Solving Pagination and Sorting Issues with Dynamic Data in Angular Material Tables

Learn how to effectively implement pagination and sorting in Angular Material tables using dynamic data from API endpoints. Follow our clear steps to resolve your issues!
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Introduction

Many developers encounter challenges when working with dynamic data in Angular Material tables, particularly with pagination and sorting. The issue typically arises when the data from an API is not appropriately handled or updated within the table's data source. In this post, we'll explore how to effectively refresh your Angular Material table when using dynamic data, ensuring that pagination and search functionality work seamlessly.

Understanding the Problem

When using Angular Material's MatTable, it's crucial that the data source (MatTableDataSource) is properly integrated with paginators and sorting features. For many, it can seem easy to set up with static data. However, once dynamic data is involved—like data fetched from an API—the complexities can increase, leaving pagination and search features non-functional.

The problem typically manifests as:

The table displays all data without any pagination or filtering options working effectively.

The expected behavior is that the table should refresh its display whenever pagination or search is invoked.

Solution Overview

To resolve the pagination and sorting issues in your Angular Material table, follow these organized steps:

Step 1: Correct Usage of MatTableDataSource

Instead of directly binding the certifications array to the [dataSource] on your table, you need to encapsulate it within a MatTableDataSource. This allows Angular Material to manage pagination and sorting efficiently.

Example Code Snippet:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 2: Fetching Data

Avoid calling your data-fetching API in the constructor. Instead, call it in the ngOnInit() lifecycle hook. This ensures that data is fetched after component initialization.

Implementation Example:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 3: Integrating Paginator and Sort

You need to set up the paginator and sort correctly. Use Angular's @ ViewChild decorator to get references to these components and set them when the data is received.

Code Example:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 4: Updating Data Source

Once data is received from the API, create a new instance of MatTableDataSource with the fetched data and call the method to set up pagination and sorting.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 5: Implementing Search Functionality

Ensure that your search functionality filters the data in the MatTableDataSource:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Conclusion

By following these clarified steps, you can effectively resolve issues related to pagination and sorting of dynamic data in Angular Material tables. This approach allows your application to provide users with a seamless and interactive experience when navigating large datasets.

If you run into challenges in implementing these solutions, don't hesitate to consult the official Angular Material documentation or seek assistance from the community.

By correctly configuring your data source, pagination, and sorting, you ensure that your Angular application operates smoothly, improving both functionality and user experience.