datasette-sticky-table-headers 0.1.0

Datasette plugin that keeps table headers visible while scrolling

datasette-sticky-table-headers

Keep Datasette table headers visible while scrolling.

This plugin is especially useful when exploring wide or unfamiliar datasets: column names stay in view while you scroll down table listings, database table previews, and SQL query results.

If you know this feature from spreadsheets, it is similar to "freeze top row" or "freeze header row": column names remain visible while you scroll through long or wide tables.

Installation

Install the plugin in the same environment as Datasette:

datasette install datasette-sticky-table-headers

For local development from this checkout:

pip install -e . --no-build-isolation

Usage

Run Datasette as normal. The plugin is enabled automatically:

datasette data.db

It injects a small script on Datasette table, database, and SQL query pages. That script adds CSS targeting thead header cells in Datasette result tables, so the header row sticks to the top of the browser viewport while the page scrolls.

.rows-and-columns thead th {
  position: sticky;
  top: 0;
}

The plugin also makes Datasette's table wrappers use normal page scrolling rather than a separate vertical scroll box, which lets sticky headers pin to the browser viewport.

Screenshots

The screenshot shows a Datasette table page scrolled down with the column headers still visible at the top of the page.

Compatibility and limitations

Tested with Datasette 0.65.2. The plugin uses Datasette's extra_body_script hook and standard Datasette table markup, so it should also work with nearby Datasette versions that render result tables with thead elements and the rows-and-columns class.

The CSS intentionally targets only thead cells. It does not use a tr:first-child fallback, because that can accidentally make the first data row sticky on result tables without a header section.

The header background is white. Datasette themes or custom CSS with non-white table backgrounds may need a small override.