Displaying Columns - Datatables for Laravel [ Datatables for Laravel ](/) Toggle main menu [Docs](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs) [Demos](/demos) [Blog](https://laravel-datatables.com/blog) [Pricing](/pricing) Search ⌘ K [ Log in ](/login) [Docs](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs) [Demos](/demos) [Blog](https://laravel-datatables.com/blog) [Pricing](/pricing) Search docs and demos Type at least 2 characters to search. Docs ### Getting Started - [ Installation ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/start-installation) - [ Manual Installation ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/start-manual-installation) - [ Dark Mode ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/start-dark-mode) ### Basics - [ Creating a Table ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/basic-creating-a-table) - [ Displaying Columns ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/basic-displaying-columns) - [ Data Sources ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/basic-data-sources) - [ Internationalisation ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/basic-internationalisation) - [ Styling ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/basic-styling) ### Features - [ Accessibility ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-accessibility) - [ Aggregate Columns ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-aggregate-columns) - [ Bulk Actions ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-bulk-actions) - [ Column Reordering ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-column-reordering) - [ Column Visibility ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-column-visibility) - [ Custom Controls ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-custom-controls) - [ Custom Filters ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-custom-filters) - [ Exporting ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-exporting) - [ Freeze Columns and Headers ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-freeze-columns-and-headers) - [ Inline Editing ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-inline-editing) - [ Pagination ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-pagination) - [ Responsive Mobile ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-responsive-mobile) - [ Row Actions ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-row-actions) - [ Row Grouping ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-row-grouping) - [ Row Selection ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-row-selection) - [ Sorting and Searching ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-sorting-and-searching) - [ State Persistence ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-state-persistence) - [ Value Preparation ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-value-preparation) ### Customization - [ Cell Renderer ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/customization-cell-renderer) - [ Columns ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/customization-columns) - [ Components ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/customization-components) - [ Data Sources ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/customization-data-sources) - [ Exporting ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/customization-exporting) - [ Filters ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/customization-filters) - [ Loading Indicator ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/customization-loading-indicator) - [ Multi Row Actions ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/customization-multi-row-actions) - [ Pagination ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/customization-pagination) - [ Row Actions ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/customization-row-actions) - [ Sorting Icons ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/customization-sorting-icons) - [ State Persistence ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/customization-state-persistence) - [ Value Formatter ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/customization-value-formatter) ### Cell Renderer - [ Action Buttons ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/renderer-action-buttons) - [ Avatar ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/renderer-avatar) - [ Checkmark ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/renderer-checkmark) - [ Color Sample ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/renderer-color-sample) - [ Email Link ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/renderer-email-to-link) - [ External Link ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/renderer-external-link) - [ Friendly Timestamp ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/renderer-friendly-timestamp) - [ Image ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/renderer-image) - [ Long Text ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/renderer-long-text) - [ Phone Link ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/renderer-phone-link) - [ Progress Bar ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/renderer-progress-bar) - [ Status Badge ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/renderer-status-badge) - [ URL Link ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/renderer-url-link) - [ Wire Link ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/renderer-wire-link) ### Value Formatter - [ Compact Number ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/formatter-compact-number) - [ Currency ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/formatter-currency) - [ Duration ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/formatter-duration) - [ Friendly Filesize ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/formatter-friendly-filesize) - [ Friendly Timestamp ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/formatter-friendly-timestamp) - [ Locale Timestamp ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/formatter-locale-timestamp) - [ Number ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/formatter-number) - [ Percent ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/formatter-percent) Displaying Columns ================== The Column object is the schema unit for table output. Each Column instance defines key mapping, visibility, sort/search/filter behavior, and value pipeline stages. Column Schema Basics -------------------- Create one Column per visible or functional field. columns() PHP `use MorrowIt\LaravelDatatable\Config\Column;public function columns(): array{ return [ Column::make('id', 'ID')->sortable(), Column::make('name', 'Name')->searchable()->sortable(), Column::make('email', 'Email')->searchable(), Column::make('created_at', 'Created At')->sortable(), ];}` ``` use MorrowIt\LaravelDatatable\Config\Column; public function columns(): array { return [ Column::make('id', 'ID')->sortable(), Column::make('name', 'Name')->searchable()->sortable(), Column::make('email', 'Email')->searchable(), Column::make('created_at', 'Created At')->sortable(), ]; } ``` Behavior Flags -------------- Columns can be interactive, hidden, or functional-only depending on table requirements. Visibility and behavior PHP `Column::make('id', 'ID')->toggleable(false);Column::make('internal_notes', 'Internal Notes')->visible(false);Column::make('status_code')->functional(); // participates in logic, not rendered` ``` Column::make('id', 'ID')->toggleable(false); Column::make('internal_notes', 'Internal Notes')->visible(false); Column::make('status_code')->functional(); // participates in logic, not rendered ``` Filter Metadata --------------- Filters are metadata-driven. Column definitions provide filter type and optional choices used by the advanced filters modal. Filterable columns PHP `public function columns(): array{ return [ Column::make('name', 'Name')->filterable('text'), Column::make('price', 'Price')->filterable('number'), Column::make('created_at', 'Created At')->filterable('date'), Column::make('status', 'Status')->filterable('select', options: [ 'active' => 'Active', 'inactive' => 'Inactive', ]), ];}` ``` public function columns(): array { return [ Column::make('name', 'Name')->filterable('text'), Column::make('price', 'Price')->filterable('number'), Column::make('created_at', 'Created At')->filterable('date'), Column::make('status', 'Status')->filterable('select', options: [ 'active' => 'Active', 'inactive' => 'Inactive', ]), ]; } ``` Value Pipeline -------------- Each cell value flows through optional prepare callbacks, then optional formatter, then optional renderer. Pipeline example PHP `Column::make('last_contact_at', 'Last Contact') ->prepare(new \App\Support\Datatable\Formatters\PrepareTotalPrice()) ->format(new \MorrowIt\LaravelDatatable\Formatters\FriendlyTimestamp()) ->renderer(new \MorrowIt\LaravelDatatable\Renderers\FriendlyTimestamp());` ``` Column::make('last_contact_at', 'Last Contact') ->prepare(new \App\Support\Datatable\Formatters\PrepareTotalPrice()) ->format(new \MorrowIt\LaravelDatatable\Formatters\FriendlyTimestamp()) ->renderer(new \MorrowIt\LaravelDatatable\Renderers\FriendlyTimestamp()); ``` Semantic Class Metadata ----------------------- Column header and cell classes are semantic metadata consumed by theme templates. Semantic classes PHP `Column::make('price', 'Unit Price') ->headerClasses('ldt-align-right') ->cellClasses('ldt-align-right');` ``` Column::make('price', 'Unit Price') ->headerClasses('ldt-align-right') ->cellClasses('ldt-align-right'); ``` Column Method Reference ----------------------- Prefer `prepare()` for normalization, `format()` for value representation, and `renderer()` for final HTML output. Keeping each concern separate makes table behavior easier to reason about and test. Core methods and their architectural purpose: Method Role Input Type searchable() Include column in global search. bool sortable() Allow sorting by this key. bool filterable() Define filter control metadata. bool\|string, string, array prepare() Pre-format transformation stage. FormatterInterface format() Convert value semantics. Closure\|string\|FormatterInterface renderer() Produce final rendered output. Closure\|string\|RendererInterface toggleable() Allow visibility toggling in UI. bool functional() Logic-only column, not displayed. bool headerClasses() Attach semantic header classes. array\|string cellClasses() Attach semantic cell classes. array\|string aggregate() Include in aggregation pipeline. bool ### Related Documentation [Columns Customization Create your own column classes.](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/customization-columns) [Aggregate Columns Features Display aggregate values for your columns.](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-aggregate-columns) [Column Reordering Features Enable drag & drop column reordering.](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-column-reordering) [Column Visibility Features Configure column visibility and toggling.](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-column-visibility) © 2026 Copyright (C) [ Morrow IT Consulting & Services ](https://morrow-it.services) [Terms of Service](https://laravel-datatables.com/legal/terms) [Privacy](https://laravel-datatables.com/legal/privacy) [Legal Disclosure](https://laravel-datatables.com/legal/disclosure)