This document discusses using dynamic data tables in WordPress sites. It introduces DataTables, an open-source JavaScript library for displaying and interacting with tabular data. DataTables is highly flexible, responsive, and integrates well with WordPress. It has a large community and ecosystem. The document provides an overview of different data requirements, available solutions, and demonstrates how to implement DataTables on a WordPress site.

1. Data driven
pages in a
WordPress site
Srikanth Meenakshi
WordPress developer
PrimeInvestor.in

2. Overview
● Different types of dynamic data requirements
● Various solutions that are available
● There is one that is most flexible, FREE, and fun
● Intro to DataTables
● Demo
● Some hands-on (if time available)
● Summary

3. Different data requirements
Data needs can vary by different factors
● Display complexity
○ Simple tables vs images and multimedia
● Static vs dynamic vs realtime
○ Update frequency
● Volume of data
○ Tens of rows to hundreds to thousands and more
● Flexibility and functionalities required
○ Export features, filters, customizations, in-table functions
● Data Source
○ WP DB, external database, static files, data streams etc

4. Solutions available
● Plugin solutions
○ TablePress, WPDataTables, NinjaTables etc
● External libraries
○ HandsOnTable, Tabulator, DataTables

5. My choice is DataTables
● Extremely flexible
○ Functional out of the box
○ Pluggable components/libraries for additional features
○ Fully customizable look and feel
● Responsive
● Plays well with WordPress custom pages
● HUGE community and ecosystem
○ DataTables forums
○ Lots of StackOverflow QAs
● FREE and open source (MIT License)

6. Two options to get a DataTable
Option 1: Take a HTML table and make it a DataTable
<table id=”example”> <thead></thead><tbody></tbody></table>
$(document).ready(function() {
$('#example').DataTable();
} );

7. Two options to get a DataTable
Option 2: Create an HTML table with empty body and…
$(document).ready(function() {
$('#example').DataTable( {
"ajax": '../ajax/data/arrays.txt'
} );
} );

8. Integrating with WordPress
● Use with Custom pages
● Enqueue DataTables scripts
● Enqueue DataTables styles
● You are on your way!
wp_enqueue_style('bootstrap4-style',
'https://cdn.datatables.net/1.10.20/css/dataTables.bootstrap4.min.css');
wp_enqueue_script('jquery-datatables-script',
'https://cdn.datatables.net/1.10.20/js/jquery.dataTables.min.js');
Don’t enqueue JQuery!

9. Demo!

10. Alternatives to DataTables
Many options available, but none with a widespread
community support as DataTables.
A good list here:
https://www.slant.co/options/4840/alternatives/~datatables-alternatives
Another comparison is here:
https://www.sitepoint.com/12-amazing-jquery-tables/

11. Thank you!