Most web tools stop working the moment you lose your internet
connection. For a table builder used on a train, in a conference
room with spotty wifi, or on a flight, this is a real problem.

Progressive Web Apps solve this through service workers, a background
script that caches the application assets and intercepts network
requests. When you open a PWA without internet access, the service
worker serves the cached version of the app. The tool works exactly
as it does online.

Tablesmit is a PWA. The first time you visit tablesmit.com, the
service worker caches the application. After that, you can open it
without internet access and every feature works: editing, formatting,
all export formats.

The exports (PDF, Excel, LaTeX, CSV, PNG, JPEG) all run client-side
using jsPDF, ExcelJS, and html2canvas. None of them require a server
call. The export file is generated in your browser and downloaded to
your device.

To install Tablesmit as a PWA: on Chrome or Edge, look for the install
icon in the address bar. On Safari on iOS, use Share → Add to Home Screen.
The installed app opens like a native application and works offline
without opening a browser first.

The offline capability also means your table data never leaves your
device. There is no server, no database, no sync. The table you build
exists only in your browser session until you export it.

Free, no account, MIT licensed. tablesmit.com

This post originally appeared on the Tablesmit Blog at tablesmit.com/blog/offline-table-builder. Tablesmit is a free, open source table builder. Export to PDF, Excel, LaTeX, CSV, PNG. No account required. Try it at tablesmit.com.