How to convert JSON data to a html table using JavaScript/jQuery ?

Last Updated : 19 Sep, 2024

To convert JSON data into an HTML table, there are multiple approaches, each of which has its own strengths. Let's walk through both approaches you mentioned, detailing how each one works.

Table of Content

Using for loop
Using JSON.stringify() Method

Approach 1: Using for loop

Take the JSON Object in a variable.
Call a function that first adds the column names to the < table > element. (It is looking for all columns, which is the UNION of the column names).
Traverse the JSON data and match the key with the column name. Put the value of that key in the respective column.
Leave the column empty if there is no value of that key.

Example: This example implements the for-loop approach.

HTML

<!DOCTYPE HTML>
<html>

<head>
    <title>
        How to convert JSON data to a
        html table using JavaScript ?
    </title>

    <script src=
     "https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/3.4.1/jquery.min.js">
    </script>
</head>

<body style="text-align:center;" id="body">

    <h1 style="color:green;">
        GeeksForGeeks
    </h1>

    <p id="GFG_UP" style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold;">
    </p>


    <button onclick="constructTable('#table')">
        click here
    </button>

    <br><br>

    <table align="center" id="table" border="1">
    </table>

    <script>
        let el_up = document.getElementById("GFG_UP");

        let list = [
            { "col_1": "val_11", "col_3": "val_13" },
            { "col_2": "val_22", "col_3": "val_23" },
            { "col_1": "val_31", "col_3": "val_33" }
        ];

        el_up.innerHTML = "Click on the button to create "
            + "the table from the JSON data.<br><br>"
            + JSON.stringify(list[0]) + "<br>"
            + JSON.stringify(list[1]) + "<br>"
            + JSON.stringify(list[2]);

        function constructTable(selector) {

            // Getting the all column names
            let cols = Headers(list, selector);

            // Traversing the JSON data
            for (let i = 0; i < list.length; i++) {
                let row = $('<tr/>');
                for (let colIndex = 0; colIndex < cols.length; colIndex++) {
                    let val = list[i][cols[colIndex]];

                    // If there is any key, which is matching
                    // with the column name
                    if (val == null) val = "";
                    row.append($('<td/>').html(val));
                }

                // Adding each row to the table
                $(selector).append(row);
            }
        }

        function Headers(list, selector) {
            let columns = [];
            let header = $('<tr/>');

            for (let i = 0; i < list.length; i++) {
                let row = list[i];

                for (let k in row) {
                    if ($.inArray(k, columns) == -1) {
                        columns.push(k);

                        // Creating the header
                        header.append($('<th/>').html(k));
                    }
                }
            }

            // Appending the header to the table
            $(selector).append(header);
            return columns;
        }       
    </script>
</body>

</html>

Output:

Approach 2: Using JSON.stringify() method

Store the JSON object into the variable. and first put all keys in a list.
Create an element <table> and a <tr> element for the header of the table.
Visit the keys list and create a <th> for each value and insert it into the <tr> element created for the header.
Then, for every entry in the object, create a cell and insert it to the particular row.
Leave the column empty if there is no value of that key.

Example: This example implements the JSON.stringify() method approach.

HTML

<!DOCTYPE HTML>
<html>

<head>
    <title>
        How to convert JSON data to a html
        table using JavaScript/jQuery ?
    </title>

    <script src=
    "https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/3.4.1/jquery.min.js">
    </script>
</head>

<body style="text-align:center;">

    <h1 style="color:green;">
        GeeksForGeeks
    </h1>

    <p id="GFG_UP" style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold;">
    </p>


    <button onclick="GFG_FUN()">
        click here
    </button>

    <br><br>

    <table id="table" align="center" border="1px"></table>

    <script>
        let el_up = document.getElementById("GFG_UP");

        let list = [
            {
                "col_1": "val_11", "col_2": "val_12",
                "col_3": "val_13"
            },
            {
                "col_1": "val_21", "col_2": "val_22",
                "col_3": "val_23"
            },
            {
                "col_1": "val_31", "col_2": "val_32",
                "col_3": "val_33"
            }
        ];

        el_up.innerHTML = "Click on the button to create the "
            + "table from the JSON data.<br><br>"
            + JSON.stringify(list[0]) + "<br>"
            + JSON.stringify(list[1]) + "<br>"
            + JSON.stringify(list[2]);

        function GFG_FUN() {
            let cols = [];

            for (let i = 0; i < list.length; i++) {
                for (let k in list[i]) {
                    if (cols.indexOf(k) === -1) {

                        // Push all keys to the array
                        cols.push(k);
                    }
                }
            }

            // Create a table element
            let table = document.createElement("table");

            // Create table row tr element of a table
            let tr = table.insertRow(-1);

            for (let i = 0; i < cols.length; i++) {

                // Create the table header th element
                let theader = document.createElement("th");
                theader.innerHTML = cols[i];

                // Append columnName to the table row
                tr.appendChild(theader);
            }

            // Adding the data to the table
            for (let i = 0; i < list.length; i++) {

                // Create a new row
                trow = table.insertRow(-1);
                for (let j = 0; j < cols.length; j++) {
                    let cell = trow.insertCell(-1);

                    // Inserting the cell at particular place
                    cell.innerHTML = list[i][cols[j]];
                }
            }

            // Add the newly created table containing json data
            let el = document.getElementById("table");
            el.innerHTML = "";
            el.appendChild(table);
        }    
    </script>
</body>

</html>

Output:

Both approaches are effective for converting JSON data to an HTML table. Depending on your needs and complexity of data, either approach can be used.

JavaScript is best known for web page development but it is also used in a variety of non-browser environments. You can learn JavaScript from the ground up by following this JavaScript Tutorial and JavaScript Examples.