As opposed to simply displaying in text form, having the data structured in a table can help users scan through them more easily. Currrently, Elementor does not offer a native widget to include a table. This list will show you how to create tables on Elementor using 3rd party add-on plugins.
Whether you want to let your users compare various features that you offer, display various pricing packages or create a timetable, displaying it in a table can significantly improve the way they interact with your websites.
You can create tables on Elementor without the need for any coding knowledge. With add-on plugins, you can easily create tables to display your data in a meaningful manner. This article will show you just that!
Why use tables?
Tables provides a great way to display data which would otherwise seem too cumbersome and too hard to read. Some popular use cases include:
- Event calendars
- Booking schedule
- List of employees linked to individual profiles
- Pricing tables
- Restaurant menus
and more.
Features to watch out for…
Now that you’ve decided to include tables on Elementor, there are certain features that you will need to look for:
- Mobile responsiveness: Though most tables may look great on desktop, you need to also ensure that they look equally good on mobile devices too.
- Sorting: Allows the data to be displayed in a specified order either alphabetically or numerically.
- Filter records: Limit the number of records per view.
- Icon support: Include icons to indicate categories ideal for an enhanced user experience.
- Content formats: Depending on the context, you may want to include images and other media to your tables.
- Search: If you are displaying large sets of data, this feature lets users easily enter search queries.
- Merged Columns/Rows: Lets you improve your tables layout with merged columns and rows without having to compromise on styling.
- Add URL: Allows each cell to be linked to different destinations making it more usable.
- CSV upload: Provides the ability to upload data through a CSV file
Let’s look at each plugin in turn.
1. Ultimate Addons for Elementor
This widget offers the ability to include a basic table which can either be uploaded through a CSV or manually included. The ability to upload CSV files was particularly interesting as it allows for data to be conveniently uploaded on to the table. However, this limits the content formats as no images or icons can be uploaded through CSV.
The mobile responsiveness is quite restricted and doesn’t give too many options to play around with. It provides a great deal of flexibility for styling including the ability to create both column and row headers which was the deal breaker. With its search functionality too, it’s a comprehensive table widget to be included on your website.
2. Powerpack Elements
Very similar to the one offered by UAEL, however it does not provide the option of styling individual cells. Therefore you are unable to create row headers which I personally found quite limiting. Despite offering most of the features identified above, the interface was very sleek and was very easy to use. In addition to the basic features, this widget lets you upload CSV files too. It’s works well on mobile too. Overall, it’s a great widget which serves the purpose for a standard table. The only feature it lacks is the live search functionality which is not a mandatory requirement unless you require a table to display large chunks of datasets.
3. Premium Addons
This was one of our top choices as it’s an easy-to-use widget that provides flexibility in terms of styling the table. Additionally, it makes easier to navigate around creating rows and columns especially when you want to merge 2 or more cells. What was particularly unique with this widget was the ability to blur the text and display on hover. This can especially useful when you have large sets of data and you need a way to easily scan through them.
4. Essential Addons
This plugin provides the basic features required to include a table. If you’ve already got this plugin, it should be able to cover most of your requirements. The only feature that it lacks compared to the other add-on plugins is the live search feature. Additionally, it allows for templates to be added within the cell. It however must be used with caution as it can affect its responsiveness.
5. Crocoblock
This plugin is yet another plugin that lets you create tables on Elementor. It has basic features which is similar to other plugins in this list. However, it lacks a live search feature though it may not be as useful if you are displaying a simple dataset. It also provides flexibility to style individual cells and has the column headers can be switched to sort the data too. The number of entries displayed however cannot be limited to a specific number. This may hinder user experience especially if you have large chunks of data to display.
6. Elementor Extras
This handy widget provides added functionality to make your tables mobile responsive. It lets the user convert the header row into individual headers for each cell on mobile and provides is the option to switch the display either column-wise or row-wise. It stretches the mobile header functionality unlike most the plugins mentioned above.
Comparatively, it offers a great deal of customisations too.
