Use a table for document-like data
A semantic table works well when users read, compare, sort, or follow links and the browser can render the dataset directly. Native table semantics provide a strong accessibility baseline and flexible markup.
Use a grid for application-like interaction
A data grid is appropriate when arrow-key navigation, cell editing, row selection, column resizing, pinning, menus, or virtualization are central. An ARIA grid is a composite widget, so focus movement, labels, selection state, edit mode, and screen-reader announcements require testing.
Understand the accessibility model
A semantic table exposes document-like relationships that browsers and assistive technology understand naturally. An interactive grid is a composite widget with managed focus, keyboard navigation, edit mode, and selection state. It can be accessible, but it requires deliberate implementation and testing. Adding grid roles to a basic table does not automatically create correct interaction.
Compare engineering ownership
A native or headless table gives the application control over markup and design but leaves editing, selection UI, menus, virtualization, and many states to the team. A data grid provides more behavior and introduces a larger component API. Choose the abstraction whose ownership model matches the product rather than selecting the smallest package or longest feature list.
Use task frequency as the deciding input
If users mainly scan and read, a table is usually enough. If users repeatedly edit, select, navigate cells, resize columns, pin regions, or work through many records, a grid becomes justified. Task frequency provides a practical decision model.
Product evidence
Interactive grid behavior
Ace Grid Core provides editing, selection, filtering, sorting, pinning, resizing, virtualization, CSV I/O, and accessibility configuration when a semantic table no longer fits the user workflow.
Live Ace Grid example
Table-to-grid workflow preview
An editable operational grid showing the interaction model that separates a data grid from a read-only table.
React table vs data grid implementation
import { Grid, type CellValue, type GridColumn, type GridRow } from "@ace-grid/core";
const cell = (value: unknown, type: CellValue["type"] = "text"): CellValue => ({ value, type });
const rows: GridRow[] = [
{ id: "1", data: { company: cell("HelioBank"), owner: cell("Maya"), segment: cell("Enterprise"), status: cell("Live") } },
{ id: "2", data: { company: cell("Northstar AI"), owner: cell("Theo"), segment: cell("Strategic"), status: cell("Live") } },
];
const columns: GridColumn[] = [
{ key: "company", title: "Company", editable: true, sortable: true, filterable: true, width: 240 },
{ key: "owner", title: "Owner", editable: true, width: 160 },
{ key: "segment", title: "Segment", type: "select", options: ["Enterprise", "Strategic", "Market"], filterable: true, width: 180 },
{ key: "status", title: "Status", editable: true, filterable: true, width: 140 },
];
export function ProductGrid() {
return (
<Grid
data={{ rows, columns }}
columns={{ columnWidths: Object.fromEntries(columns.map((column) => [column.key, column.width ?? 160])), fillWidth: true }}
layout={{ width: 1200, height: 520 }}
virtual={{ enableVirtualization: true, enableHorizontalVirtualization: true }}
/>
);
}Table or data grid decision
Limitations and tradeoffs
- Do not introduce a data grid for a small read-only list that works well as semantic HTML.
- Do not stretch a table library into an operational grid if the team is repeatedly rebuilding editing, keyboard, selection, and virtualization behavior.
Common questions
When should a React table become a data grid?
Use a data grid when repeated editing, selection, keyboard navigation, pinning, resizing, or virtualization is central to the workflow. Keep a semantic table for primarily read-only document-style data.