How to design data tables that really work
Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2025 6:41 am
Grid data tables are everywhere in applications. From user lists to inventories, orders, reports, and dashboards, they are a fundamental tool for presenting and manipulating information. But while they may seem basic, designing a useful, clear, and usable data table is no easy task.
A poorly designed table can cause users to get lost, take longer to find what they need, or even make mistakes. Therefore, it's worth stopping to think about how to make our tables really work. How do we guide the eye? How do we facilitate interaction? What makes a table comfortable to use and not a barrier?
Start by understanding the content
Before you start designing, the first thing to do is understand what data you're going to display. It's not just about columns and rows; it's about knowing what users expect to find and how they'll use it. Is it a country email list table of products? Employees? Financial records?
It's also important to know who will be using the table: designing for a technical person isn't the same as designing for a more administrative profile. Ideally, you should start by solving a simple case and then gradually incorporate more advanced features for users with more specific needs.
1. Alignment matters more than it seems
One of the most basic, yet most overlooked, aspects is content alignment. It may seem like a minor detail, but it greatly aids readability.
Text, such as names or descriptions, should be aligned to the left. This way, the eye has a clear line to follow from top to bottom. Numbers, on the other hand, are best read aligned to the right, as it makes it easier to compare numbers (for example, prices or quantities). For icons or images, centering them is the most balanced option.
This type of consistency improves visual readability. Without the user even realizing it, the table becomes more comfortable to read.
2. Visual clarity, highlighting what is important
The table must guide the user. To achieve this, it's key to establish a clear visual hierarchy. Using a darker or bold header helps separate titles from content. And for longer tables, using zebra stripes—rows of alternating colors—keeps the eye focused when scrolling horizontally.
But be careful: the style must be subtle. The data should be the focus, not the visual embellishments.
3. Sort and filter, control information
A good table allows the user to sort it according to their interests. Not all columns are useful for sorting; for example, the status "In stock / Out of stock" may not provide much real order, but others, such as price or date, are essential. A small icon in the header can indicate that a column is sortable, and this can be complemented with tooltips that say things like "Click to sort by quantity."
A poorly designed table can cause users to get lost, take longer to find what they need, or even make mistakes. Therefore, it's worth stopping to think about how to make our tables really work. How do we guide the eye? How do we facilitate interaction? What makes a table comfortable to use and not a barrier?
Start by understanding the content
Before you start designing, the first thing to do is understand what data you're going to display. It's not just about columns and rows; it's about knowing what users expect to find and how they'll use it. Is it a country email list table of products? Employees? Financial records?
It's also important to know who will be using the table: designing for a technical person isn't the same as designing for a more administrative profile. Ideally, you should start by solving a simple case and then gradually incorporate more advanced features for users with more specific needs.
1. Alignment matters more than it seems
One of the most basic, yet most overlooked, aspects is content alignment. It may seem like a minor detail, but it greatly aids readability.
Text, such as names or descriptions, should be aligned to the left. This way, the eye has a clear line to follow from top to bottom. Numbers, on the other hand, are best read aligned to the right, as it makes it easier to compare numbers (for example, prices or quantities). For icons or images, centering them is the most balanced option.
This type of consistency improves visual readability. Without the user even realizing it, the table becomes more comfortable to read.
2. Visual clarity, highlighting what is important
The table must guide the user. To achieve this, it's key to establish a clear visual hierarchy. Using a darker or bold header helps separate titles from content. And for longer tables, using zebra stripes—rows of alternating colors—keeps the eye focused when scrolling horizontally.
But be careful: the style must be subtle. The data should be the focus, not the visual embellishments.
3. Sort and filter, control information
A good table allows the user to sort it according to their interests. Not all columns are useful for sorting; for example, the status "In stock / Out of stock" may not provide much real order, but others, such as price or date, are essential. A small icon in the header can indicate that a column is sortable, and this can be complemented with tooltips that say things like "Click to sort by quantity."