Confluence table comparison
Native Confluence tables or Simple Tables?
Native tables are an excellent starting point for structured page content. An app becomes useful when the table also needs repeatable data operations, larger imports, calculations, or interactive controls.
Use a native table when
The data is entered manually, the table is small, and readers mainly need clear formatting. Confluence supports table editing, formatting, charts, and viewer-side sorting.
- Small manually maintained lists
- Rich Confluence content inside cells
- No reusable calculations or import pipeline
- Basic presentation and sorting
Use Simple Tables when
Simple Tables extends the workflow when data comes from CSV, JSON or Excel, or when readers need search, grouping, filters, calculated columns, aggregations, pagination, or export.
- File-backed and pasted data
- Repeatable formulas and totals
- Interactive published tables
- Large datasets that need navigation controls
You can keep the native editing experience
Simple Table with Body is designed to enhance an existing native Confluence table. Editors continue working with Confluence content while the published macro adds the interactive table presentation.
Sources used for this guide
Related Simple Tables documentation
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an app for every Confluence table?
No. Native tables are appropriate for many small, manually maintained tables.
Can Simple Tables enhance an existing Confluence table?
Yes. Simple Table with Body uses native Confluence table content as its source.
Can readers search a Simple Table?
Yes. The table search control filters the rendered table content.