We’ve just released Handsontable 16.2, which brings a set of updates focused on easier theming and better user feedback.

The new CSS variable structure and updated Theme Builder help align the table with your design system faster. A built-in empty state plugin improves UX for filtered or dynamic data, and the enhanced Dialog plugin makes it easier to show confirmations and errors inside your table.

Easier Theming With Alias-Based CSS Variables

We’ve introduced a new alias system for CSS variables, built on a three-level structure: Global, Common, and Component variables. This change simplifies how themes are built and maintained. Instead of overriding dozens of component-level tokens, you can now control entire groups of UI elements with a single change.

Handsontable Theme Builder

The Theme Builder lets you style Handsontable without writing any CSS. You can visually adjust colors, spacing, and typography, preview changes live, and export your theme as CSS or a working StackBlitz project.

With 16.2, it now reflects the new variable structure, making customization more intuitive and better aligned with how theming works under the hood.

Built-In Notifications for Empty Tables

EmptyDataState automatically displays a customizable message when the grid has no data to show, whether due to filtering or an empty dataset. The plugin is highly configurable, allowing you to define a custom title, description, and one or more action buttons with callbacks.

Use Custom Notifications in Your Table

TheDialog plugin now includes aTemplate option and two new helpers:showAlert andshowConfirm. These additions let you quickly create error messages, confirmations, and custom notifications without manually constructing dialog elements.

Ensure Compatibility with Angular 21

For teams planning to upgrade to Angular 21, Handsontable 16.2 is the minimum required version to ensure your table works smoothly. This update addresses compatibility issues introduced in the Angular 21 release, so be sure to update your Handsontable dependency when making the switch.

Find out more →