CRUD — Create, Read, Update, Delete — is the basic set of operations for managing data. In WordPress, doing this from the frontend (not the admin) usually means either custom PHP development, a heavy plugin with a steep learning curve, or a recurring subscription to a SaaS product.
This post compares the options and shows how NMR jsGrid covers the most common use cases without writing code.
What “Frontend CRUD” Actually Means
You want a WordPress page — not the admin dashboard — where authorized users can:
- Read: see a table of records
- Create: add a new record via a form in the table
- Update: click a row, edit fields, save
- Delete: remove a row
Common examples: inventory management, member records, event registrations, support tickets, employee contacts, project tracking.
The Common Approaches (and Their Problems)
Option 1: Custom PHP Development
Write your own AJAX handlers, form processing, and table rendering. Full control, but takes days of development time. Every change requires a developer. Not suitable for most sites.
Option 2: wpDataTables or Similar
Powerful plugins that support SQL data sources, frontend editing, and CRUD. Cost: $69–$239/year. Complex configuration. Overkill if you just need a simple editable table.
Option 3: Form Plugin + Database Table
Use Gravity Forms or WPForms for data entry, WP Data Access for display and editing. Works but requires configuring and syncing two separate plugins. Edit-in-place (clicking a cell to change it) is rarely smooth with this approach.
Option 4: NMR jsGrid
Single plugin. SQL query → paginated, filterable table with inline editing, insert form, and delete. No subscription. No second plugin. Works for any MySQL table accessible to WordPress.
How NMR jsGrid Handles Each CRUD Operation
Read (Display)
Shortcode on page → grid renders with AJAX pagination and filters. SQL SELECT query is the data source. Large tables supported.
Create (Insert)
Enable “Inserting” in grid options. An insert row appears above the data grid. User fills in fields and clicks the save/insert button. The plugin runs an INSERT into the configured write table.
Update (Edit)
Enable “Editing”. Each row gets an Edit button (via the Control column). Clicking it makes the row editable inline — fields become inputs. User saves; plugin runs UPDATE on the write table using the row’s primary key.
Delete
Enable “Deleting”. Delete button appears on each row. Plugin runs DELETE using the primary key. The row is removed from the grid immediately via AJAX.
When This Approach Works Well
- The data lives in a MySQL table (custom plugin table, legacy system table, or a table you created)
- You need a simple grid interface — not a complex multi-step form
- Users need to edit individual fields on existing records
- Access control can be handled by WordPress (page password, user role, membership plugin)
When Custom Development Might Still Be Needed
- You need complex multi-step workflows or conditional logic on save
- You need row-level access control (user A can only edit their own rows)
- You need email notifications or webhook triggers on record changes
- Your data model has complex relationships requiring joins in both read and write operations
For those cases, NMR jsGrid’s Remote data source mode lets you point the grid at your own custom AJAX endpoint — so you can add custom PHP logic while the grid handles the UI.
Quick Start
- Install NMR jsGrid from WordPress.org
- Create grid → Data Source: SQL → enter SELECT query
- Set Write Table to your target table
- Add columns (include primary key column, add Control column)
- Enable Editing, Inserting, Deleting
- Embed: