How to Add Skeleton Items to antd Table Rows

The antd library is a popular and feature-rich UI framework that provides a set of reusable components for building web applications. One of its key components is the antd Table, which offers a flexible and customizable solution for displaying data in a tabular format. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the process of adding skeleton items to antd Table rows, enhancing the user experience during data loading or fetching operations.

Understanding the Need for Skeleton Items

When working with dynamic data, it is common to encounter situations where data retrieval takes time. During this period, it is crucial to provide users with feedback, indicating that the application is actively working to fetch the required information. This is where skeleton items come into play. By adding skeleton items to antd Table rows, we can create a visual placeholder, giving users a sense of progress and reducing the perception of latency.

Implementing Skeleton Items in antd Table

To integrate skeleton items into antd Table rows, we will utilize the skeleton loading effect provided by antd. This effect mimics the structure of our table data, providing a realistic visual representation while the actual data is being fetched. Here’s a step-by-step guide to implementing skeleton items:

Step 1: Import Necessary Components

Begin by importing the required components from the antd library. For our purpose, we will need the Table and Spin components, as well as the Skeleton component to create the loading effect.

import { Table, Spin, Skeleton } from ‘antd’;

Step 2: Define Table Columns

Define the columns of your antd Table, specifying the desired properties such as title, data index, and any other relevant column options. This step remains unchanged from your regular antd Table implementation.

const columns = [
  {
    title: ‘Name’,
    dataIndex: ‘name’,
    key: ‘name’,
  },
  {
    title: ‘Age’,
    dataIndex: ‘age’,
    key: ‘age’,
  },
  // Add more columns as needed
];

Step 3: Create a Skeleton Row

Construct a skeleton row using the Skeleton component. This component mimics the structure of your table data, creating a placeholder with a similar layout. You can customize the appearance of the skeleton row by adjusting its properties.

const skeletonRow = (
  
);

Step 4: Define the Table Data

Define the actual table data that you want to display. This data can be fetched from an API, a database, or any other data source. For demonstration purposes, we will use a simple array of objects.

const tableData = [
  {
    name: ‘John Doe’,
    age: 30,
  },
  {
    name: ‘Jane Smith’,
    age: 25,
  },
  // Add more data as needed
];

Step 5: Create the Loading Effect

Utilize the Spin component to create a loading effect while the data is being fetched. The Spin component provides a spinning icon, indicating that the application is in a loading state. We will wrap our table component with the Spin component to achieve this effect.

  {/* Table component */}

Step 6: Conditionally Render Table Rows

Use conditional rendering to display either the skeleton rows or the actual data rows, depending on the loading state. This ensures that the skeleton rows are shown while the data is being fetched, and the actual data rows are displayed once the data is available.

{dataLoading ? (
  Array.from({ length: 5 }).map(() => skeletonRow) // Display 5 skeleton rows
) : (
  tableData.map((rowData, index) => (
    
      {rowData.name}
      {rowData.age}
      {/* Add more cells as needed */}
    
  ))
)}

Step 7: Manage Data Loading State

Implement a state variable, dataLoading, to manage the loading state of the data. Initially, set this state to true, indicating that the data is being fetched. Once the data is successfully retrieved, update the state to false, triggering the display of the actual data rows.

const [dataLoading, setDataLoading] = useState(true);

// …

useEffect(() => {
  // Fetch data from your data source
  // Once data is fetched, update the state
  setDataLoading(false);
}, []);

Benefits of Using Skeleton Items

Implementing skeleton items in antd Table rows offers several advantages, enhancing the overall user experience:

• Improved User Perception: Skeleton items provide visual feedback, indicating that the application is actively working, thus reducing user frustration and impatience.
• Reduced Latency Perception: By mimicking the structure of the actual data, skeleton items create a seamless transition, making the loading process feel faster and more efficient.
• Consistent User Interface: Skeleton items maintain the visual consistency of the table, ensuring that users can easily recognize the table's layout and structure even during loading.
• Enhanced User Engagement: The presence of skeleton items keeps users engaged, encouraging them to wait for the data to load rather than abandoning the application.

Conclusion

Adding skeleton items to antd Table rows is a straightforward yet effective technique to enhance the user experience during data loading operations. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily implement skeleton loading effects, creating a more engaging and user-friendly interface. Remember to adjust the styles and properties to match your specific design requirements and data structure.

FAQ