![\"dynamic](\"https:\/\/getflywheel-images.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2018\/09\/image2-trial.gif\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIn this article, we\u2019ll explain what dynamic tables are. Then we\u2019ll talk about some of the ways they can be used effectively on your WordPress site. Let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An Introduction to Dynamic WordPress Tables<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
WordPress provides a lot of handy functionality. Still, there are some things it\u2019s not very good at out of the box. One of those is providing ways to organize your content in a dynamic way, and another is setting up tables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When we talk about dynamic tables, we’re referring to something like this<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here, you can see a list of a website\u2019s content, including some blog posts, images, events, and so on. As with any table, this is an organized and attractive way to present information on your site. This particular table is dynamic, however, because it doesn\u2019t merely present static information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead, users can search through the table to find what they need quickly. They can use the search function, sort through various categories and tags via the drop-down menus<\/a>, and even click on each column\u2019s heading to reorganize the table itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are a lot of applications for this kind of table. The example above includes a variety of items, but most often you\u2019ll use a \u2018posts table\u2019 to display a specific type of content. (Despite the name, this is not just limited to posts). Below, we\u2019ll look at a few of the top use cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, you may be wondering how<\/em> you can add this kind of table to your site. While it would be possible to achieve this effect using some custom code, it would take a lot of work. A simpler solution is to use a dedicated plugin, such as Posts Table Pro<\/a>. This will enable you to add fully-customizable tables to your WordPress site, and then tweak their appearance, behavior, and contents to meet your exact needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Right now, all of this may still feel a bit abstract. Therefore, let\u2019s look at a few examples of dynamic WordPress tables in action. What follows are three ways you can use a posts table to organize your content in a more compelling and user-friendly way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your WordPress site has a Media Library<\/strong> that\u2019s just for your use. This is a handy feature for when you\u2019re creating and updating content. However, you may also want to display a selection of media files for your website\u2019s audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, you could collect your best YouTube videos, and show them off on a single page. The same applies to audio files\u2014this comes in handy if you run a podcast. Either way, you can display only the files you want in your dynamic table, include whatever information you like about each one, and even embed the files themselves directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s see how this might work in action. First up, an audio gallery<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here you can see a list of audio files, each of which can be listened to right from the table. There\u2019s some basic information included about each one as well, such as its title and description. Users can also filter the table by genre and search for specific files using the field above the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, a video gallery<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Again, visitors can watch each video within the table, or they can click on any title to visit that video\u2019s dedicated page. These videos are separated into various topics, which people can use to filter the files.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Overall, this is a more attractive and useful way of displaying a lot of media files than trying to embed each one separately in a page or post. The best part is that the tables pictured above are only examples\u2014you can arrange yours however you like and include more or less information<\/a> about each piece of media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A lot of WordPress sites enable some sort of registration and\/or membership. If you\u2019re running this type of site, it can be a good idea to display information about all your members in a single location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This way, if someone needs to get in touch with a particular member, they can find the information they need easily (such as contact details). Showing off a list of your user base can also be a great way to prove to new visitors how much reach your company or organization has.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As you can probably guess, a dynamic table is the perfect way to do this. Let\u2019s look at an example<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This directory lists each member’s name provides a summary about them, and even shows a profile picture for a more human touch. There are also a few details about how to contact each member, and what level of expertise they have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If displayed on the front end of your site, visitors can use this directory to browse through your members list. They can also filter the list by whatever criteria you like, in order to locate someone they want to get in touch with. You could make this table publicly viewable by anyone, or lock it away in a safe, members-only area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s worth noting that the same kind of table can be used within a company or organization as well. Instead of a members list, you can create a staff directory<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This helps ensure that all employees have access to the information they need, and can be used effectively on an internal company site. Again, you can add just about any details you like to this directory, so you\u2019re only focusing on what matters to your particular organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some sites need to provide a lot of documents to their users. This could include forms, legal information and policies, white papers, ebooks, or just about anything else. If you want these items to be useful to your audience, you\u2019ll need to make them simple to locate and download (or view).<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"dynamic](\"https:\/\/getflywheel-images.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2018\/09\/stock-photots-audio.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThree Ways Dynamic Tables can Improve Your WordPress Site<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"a](\"https:\/\/getflywheel-images.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2018\/10\/2018-09-28_ways-dynamic-tables-can-improve-wordpress-site-662.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n1. You can Create a Library of Media Files<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"audio](\"https:\/\/getflywheel-images.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2018\/09\/audio.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"dynamic](\"https:\/\/getflywheel-images.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2018\/09\/videos.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n2. They can Help you Display a Membership Directory<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"local](\"https:\/\/getflywheel-images.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2018\/09\/local-people-adelle.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"authors](\"https:\/\/getflywheel-images.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2018\/09\/people-collin.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n3. You\u2019re Able to put Together a Document Library<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"stock](\"https:\/\/getflywheel-images.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2018\/09\/posts-stock-photos.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n