JavaScript TreeGrids Libraries: How to Choose the Best

In this article, we will explore some of the top JavaScript TreeGrid libraries available today. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just getting started with JavaScript, these tools can help you streamline your coding process and create more dynamic and engaging user experiences on your website or application.

What Are TreeGrids In JavaScript?

Essentially, a TreeGrid is a two-dimensional grid structure that presents hierarchical data in a way that’s easy to read and navigate. Think of it like the roots and branches of a tree — each node has its own set of child nodes, forming a complex network of information. TreeGrids are particularly useful when dealing with large sets of data, as they allow users to drill down into specific sections without losing sight of the overall structure.

Where to use TreeGrids?

Project management tools: to display project tasks and subtasks in a hierarchical format, allowing users to easily see the structure of the project and drill down into individual tasks.

Financial software: to present financial data such as budgets, expenses, and income, with the ability to group and filter data by various criteria.

Resource planning applications: to show resource allocation data such as employee schedules, equipment usage, and project timelines, allowing users to easily see how resources are being utilized across different projects and departments.

Inventory management systems: to arrange product categories and subcategories, along with inventory levels and other relevant information, making it easy for users to manage and track inventory levels.

How to choose the right TreeGrid library for your project

When it comes to choosing a TreeGrid library for your project, there are a few key factors to consider:

Project requirements. The library you choose should support the features and functionality that your project requires. For example, if you need advanced sorting and filtering options, pay close attention that these options are available for TreeGrid library of your choice.

Compatibility. Make sure the TreeGrid library you choose is compatible with your development stack, including your programming language, framework, and browser compatibility.

Customization options. Depending on your project requirements, you may need a TreeGrid library that is highly customizable. Look for a library that allows you to customize the appearance and behavior of the grid to fit your specific needs.

Performance. Depending on the size of your dataset, the performance of the TreeGrid library may be a critical factor to consider. Look for a library that can handle large datasets without slowing down your application.

Support. It’s important to choose a TreeGrid library that has good documentation and support available. Look for a library that has an active community and provides regular updates and bug fixes.

Licensing. Make sure the library you choose fits your budget and licensing requirements. Some libraries are free and open source, while others require a paid license for commercial use.

By keeping these elements in mind during your selection process, you’ll be able to pick a tool that meets all of your needs effectively without wasting valuable development resources!

Top JavaScript TreeGrid libraries

Webix TreeGrid

Webix TreeGrid UI control is a complex and advanced widget that combines JS Tree and Table functions in one UI component. It is a unique data widget, which allows arranging huge multidimensional masses of information in a simple and clear way.

Some of the key features of Webix TreeGrid:

• End-to-end sorting with a single click on the header of a column. You can use the sort function for specific sorting behavior.
• Tree Table supports the full range of manipulations with the grid. You can easily edit its contents by typing the new value in the input field or selecting an option from a drop-down list that can even be supplied with checkboxes for better usability.
• Saving current state of the JavaScript TreeGrid in order to return to it later with the help of built-in methods.
• Selecting data in one of the available modes: cell, row, column, multi-cell, multi-row, multi-column, block or area selection mode.
• Exporting data to PDF, PNG and Excel files for further processing. You can also define the appearance of the resulting table by adding various export options.
• Checkboxes help to choose multiple items for editing or removing at once. You can use either standard two-state checkboxes or three-state checkboxes with an additional ‘indeterminate’ state.
• Different filtering options. You can either use built-in filters or define custom ones. According to the type of data presented in your table, you can use one of the available filters for the needed column: date filter, number filter, richselect filter, multicombo filter, etc.
• Clipboard support allows you to copy and paste items within the Tree Table component, as well as to paste data to other components. This feature works in several modes such as ‘block’, ‘selection’, and ‘repeat’.
• Sparklines provide a number of graph types: Line, Area, Bar, Spline, SplineArea and Pie. Besides, you can add a tooltip to appear every time a user hovers a mouse pointer over the graph.

Syncfusion TreeGrid

Syncfusion TreeGrid is a JavaScript-based UI component that allows developers to display and manipulate hierarchical data in tabular form. It is designed to provide advanced features such as sorting, filtering, grouping, editing, and virtual scrolling for efficient handling of large data sets.

Some of the key features of Syncfusion TreeGrid:

• Support for both single and multiple selection modes.
• Built-in context menu and toolbar for easy manipulation of TreeGrid data.
• Drag-and-drop support for reordering rows and columns.
• Various cell types such as text, checkbox, dropdown, and date picker.
• Cell merging and spanning options for creating complex TreeGrid layouts.
• Exporting options to various formats such as Excel, CSV, and PDF.

Kendo UI TreeList

Kendo UI TreeList is a powerful and flexible grid control that displays hierarchical data in a tree-like structure, with each row representing a parent node and its child nodes displayed in a collapsible or expandable sub-grid.

Some of the key features of Kendo UI TreeList:

• Hierarchical data structures to easily navigate through complex data relationships.
• Expanding and collapsing nodes in the tree view to reveal or hide child nodes.
• Grid-like format to easily view and manipulate large datasets.
• Selection of individual nodes or multiple nodes in the tree view.
• Paging for navigating through large datasets one page at a time.

DXTMLX TreeGrid

DXTMLX TreeGrid offers a convenient way of working with a large amount of data presented in hierarchical HTML5 tree tables. It is a perfect fit for dynamic dashboards, reports, CRM systems, and other data-heavy applications.

Some of the key features of DXTMLX TreeGrid:

• Reorder columns and rows within a grid or between two instances.
• Built-in inline editing across the TreeGrid or in the specified column only, depending on its content.
• Content sorting and filtering by simply clicking on its header.
• Paging for working more conveniently with large data sets.
• Support for the widely used client-side frameworks — Angular, React, and Vue.js.

ag-Grid

ag-Grid is a high-performance JavaScript data grid that is used to display and manipulate large datasets in web applications. It provides a wide range of features, including sorting, filtering, grouping, column resizing and reordering, row selection, cell editing, and virtualization.

Some of the key features of ag-Grid:

• High performance with features like virtualization, row and column pinning, and more that help to optimize performance.
• Grouping and aggregation features, including the ability to group data by multiple columns, and the ability to create custom aggregations.
• Accessibility to all users, with features like keyboard navigation and screen reader support.
• Wide range of built-in themes, as well as the ability to create custom themes.

Conclusion

TreeGrids are essential components in building complex user interfaces that display hierarchical data. Choosing the right JavaScript library for your project can be daunting, but it ultimately depends on your specific needs and requirements. Keep in mind factors such as performance, ease of use, customizability, and community support when choosing the best library for your needs.