This page covers a non-latest version of Handsontable.

# Binding to data

Overview
Array of arrays
Array of arrays with a selective display of columns
Array of objects
Array of objects with column as a function
Array of objects with column mapping
Array of objects with custom data schema
Function data source and schema
Understand binding as a reference
Working with a copy of data

# Overview

The following guide provides information on using a data source and manipulating how the data is displayed in the data grid.

# Array of arrays

Array of arrays is the most popular choice for the more grid-like scenarios where you need to provide the end-user with permission to manipulate the grid, e.g., insert columns, delete rows, decorate cells, etc.

const container = document.getElementById('example1');

const data = [
  ['', 'Tesla', 'Nissan', 'Toyota', 'Honda', 'Mazda', 'Ford'],
  ['2017', 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16],
  ['2018', 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16],
  ['2019', 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16],
  ['2020', 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16],
  ['2021', 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16]
];

const hot = new Handsontable(container, {
  data,
  startRows: 5,
  startCols: 5,
  height: 'auto',
  width: 'auto',
  colHeaders: true,
  minSpareRows: 1,
  licenseKey: 'non-commercial-and-evaluation'
});

<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/handsontable@11.1/dist/handsontable.full.min.js"></script>
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/handsontable@11.1/dist/handsontable.full.min.css" /> 

<div id="example1" class="hot "></div>

# Array of arrays with a selective display of columns

The following example shows how you would use the array of arrays with a selective display of columns. This scenario uses the same data source as in the previous example, this time omitting the Tesla column from the grid.

const container = document.getElementById('example2');

const data = [
  ['', 'Tesla', 'Nissan', 'Toyota', 'Honda', 'Mazda', 'Ford'],
  ['2017', 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16],
  ['2018', 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16],
  ['2019', 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16],
  ['2020', 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16],
  ['2021', 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16]
];

const hot = new Handsontable(container, {
  data,
  colHeaders: true,
  minSpareRows: 1,
  height: 'auto',
  width: 'auto',
  columns: [
    { data: 0 },
    // skip the second column
    { data: 2 },
    { data: 3 },
    { data: 4 },
    { data: 5 },
    { data: 6 }
  ],
  licenseKey: 'non-commercial-and-evaluation'
});

<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/handsontable@11.1/dist/handsontable.full.min.js"></script>
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/handsontable@11.1/dist/handsontable.full.min.css" /> 

<div id="example2" class="hot "></div>

# Array of objects

An array of objects can be used as a data source as follows:

# Array of objects with column as a function

It is possible to define columns as a function. This is good practice when you want to bind data more dynamically.

const container = document.getElementById('example4');

const data = [
  { id: 1, name: {first: 'Ted', last: 'Right'}, address: '' },
  { id: 2, address: '' },// HOT will create missing properties on demand
  { id: 3, name: {first: 'Joan', last: 'Well'}, address: '' }
];

const hot = new Handsontable(container, {
  data,
  colHeaders: true,
  height: 'auto',
  width: 'auto',
  columns: function(column) {
    let columnMeta = {};

    if (column === 0) {
      columnMeta.data = 'id';
    } else if (column === 1) {
      columnMeta.data = 'name.first';
    } else if (column === 2) {
      columnMeta.data = 'name.last';
    } else if (column === 3) {
      columnMeta.data = 'address';
    } else {
      columnMeta = null;
    }

    return columnMeta;
  },
  minSpareRows: 1,
  licenseKey: 'non-commercial-and-evaluation'
});

<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/handsontable@11.1/dist/handsontable.full.min.js"></script>
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/handsontable@11.1/dist/handsontable.full.min.css" /> 

<div id="example4" class="hot custom-class"></div>

# Array of objects with column mapping

In a scenario where you have nested objects, you can use them as the data source by mapping the columns using the columns option.

const container = document.getElementById('example5');

const data = [
  { id: 1, name: {first: 'Ted', last: 'Right'}, address: '' },
  { id: 2, address: '' }, // HOT will create missing properties on demand
  { id: 3, name: {first: 'Joan', last: 'Well'}, address: '' }
];

const hot = new Handsontable(container, {
  data,
  colHeaders: true,
  height: 'auto',
  width: 'auto',
  columns: [
    { data: 'id' },
    { data: 'name.first' },
    { data: 'name.last' },
    { data: 'address' }
  ],
  minSpareRows: 1,
  licenseKey: 'non-commercial-and-evaluation'
});

<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/handsontable@11.1/dist/handsontable.full.min.js"></script>
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/handsontable@11.1/dist/handsontable.full.min.css" /> 

<div id="example5" class="hot "></div>

# Array of objects with custom data schema

When using object data binding, Handsontable needs to know what data structure to create when adding a new row. If your data source contains at least one row, Handsontable will figure out the data structure based on the first row.

In a scenario where you start with an empty data source, you will need to provide the dataSchema option containing the data structure for any new row added to the grid. The example below shows a custom data schema with an empty data source:

# Function data source and schema

If your dataSchema is a constructor of an object that doesn't directly expose its members, you can specify functions for the data member of each columns item.

The example below shows how to use such objects:

const container = document.getElementById('example7');

const hot = new Handsontable(container, {
  data: [
    model({ id: 1, name: 'Ted Right', address: '' }),
    model({ id: 2, name: 'Frank Honest', address: '' }),
    model({ id: 3, name: 'Joan Well', address: '' }),
    model({ id: 4, name: 'Gail Polite', address: '' }),
    model({ id: 5, name: 'Michael Fair', address: '' })
  ],
  dataSchema: model,
  height: 'auto',
  width: 'auto',
  colHeaders: ['ID', 'Name', 'Address'],
  columns: [
    { data: property('id') },
    { data: property('name') },
    { data: property('address') }
  ],
  minSpareRows: 1,
  licenseKey: 'non-commercial-and-evaluation'
});

function model(opts) {
  let _pub = {
    id: undefined,
    name: undefined,
    address: undefined
  };
  let _priv = {};

  for (const i in opts) {
    if (opts.hasOwnProperty(i)) {
      _priv[i] = opts[i];
    }
  }

  _pub.attr = function (attr, val) {
    if (typeof val === 'undefined') {
      window.console && console.log('GET the', attr, 'value of', _pub);

      return _priv[attr];
    }

    window.console && console.log('SET the', attr, 'value of', _pub);
    _priv[attr] = val;

    return _pub;
  };

  return _pub;
}

function property(attr) {
  return function (row, value) {
    return row.attr(attr, value);
  }
}

<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/handsontable@11.1/dist/handsontable.full.min.js"></script>
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/handsontable@11.1/dist/handsontable.full.min.css" /> 

<div id="example7" class="hot "></div>

# Understand binding as a reference

Handsontable binds to your data source by reference, not by values. We don't copy the input dataset, and we rely on JavaScript to handle the objects. Any data entered into the grid will alter the original data source.

Note: Handsontable initializes the source data for the table using a reference, but you shouldn't rely on it. For example, you shouldn't change values in the source data using the reference to the input dataset. Some mechanisms for handling data aren't prepared for external changes that are made in this way.

To avoid this scenario, copy the data before you pass it to the grid. To change the data from outside Handsontable, you can use our API methods. For example, a change being made will be displayed immediately on the screen after calling setDataAtCell method.

# Working with a copy of data

When working with a copy of data for Handsontable, it is best practice is to clone the data source before loading it into Handsontable. This can be done with JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(data)) or another deep-cloning function.

← Installation Saving data →