How to Show "Scroll to View" Label Only When Table Overflows (with jQuery)
Last updated 3 weeks, 5 days ago | 35 views 75 5
Third page link: How to Add a "Scroll to View" Label Above Large Tables Using jQuery
Perfect!
Let's now make it even smarter —
the "Scroll to view" label will appear only when the table really overflows horizontally, meaning:
-
If the table fits normally, no label is shown ✅
-
If the table is wider than its container, the label appears ✅
-
It updates even if the user resizes the window! ✅
This way, the page feels much more dynamic and professional!
Updated Step-by-Step Plan:
-
Wrap each large table in a scrollable div (
.table-wrapper). -
Insert a scroll notice (
.scroll-notice) above each table. -
Check if the table overflows horizontally.
-
Show or hide the notice based on overflow.
-
Recheck on window resize (because tables might overflow differently on mobile/tablet/desktop).
✅ Updated jQuery Code
$(document).ready(function() {
$("table").each(function() {
var columnCount = $(this).find('tr:first-child td, tr:first-child th').length;
if (columnCount > 5) {
if (!$(this).parent().hasClass('table-wrapper')) {
$(this).before('<div class="scroll-notice" style="display:none;">Scroll to view </div>');
$(this).wrap("<div class='table-wrapper'></div>");
}
}
});
function updateScrollNotices() {
$(".table-wrapper").each(function() {
var $wrapper = $(this);
var $table = $wrapper.find('table');
var $notice = $wrapper.prev(".scroll-notice");
if ($table.outerWidth() > $wrapper.width()) {
$notice.show();
} else {
$notice.hide();
}
});
}
updateScrollNotices(); // Check on load
$(window).on('resize', function() {
updateScrollNotices(); // Recheck on resize
});
});
Explanation
-
outerWidth():
Measures the true width of the table including padding and borders. -
$table.outerWidth() > $wrapper.width():
Checks if the table's real width is bigger than the wrapper’s visible area. -
$notice.show()/$notice.hide():
Dynamically shows or hides the "Scroll to view" label. -
$(window).on('resize', function(){}):
Updates the behavior whenever the screen size changes.
Full Working HTML + CSS + jQuery Example
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<title>Smart Scroll Notice for Wide Tables</title>
<style>
.table-wrapper {
overflow-x: auto;
max-width: 100%;
border: 2px solid #ccc;
margin: 20px 0;
padding: 10px;
}
.scroll-notice {
font-size: 14px;
color: #555;
margin: 10px 0 5px;
font-style: italic;
}
table {
border-collapse: collapse;
width: 100%;
min-width: 600px; /* for testing overflow */
}
th, td {
border: 1px solid #aaa;
padding: 8px 12px;
text-align: left;
}
</style>
<script src="https://code.jquery.com/jquery-3.6.0.min.js"></script>
</head>
<body>
<h2>Small Table (No Scroll Notice)</h2>
<table>
<tr><th>Name</th><th>Age</th><th>City</th></tr>
<tr><td>John</td><td>25</td><td>New York</td></tr>
<tr><td>Jane</td><td>30</td><td>Los Angeles</td></tr>
</table>
<h2>Large Table (Scroll Notice Only When Needed)</h2>
<table>
<tr>
<th>Product</th><th>Price</th><th>Stock</th><th>SKU</th><th>Category</th><th>Brand</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Phone</td><td>$699</td><td>Available</td><td>PH1234</td><td>Electronics</td><td>Samsung</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Laptop</td><td>$999</td><td>Available</td><td>LT5678</td><td>Electronics</td><td>Dell</td>
</tr>
</table>
<script>
$(document).ready(function() {
$("table").each(function() {
var columnCount = $(this).find('tr:first-child td, tr:first-child th').length;
if (columnCount > 5) {
if (!$(this).parent().hasClass('table-wrapper')) {
$(this).before('<div class="scroll-notice" style="display:none;">Scroll to view </div>');
$(this).wrap("<div class='table-wrapper'></div>");
}
}
});
function updateScrollNotices() {
$(".table-wrapper").each(function() {
var $wrapper = $(this);
var $table = $wrapper.find('table');
var $notice = $wrapper.prev(".scroll-notice");
if ($table.outerWidth() > $wrapper.width()) {
$notice.show();
} else {
$notice.hide();
}
});
}
updateScrollNotices();
$(window).on('resize', function() {
updateScrollNotices();
});
});
</script>
</body>
</html>
Pro Tips:
-
Style the scroll notice a little differently for mobile screens to make it even more helpful!
-
Smooth show/hide:
Instead of.show()and.hide(), you can use.fadeIn()and.fadeOut()for a more elegant touch.Example:
$notice.fadeIn(); $notice.fadeOut(); -
Optimize for dynamically added tables:
If tables are added via AJAX or dynamically, callupdateScrollNotices()again after adding new tables.
Common Pitfalls
-
Don't forget
min-widthtesting:
For demo purposes, sometimes add amin-widthto tables so you can easily test overflow behavior. -
Don't rely only on column count:
Sometimes a table might have few columns but very wide content. In that case, you may want to check actual width too. -
Throttling resize events:
On huge pages, you may want to "debounce" the resize event to avoid performance issues — but for most pages this simple setup works fine!
Final Words
Now you have a fully dynamic, mobile-friendly, responsive table setup —
only showing the scroll notice when it’s truly needed.
It’s subtle, user-friendly, and boosts the professionalism of your site big time!
See how to make the scroll notice "sticky" at the top of the wrapper when scrolling sideways.
Click here
