java How to Use Tables

With the JTable class you can display tables of data, optionally allowing the user to edit the data. JTable does not contain or cache data; it is simply a view of your data. Here is a picture of a typical table displayed within a scroll pane:

The rest of this section shows you how to accomplish some common table-related tasks. Here are the topics this section covers:

• Creating a Simple Table
• Adding a Table to a Container
• Setting and Changing Column Widths
• User Selections
• Creating a Table Model
• Listening for Data Changes
• Firing Data Change Events
• Concepts: Editors and Renderers
• Using Custom Renderers
• Specifying Tool Tips for Cells
• Specifying Tool Tips for Column Headers
• Sorting and Filtering
• Using a Combo Box as an Editor
• Using Other Editors
• Using an Editor to Validate User-Entered Text
• Printing
• Examples that Use Tables

Creating a Simple Table

Try this:  

1. Click the Launch button to run SimpleTableDemo using Java™ Web Start (download JDK 7 or later). Or, to compile and run the example yourself, consult the example index.

   
   

2. Click the cell that contains "Snowboarding".
   The entire first row is selected, indicating that you have selected Kathy Smith's data. A special highlight indicates that the "Snowboarding" cell is editable. Generally, you begin editing a text cell by double-clicking it.

3. Position the cursor over "First Name". Now press the mouse button and drag to the right.
   As you can see, users can rearrange columns in tables.

4. Position the cursor just to the right of a column header. Now press the mouse button and drag to the right or left.
   The column changes size, and the other columns adjust to fill the remaining space.

5. Resize the window containing the table so that it's bigger than necessary to display the whole table.
   All the table cells become wider, expanding to fill the extra horizontal space.