Useful but at times frustrating (Based on Pro Version)

  • Update:After exploring the plugin during the last update it’s markedly improved, specifically the load/refresh time on the back-end of the tables. I also found it much more efficient to work on tables in an external program (in this case excel) and import the results into the data table plugin, as opposed to entering the data into the plugin itself, which has a small delay after each data input/change interaction.

    The main issue that remains is for a large data table the save feature returns an error. I observe that the main table information IS saved, but attributes of the table are not. For instance I’m trying to make a column “font-end editable” and the tables with the save error do not save that attribute, while smaller tables that save without error do have that attribute on the front-end.

    The column/row invisibility change mentioned in the reply below is something I was able to simply work-around by editing a line in the JS file, however this save error is actually preventing a needed function of the table. I hope it will soon be resolved and want to thank the developer for acknowledging and efforting to address issues and improve the plugin.

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    The amount of frustration and lost-time this plugin has caused me is something I can never forget, unfortunately. The pro version has bugs to the point it’s unusable in some situations.

    I won’t go in to every issue I’ve encountered because of the time it would take but also because it’s painful to recount.
    The top issues are:
    -It does not handle large tables well. You will wait 5-10 minutes for it to load with no indication of progress -and sometimes it will load, other times it will not. Expect those same outcomes with every interaction moving forward.
    -The combination of certain settings or actions will cause it to fail and often render the table unusable and require starting over.
    -Selecting certain settings or formats will erase or change the data you have in your cells. Often I would get incorrect information on the client side only to realize it erased my formulas on the back end.

    I normally don’t write reviews but I felt obligated in case it helps another “me” out there to prevent a similar experience.

    • This topic was modified 5 years, 5 months ago by jerguy.
    • This topic was modified 5 years, 5 months ago by jerguy. Reason: Plugin was updated
    • This topic was modified 5 years, 5 months ago by jerguy.
Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
  • Plugin Author supsystic

    (@supsysticcom)

    Hello, @jerguy
    Thank you for detailed analysis of the plugin.
    We always try to make our plugins convenient and functional for our users.
    Therefore, it would be nice to clarify some details.

    -It does not handle large tables well. You will wait 5-10 minutes for it to load with no indication of progress -and sometimes it will load, other times it will not. Expect those same outcomes with every interaction moving forward.

    Please specify what size table in question?
    Have you tried using the Server Side Processing option?

    -The combination of certain settings or actions will cause it to fail and often render the table unusable and require starting over.

    What combinations are we talking about?
    There are a lot of options in the plugin and it’s not entirely clear which ones you are writing about.
    Could you please clarify which options don’t work with each other?

    -Selecting certain settings or formats will erase or change the data you have in your cells. Often I would get incorrect information on the client side only to realize it erased my formulas on the back end.

    Unfortunately, we can’t reproduce this problem.
    How exactly should it be reproduced?

    Your answers will be extremely helpful to us.

    Best regards,
    Ole

    • This reply was modified 5 years, 5 months ago by supsystic.
    Thread Starter jerguy

    (@jerguy)

    I’m not going to try to re-create the numerous issues because it would recreate the awful experience of dealing with the plugin. Off the top of my head

    The long loading time- I had a data table with over 400 rows and (on the back end) it would take a significant amount of time for it to load in the editor. I would have to leave the computer and come back in 5-10 minutes. Also over a certain size, the save feature returns errors. The recent update actually improved the load time but the save error on large tables is still present. It gives a generic error message like “save could not be completed, errors were present” and the save icon is stuck on the loading icon. This is just one of the many examples where if you learned even a little bit about User Experience design you could alleviate the frustrations your app causes users even in cases of failure. This app in general could be valuably improved with user experience design considerations.

    Losing data: often it would happen at random, I would have a formula that creates a numerical value, and sometimes upon rechecking, it would just be the static numerical value in the cell and not the formula. One I remember I learned and had to avoid was: if I have a formula in a cell, then I add the “$” (currency) feature to that fell, it will delete the formula. Once I realized that I just made sure to add the currency markers before the formula. This is just one of many seemingly random examples of a combination of actions resulting in errors or data loss.

    The recent update which renders the entire row invisible if there is an invisible cell is also illogical. I’m sure there is a reason but I can’t imagine how many users’ tables were affected. I solved this by editing one line of the code in the plugin JS files and it fixed it – consider making this a toggle option on the front end for all the users who have hidden columns for calculations.

    Overall your plugin is trying to fill a much needed niche but is practically unusable.

    Hire a usability expert.

    Plugin Author supsystic

    (@supsysticcom)

    Indeed, some of the problems you described were in the plugin.
    We have already released fixes.
    Namely:
    – Fix for formulas;
    – Fix for hidden rows. Will be in the next version of the plugin.

    We will try to prevent such situations and will test the plugin more thoroughly.

    Best regards,
    Ole

    Thread Starter jerguy

    (@jerguy)

    Okay that’s very nice to hear. Keep up the good work and I will adjust my review accordingly. I think you’re in a position to have a really useful plugin. I know some UI and usability professionals who could improve the user interface and user flow of your plugin. Those considerations could go a long way in improving the experience of using it. Also it would be nice (and save you a lot of technical support) if the issues people encountered on the forum had public answers instead of always recommending contacting through email. (Because now anyone who has the same issue does not have the information to resolve it themselves). Otherwise keep up the efforts on the development side and thanks for the response and addressing some of the items that gave me a hard time.

    Plugin Author supsystic

    (@supsysticcom)

    I know some UI and usability professionals who could improve the user interface and user flow of your plugin

    That would be a great idea. Could you give contacts?

    Best regards,
    Ole

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
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