What is jsTree?

jsTree is jquery plugin, that provides interactive trees. It is absolutely free, open source and distributed under the MIT license. jsTree is easily extendable, themable and configurable, it supports HTML & JSON data sources and AJAX loading.

jsTree functions properly in either box-model (content-box or border-box), can be loaded as an AMD module, and has a built in mobile theme for responsive design, that can easily be customized. It uses jQuery's event system, so binding callbacks on various events in the tree is familiar and easy.

Just a few of the features worth noting:

  • drag & drop support
  • keyboard navigation
  • inline edit, create and delete
  • tri-state checkboxes
  • fuzzy searching
  • customizable node types


All modern browsers are supported, as well as IE8

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Getting Started - everything at a glance

  1. Download jsTree

    All the files you need are in the dist/ folder of the download.

  2. Include a jsTree theme

    Themes can be autloaded too, but it is best for performance to include the CSS file.

    <link rel="stylesheet" href="dist/themes/default/style.min.css" />

  3. Setup a container

    This is the element where you want the tree to appear, a <div> is enough. This example has a nested <ul> as there is no other data source configured (such as JSON).

      <div id="jstree_demo_div"></div>

  4. Include jQuery

    jsTree requires 1.9.0 or greater in your webpage.

    <script src="dist/libs/jquery.js"></script>

  5. Include jsTree

    For production include the minified version: dist/jstree.min.js, there is a development version too: dist/jstree.js

    <script src="dist/jstree.min.js"></script>

  6. Create an instance

    Once the DOM is ready you can start creating jstree instances.

    $(function () { $('#jstree_demo_div').jstree(); });

  7. Listen for events

    jsTree uses events to notify you when something changes while users (or you) interact with the tree. So binding to jstree events is as easy binding to a click. There is a list of events and what information they provide in the API documentation.

    $('#jstree_demo_div').on("changed.jstree", function (e, data) {
  console.log(data.selected);
});

  8. Interact with your instances

    Once an instance is ready you can invoke methods on it. There is a list of available methods in the API documentation. The three examples below do exactly the same thing

    $('button').on('click', function () {
  $('#jstree').jstree(true).select_node('child_node_1');
  $('#jstree').jstree('select_node', 'child_node_1');
  $.jstree.reference('#jstree').select_node('child_node_1');
});


<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
  <meta charset="utf-8">
  <title>jsTree test</title>
  <!-- 2 load the theme CSS file -->
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="dist/themes/default/style.min.css" />
</head>
<body>
  <!-- 3 setup a container element -->
  <div id="jstree">
    <!-- in this example the tree is populated from inline HTML -->
    <ul>
      <li>Root node 1
        <ul>
          <li id="child_node_1">Child node 1</li>
          <li>Child node 2</li>
        </ul>
      </li>
      <li>Root node 2</li>
    </ul>
  </div>
  <button>demo button</button>

  <!-- 4 include the jQuery library -->
  <script src="dist/libs/jquery.js"></script>
  <!-- 5 include the minified jstree source -->
  <script src="dist/jstree.min.js"></script>
  <script>
  $(function () {
    // 6 create an instance when the DOM is ready
    $('#jstree').jstree();
    // 7 bind to events triggered on the tree
    $('#jstree').on("changed.jstree", function (e, data) {
      console.log(data.selected);
    });
    // 8 interact with the tree - either way is OK
    $('button').on('click', function () {
      $('#jstree').jstree(true).select_node('child_node_1');
      $('#jstree').jstree('select_node', 'child_node_1');
      $.jstree.reference('#jstree').select_node('child_node_1');
    });
  });
  </script>
</body>
</html>

Configuring instances

Creating an instance as described in the overview does not modify any of the defaults:

$('#jstree').jstree();

You can change the defaults for all future instances:

$.jstree.defaults.core.theme.variant = "large";
$('#jstree').jstree();

But most of the time you will want to change the defaults only for the instance that is being created. This is achieved by passing in a config object when creating the instance:

$('#jstree').jstree({
  "plugins" : [ "wholerow", "checkbox" ]
});

As seen in the previous example - there is one special key in the config object named plugins. It is an array of strings, which contain the names of the plugins you want active on that instance.

All options that do not depend on a plugin are contained in a key of the config object named core, the options for each plugin are contained within a key with the same name as the plugin:

$('#jstree').jstree({
  "core" : {
    "theme" : {
      "variant" : "large"
    }
  },
  "checkbox" : {
    "keep_selected_style" : false
  },
  "plugins" : [ "wholerow", "checkbox" ]
});

You can have a look at all the options and their default values. This list is what you can configure on each instance.
For example, by default the tree allows multiple selection as stated in $.jstree.defaults.core.multiple, to overwrite that make sure your config object contains "core" : { "multiple" : false }. If you have multiple overrides for the same key (like "core" here), group them:

$("#jstree").jstree({
  "core" : {
    "multiple" : false,
    "animation" : 0
  }
});

Populating a tree using HTML

Basic markup

jsTree can turn a regular unordered list into a tree. The minimal required markup is a <ul> node with some nested <li> nodes with some text inside.

You should have a container wrapping the <ul> and create the instance on that container. Like so:
$('#html1').jstree();. 

<div id="html1">
  <ul>
    <li>Root node 1</li>
    <li>Root node 2</li>
  </ul>
</div>
  • Root node 1
  • Root node 2

Nodes with children

To create a node with child nodes simpy nest an <ul>.

Internally jstree converts the text to a link, so if there already is a link in the markup jstree won't mind. Like Child node 2.
Clicking on the link however will not direct the user to a new page, to do that - intercept the changed.jstree event and act accordingly.

Keep reading for the section on handling events.

<div id="html1">
  <ul>
    <li>Root node 1
      <ul>
        <li>Child node 1</li>
        <li><a href="#">Child node 2</a></li>
      </ul>
    </li>
  </ul>
</div>

Setting initial state with classes

To make a node initially selected you can set the jstree-clicked class on the <a> element.

Similarly you can set the jstree-open class on any <li> element to make it initially extended, so that its children are visible.

It is a good idea to give your nodes unique IDs by adding the id attribute to any <li> element. This will be useful if you need to sync with a backend as you will get the ID back in any events jstree triggers.

…
<li class="jstree-open" id="node_1">Root</li>
  <ul>
    <li>
      <a href="#" class="jstree-clicked">Child</a>
    </li>
  </ul>
</li>
…

Setting initial state with data attribute

You can also set the state on a node using a data-jstree attribute.

You can use any combination of the following: opened, selected, disabled, icon.

Specifying an address (anything containing a /) will display that image as the node icon. Using a string will apply that class to the <i> element that is used to represent the icon.
For example if you are using Twitter Bootstrap you can use "icon" : "glyphicon glyphicon-leaf" to display a leaf icon.

<li data-jstree='{"opened":true,"selected":true}'>Root
  <ul>
    <li data-jstree='{"disabled":true}'>Child</li>
    <li data-jstree='{"icon":"http://jstree.com/tree.png"}'>
      Child</li>
    <li data-jstree='{"icon":"glyphicon glyphicon-leaf"}'>
      Child</li>
  </ul>
</li>
  • Root
    • Child
    • Child
    • Child

Loading with AJAX

You can also use AJAX to populate the tree with HTML your server returns. The format remains the same as the above, the only difference is that the HTML is not inside the container, but returned from the server.

To take advantage of this option you need to use the $.jstree.defaults.core.data config option.

Just use a standard jQuery-like AJAX config and jstree will automatically make an AJAX request populate the tree with the response.

Add a class of jstree-closed to any LI node you return and do not nest an UL node and jstree will make another AJAX call as soon as the user opens this node.

In addition to the standard jQuery ajax options here you can supply functions for data and url, the functions will be run in the current instance's scope and a param will be passed indicating which node is being loaded, the return value of those functions will be used as URL and data respectively.

$('#tree').jstree({
'core' : {
  'data' : {
    'url' : 'ajax_nodes.html',
    'data' : function (node) {
      'url' : 'ajax_nodes.html',
      'data' : function (node) {
        return { 'id' : node.id };
      }
    }
  }
});

// Example response:
<ul>
<li>Node 1</li>
<li class="jstree-closed">Node 2</li>
</ul>

Populating the tree using JSON

The format

jsTree needs a specific format to work with JSON. In the standard syntax no fields are required - pass only what you need. Keep in mind you will be able to access any additional properties you specify - jsTree won't touch them and you will be able to use them later on.

To change the icon of the node use the icon property. Specifying a string containing a / will display that image as the node icon. Using any other string will apply that class to the <i> element that is used to represent the icon. You can use boolean false to make jsTree render the node with no icon.

You can set the state on a node using the state property. Use any combination of the following: opened, selected, disabled.

Both li_attr and a_attr are passed directly to jQuery's attr function.

When using AJAX set children to boolean true and jsTree will render the node as closed and make an additional request for that node when the user opens it.

Any nested children should either be objects following the same format, or plain strings (in which case the string is used for the node's text and everything else is autogenerated).

// Expected format of the node (there are no required fields)
{
  id          : "string" // will be autogenerated if omitted
  text        : "string" // node text
  icon        : "string" // string for custom
  state       : {
    opened    : boolean  // is the node open
    disabled  : boolean  // is the node disabled
    selected  : boolean  // is the node selected
  },
  children    : []  // array of strings or objects
  li_attr     : {}  // attributes for the generated LI node
  a_attr      : {}  // attributes for the generated A node
}

Alternative JSON format

If you do not want to use the nested children approach, you can use the alternative syntax where each node object has two required fields: id & parent and no children property (everything else remains the same).

jsTree will automatically build the hierarchy. To indicate a node should be a root node set its parent property to "#".

This should be used mainly when you render the whole tree at once and is useful when data is stored in a database using adjacency.

// Alternative format of the node (id & parent are required)
{
  id          : "string" // required
  parent      : "string" // required
  text        : "string" // node text
  icon        : "string" // string for custom
  state       : {
    opened    : boolean  // is the node open
    disabled  : boolean  // is the node disabled
    selected  : boolean  // is the node selected
  },
  li_attr     : {}  // attributes for the generated LI node
  a_attr      : {}  // attributes for the generated A node
}

Using JSON

To populate the tree with a JSON object you need to use the $.jstree.defaults.core.data config option.

The expected format is an array of nodes, where each node should be an object as described above or a simple string (in which case the string is used for the node's text property ane everything else is autogenerated). Any nested nodes are supplied in the same manner in the children property of their parent.

$('#using_json').jstree({ 'core' : {
    'data' : [
       'Simple root node',
       {
         'text' : 'Root node 2',
         'state' : {
           'opened' : true,
           'selected' : true
         },
         'children' : [
           { 'text' : 'Child 1' },
           'Child 2'
         ]
      }
    ]
} });

Using the alternative JSON format

$('#using_json_2').jstree({ 'core' : {
    'data' : [
       { "id" : "ajson1", "parent" : "#", "text" : "Simple root node" },
       { "id" : "ajson2", "parent" : "#", "text" : "Root node 2" },
       { "id" : "ajson3", "parent" : "ajson2", "text" : "Child 1" },
       { "id" : "ajson4", "parent" : "ajson2", "text" : "Child 2" },
    ]
} });

Using AJAX

You can also use AJAX to populate the tree with JSON your server returns. The format remains the same as the above, the only difference is that the JSON is not inside the config object, but returned from the server.

To take advantage of this option you need to use the $.jstree.defaults.core.data config option.

Just use a standard jQuery-like AJAX config and jstree will automatically make an AJAX request populate the tree with the response.

In addition to the standard jQuery ajax options here you can supply functions for data and url, the functions will be run in the current instance's scope and a param will be passed indicating which node is being loaded, the return value of those functions will be used as URL and data respectively.

If you do not return correct json headers from the server, at least set the dataType jQuery AJAX option to "json".


$('#tree').jstree({
'core' : {
  'data' : {
    'url' : function (node) {
      return node.id === '#' ? 
        'ajax_roots.json' : 
        'ajax_children.json';
    },
    'data' : function (node) {
      return { 'id' : node.id };
    }
  }
});

Using a function

You can supply a function too. That function will receive two arguments - the node being loaded and a callback function to call with the children for that node once you are ready.


$('#tree').jstree({
    'core' : {
        'data' : function (obj, cb) {
            cb.call(this,
              ['Root 1', 'Root 2']);
        }
    }});

Listening for events

jsTree triggers various events on the container. You can review the list of all events to know what to listen for.

To get more information about the event inspect its data argument.

In most cases where a node is involved you will get the whole node object passed in. If you get an ID string somewhere and want to inspect the node just use .get_node().


$('#jstree')
  // listen for event
  .on('changed.jstree', function (e, data) {
    var i, j, r = [];
    for(i = 0, j = data.selected.length; i < j; i++) {
      r.push(data.instance.get_node(data.selected[i]).text);
    }
    $('#event_result').html('Selected: ' + r.join(', '));
  })
  // create the instance
  .jstree();
  • Root 1
    • Child 1
    • Child 2
  • Root 2
    • Child 3
    • Child 4
 

Invoking methods on an instance

Please keep in mind that by default all modifications to the tree are prevented (create, rename, move, delete). To enable them set core.check_callback to true

To invoke a method on an instance you must obtain a reference of the instance and invoke the method. The example shows how to obtain a reference and invoke a method.

Check the API for a list of available methods. 


// 3 ways of doing the same thing
$('#jstree').jstree(true)
  .select_node('mn1');
$('#jstree')
  .jstree('select_node', 'mn2');
$.jstree.reference('#jstree')
  .select_node('mn3');
  • Node 1
  • Node 2
  • Node 3

Basic AJAX demo

$('#jstree_demo').jstree({
  "core" : {
    "animation" : 0,
    "check_callback" : true,
    "themes" : { "stripes" : true },
    'data' : {
      'url' : function (node) {
        return node.id === '#' ?
          'ajax_demo_roots.json' : 'ajax_demo_children.json';
      },
      'data' : function (node) {
        return { 'id' : node.id };
      }
    }
  },
  "types" : {
    "#" : {
      "max_children" : 1, 
      "max_depth" : 4, 
      "valid_children" : ["root"]
    },
    "root" : {
      "icon" : "./assets/images/tree_icon.png",
      "valid_children" : ["default"]
    },
    "default" : {
      "valid_children" : ["default","file"]
    },
    "file" : {
      "icon" : "glyphicon glyphicon-file",
      "valid_children" : []
    }
  },
  "plugins" : [
    "contextmenu", "dnd", "search",
    "state", "types", "wholerow"
  ]
});
You can see the code of the following demos in the demo folder of the download

Filebrowser demo

Database demo

Plugins?

jsTree has some functionality moved out of the core so you can only use it when you need it. To enable a plugin use the plugins config option and add that plugin's name to the array.

For example enabling all the plugins can be done this way:
"plugins" : [ "checkbox", "contextmenu", "dnd", "search", "sort", "state", "types", "unique", "wholerow" ]

Here is a quick overview for each one.

 Checkbox plugin

This plugin renders checkbox icons in front of each node, making multiple selection much easier.
It also supports tri-state behavior, meaning that if a node has a few of its children checked it will be rendered as undetermined, and state will be propagated up.

Undetermined state is automatically calculated, but if you are using AJAX and loading on demand and want to render a node as underemined pass "undetermined" : true in its state.

You can find all the checkbox plugin config options in the API.

$(function () {
  $("#plugins1").jstree({
    "checkbox" : {
      "keep_selected_style" : false
    },
    "plugins" : [ "checkbox" ]
  });
});
  • Root node
    • Child node 1
    • Child node 2

 Contextmenu plugin

This plugin makes it possible to right click nodes and shows a list of configurable actions in a menu.

You can find all the contextmenu plugin config options in the API.

$(function () {
  $("#plugins2").jstree({
     "core" : {
       // so that create works
       "check_callback" : true
     },
    "plugins" : [ "contextmenu" ]
  });
});
  • Root node
    • Context click me

 Drag & drop plugin

This plugin makes it possible to drag and drop tree nodes and rearrange the tree.

You can find all the dnd plugin config options in the API.

$(function () {
  $("#plugins3").jstree({
    "core" : {
      "check_callback" : true
    },
    "plugins" : [ "dnd" ]
  });
});
  • Root node
    • Child node 1
    • Child node 2
  • Root node 2

 Search plugin

This plugin adds the possibility to search for items in the tree and even to show only matching nodes.

You can find all the search plugin config options in the API.

$(function () {
  $("#plugins4").jstree({
    "plugins" : [ "search" ]
  });
  var to = false;
  $('#plugins4_q').keyup(function () {
    if(to) { clearTimeout(to); }
    to = setTimeout(function () {
      var v = $('#plugins4_q').val();
      $('#plugins4').jstree(true).search(v);
    }, 250);
  });
});
  • Root node
    • Child node 1
    • Child node 2
  • Root node 2

 Sort plugin

This plugin automatically arranges all sibling nodes according to a comparison config option function, which defaults to alphabetical order.

$(function () {
  $("#plugins5").jstree({
    "plugins" : [ "sort" ]
  });
});
  • Root node
    • 2
    • 1
    • 3
    • 0
  • Root node 2

 State plugin

This plugin saves all opened and selected nodes in the user's browser, so when returning to the same tree the previous state will be restored.

You can find all the state plugin config options in the API. Make a selection and refresh this page to see the change persisted.

$(function () {
  $("#plugins6").jstree({
    "state" : { "key" : "demo2" },
    "plugins" : [ "state" ]
  });
});
  • Root node
    • A
    • few
    • more
    • nodes
  • Root node 2

 Types plugin

This plugin makes it possible to add predefined types for groups of nodes, which means to easily control nesting rules and icon for each group.

To set a node's type you can use set_type or supply a type property with the node's data.

You can find all the types plugin config options & functions in the API.

$(function () {
  $("#plugins7").jstree({
    "types" : {
      "default" : {
        "icon" : "glyphicon glyphicon-flash"
      },
      "demo" : {
        "icon" : "glyphicon glyphicon-ok"
      }
    },
    "plugins" : [ "types" ]
  });
});
  • Root node
    • Node
  • Root node 2

 Unique plugin

Enforces that no nodes with the same name can coexist as siblings. This plugin has no options, it just prevents renaming and moving nodes to a parent, which already contains a node with the same name.

$(function () {
  $("#plugins8").jstree({
    "core" : {
      "check_callback" : true
    },
    "plugins" : [ "unique", "dnd" ]
  });
});
  • Root node
    • Node
  • Root node 2
    • Node

 Wholerow plugin

Makes each node appear block level which makes selection easier. May cause slow down for large trees in old browsers.

$(function () {
  $("#plugins9").jstree({
    "plugins" : [ "wholerow" ]
  });
});
  • Root node
    • Node
  • Root node 2