Product variations are essential in WooCommerce — whether you’re selling apparel in multiple sizes and colors or complex products with layered configurations. However, the default variation dropdown in WooCommerce can be limiting, especially for stores with many variable options. That’s where a WooCommerce Variations Table comes in.
A variation table displays all product variations in a clean, sortable table format with clear data like price, stock, SKU, and more — helping your customers compare and select options more easily.
What Is a WooCommerce Variations Table?
A WooCommerce Variations Table is an upgraded way of displaying product variations. Instead of using dropdowns, this feature displays each variation as a row in a table — much like a product list.
Each row contains:
- Variation attributes (size, color, etc.)
- Price
- Availability
- SKU
- Quantity selector
- Add-to-cart button
This setup is ideal for bulk purchases, quick comparisons, and a more intuitive product selection process.
Why Use a Variations Table?
WooCommerce’s default variation display works fine for simple stores. But as the number of options grows, so do user frustrations. A variation table resolves this by:
✅ Improving Usability
Buyers can view all available variations at once, with no need to toggle dropdowns.
✅ Speeding Up Orders
Customers can quickly select and order multiple variations from one screen — perfect for wholesale and B2B stores.
✅ Enhancing Visibility
Show important data like stock levels, pricing, or availability in a glanceable format.
✅ Supporting Bulk Orders
Enable customers to add multiple variations with different quantities to their cart in a single action.
Key Features of a Good Variations Table Plugin
To get the most out of a variations table, look for these key features:
🔹 Variation Display Table
Lists all product variations in rows with clearly visible attributes, prices, and stock.
🔹 Add Multiple Variations to Cart
Customers can select quantities across several variations and add them all to the cart at once.
🔹 Quantity Selectors
Add input boxes directly into the table for quick ordering.
🔹 Custom Columns
Display columns like SKU, weight, dimensions, availability, or any custom product meta fields.
🔹 AJAX Loading
Fast loading without page refreshes, especially for variable products with many options.
🔹 Mobile Responsive
Table automatically adjusts for small screens, ensuring a good experience on mobile devices.
Best Plugins for WooCommerce Variations Table
Several plugins provide this functionality. Here are a few top recommendations:
🔸 WooCommerce Variations Table by Barn2
- Automatically replaces the dropdown with a responsive table layout.
- Supports quantity selection and bulk add to cart.
- Includes filters and search functionality.
🔸 WooCommerce Bulk Variations
- Show variations in a matrix-style table — great for apparel stores.
- Add quantities for size and color combinations quickly.
- Customizable with shortcodes and Gutenberg blocks.
🔸 Product Variations Table for WooCommerce
- Free and paid versions available.
- Simple, lightweight, and highly customizable.
- Displays thumbnails and add-to-cart buttons.
Use Cases for a Variations Table
👔 Apparel Stores
Let shoppers select multiple sizes and colors of the same product and order them all at once.
📚 Educational or Office Supplies
Display quantity discounts or variation-specific pricing in a bulk-friendly format.
🛠️ Industrial Supplies or B2B
Let businesses order multiple SKUs with detailed product specs like weight, voltage, or material.
🧴 Health & Beauty Products
Customers can easily compare scent, size, or pack variations and choose their favorite.
How to Set Up a WooCommerce Variations Table (Step-by-Step)
Let’s use the WooCommerce Variations Table by Barn2 as an example:
Step 1: Install and Activate the Plugin
- Navigate to Plugins > Add New
- Upload and install the plugin ZIP
- Activate the plugin
Step 2: Configure Plugin Settings
- Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Products > Variations Table
- Choose which columns to display (e.g., SKU, image, stock, attributes)
- Set table behavior (e.g., enable quantity boxes, allow multi-add-to-cart)
Step 3: Enable for Specific Products or Categories
- While editing a product, check the box that says “Enable variations table”
- Save and update the product
Step 4: Preview the Product Page
- Visit the product page to see the variations displayed in a table format
- Adjust styling or layout as needed using custom CSS or plugin settings
Enhancing the Table Experience
Here are some advanced features and tips for making the most of your variations table:
🎨 Customize Table Appearance
Match your brand with custom styles — colors, fonts, borders, and column headers.
🔍 Add Search and Filters
Let users search for specific variation names, filter by size or color, or sort by price.
📦 Display Stock Information
Let users know which variations are in stock or low in quantity to create urgency.
🧩 Add Tooltips or Icons
Use icons or tooltips to explain attributes or special features.
📱 Optimize for Mobile
Make sure your table collapses into a scrollable format on mobile for better usability.
SEO and Accessibility
Using a structured variation table also benefits your store’s SEO and accessibility:
- Improved Indexing: Search engines can crawl the individual variations more effectively.
- Schema Markup: Use structured data to show rich results like pricing and availability in search.
- Accessibility Features: Make sure your table is screen-reader friendly for better inclusivity.
Things to Avoid
- Too Many Columns: Avoid clutter — focus on essential information.
- No Filtering: Without filtering, users may get overwhelmed.
- Poor Mobile Design: Make sure your table is responsive or offers mobile-friendly toggles.
Final Thoughts
Switching from dropdowns to a WooCommerce Variations Table can significantly enhance the shopping experience, especially if you sell variable products in bulk or with lots of options. It removes friction, speeds up the buying process, and makes your product pages more informative and professional.
Whether you’re running a B2B store, managing wholesale customers, or simply want to improve usability, a variation table is a smart upgrade for your WooCommerce setup.
