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  • React Quill With Tables

    React Quill with Tables Quilljs
    React Quill with Tables Quilljs

    Table of Contents

    1. Introductory Context
    2. Using quill-better-table
    3. Using quill-table-ui
    4. Using react-quill-with-table
    5. Comparison of quill-better-table, quill-table-ui, and react-quill-with-table
    6. Troubleshooting and Tips
    7. Conclusion

    Introductory Context

    Adding tables to a rich text editor opens new opportunities to represent structured data. Tables make your application more robust and versatile.

    Quill.js is a rich text editor developed by slab. It is a well-known WYSIWYG HTML text editor known for its modularity and expressive API.

    React Quill is a Quill component for React that wraps around Quill.js in the React environment and simplifies the setup of React Quill,Amaro Z (2017-08-04). React Quill.

    With table support, blog users would be able to represent their data more structurally. They would be able to manage inventories, design complex layouts, or even create detailed reports. Plugins like quill-better-table, quill-table-ui, and react-quill-with-table bring that table feature into React Quill. They are among the best in the world.

    For example, quill-better-table introduces cell-level operations like merging and splitting, addressing a common limitation in basic Quill setups quill-better-table Contributors (2020-07-11). quill-better-table. Similarly, quil-table-ui provides an intuitive toolbar to handle tables. These features have made these three libraries stand out. This can be seen in the weekly downloads(popularity) they have attracted, as seen in npm trends in the image below.

    quill-better-table  vs quill-table-ui vs react-quill-with-table npmtrends
    quill-better-table vs quill-table-ui vs react-quill-with-table npmtrends

    Naturally, some developers may be hesitant to adopt third-party libraries due to concerns about compatibility or maintenance. However, these three are actively maintained and integrate seamlessly with React.

    Join us as we explore these plugs in detail. We will cover their features, example implementation, use cases, and best practices of the three libraries.

    Table Integration in Quill

    On its own, Quill does not support tables. However, you can extend its funcitonality using third party table packages rfom npm. Good examples of such packages include quill-better-table, quill-table-ui, and react-quill-with-table.

    Let's dive in.

    Using quill-better-table

    Quill-better-table Key Features

    Here are the main features of quill-better-table.

    • Cell Merging and Splitting: You can easily split or merge cells as your structured data template requires.
    • Column and Row Resizing: Supports resizing of the rows and columns.
    • Custom Styling: Don't like the look of your tables? Apply styles to customize them to your liking.

    These features are ideal in most use cases.

    Quill-better-table Installation and Setup

    Install the packages via npm with the following command:

    npm install quill-better-table
    

    Import the plugin and register with Quill using the following code:

    import Quill from 'quill';
    import BetterTable from 'quill-better-table';
    Quill.register({
        'modules/better-table': BetterTable,
    });
    

    Add the following CSS to make things look good.:

    import 'quill-better-table/dist/quill-better-table.css';
    

    This simple setup shows how to integrate your Quill-based editor with quill-better-tables.

    Quill-Better-Table full implementation example

    The below code shows a full example of how you would integrate quill-better-tables with your Quill editor.

    import React, { useRef } from 'react';
    import ReactQuill from 'react-quill';
    import Quill from 'quill';
    import BetterTable from 'quill-better-table';
    import 'react-quill/dist/quill.snow.css';
    import 'quill-better-table/dist/quill-better-table.css';
    Quill.register({
      'modules/better-table': BetterTable,
    });
    const Editor = () => {
      const quillRef = useRef(null);
      return (
        <ReactQuill
          ref={quillRef}
          theme="snow"
          modules={{
            'better-table': {
              operationMenu: {
                items: {
                  unmergeCells: { text: 'Unmerge Cells' },
                },
              },
            },
            keyboard: {
              bindings: BetterTable.keyboardBindings,
            },
          }}
        />
      );
    };
    export default Editor;
    

    Using quill-table-ui

    Quill-table-ui Key Features

    • Intuitive Toolbar Options: Quill-table-ui offers an easy way to manipulate table elements, rows, and columns.
    • Drag-and-Drop Row Reordering: Quill-table-ui simplifies the reorganization of rows by offering simple drag-and-drop functionality.
    • User-Friendly Table Navigation: Streamlines interaction with large, complex tables by offering clear visual cues.
    • The above features make quill-table-ui suitable for users who want a straightforward table component, e.g. content creators or educators.

    How to Install and Configure quill-table-ui

    1. Install the Package

    Run the following command to install the quill-table-ui package:

    npm install quill-table-ui
    
    1. Register the Plugin

    Import the package and register it to your Quill instance. using the following code:

    import Quill from 'quill';
    import TableUI from 'quill-table-ui';
    Quill.register({
        'modules/tableUI': TableUI,
    });
    
    1. Include the Styles

    Add the CSS styles required for the toolbar and tale UI:

    import 'quill-table-ui/dist/quill-table-ui.css';
    

    With this simplified setup, you get quill-table-ui into action.

    Implementation Example

    Below is a full code showing how to implement quill-table-ui into a React Quill project.

    import React, { useRef } from 'react';
    import ReactQuill from 'react-quill';
    import Quill from 'quill';
    import TableUI from 'quill-table-ui';
    import 'react-quill/dist/quill.snow.css';
    import 'quill-table-ui/dist/quill-table-ui.css';
    Quill.register({
      'modules/tableUI': TableUI,
    });
    const Editor = () => {
      const quillRef = useRef(null);
      return (
        <ReactQuill
          ref={quillRef}
          theme="snow"
          modules={{
            tableUI: true,
          }}
        />
      );
    };
    export default Editor;
    

    Code breakdown

    The tableUI module enables a toolbar that allows users to manipulate tables with ease.

    The custom styles from the CSS file ensure a good look for the table.

    Using react-quill-with-table

    React-quill-with-table Key Features

    • Table Creation and Deletion: Easily add and remove tables in the editor.
    • Cell Editing: Allows you to edit cells by clicking them.
    • Lightweight and Easy to Use: Perfect when you need a simple table without complexities, e.g., merging or resizing.

    These features make react-quill-with-table suited for content management systems where complex table functionality isn't required.

    React-quill-with-table Installation and setup

    Install the Package

    Add the library to your project:

    npm install react-quill-with-table
    

    Register the Plugin

    Import the module and configure it with your React Quill instance:

    import ReactQuill from 'react-quill';
    import 'react-quill-with-table/dist/react-quill-with-table.css';
    const modules = {
      table: true, // Enables table functionality
    };
    

    Include Table Styles

    Include the following CSS code to make your UI more appealing.

    import 'react-quill-with-table/dist/react-quill-with-table.css';
    

    React-quill-with-tables full implementation

    import React, { useRef } from 'react';
    import ReactQuill from 'react-quill';
    import 'react-quill/dist/quill.snow.css';
    import 'react-quill-with-table/dist/react-quill-with-table.css';
    const Editor = () => {
      const quillRef = useRef(null);
      return (
        <ReactQuill
          ref={quillRef}
          theme="snow"
          modules={{
            toolbar: [
              ['bold', 'italic', 'underline'], // Text formatting
              [{ list: 'ordered' }, { list: 'bullet' }], // Lists
              ['table'], // Table button
            ],
            table: true, // Enables table functionality
          }}
        />
      );
    };
    export default Editor;
    

    The toolbar now includes a table button for table manipulation. Note, however, that this provides very basic functionality.

    Comparison of quill-better-table, quill-table-ui, and react-quill-with-table

    Feature Comparison

    In this section, we will consider the feature comparison of the three table libraries: quill-better-table, quill-table-ui, and react-quill-with-table:

    • quill-better-table
      • Advanced Features: Offers cell merging, column resizing, and high customization. Suitable for complex tables.
      • Use Case: Best suited for enterprise-level applications.
      • Integration Difficulty: Moderate; some configuration is needed to leverage its full potential.
    • quill-table-ui
      • UI-Focused Enhancements: Provides an intuitive interface for managing tables, including features such as drag-and-drop.
      • Use Case: Best for user-centric platforms for non-technical users.
      • Integration Difficulty: Easy; seamless integration with React Quill.
    • react-quill-with-table
      • Lightweight Solution: Focuses on providing basic table functionality.
      • Use Case: Suitable for simple blogs, minimalistic editors and anywhere a simple table would suffice.
      • Integration Difficulty: Very easy; minimal configuration required.

    The following table best explain the differences between quill-better-table, quill-table-ui and react-quill-with-table.

    PackageFeaturesUse CaseIntegration Difficulty
    quill-better-tableAdvanced features such as cell merging, column resizing, and high customization.Best suited for enterprise-level applications.Moderate; some configuration is needed.
    quill-table-uiUI-focused enhancements, including drag-and-drop functionality.Best for user-centric platforms for non-technical users.Easy; seamless integration with React Quill.
    react-quill-with-tableLightweight solution for basic table functionality.Suitable for simple blogs, minimalistic editors, and anywhere a simple table would suffice.Very easy; minimal configuration required.

    H3: Best Use Cases for Each Package

    Each package serves a unique niche:

    1. quill-better-table
      • Who Should Use It?
      • Enterprise-level developers working with data-intensive applications that require advanced table customization.
      • Why Choose It?
      • High-level features like merging cells and resizing columns allow for managing complex data presentations.
    2. quill-table-ui
      • Who Should Use It?
      • Platforms designed for non-technical users, such as educational tools or CMS for content creators.
      • Why Choose It?
      • Its UI is customized to be natural and easy for end users without technical knowledge.
    3. react-quill-with-table
      • Who Should Use It?
      • Bloggers, writers, or small-scale projects that only need basic functionality.
      • Why Choose It?
      • It's lightweight and straightforward, making it the best for minimalistic design and fast deployment.

    Troubleshooting and Tips

    Table Performance Considerations

    Large data can impact React Quill Editor. To optimise performance avoid nested tables, implement dynamic table loading and use good styling.

    lets dive in!

    Common Issues with Table Packages

    In this section, we cover common problems encountered when integrating quill-better-table, quill-table-ui, and react-quill-with-table.

    1. Toolbar Misconfiguration

    Issue: The table-related toolbar buttons may not function correctly.

    Solution: Ensure that the toolbar is configured properly, following the documentation.

    1. CSS Conflicts

    Issue: Table styling might not render correctly due to CSS conflicts.

    Solution: Ensure there are no CSS overrides or conflicts. If needed, use scoped styles to avoid interference.

    1. Table Rendering Issues

    Issue: The table may not render correctly.

    Solution: Ensure that only one table package is being used at a time. Mixing packages can cause React Quill to malfunction.

    Best Practices for React Quill Tables

    To ensure that you are following industry best practices when setting up tables in React Quill, follow these guidelines:

    1. Optimize table rendering performance: Large datasets might cause sluggish behavior in tables. In such cases, minimize nested tables and implement dynamic loading for better performance.
    2. Use consistent CSS styles: Apply scoped styles to avoid global CSS overrides, ensuring better maintainability and consistency.
    3. Manage toolbar configuration properly: Most issues arise from toolbar misconfiguration. Always configure the toolbar explicitly to avoid unnecessary complications.
    4. Test across different browsers: Test the results in various browsers to ensure consistent functionality and behavior.

    Avoid Mixing Table Packages

    Mixing multiple table packages e.g quill-better-table and react-quill-with-table can lead to conflicts resulting in unexpected behavior. Stick to one package for tables.

    By adhering to these practices, you’ll ensure a more efficient and consistent user experience.

    Conclusion

    When choosing between quill-better-table, quill-table-ui, and react-quill-with-table, it's essential to be guided by your project's needs. Each package is designed for a different use case. By following our analysis above, you can easily determine the right one for you. You can also read more about react quill from Joseph Horace (2025-01-09). React Quill Tutorial.

    Happy Editing!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Quill.js, by default, does not support tables as a core feature. However, you can add table functionality to Quill by using third-party packages like quill-better-table, quill-table-ui, or react-quill-with-table, which extend Quill's capabilities to include table management, such as inserting, editing, and styling tables.

    React tables are user interface components built using React that allow for dynamic, interactive tables in web applications. These tables can support features such as sorting, filtering, pagination, and inline editing. React tables are commonly used in React applications to display and manage large datasets in a structured format.

    Quill.js does not have native table support. However, you can implement table functionality in Quill by using external libraries or modules, like quill-better-table or quill-table-ui. These modules enable features like inserting tables, merging cells, and customizing table styles within a Quill editor.

    References

    Inline References

    1. Z, A. (August 4, 2017). React Quill. *NPMJS*. Retrieved August 4, 2017 from https://www.npmjs.com/package/react-quill
    2. (July 11, 2020). Quill-better-table. *npmjs*. Retrieved July 11, 2020 from https://www.npmjs.com/package/quill-better-table
    3. Horace, J. (January 9, 2025). React Quill Tutorial. *BasicUtils*. Retrieved January 9, 2025 from https://basicutils.com/learn/quilljs/react-quill-tutorial

    Background References

    1. (November 30, 2024). Quill.js GitHub Repository. *GitHub*. Retrieved November 30, 2024 from https://github.com/quilljs/quill
    2. Amaro, . (August 3, 2022). React Quill GitHub Repository. *GitHub*. Retrieved August 3, 2022 from https://github.com/zenoamaro/react-quill

    About the Author

    Joseph Horace's photo

    Joseph Horace

    Horace is a dedicated software developer with a deep passion for technology and problem-solving. With years of experience in developing robust and scalable applications, Horace specializes in building user-friendly solutions using cutting-edge technologies. His expertise spans across multiple areas of software development, with a focus on delivering high-quality code and seamless user experiences. Horace believes in continuous learning and enjoys sharing insights with the community through contributions and collaborations. When not coding, he enjoys exploring new technologies and staying updated on industry trends.

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