Using AG Grid in React: Guide and alternatives

Data grids, such as those created with the ag-grid-react library, are essential for organizing and visualizing large datasets in web applications, allowing for enhanced user interaction through functionalities like filtering, sorting, and grouping. The article explores the differences between data grids and data tables, highlighting that data grids use nested <div> elements for advanced functionalities, whereas data tables rely on the <table> element for static data representation. It provides a detailed guide on implementing AG Grid in a React application, utilizing React Hooks like useState, useMemo, useCallback, and useEffect to manage states and effects efficiently. The discussion includes styling options with AG Grid's pre-defined themes and addresses the library's advantages, such as ease of implementation and built-in features, alongside its limitations in customization and styling support. The article also compares AG Grid with alternatives like TanStack Table, Glide Data Grid, and MUI Data Grid, each offering unique features and trade-offs, emphasizing the importance of selecting the right tool based on specific use cases.