed columns or sticky headers, sometimes widths get out of sync. Make sure column widths are explicitly defined and consistent. Set consistent width values for all columns and use scroll={{ x: 'max-content' }} to ensure alignment between header and body.
  • State synchronization: When using controlled tables with external state (e.g., filters, pagination), keeping UI and data in sync can get tricky. Plan your state management carefully to avoid glitches.

5. Debugging Tips: A Step-by-Step Flow

When you run into issues with Antd Table, following a structured debugging process can help you quickly identify and resolve the problem.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to troubleshooting common issues:

  • Step 1: Check Console Warnings and Errors
    Start by reviewing your browser's console. Antd often provides helpful warnings when props are misused or there are conflicts. These messages can point you in the right direction.
  • Step 2: Isolate the Problem
    Simplify your table. Remove non-essential features and start with the most basic version of the table (just columns and data). Gradually reintroduce features like sorting, filtering, and pagination one at a time to pinpoint the source of the issue.
  • Step 3: Verify Data Integrity
    Ensure your data is structured correctly:
    • Check that each data item has a unique key prop (used by Antd for efficient rendering).
    • Confirm the data types are correct (e.g., numbers, strings, booleans) and align with the column expectations.
  • Step 4: Test with Sample Data
    If you're fetching data asynchronously (via API or other sources), use mock or hardcoded data to rule out issues with the data retrieval process. This helps determine whether the problem lies with the API or the table itself.
  • Step 5: Use React Developer Tools
    Open the React Developer Tools to inspect component props and state. This lets you verify that the table is receiving the right data and settings, making it easier to spot issues in real-time.
  • Step 6: Review Antd Docs and GitHub Issues
    Finally, consult the Antd documentation for guidance on specific issues. If you're stuck, the GitHub issues page often has bug reports, solutions, and community discussions that might resolve your problem.

If you want to strengthen your React and Antd skills with solid Java fundamentals, check out upGrad’s Java Object-oriented Programming. The 12-hour free program will help you gather expertise on data types, abstractions, and more with practical programming examples.

By following this flow, you can systematically troubleshoot Antd Table issues and get your table back on track quickly.

Also read - React JS Architecture Explained: Explore Step-by-Step Implementation and Key Tools

Conclusion 

Learning React and components like the Antd Table can be challenging without the right guidance. With Ant Design Table customization, you can fine-tune the table to suit the unique needs of your application. From editable cells to fixed headers, Antd Table features provide the flexibility you need to build interactive and responsive tables for dynamic datasets.

A common challenge developers face is choosing the right resources to grow their skills and career. upGrad offers industry-aligned courses that bridge this gap, providing hands-on experience and deep dives into advanced topics like state management, API integration, and performance optimization.

In addition to the courses mentioned above, here are some free courses that can further strengthen your foundation in React and Java:

Are you unsure how to advance your React skills or navigate your career path? Schedule a free career counseling session with our experts for personalized guidance, or visit your nearest upGrad offline center for hands-on support.

Boost your career with our popular Software Engineering courses, offering hands-on training and expert guidance to turn you into a skilled software developer.

Master in-demand Software Development skills like coding, system design, DevOps, and agile methodologies to excel in today’s competitive tech industry.

Stay informed with our widely-read Software Development articles, covering everything from coding techniques to the latest advancements in software engineering.

Reference:
https://www.softnoesis.com/blog/the-rise-of-react-js-development-services-in-india/

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are some popular alternatives to Antd Table for React developers?

2. How can I apply custom styling to an Antd Table without conflicting with its default styles?

3. Can I integrate Antd Table with other React libraries for advanced features like drag-and-drop or row selection?

4. What is the best way to handle editable cells in an Antd Table?

5. How do I manage state in an Antd Table when dealing with user inputs like sorting or filtering?

6. What accessibility standards should I consider when designing tables for web apps?

7. How do I handle exporting table data in React applications?

8. Can I integrate Antd Table with charting libraries to create dashboards?

9. What are the security considerations when fetching and displaying data in React tables?

10. How do I internationalize tables for multi-language support in React?

11. What techniques help improve user experience when working with complex tables?

Pavan Vadapalli

900 articles published

Director of Engineering @ upGrad. Motivated to leverage technology to solve problems. Seasoned leader for startups and fast moving orgs. Working on solving problems of scale and long term technology s...

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