What is the best way to implement 'Excel like column sizing' for an HTML table?

Question

I want to allow the user to resize columns in an HTML table, using the same method as you would in Excel. Drag the space between columns and size.

I did some research on this last year, and found a few hacks and kludges. Most were pretty bad, and I didn't find anything really good. Now, it looks like I need to implement this functionality, and want to do it right, so before I start this again, I just thought I'd ask if anybody else has done this, and how they did it.

I believe I've seen a FogBugz demo video where they had this implemented. So I know it can be done well.

BTW-I'd prefer not to use any open source frameworks, since my client may sell this app in the future.

Using an open source framework does not preclude your client from selling the product in the future. You should read up on licensing. — John Sheehan, Jan 19 '09 at 17:39
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/458479/where-can-i-find-an-authoritative-overview-of-open-source-licences This is something I need enlightenment with. — John MacIntyre, Jan 19 '09 at 17:48

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Jan 19 '09 at 17:50

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I've built a html grid myself in the past and having done so my best advice would be: use someone else's.

I've looked at this jquery grid control in the past but have never got around to trying it out: http://www.trirand.com/blog/

answered Jan 19 '09 at 17:50

Chris Simpson

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score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Jan 19 '09 at 20:29

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Google Docs spreadsheet application does what you are looking for. That may be worth looking at, but their code is very dense.

answered Jan 19 '09 at 20:29

Sparr

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score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Jan 19 '09 at 21:29

The extjs framework provides the functionality you need. I can not tell (I am no lawyer) whether their license is suitable for your customer or not. However, it appears possible for you to purchase a license from them which allows you to not have to publish your customers code as open source. This may suffice.

I would suggest that you develop your application using extjs in parallel with investigating the license. if the licensing suits your customer, you're done, and you win by using a stable and high-quality platform. If your can't make the license work for your customer, then you have to port to something else, but at least you will already have a high quality first prototype to work from, so the effort to produce the product will be less. And meanwhile you have a very nice prototype while refining the interface

What is the best way to implement 'Excel like column sizing' for an HTML table?

3 Answers3