Database Grid Example

Connect TeeGrid to databases using TDataSource and TDataSet

Overview

TeeGrid provides seamless integration with Delphi’s database components. You can connect it directly to a TDataSource or TDataSet for live data binding with automatic updates.

Basic Database Connection

Using TDataSource

uses
  VCLTee.Control, VCLTee.Grid, Tee.GridData.DB, Data.DB;

procedure TFormGridDataset.FormCreate(Sender: TObject);
begin
  // Simply assign a TDataSource to the grid
  TeeGrid1.DataSource := DataSource1;
end;

Using TDataSet Directly

// Connect directly to a dataset
TeeGrid1.DataSource := ClientDataSet1;

Complete Example with ClientDataSet

From the VCL Database demo (Unit_Dataset.pas):

unit Unit_Dataset;

interface

uses
  Winapi.Windows, System.SysUtils, System.Classes, Vcl.Graphics,
  Vcl.Controls, Vcl.Forms, VCLTee.Control, VCLTee.Grid, Data.DB,
  Datasnap.DBClient, Vcl.DBCtrls;

type
  TFormGridDataset = class(TForm)
    ClientDataSet1: TClientDataSet;
    DataSource1: TDataSource;
    TeeGrid1: TTeeGrid;
    DBNavigator1: TDBNavigator;
    CheckBox1: TCheckBox;
    procedure FormCreate(Sender: TObject);
    procedure CheckBox1Click(Sender: TObject);
  private
    procedure SetGridSortable;
  end;

implementation

uses
  Tee.GridData.DB.Sortable;

procedure TFormGridDataset.FormCreate(Sender: TObject);
begin
  // Connect grid to database
  TeeGrid1.DataSource := ClientDataSet1;
  
  // Enable sorting by clicking column headers
  SetGridSortable;
  
  // Enable drag/pan scrolling
  TeeGrid1.Scrolling.Mode := TScrollingMode.Both;
end;

procedure TFormGridDataset.CheckBox1Click(Sender: TObject);
begin
  // Open or close the dataset
  ClientDataSet1.Active := CheckBox1.Checked;
end;

procedure TFormGridDataset.SetGridSortable;
var
  tmp: TDataSet;
begin
  if TeeGrid1.DataSource is TDataSource then
    tmp := (TeeGrid1.DataSource as TDataSource).DataSet
  else if TeeGrid1.DataSource is TDataSet then
    tmp := (TeeGrid1.DataSource as TDataSet)
  else
    Exit;

  // Enable sorting for ClientDataSet
  if tmp is TClientDataSet then
    TSortableClientDataset.CreateSortable(TeeGrid1.Grid, tmp as TClientDataSet)
  // Enable sorting for FireDAC datasets
  else if tmp is TFDDataSet then
    TSortableFireDACDataset.CreateSortable(TeeGrid1.Grid, tmp as TFDDataSet);
end;

end.

Enabling Column Sorting

TeeGrid supports automatic sorting when clicking column headers:

For ClientDataSet

uses
  Tee.GridData.DB.Sortable;

// Enable sorting for TClientDataSet
TSortableClientDataset.CreateSortable(TeeGrid1.Grid, ClientDataSet1);

For FireDAC Datasets

uses
  Tee.GridData.DB.Sortable, FireDAC.Comp.Client;

// Enable sorting for FireDAC TFDDataSet
TSortableFireDACDataset.CreateSortable(TeeGrid1.Grid, FDMemTable1);

Cleanup

Remove temporary sorting indexes when destroying the form:

procedure TFormGridDataset.FormDestroy(Sender: TObject);
begin
  // Clean up temporary indexes
  TSortableClientDataset.CleanUp(ClientDataSet1);
  TSortableFireDACDataset.CleanUp(FDMemTable1);
end;

Custom Column Rendering

Password Column Example

// Use a custom render for password fields
ChangeRender(TeeGrid1.Columns['Password'], TPasswordRender);

// Alternative: Use OnPaint event
TeeGrid1.Columns['Password'].OnPaint := PaintPassword;

procedure PaintPassword(const Sender: TColumn; var AData: TRenderData;
  var DefaultPaint: Boolean);
begin
  AData.Data := '######';
  DefaultPaint := True;
end;

Automatic Row Heights

// Enable automatic row height for multi-line text
TeeGrid1.Rows.Height.Automatic := True;

// Or set a fixed height for all rows
TeeGrid1.Rows.Height.Value := 100;

Performance with Large Datasets

TeeGrid is optimized for large datasets. From the demo with 10,000 records:

procedure AddSampleRecords;
var
  t: Integer;
begin
  for t := 1 to 10000 do
    ClientDataSet3.AppendRecord(['Name', 3.45, 'Address', t, 'Password']);
end;

The grid efficiently handles:

• Virtual rendering (only visible rows are drawn)
• Smooth scrolling even with thousands of records
• Instant column sorting

Key Features

• Direct Database Binding: Connect to TDataSource or TDataSet
• Automatic Updates: Changes in the dataset reflect immediately in the grid
• Column Sorting: Click headers to sort (with ClientDataSet or FireDAC)
• Custom Rendering: Override default rendering for specific columns
• Navigation: Works with DBNavigator and standard dataset navigation
• High Performance: Virtual rendering for datasets of any size

Supported Dataset Types

• TClientDataSet (DataSnap)
• TFDMemTable, TFDQuery, and other TFDDataSet descendants (FireDAC)
• Any TDataSet descendant (with basic functionality)

Next Steps

• Learn about Master-Detail relationships
• Explore Custom Editors for data entry
• See Performance tips for large datasets

Related Examples

• Dataset Binding
• Master-Detail
• Performance