Request for Tab-Based Navigation and Classic Table View in New KNIME UI

[Sajjadmosaheb]

Dear KNIME Team,

I would like to request two enhancements or options in the new KNIME user interface to better align with features from the classic UI:

1. Tab-Based Navigation:
   In the classic interface, opening a component or metanode would create a new tab, allowing easy navigation between the main workflow and subcomponents. This greatly improved usability, especially when comparing different parts of a workflow or switching contexts. I find this feature essential for efficient workflow development, and its absence is currently the main reason I continue using the old UI.

2. Classic Table View & External Viewer:
   I also prefer the old view of data tables, which I found more readable and straightforward. Is it possible to restore this view—perhaps as an optional setting—when using the “Open in New Window” button in the new UI with the classic theme?

While I appreciate many of the new and modern features, these two aspects are critical to my workflow, and having them in the new UI would make transitioning much easier.

Thank you for your continuous work on KNIME and for considering user feedback.

Best regards,
Sajjad

[MartinDDDD]

Hey there,

moving this to Feedback and Ideas - this means now you can vote on this topic (and other people can do so, too).

Also the right place for the KNIME Team to take a look into this.

[takbb]

I’m with you on the old table views, @Sajjadmosaheb. Much as I now like some features of the new tables (and they have improved over time), I’m still far more productive for data analysis with the old views.

I find myself dropping “Interactive Table (Legacy)” nodes onto my workflows where I need the classic table output. Not as good as having the old-style by default but at least it makes it workable where it might otherwise be a problem.

You may also be interested in…

Roadmap for the Table View in Modern UI

I’ve generally held back on going down the rabbit hole of comparing Modern UI with Classic, but I would be interested to know what the future direction of the Data Table presentation is. I made reference to a number of shortcomings of Modern UI’s data table presentation back in September last year, so apologies that I am repeating here some of what I said then, but I feel it is important. With the various improvements that have been made to Modern UI, I enjoy using it, and mostly will do so …

[Sajjadmosaheb]

Thank you so much, @takbb , for your thoughtful response and for sharing your experience. It’s reassuring to hear that others also value the classic table views for their clarity and efficiency during data analysis. I completely agree that the “Interactive Table (Legacy)” node is a helpful workaround, and I’ve been using it in a similar way when needed.

I also appreciate the link to your earlier post—I’ll definitely read through it to better understand the broader community concerns and ideas around the Modern UI’s table presentation.

I’m hopeful that the KNIME team continues to consider this feedback, especially from long-time users like us who rely on small usability features that significantly impact workflow efficiency.

Thanks again for the support and for helping to keep this discussion constructive!

Best regards,
Sajjad

[DanielBog]

Hey @Sajjadmosaheb,

what are the painpoints that you are experiencing with the new table? Are they the same as the ones @takbb already mentioned?

Greetings and thanks,
Daniel