What are the advantages and disadvantages of using Ext JS grid panel cell editing over other editing modes?

1 What is grid panel cell editing?

Grid panel cell editing is a mode that allows you to edit the data in each cell of the grid panel directly, without leaving the grid view. You can double-click on a cell or press Enter to start editing, and press Enter again or click outside the cell to commit the changes. You can also use the Tab key to navigate and edit multiple cells in a row. Grid panel cell editing requires you to configure an Ext.grid.plugin.CellEditing plugin and specify the editor type for each column in the grid panel.

2 What are the advantages of grid panel cell editing?

Grid panel cell editing offers several advantages over other editing modes, such as providing a fast and intuitive way to edit the data without opening a new window or panel. It also preserves the context and layout of the grid panel, making it simpler to compare and verify the data. Furthermore, it supports validation and formatting of the input values, as well as custom editors for different data types. Additionally, it allows you to edit multiple cells in a row with the Tab key, which can be helpful for data entry or bulk updates.

3 What are the disadvantages of grid panel cell editing?

Grid panel cell editing can be less than ideal for certain situations, such as when dealing with complex or large data sets, as it can make the grid panel too crowded. Additionally, it may not provide sufficient space or options for editing some data fields, like text area, file upload, or rich text editor. Grid panel cell editing may also not support some advanced features or interactions, like undo/redo, copy/paste, drag and drop, or multi-select. Additionally, it may not meet some accessibility or usability requirements, such as keyboard navigation, screen readers, or touch devices.

4 How to use grid panel cell editing in Ext JS?

To use grid panel cell editing in Ext JS, you need to create an Ext.grid.Panel component and configure its columns, store, and view, as well as an Ext.grid.plugin.CellEditing plugin and add it to the plugins array of the grid panel. Additionally, for each column that you want to enable cell editing, specify the editor config option with the type of editor you want to use. You can also configure the listeners, events, and methods of the cell editing plugin to customize its behavior and appearance. For example, using a code snippet to create a grid panel with cell editing for a simple data set of employees includes defining a data model, creating a data store, creating the cell editing plugin, and creating the grid panel. By rendering the grid to the document body, you can enable cell editing in Ext JS.

5 What are the alternatives to grid panel cell editing?

If grid panel cell editing is not suitable for your use case, you can consider other editing modes that Ext JS provides, such as row editing, form editing, and popup editing. Row editing enables you to edit the entire row of the grid panel at once, using a floating form. Form editing allows you to edit data of the grid panel using a separate form component. Popup editing enables you to edit data of the grid panel using a modal window. Each of these modes has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on your data structure, layout, functionality, and user experience requirements. It is also possible to combine or customize these modes to suit your needs.