---
title: "How to Render wpDataCharts Inside Table Cells"
description: "Display charts inside cells using shortcodes in string columns"
url: https://help.wpdatatables.com/en/articles/21-how-to-render-wpdatacharts-inside-table-cells
collection: "Charts"
updated: 2026-03-19
language: en
---

# How to Render wpDataCharts Inside Table Cells

Display charts inside cells using shortcodes in string columns

You can display a chart **inside a table cell** by inserting a chart shortcode (e.g. `[wpdatachart id=1]`) into a **string column**—this works great for use cases where you want to add a small chart next to your data rows.

### ✅ Requirements:

1.  **Enable “Parse shortcodes in strings”**  
    Go to **wpDataTables > Settings > Main Settings**, and make sure the option **“Parse shortcodes in strings”** is enabled.  
    
    ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/MIMVPAQPzntQeJLcO8JCH8IRwvmOksPjFZQnW1h5tPNmWmhl79ZtzYnuEIZKTKqyxcX9xy6MyHR.webp)
    
2.  **Add a column in your data source**  
    For example, if you’re using an Excel file, add a column named “Chart” (or anything you like), and insert a chart shortcode in a cell such as:  
    `[wpdatachart id=1]`  
    
    ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/kAivr1TciDW0UiFUzC0wo1mUL6aCOi1HqyWJLGVevG9QqJfyCNjArYGJjlN0LbIPVt532BM9eyj.webp)
    
3.  **Link your table to the data source**  
    Create a new table in wpDataTables using your updated Excel file, and the chart shortcodes will be rendered automatically inside the cells.
    

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/igYubuDFwEatPlLmVgTL5E8lsN235VsnV3dFPKVcuaSRboIyHrT19NZs0aFVLYmkkMKFHgRL9Sb.webp)

* * *

### 🔧 Compatibility Notes:

-   ✅ Works with:
    
    -   **Simple tables**
        
    -   Tables linked to data source, such as **Excel**, **CSV**, **Google Sheets**, **MySQL**, **JSON, PHP Array** etc.
        
    -   **SQL Query-based tables** _(only if server-side processing is disabled)_
        
-   ⚠ Limitations:
    
    -   ❌ **Does not work with** [**server-side processing**](https://wpdatatables.com/documentation/table-features/server-side-processing/) **enabled**, as shortcodes cannot be parsed during AJAX requests.
        
    -   ❌ **Manual tables** do not support rendering charts inside cells using shortcodes.