API Reference

The defineTableController function sets up server-side endpoint to handle request from the page with the table component. It connects to a database and defines what data available for the table and how it behaves. It also allows to define configuration for nested tables.

By default, all table pages generated with visual editor will contain a settings.json file. This file contains configuration for the main table and its nested tables. It allows you to edit table settings using the visual editor.

Example of files for the table page for users table:

json

{
  "_version": "1",
  
  // Configuration for the main table (users)
  "rootTable": {
    "table": "users",
    "allowDelete": false
  },
  
  // Configuration for the nested table (e.g. orders)
  "rootTable_ordersByUserIdTable": {
    "table": "orders",
    "allowInsert": false,
    "allowDelete": false
  }
}

tsx

import { app } from '../../_server/app';
import dataSource from '../../_server/data-sources/postgres';
import pageSettings from './settings.json';

const controller = app.defineTableController(dataSource, {
  ...pageSettings,
  rootTable: {
    ...pageSettings.rootTable,
  },
});

export default controller;

If you need more customization, beyound what visual editor provides, you can extend the imported settings.json configuration with your own settings. This is useful for advanced users who want more control over table configuration.

typescript

import { app } from '../../_server/app';
import dataSource from '../../_server/data-sources/postgres';
import pageSettings from './settings.json';

export default action = app.defineTableController(dataSource, {
  ...pageSettings,

  // Configuration for the main table 
  rootTable: {
    ...pageSettings.rootTable,

    // Add custom configuration here...
  },

  // Configuration for the nested table
  rootTable_ordersByUserIdTable: {
    ...pageSettings.rootTable_ordersByUserIdTable,
    
    // Add custom configuration here...
  },
});

Usage

The defineTableController function takes two required arguments:

dataSource: A data source. Typically, imported from the app/_server/data-sources directory.
settings: A configuration object that defines the behavior of the table and its nested tables. The configuration for the main table is defined under the rootTable key.

Alternatively, you can customize already defined configuration on the client side using methods like customColumns, columnTransformer, columnOverrides on the TablePage component. This approach is useful if you want to change the way columns and fields are rendered, or use JSX components.

Parameters

table
string, optional
Specifies the name of the database table. If not specified, the executeQuery function should be provided to define the query.
primaryKeyColumn
string, optional
Specifies the primary key column in the table. Typically, this is set to "id".
pageSize
number, optional
Specifies the number of records to display per page. If not specified, the default value is 20.
defaultSortColumn
string, optional
Specifies the default column to sort the table by. If not specified, the default value is the primary key column.
defaultSortDirection
"asc" | "desc", optional
Specifies the default sort direction. If not specified, the default value is "desc".
columns
TablePageConfigColumn[], optional
Specifies the configuration for the columns in the table.
Learn more: Columns
executeQuery
function, optional
Allow to define define custom logic for executing the query. This function is called with the query object and should return a promise that resolves to the query result.
Learn more: Custom queries
allowInsert
boolean, optional
Allows users to insert new records into the table. If not specified, the default value is true.

beforeInsert

function, optional

A function executed on the record before it is inserted into the table. This function is often used to format data, add missing but required properties, or generate sensitive data that the user should not input directly (e.g., password hashes, access tokens).

typescript

beforeInsert: (record) => {
    const secret_token = generate_random_token();
    const created_at = new Date();
    const updated_at = new Date();    

    return {
        ...record,
        secret_token,
        created_at,
        updated_at
    }
}

canBeInserted

function, optional

A function for server-side validation before a record is inserted.

If the function returns true, the record is inserted.

If it returns false or throws an Error, the record is not inserted, and the user receives an error message.

typescript

canBeInserted: (record) => {
    if (!record.email.includes('@')) {
        throw new Error('Invalid email');
    }
    
    const isEmailTaken = !!(await knex('users').where('email', record.email).count());
    if (isEmailTaken) {
        throw new Error('A user with this email already exists');
    }

    return true;
}

allowUpdate
boolean, optional
Allows users to update records in the table. If not specified, the default value is true.
beforeUpdate
function, optional
A function executed on the record before it is updated in the table. This function is often used to format data, add missing but required properties, or generate sensitive data that the user should not input directly (e.g., password hashes, access tokens).
typescript
```
beforeUpdate: (record) => {
    return {
        ...record,
        updated_at: new Date()
    }
}
```
canBeUpdated
function, optional
A function for server-side validation before a record is updated.
If the function returns true, the record is updated.
If it returns false or throws an Error, the record is not updated, and the user receives an error message.
typescript
```
canBeUpdated: (record) => {
    if (!record.email.includes('@')) {
        throw new Error('Invalid email');
    }

    return true;
}
```
allowDelete
boolean, optional
Allows users to delete records from the table. If not specified, the default value is true.
canBeDeleted
function, optional
A function for server-side validation before a record is deleted.
If the function returns true, the record is deleted.
If it returns false or throws an Error, the record is not deleted, and the user receives an error message.
typescript
```
canBeDeleted: (record) => {
    if (record.role === 'ADMIN') {
        throw new Error('Admin users cannot be deleted.');
    }

    return true;
}
```
knexQueryModifier
(knex: Knex.QueryBuilder) => Knex.QueryBuilder, optional
A function that modifies the Knex query before it is executed. This function is often used to add custom where clauses, joins, or other query modifications. Learn more in the Knex documentation.
typescript
```
knexQueryModifier: (knex) => {
  return knex.where('is_active', true);
}
```
typescript
```
knexQueryModifier: (knex) => {
  return knex.groupBy('user_id');
}
```
calculatedColumns
TablePageConfigCalculatedColumn[], optional
Specifies the configuration for the calculated columns in the table.
Each calculated column should have the following properties:
- alias
  string, required
  Specifies the alias for the calculated column. This is used to reference the column after querying the database.
- sqlExpression
  string, required
  Specifies the SQL expression to calculate the value. This expression should return a single value.
  The SQL expression can reference the main table using the main alias.
  For example, if you want to count the number of orders for each user, you can use the following SQL expression:
  sql
```
SELECT COUNT(*) FROM orders WHERE orders.user_id = main.id AND orders.status = 'completed'
```
Learn more: Adding calculated columns
relationships
Specifies the configuration for the relationships the table has with other tables.
By default, Kottster detects relationships between tables based on foreign keys. But you can also define custom relationships: Custom relationships
Each relation should have key property, which specifies the name of the relation. The key is used to access the relation in the table configuration.
Each relation object can have the following properties:
- hiddenInTable
  boolean, optional
  Specifies whether the relation should be hidden in the table. If not specified, the default value is false.
- position
  number, optional
  Specifies the position of the relation in the table. If not specified, relationships columns will be displayed in the end of the table.

Columns

Specifies the configuration for the columns in the table. Each column configuration should have column property, which specifies the name of the column in the database table.

If configuration or its properties are not specified, the default values will be used. The default values are determined automatically based on the database schema.

json

{
  "_version": "1",
  
  "rootTable": {
    "table": "users",
    
    "columns": [
      {
        "column": "first_name",
        "label": "Name"
      },
      {
        "column": "balance",
        "label": "Balance",
        "prefix": "$"
      }
    ]
  }
}

Parameters

Each column can have the following properties:

label
string, optional
Specifies the display name of the column. If not specified, the label will be generated automatically based on the column name.
hiddenInTable
boolean, optional
Specifies whether the column should be hidden in the table. If not specified, the default value is false.
hiddenInForm
boolean, optional
Specifies whether the column should be hidden in the form.
sortable
boolean, optional
Specifies whether the column can be sorted. If not specified, the default value is false.
searchable
boolean, optional
Specifies whether the column can be searched. If not specified, the default value is false.
filterable
boolean, optional
Specifies whether the column can be filtered. If not specified, the default value is false.
position
number, optional
Specifies the position of the column in the table. If not specified, the columns will be displayed in default order.
width
number, optional
Specifies the width of the column in pixels.
prefix
string, optional
Specifies the prefix to be added before the column value. E.g., "$" for currency columns.
suffix
string, optional
Specifies the suffix to be added after the column value. E.g., "%" for percentage columns.
fieldInput
FieldInput, optional
Specifies the field input configuration for the column.
Learn more: Field inputs
fieldRequirement
"none" | "notEmpty" | "notZero", optional
Specifies the requirements for the form field.
hiddenInForm
boolean, optional
Specifies whether the column should be hidden in the form. If not specified, the default value is false.
formFieldSpan
"12" | "8" | "6" | "4", optional
Specifies the span of the form field in the grid. The default value is 12, which means the field will take the full width of the form.
relationshipPreviewColumns
string[], optional
If the column is a foreign key and has a one-to-one relationship with another table, this property allows to specify the columns to display for linked record preview. The value is an array of column names to display. Works only for one-to-one linked relations.
json
```
relationshipPreviewColumns: ["id", "email"]
```
render
(record: Record<string, any>) => any, optional
A custom function used to render content in the table cells. It receives the record data as an argument. This parameter only available on the client side.
typescript
```
{
  label: 'Full name',
  column: 'full_name',
  render: (record) => `${record.firstName} ${record.lastName}`   
}
```

Field inputs

By default, form fields are automatically generated based on your database schema and defineTableController settings.

But you can also define the form input explicitly using the formInput property in the column configuration.

json

{
  "_version": "1",
  
  "rootTable": {
    "table": "users",
    
    "columns": [
      {
        "column": "description",
        "label": "Description",
        "formInput": {
          "type": "textarea"
        }
      },
      {
        "column": "balance",
        "label": "Balance",
        "prefix": "$",
        "formInput": {
          "type": "numberInput",
          "allowDecimal": true
        }
      }
    ]
  }
}

Field input types

The type property defines the field type and supports additional properties depending on the type.

Below is a list of supported field input types and their interfaces:

input
A single-line text input.
typescript
```
{
  type: 'input'
}
```

numberInput

A number-only input field.

typescript

{
  type: 'numberInput',
  
  /** Determines whether decimal values are allowed, true by default */
  allowDecimal?: boolean;
}

textarea
A multi-line text input.
typescript
```
{
  type: 'textarea'
}
```

select

A searchable dropdown menu.

typescript

{
  type: 'select',
  
  /** List of selectable options */
  options: { 
    /** Display label for the option */
    label: string; 
    
    /** Value associated with the option */
    value: string; 
  }[]
}

checkbox
A checkbox for boolean input.
typescript
```
{
  type: 'checkbox'
}
```

datePicker

An inline date (datetime) picker.

typescript

{
  type: 'datePicker',
  
  /** Adds time picker */
  withTime: boolean,
  
  /** Adds seconds input to time picker */
  timeWithSeconds: boolean
}

timePicker

An inline time picker.

typescript

{
  type: 'timePicker',
  
  /** Adds seconds input */
  withSeconds: boolean;
}

recordSelect
Select records from another table.
Requires a one-to-one relationship defined in the database schema or in the relationships property of the table configuration.
typescript
```
{
  type: 'recordSelect',
  
  /** The key of the relationship */
  relationshipKey?: string;
}
```

Custom field input

If you need to use a custom field input, you can define it using the type custom and the renderComponent function.

This function receives the following parameters:

value: The current value of the field.
values: The current values of the form.
record: The original record data including the primary key.
updateFieldValue(key: string, value: any): A function to update the field value.
meta: An object containing metadata about the field, including:
- hasError: A boolean indicating if the field has an error (e.g., validation error).
- readOnly: A boolean indicating if the field is read-only.

tsx

{
  type: 'custom',

  renderComponent: ({ value, updateFieldValue }) => {
    return (
      <textarea 
        value={value} 
        onChange={e => updateFieldValue('description', e.target.value)} 
      />
    );
  }
}

API Reference ​

Usage ​

Parameters ​

table ​

primaryKeyColumn ​

pageSize ​

defaultSortColumn ​

defaultSortDirection ​

columns ​

executeQuery ​

allowInsert ​

beforeInsert ​

canBeInserted ​

allowUpdate ​

beforeUpdate ​

canBeUpdated ​

allowDelete ​

canBeDeleted ​

knexQueryModifier ​

calculatedColumns ​

alias ​

sqlExpression ​

relationships ​

hiddenInTable ​

position ​

Columns ​

Parameters ​

label ​

hiddenInTable ​

hiddenInForm ​

sortable ​

searchable ​

filterable ​

position ​

width ​

prefix ​

suffix ​

fieldInput ​

fieldRequirement ​

hiddenInForm ​

formFieldSpan ​

relationshipPreviewColumns ​

render ​

Field inputs ​

Field input types ​

input ​

numberInput ​

textarea ​

select ​

checkbox ​

datePicker ​

timePicker ​

recordSelect ​

Custom field input ​

API Reference

Usage

Parameters

table

primaryKeyColumn

pageSize

defaultSortColumn

defaultSortDirection

columns

executeQuery

allowInsert

beforeInsert

canBeInserted

allowUpdate

beforeUpdate

canBeUpdated

allowDelete

canBeDeleted

knexQueryModifier

calculatedColumns

alias

sqlExpression

relationships

hiddenInTable

position

Columns

Parameters

label

hiddenInTable

hiddenInForm

sortable

searchable

filterable

position

width

prefix

suffix

fieldInput

fieldRequirement

hiddenInForm

formFieldSpan

relationshipPreviewColumns

render

Field inputs

Field input types

input

numberInput

textarea

select

checkbox

datePicker

timePicker

recordSelect

Custom field input