Use case or problem
Despite the improvements made in the latest update, tables continue to be a somewhat unrefined and inefficient feature. Users who depend on them often experience the frustration of waiting for the tables to load. The inconvenience is even more pronounced when one has to scroll down to the bottom and observe how the markdown gradually adjusts to its visual structure.
Furthermore, the current feature set makes it impossible to change the width of the columns unless you invest time in writing and implementing a CSS snippet, a skill that not every Obsidian user possesses.
Finally, while managing and editing tables on the desktop version is significantly easier, doing so on the mobile app proves to be considerably challenging and time-consuming.
Current workaround
As a user who heavily relies on tables to manage various databases, I have been using an plugin named DataLoom. This extension makes tables smooth, sophisticated, visually appealing, and most importantly, incredibly easy and intuitive to manage.
This plugin saves application data in JSON format and stores them in a file with a .loom extension. The visual appearance of the tables bears a resemblance to the way tables are displayed in Notion.
Proposed solution
I believe that incorporating a feature similar to DataLoom into Obsidian by default would significantly enhance the app’s functionality. It would not only improve the user experience but also expand the app’s user base by attracting those who frequently work with tables and databases. This addition could truly be a game-changer for Obsidian.