As someone who has worked on several React projects, I know how essential a robust spreadsheet library can be for handling complex data entry and manipulation. Whether you're developing internal tools, working on business apps, or creating dashboards, integrating an Excel-like experience into your React app can elevate its usability.
In this article, I'll be comparing five popular React Spreadsheet libraries, broken down into three categories: open-source, paid, and hybrid options. Each library has its strengths, and my goal is to help you pick the best one based on your project’s unique needs.
React Spreadsheet: Excel-Like, Powerful and Dynamic
When building React applications that require complex data handling, choosing the right spreadsheet library can make all the difference. Whether you’re managing large datasets, building interactive dashboards, or allowing users to edit data grids, the right tool can save you a lot of time and effort.
If you’re looking for something flexible and tailored for React, check out React Spreadsheet.
Now, let’s dive into the top libraries to consider for 2024.
Open-source libraries
Open-source spreadsheet libraries in React come with the powerful advantages associated with being open-source, such as cost savings, customization flexibility, and innovation potential. However, they come with their own set of disadvantages, like limited support, compatibility issues, and security risks if not properly managed. If your existing platform follows the open-source ecosystem, then you should consider adopting this option. Below are some of the options in this regard.
React-spreadsheet
Brief Overview
react-spreadsheet is a simple, customizable, yet performant spreadsheet component for React applications which focuses on common spreadsheet functionalities. It is easy to integrate and use in the React project.
Key Features
It includes the following basic spreadsheet features:
- Custom Row Labels
- Custom Column Labels
- Cell Editing
- Formula Support
- Custom Cell Rendering
- Filtering
Use Cases
The react-spreadsheet library can be used to develop interactive forms just like spreadsheets and speed up and simplify data entering. It is ideal for small-scale projects like tools based on simple CRUD operations or internal business tools such as simple inventory management systems.
Advanced Functionality
The react-spreadsheet library includes a default formula parser based on Fast Formula Parser, providing standard formulas and implementations. You can customize or override these formulas by passing a custom parser to the createFormulaParser prop or disabling specific functions.
ReactGrid
Brief Overview
ReactGrid is a react component which enables you to create tables with the look and feel of an Excel-like spreadsheet. ReactGrid was created to work with any data model independent of your schema. You can show data however you like because you can render anything in any cell.
Key Features
The basic feature focuses more on creating the appearance and behaviour of Excel-like typical spreadsheets:
- Column Resizing
- Column and Row reordering
- Focusing Cell
- Cell Templates
- Selections
- Fill Handle
- Data Change Handler – Useful for user actions like copy-pasting
- Touch Devices Support
Use Cases
ReactGrid can be used for the Data Entry Forms where it is required to add and validate data efficiently. Moreover, it can be used for basic reporting tools such as financial reporting where it is required to handle calculations in real time.
Advanced Functionality
ReactGrid provides you with a custom cell templating feature through which you can create your own cell templates and define your own style, validation and formatting. Just like built-in cell types you can use that cell type to have an appearance and behaviour of your choice.
Paid libraries
If the limitations of open-source spreadsheet libraries are a concern for you, then your next best option is paid libraries. They usually have more features and support ticketing to help with your issues. If you prefer advanced features, optimized performance, and effective customer support over cost, then you should try the paid libraries. Let’s go through some of the libraries in this category.
Handsontable
Brief Overview
Handsontable is basically a paid javascript library available for popular frameworks (React, Angular or Vue) and used to develop web apps with Excel-like spreadsheets containing large datasets. It is capable of modifying and extending with the custom plugins and provides advanced features for filtering, data validation and binding with the different data sources.
Key Features
Some basic features include:
- Easy data-binding
- Conditional formatting
- Dropdown menu
- Export to file
- Comments
- Copy to clipboard
- Auto fill
- Filtering data
Use Cases
Handsontable can be easily integrated into existing advanced systems for any specific functionality or it can be used to build full-fledged Excel-like applications with an extensive set of features. For example, it can be used to build applications having a dashboard with a bunch of charts and complex calculations. Another example is a project management tool that brings the scattered data from other sources to one platform and helps in simplifying the planning and scheduling complexities in project management.
Advanced Functionality
Handsontable provides many advanced features such as custom plugins on top of its basic functionality. Moreover, it also provides multiple-column sorting which allows users to apply sorting criteria to multiple columns at the same time.
Syncfusion
Brief Overview
Syncfusion is a platform that provides an extensive collection of UI components. One of those components is a React spreadsheet, which offers the functionality to organize and analyze data in tabular form with the look and feel of Excel spreadsheets. It allows you to load data into tables through local sources (importing Excel/CSV) or by binding remote data sources (JSON, RESTful services, OData services, and more).
Key Features
Some basic features include:
- Conditional formatting
- Protect Sheet
- Selection / Editing / Cell Formatting
- Export to file
- Globalization
- Charts / Pictures
Use Cases
Syncfusion spreadsheet is useful when your application needs to handle large datasets such as CRM, BI tools or allow multiple users to edit the same sheet in real-time like shared documentation. It is also useful when the UI is based on other components of Syncfusion to maintain consistency throughout the project.
Advanced Functionality
Syncfusion spreadsheets offer you the virtualization feature which is useful to handle large datasets as it allows you to load data when required instead of loading the whole data at once. Moreover, it also provides you with collaborative editing capability so multiple users can work simultaneously on the same sheet.
Hybrid Libraries
Hybrid libraries are kind of the best of both worlds. Not only you get the flexibility to start with a free basic set of features, but you can unlock advanced capabilities through a paid subscription down the road. This option is best if you want to start with a basic spreadsheet functionality (like an MVP) for cost savings, but expect scaling to more advanced features if you data analysis needs grow. Let’s explore some libraries in this category.
Jspreadsheet
Brief Overview
JSSpreadsheet is a lightweight JavaScript library which offers a variety of spreadsheet-like controls. It provides a set of Excel-like features that can be used to develop basic to advanced-level applications for data manipulation or analysis. The access to features varies based on the edition (Community/Pro) being used.
Key Features
Community Edition includes the following basic features:
- Spreadsheet-like formulas(Basic)
- Copy and paste features(Basic)
- Lazy loading(Basic)
- UI Customization(Basic)
Features offered in Pro version:
- All Features in CE but extended with advanced capability
- Plugins support
- Advanced filtering
- Worksheets management
- Automatic formula update on copy and paste
- Cell renderer
Use Cases
JSSpreadsheet is useful in a broad range of projects based on spreadsheets, from small ones to those offering an extensive set of features like Excel.
Advanced Functionality
JSSpreadsheet Pro offers cross-worksheet calculations, cell rendering, native validations, and premium extensions for complex and large-scale applications. It also provides the Formula Pro plugin which contains an extensive set of formulas expanding the toolset for Excel-like calculations.
Comparison of Spreadsheet Libraries
Conclusion
If your projects are relatively small with simple data entry needs, React-Spreadsheet or ReactGrid are the best options. On the other hand, if you require advanced features like financial modeling or large-scale data handling, Handsontable and Syncfusion offer robust solutions. Jspreadsheet strikes a good balance between flexibility and scalability, making it a strong choice for projects that may need to expand over time. Evaluate your project’s requirements and pick the library that fits best to streamline your development process.
React Spreadsheet: Excel-Like, Powerful and Dynamic
If this article helped you, be sure to check out React Spreadsheet (not to be confused with react-spreadsheet, an open source library). You can customize the spreadsheet to fit your app’s design, integrate custom formulas, handle large datasets, and more. With built-in TypeScript and JavaScript support, unit tests, and interactive demos, you can easily get started in minutes.
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