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Create a Table That Has a Fixed Header. We can create an HTML table that has a fixed header with some CSS. We set the height of the table element to 120px to make restrict the height of it so we can make it scrollable. To make it scrollable, we set the overflow CSS property to scroll .
To freeze the row/column we can use a simple HTML table and CSS. HTML: In HTML we can define the header row by <th> tag or we can use <td> tag also. Below example is using the <th> tag. We also put the table in DIV element to see the horizontal and vertical scrollbar by setting the overflow property of the DIV element.
You would do something like this by tapping into the scroll event handler on window, and using another table with a fixed position to show the header at the top of the page.
HTML:
<table id="header-fixed"></table>
CSS:
#header-fixed {
position: fixed;
top: 0px; display:none;
background-color:white;
}
JavaScript:
var tableOffset = $("#table-1").offset().top;
var $header = $("#table-1 > thead").clone();
var $fixedHeader = $("#header-fixed").append($header);
$(window).bind("scroll", function() {
var offset = $(this).scrollTop();
if (offset >= tableOffset && $fixedHeader.is(":hidden")) {
$fixedHeader.show();
}
else if (offset < tableOffset) {
$fixedHeader.hide();
}
});
This will show the table head when the user scrolls down far enough to hide the original table head. It will hide again when the user has scrolled the page up far enough again.
Working example: http://jsfiddle.net/andrewwhitaker/fj8wM/
Pure CSS (without IE11 support):
table th {
position: -webkit-sticky; // this is for all Safari (Desktop & iOS), not for Chrome
position: sticky;
top: 0;
z-index: 1; // any positive value, layer order is global
background: #fff; // any bg-color to overlap
}
Well, I was trying to obtain the same effect without resorting to fixed size columns or having a fixed height for the entire table.
The solution I came up with is a hack. It consists of duplicating the entire table then hiding everything but the header, and making that have a fixed position.
<div id="table-container">
<table id="maintable">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Col1</th>
<th>Col2</th>
<th>Col3</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>info</td>
<td>some really long line here instead</td>
<td>info</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div id="bottom_anchor"></div>
</div>
body { height: 1000px; }
thead{
background-color:white;
}
function moveScroll(){
var scroll = $(window).scrollTop();
var anchor_top = $("#maintable").offset().top;
var anchor_bottom = $("#bottom_anchor").offset().top;
if (scroll>anchor_top && scroll<anchor_bottom) {
clone_table = $("#clone");
if(clone_table.length == 0){
clone_table = $("#maintable").clone();
clone_table.attr('id', 'clone');
clone_table.css({position:'fixed',
'pointer-events': 'none',
top:0});
clone_table.width($("#maintable").width());
$("#table-container").append(clone_table);
$("#clone").css({visibility:'hidden'});
$("#clone thead").css({'visibility':'visible','pointer-events':'auto'});
}
} else {
$("#clone").remove();
}
}
$(window).scroll(moveScroll);
See here: http://jsfiddle.net/QHQGF/7/
Edit: updated the code so that the thead can receive pointer events(so buttons and links in the header still work). This fixes the problem reported by luhfluh and Joe M.
New jsfiddle here: http://jsfiddle.net/cjKEx/
I wrote a plugin that does this. Ive been working on it for about a year now and I think it handles all the corner cases pretty well:
Here are some demos/docs:
http://mkoryak.github.io/floatThead/
I was able to fix the problem with changing column widths. I started with Andrew's solution above (thanks so much!) and then added one little loop to set the widths of the cloned td's:
$("#header-fixed td").each(function(index){
var index2 = index;
$(this).width(function(index2){
return $("#table-1 td").eq(index).width();
});
});
This solves the problem without having to clone the entire table and hide the body. I'm brand new to JavaScript and jQuery (and to stack overflow), so any comments are appreciated.
This is by far the best solution I've found for having a fixed table header.
UPDATE 5/11: Fixed horizontal scrolling bug as pointed out by Kerry Johnson
Codepen: https://codepen.io/josephting/pen/demELL
;(function($) {
$.fn.fixMe = function() {
return this.each(function() {
var $this = $(this),
$t_fixed;
function init() {
$this.wrap('<div class="container" />');
$t_fixed = $this.clone();
$t_fixed.find("tbody").remove().end().addClass("fixed").insertBefore($this);
resizeFixed();
}
function resizeFixed() {
$t_fixed.width($this.outerWidth());
$t_fixed.find("th").each(function(index) {
$(this).css("width",$this.find("th").eq(index).outerWidth()+"px");
});
}
function scrollFixed() {
var offsetY = $(this).scrollTop(),
offsetX = $(this).scrollLeft(),
tableOffsetTop = $this.offset().top,
tableOffsetBottom = tableOffsetTop + $this.height() - $this.find("thead").height(),
tableOffsetLeft = $this.offset().left;
if(offsetY < tableOffsetTop || offsetY > tableOffsetBottom)
$t_fixed.hide();
else if(offsetY >= tableOffsetTop && offsetY <= tableOffsetBottom && $t_fixed.is(":hidden"))
$t_fixed.show();
$t_fixed.css("left", tableOffsetLeft - offsetX + "px");
}
$(window).resize(resizeFixed);
$(window).scroll(scrollFixed);
init();
});
};
})(jQuery);
$(document).ready(function(){
$("table").fixMe();
$(".up").click(function() {
$('html, body').animate({
scrollTop: 0
}, 2000);
});
});body{
font:1.2em normal Arial,sans-serif;
color:#34495E;
}
h1{
text-align:center;
text-transform:uppercase;
letter-spacing:-2px;
font-size:2.5em;
margin:20px 0;
}
.container{
width:90%;
margin:auto;
}
table{
border-collapse:collapse;
width:100%;
}
.blue{
border:2px solid #1ABC9C;
}
.blue thead{
background:#1ABC9C;
}
.purple{
border:2px solid #9B59B6;
}
.purple thead{
background:#9B59B6;
}
thead{
color:white;
}
th,td{
text-align:center;
padding:5px 0;
}
tbody tr:nth-child(even){
background:#ECF0F1;
}
tbody tr:hover{
background:#BDC3C7;
color:#FFFFFF;
}
.fixed{
top:0;
position:fixed;
width:auto;
display:none;
border:none;
}
.scrollMore{
margin-top:600px;
}
.up{
cursor:pointer;
}<script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/2.1.1/jquery.min.js"></script>
<h1>↓ SCROLL ↓</h1>
<table class="blue">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Colonne 1</th>
<th>Colonne 2</th>
<th>Colonne 3</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>MaisMaisMaisMaisMaisMaisMaisMaisMaisMaisMaisMaisMaisMaisMaisMaisMaisMaisMaisMais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h1 class="scrollMore">↓ SCROLL MORE ↓</h1>
<table class="purple">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Colonne 1</th>
<th>Colonne 2</th>
<th>Colonne 3</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non</td>
<td>Mais</td>
<td>Allo !</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h1 class="up scrollMore">↑ UP ↑</h1>There are many really good solution here already. But one of the simplest CSS only solutions that I use in these situations is as follows:
table {
/* Not required only for visualizing */
border-collapse: collapse;
width: 100%;
}
table thead tr th {
/* Important */
background-color: red;
position: sticky;
z-index: 100;
top: 0;
}
td {
/* Not required only for visualizing */
padding: 1em;
}<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Col1</th>
<th>Col2</th>
<th>Col3</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
<td>info</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>Because there is no requirement for JavaScript it simplifies the situation significantly. You essentially need to focus on the second CSS rule, which contains the conditions for ensuring that the head of the table remains of the top no matter the scroll space.
To elaborate on each of the rules in detail. position is meant to indicate to the browser that the head object, its row, and its cells all need to stick to the top. This necessarily needs to be accompanied by top, which specifies to the browser that the head will stick to the top of the page or viewport. Additionally, you can add z-index to ensure that the content of the head always remains on the top.
The background colour is merely to illustrate the point. You do not need to use any additional JavaScript to get this effect. This is supported in most major browsers after 2016.
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