MUI DataGrid Server-Side Row Grouping Pagination

Handling pagination for group items in MUI DataGrid with server-side row grouping requires the Pro version, where you set paginationMode="server" and use rowGroupingModel to fetch only paginated children from your backend on group expansion. Without this, every sub-item loads at once, tanking performance for large groups—think thousands of rows choking your frontend. The best fix? Implement lazy loading via custom API calls for sub-items, paired with a separate pagination control like a nested paginator that triggers backend queries filtered by group ID and page offset.

Contents

• The Pagination Problem in MUI DataGrid Row Grouping
• Why MUI X Data Grid Pro is Essential
• Basic Server-Side Row Grouping Setup
• Paginating Group Sub-Items on the Backend
• Building Separate Pagination Controls
• Performance Optimization and Best Practices
• Sources
• Conclusion

The Pagination Problem in MUI DataGrid Row Grouping

Ever expanded a group in your MUI DataGrid expecting just a page of sub-items, only to watch the browser grind to a halt? That’s the core issue with server-side row grouping and pagination. Group headers paginate nicely—your pageSize limits top-level rows—but once expanded, all children dump into the grid. No built-in cutoff. For datasets where groups hold thousands of items, this means massive API payloads, slow renders, and backend timeouts.

Your StackBlitz demo nails it: pagination works at the group level, but sub-items ignore it entirely. Frontend virtualization helps a bit, but you’re still fetching everything upfront. Backend strain? Forget it. Sources like this Medium post on Data Grid features highlight how Pro’s server-side grouping prevents this overload by processing pagination per group on the server.

Why does this happen? Client-side mode loads full datasets; server-side shifts sorting, filtering, and paging to your API. But standard grouping APIs assume complete children loads. Time to level up.

Why MUI X Data Grid Pro is Essential

Free MUI DataGrid? Great for basics like sorting and simple pagination. But row grouping with server-side smarts? That’s Pro territory. As DEV.to’s 2025 React grids roundup points out, Pro unlocks virtualization for partial group loads, plus getRowChildren for on-demand fetching.

Install it: npm install @mui/x-data-grid-pro. Then wrap your grid:

import { DataGridPro } from '@mui/x-data-grid-pro';

<DataGridPro
 paginationMode="server"
 rowGroupingModel={rowGroupingModel}
 experimentalFeatures={{ rowGrouping: true }}
 // more props...
/>

Without Pro, you’re stuck simulating groups with tree data—which still loads everything. Pro integrates seamlessly with server APIs for paginated children. PureCode’s MUI guide stresses this for complex projects; free tier chokes on real-world scale.

Quick check: Got a license? Production needs it anyway. Sandbox away in StackBlitz for proofs-of-concept.

Basic Server-Side Row Grouping Setup

Start simple. Configure your DataGridPro for server ops:

const [paginationModel, setPaginationModel] = useState({
 page: 0,
 pageSize: 25,
});

<DataGridPro
 rows={rows}
 columns={columns}
 paginationMode="server"
 paginationModel={paginationModel}
 onPaginationModelChange={setPaginationModel}
 rowGroupingModel={['category']} // e.g., group by 'category'
 groupingMode="server" // Pro magic
 getGroupedRowId={(params) => params.id}
/>

Your backend endpoint—like /api/data?page=0&pageSize=25&groupBy=category—returns grouped rows with aggregate info (counts, sums). Expanded groups? Initially, just placeholders or first-page children.

Reddit threads on MUI X pagination confirm: dataSource prop auto-switches modes to server. But for groups, extend with getRowChildrenExpansion callbacks. Frontend signals expansion; server filters by groupId.

Test it. Groups paginate. Expansion loads some kids. But not paginated ones yet. That’s next.

Paginating Group Sub-Items on the Backend

Here’s the game-changer: Treat group children as a nested query. When a user expands “Category A”, fire an API call like /api/group-children?groupId=catA&page=0&pageSize=50.

Backend logic (Node.js/NestJS example from this Medium perf guide):

1. Main endpoint: Paginate groups with aggregates.
2. Children endpoint: WHERE category = ? LIMIT ? OFFSET ?.

Hook it frontend-side with Pro’s getRowChildren:

const getRowChildren = async (params) => {
 const { groupId } = params;
 const response = await fetch(`/api/group-children?groupId=${groupId}&page=0&pageSize=50`);
 return response.json().children;
};

<DataGridPro getRowChildren={getRowChildren} />

No more full loads. freeCodeCamp’s integration tutorial echoes this: Server dictates slice sizes. Thousands of items? Paginate 'em 50 at a time. Smooth.

But users need controls. Enter custom paginators.

Building Separate Pagination Controls

Yes, you’ll want separate pagination for group items. MUI doesn’t bundle nested paginators out-of-the-box—groups share the main one. Solution? Custom row renderers or modals with sub-grids.

Approach 1: Expandable rows with internal <Pagination>.

// Custom row for groups
const GroupRow = ({ row }) => (
 <div>
 <div onClick={() => toggleExpansion(row.id)}>
 {row.groupLabel} ({row.childrenCount})
 </div>
 {isExpanded && (
 <>
 <DataGrid rows={subRows} paginationModel={subPagination} />
 <Pagination count={Math.ceil(row.childrenCount / 50)} onChange={handleSubPage} />
 </>
 )}
 </div>
);

PureCode’s pagination deep-dive recommends this for nested data: Filter backend by groupId, apply offset/limit. Expansion fetches page 1; clicks advance it.

Approach 2: Modal on row click. Scales better for huge groups. Sencha’s grid comparison notes MUI shines here with custom UIs.

Pro tip: Sync states with rowGroupingModel changes. Users expect intuitive UX—no hunting for sub-pages.

Performance Optimization and Best Practices

Large groups? Debounce expansions. Cache fetched pages (React Query or SWR). Virtualize deeply with Pro’s built-ins.

Backend must-haves from TechBloat’s table libs review:

• Indexes on group columns.
• Aggregate queries for headers (e.g., COUNT(*) OVER (PARTITION BY category)).
• Streaming responses for 10k+ rows.

Edge cases: Sorting within groups? Pass sortModel to child endpoints. Filtering? Same. Syncfusion’s 2025 grids post praises hierarchical pagination—mimic it.

Monitor with React DevTools. Aim for <100ms renders. Done right, MUI DataGrid handles enterprise scale effortlessly.

Sources

1. Data Grid in Material-UI
2. Using MUI Pagination for Easy, Readable Data Grid
3. Best Free React DataGrids to Use in 2025
4. How to paginate and sort properly with MUI X DataGrid
5. How to Integrate the Material UI Data Grid in React
6. How to Use MUI DataGrid Well
7. 8 Best React Libraries to Create Awesome Tables
8. ReExt vs. AG Grid vs. MUI: Best React Grid Library
9. 5 Best React Data Grid Libraries Every Developer Should Know in 2025
10. Enhancing Data Grid Performance with Server-Side Filtering

Conclusion

Mastering server-side row grouping pagination in MUI DataGrid boils down to Pro features, smart backend slicing by group ID, and yes—separate controls for sub-items to keep things performant. Fork that StackBlitz, wire in getRowChildren, add a nested paginator, and watch large datasets fly. You’ll dodge render hangs and API meltdowns, delivering snappy UX even for massive groups. Dive in; it’s worth the Pro upgrade.