With Tanstack Virtual

This skill builds on @tanstack/table-core#core, getting-started, and table-state. Virtual consumes final Table models; it is not registered in tableFeatures.

Setup

import { computed, ref } from 'vue'
import { useVirtualizer } from '@tanstack/vue-virtual'

const scrollElement = ref<HTMLElement | null>(null)
const rows = computed(() => table.getRowModel().rows)
const rowVirtualizer = useVirtualizer(
  computed(() => ({
    count: rows.value.length,
    getScrollElement: () => scrollElement.value,
    estimateSize: () => 34,
    getItemKey: (index) => rows.value[index]!.id,
    overscan: 5,
  })),
)
const virtualRows = computed(() => rowVirtualizer.value.getVirtualItems())
const totalSize = computed(() => rowVirtualizer.value.getTotalSize())

Core Patterns

Derive from current visible models

Rows come from table.getRowModel().rows; columns come from table.getVisibleLeafColumns(). Use computed options so counts and scroll targets update.

Implement the geometry

Give the scroll container a bounded height and positioning context, create a spacer using getTotalSize(), and translate/measure virtual items. Follow the grid/flex examples for dynamic row heights and sticky headers.

Coordinate infinite fetching

Fetch near the last virtual item only while totalFetched < serverRowCount and no request is active. Manual sorting means the server must return the sorted order and a sort change normally resets pages.

Common Mistakes

HIGH Passing a plain options snapshot

Wrong:

useVirtualizer({ count: rows.value.length, getScrollElement })

Correct:

useVirtualizer(computed(() => ({ count: rows.value.length, getScrollElement })))

Computed options keep the virtual range synchronized with Vue’s current model.

Source: examples/vue/virtualized-rows/src/App.vue

HIGH Virtualizing source arrays

Wrong:

const rows = computed(() => data.value)

Correct:

const rows = computed(() => table.getRowModel().rows)

Source arrays do not represent Table’s current filtering, sorting, expansion, or pagination.

Source: docs/framework/vue/guide/virtualization.md

HIGH Assuming Virtual provides CSS

Wrong:

<div v-for="item in virtualRows" :key="item.key">{{ rows[item.index].id }}</div>

Correct:

<div :style="{ height: `${totalSize}px`, position: 'relative' }"><div style="position:absolute"></div></div>

Virtual provides measurements, not spacer layout, transforms, sticky positioning, or Table column widths.

Source: examples/vue/virtualized-columns/src/App.vue

API Discovery

Inspect installed @tanstack/vue-table/dist/ and @tanstack/vue-virtual/dist/; use the maintained Vue examples for exact row, column, and infinite layout combinations.