How to Use CellTables with CSS in GWT

How can I style CellTables using CSS in GWT?

<table class='my-custom-table'>
    <thead>
        <tr>
            <th>Header 1</th>
            <th>Header 2</th>
        </tr>
    </thead>
    <tbody>
        <tr>
            <td>Data 1</td>
            <td>Data 2</td>
        </tr>
    </tbody>
</table>

GWT (Google Web Toolkit) allows developers to write client-side applications in Java and then compile them into JavaScript. CellTables provide a powerful method for displaying tabular data; however, applying custom CSS can be tricky. This guide will show you how to effectively style CellTables in your GWT applications, ensuring a cleaner look and improved user experience.

// Example of setting a custom style for CellTable in GWT
CellTable<MyDataType> cellTable = new CellTable<>();
cellTable.setStyleName("my-custom-table");

// Apply your CSS styles in an external stylesheet
.my-custom-table {
    border-collapse: collapse;
}
.my-custom-table th {
    background-color: #f2f2f2;
    padding: 8px;
    text-align: left;
}
.my-custom-table td {
    border: 1px solid #ddd;
    padding: 8px;
}

Causes

• Misunderstanding of GWT's CSS functionality.
• Incorrectly scoped CSS class names.
• Failure to refresh the CellTable after applying styles.

Solutions

• Use the correct CSS selectors to target CellTable elements.
• Ensure CSS files are linked properly in your GWT module file.
• Use the GWT Styling classes provided for easier integration.

Mistake: Not linking the CSS file properly in the module.gwt.xml.

Solution: Ensure the CSS file is included in your module with `<stylesheet src="your/styles.css"/>`.

Mistake: Using outdated or unsupported CSS properties.

Solution: Check GWT and browser compatibility for the CSS properties you are using.