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Allow users to customize tables

Allow users to customize tables Bad Practice
Allow users to customize tables Best Practice

Tables often occupy considerable space and hold diverse information. To improve users' interaction with tables, allowing customization is a wise choice. Here are some effective methods:

  • Resizable columns: Enabling users to resize columns enhances their ability to view complete, relevant information without constant scrolling. Use a cursor icon that indicates the columns are resizable, making this feature intuitive and user-friendly.
  • Sorting capabilities: Permit users to sort content in various ways, like alphabetically or chronologically, either in ascending or descending order. Indicate sortable columns with upward or downward arrow icons, signaling this functionality.[1]
  • Pinning columns: Some columns might contain crucial data frequently referenced by users. Introducing an option to pin or fix these columns in place with a 'sticky' feature ensures they remain visible, no matter the horizontal scroll extent.

Pro Tip: Adding an option to reorder the columns gives users the power to arrange content as they see fit.

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