handsontable 18.0.0 → 18.1.0-rc7

package/core.js

@@ -131,6 +131,7 @@ const _console = require("./helpers/console");
 const _errors = require("./helpers/errors");
 const _a11yAnnouncer = require("./utils/a11yAnnouncer");
 const _licenseNotification = require("./utils/licenseNotification");
+const _licenseBranding = require("./utils/licenseBranding");
 const _valueAccessors = require("./utils/valueAccessors");
 const _engine = require("./themes/engine");
 const _layout = require("./core/layout");
@@ -190,10 +191,59 @@ let activeGuid = null;
  * @type {Map<string, Core>}
  */ const foreignHotInstances = new Map();
 /**
- * A set of deprecated feature names.
+ * Configuration options removed from the public API, with the version that removed them.
+ * Configuring one prints a one-time warning; the value is ignored.
  *
- * @type {Set<string>}
- */ const deprecationWarns = new Set();
+ * `persistentState` says 17.0.0, not 18.0.0: #12015 removed the plugin, its option, and its hooks
+ * in 17.0.0, and no published 17.x or 18.x package carries them. The 18.0.0 changelog entry for
+ * #12727 describes deleting a copy that the TypeScript conversion re-created on `develop` after
+ * 17.1.0 and that never shipped.
+ *
+ * `datePickerConfig` is deliberately absent: `DateEditor#prepare` already warns about it, and it
+ * also sees the per-cell forms that `warnAboutRemovedOptions` cannot.
+ *
+ * @type {ReadonlyArray<RemovedOption>}
+ */ const REMOVED_OPTIONS = [
+    {
+        name: 'persistentState',
+        version: '17.0.0',
+        migrationUrl: 'https://handsontable.com/docs/javascript-data-grid/changelog-17/'
+    },
+    {
+        name: 'correctFormat',
+        version: '18.0.0',
+        migrationUrl: 'https://handsontable.com/docs/javascript-data-grid/migration-from-17.1-to-18.0/'
+    }
+];
+/**
+ * Warns once per removed option found anywhere in the passed settings.
+ *
+ * Scans the top level, every entry of an array-form `columns`, and every entry of the declarative
+ * `cell` array, because the removed options are not all global: `correctFormat` is a cell option,
+ * so `columns: [{ correctFormat: true }]` and `cell: [{ row, col, correctFormat: true }]` are its
+ * common forms, and a top-level-only check would leave those callers with a clean console and
+ * silently dropped date auto-correction.
+ *
+ * The remaining per-cell forms - a `cells` function, or meta set through `setCellMeta` - stay
+ * uncovered. Reaching them means inspecting resolved meta for every cell on every render, which
+ * costs more than the warning is worth.
+ *
+ * @param {object} settings Settings object passed to `updateSettings`.
+ */ function warnAboutRemovedOptions(settings) {
+    const columns = Array.isArray(settings.columns) ? settings.columns : [];
+    const cells = Array.isArray(settings.cell) ? settings.cell : [];
+    const scopes = [
+        settings,
+        ...columns,
+        ...cells
+    ];
+    REMOVED_OPTIONS.forEach(({ name, version, migrationUrl })=>{
+        const isUsed = scopes.some((scope)=>(0, _object.isObject)(scope) && (0, _mixed.isDefined)(scope[name]));
+        if (isUsed) {
+            (0, _console.removedWarnOnce)(`Core.removedOption.${name}`, `The "${name}" setting was removed in Handsontable ${version} and is ignored. ` + `See ${migrationUrl} for the migration path.`);
+        }
+    });
+}
 function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
     let instance = this;
     const eventManager = new _eventManager.default(instance);
@@ -204,6 +254,12 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
     let focusGridManager;
     let viewportScroller;
     let firstRun = true;
+    // Guards the "colorScheme/density need the theme engine" warning so it is logged once per
+    // instance instead of on every `updateSettings()` call that carries the options.
+    let themeOverridesWarningShown = false;
+    // Set only when the table is initialized while invisible (see the `init` method). Kept in the closure, not on
+    // the instance, because `destroy` nulls every instance property before it could be read there.
+    let visibilityObserver = null;
     const mergedUserSettings = {
         ...userSettings.initialState,
         ...userSettings
@@ -295,6 +351,9 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
             'handsontable'
         ]);
         (0, _element.addClass)(this.rootWrapperElement, 'ht-root-wrapper');
+        if ((0, _element.isShadowRoot)(this.rootContainer.getRootNode())) {
+            (0, _element.addClass)(this.rootWrapperElement, 'ht-shadow-dom');
+        }
         (0, _element.addClass)(this.rootSlotTopElement, 'ht-slot-top');
         (0, _element.addClass)(this.rootGridElement, 'ht-grid');
         (0, _element.addClass)(this.rootGridContentElement, 'ht-grid-content');
@@ -493,6 +552,7 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
             const editor = instance.getActiveEditor();
             return editor ? editor.isOpened() : false;
         },
+        isPluginEnabled: (pluginName)=>instance.getPlugin(pluginName)?.enabled === true,
         countRenderableColumns: ()=>instance.view.countRenderableColumns(),
         countRenderableRows: ()=>instance.view.countRenderableRows(),
         countRowHeaders: ()=>instance.countRowHeaders(),
@@ -640,8 +700,8 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
      *                             format `[[index, amount], [index, amount]...]` this can be used to remove
      *                             non-consecutive columns or rows in one call.
      * @param {number} [amount=1] Amount of rows or columns to remove.
-     * @param {string} [source] Optional. Source of hook runner.
-     * @param {boolean} [keepEmptyRows] Optional. Flag for preventing deletion of empty rows.
+     * @param {string} [source] Optional. Source indicator passed to related hooks.
+     * @param {boolean} [keepEmptyRows] Optional. Flag for skipping the post-alter empty row and column adjustment.
      */ alter (action, index, amount = 1, source, keepEmptyRows) {
             const skipAlter = instance.runHooks('beforeAlter', action, index, amount, source, keepEmptyRows);
             if (skipAlter === false) {
@@ -699,6 +759,7 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
                             if (Number.isInteger(groupIndex)) {
                                 groupIndex = Math.max(groupIndex - offset, 0);
                             }
+                            const totalRowsBefore = instance.countRows();
                             // TODO: for datamap.removeRow index should be passed as it is (with undefined and null values). If not, the logic
                             // inside the datamap.removeRow breaks the removing functionality.
                             const wasRemoved = datamap.removeRow(groupIndex, groupAmount, source);
@@ -717,8 +778,22 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
                                 tableMeta.fixedRowsTop -= Math.min(groupAmount, fixedRowsTop - calcIndex);
                             }
                             const fixedRowsBottom = tableMeta.fixedRowsBottom;
-                            if (fixedRowsBottom && calcIndex >= totalRows - fixedRowsBottom) {
-                                tableMeta.fixedRowsBottom -= Math.min(groupAmount, fixedRowsBottom);
+                            if (fixedRowsBottom) {
+                                // Count how many of the removed rows belonged to the bottom fixed rows. Those rows occupied
+                                // the `[totalRowsBefore - fixedRowsBottom, totalRowsBefore - 1]` range, so the boundary has
+                                // to be compared with the row count from *before* the removal. Rows removed above that
+                                // range keep the setting untouched (DEV-2551).
+                                const removedRowsCount = totalRowsBefore - totalRows;
+                                // With no index passed, `datamap.removeRow` takes the rows from the end, so the removal
+                                // starts that many rows before the last one. `calcIndex` points at the last row then, not
+                                // at the first removed one.
+                                const firstRemovedRowIndex = Number.isInteger(groupIndex) ? calcIndex : Math.max(totalRowsBefore - removedRowsCount, 0);
+                                const firstFixedRowIndex = totalRowsBefore - fixedRowsBottom;
+                                const lastRemovedRowIndex = Math.min(firstRemovedRowIndex + removedRowsCount - 1, totalRowsBefore - 1);
+                                const removedFixedRowsCount = lastRemovedRowIndex - Math.max(firstRemovedRowIndex, firstFixedRowIndex) + 1;
+                                if (removedFixedRowsCount > 0) {
+                                    tableMeta.fixedRowsBottom -= Math.min(removedFixedRowsCount, fixedRowsBottom);
+                                }
                             }
                             if (totalRows === 0) {
                                 selection.deselect();
@@ -781,7 +856,11 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
                             }
                             const fixedColumnsStart = tableMeta.fixedColumnsStart;
                             if (fixedColumnsStart >= calcIndex + 1) {
-                                tableMeta.fixedColumnsStart -= Math.min(groupAmount, fixedColumnsStart - calcIndex);
+                                // Since 12.0.0, the "fixedColumnsLeft" is replaced with the "fixedColumnsStart" option.
+                                // However, keeping the old name still in effect. When both option names are used together,
+                                // the error is thrown. To prevent that, the engine needs to modify the original option key
+                                // to bypass the validation.
+                                tableMeta._fixedColumnsStart -= Math.min(groupAmount, fixedColumnsStart - calcIndex);
                             }
                             if (Array.isArray(tableMeta.colHeaders)) {
                                 if (typeof physicalColumnIndex === 'undefined') {
@@ -847,9 +926,22 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
             }
             {
                 let emptyCols = 0;
-                // count currently empty cols
-                if (minCols || minSpareCols) {
-                    emptyCols = instance.countEmptyCols(true);
+                const canCreateSpareCols = minSpareCols > 0 && !tableMeta.columns && instance.dataType === 'array';
+                // Count trailing empty columns, but only when the `minSpareCols` branch below can consume
+                // the result, and never beyond `minSpareCols` itself. Verifying that a column is empty
+                // scans every row of that column, and this method runs after every change batch - an
+                // uncapped count (the previous `countEmptyCols(true)` call) paid O(empty columns * rows)
+                // per edit and also ran when only `minCols` was set, where the result was never used.
+                if (canCreateSpareCols) {
+                    for(let visualIndex = instance.countCols() - 1; visualIndex >= 0; visualIndex--){
+                        if (!instance.isEmptyCol(visualIndex)) {
+                            break;
+                        }
+                        emptyCols += 1;
+                        if (emptyCols >= minSpareCols) {
+                            break;
+                        }
+                    }
                 }
                 let nrOfColumns = instance.countCols();
                 // should I add empty cols to meet minCols?
@@ -863,7 +955,7 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
                     });
                 }
                 // should I add empty cols to meet minSpareCols?
-                if (minSpareCols && !tableMeta.columns && instance.dataType === 'array' && emptyCols < minSpareCols) {
+                if (canCreateSpareCols && emptyCols < minSpareCols) {
                     nrOfColumns = instance.countCols();
                     const emptyColsMissing = minSpareCols - emptyCols;
                     const colsToCreate = Math.min(emptyColsMissing, tableMeta.maxCols - nrOfColumns);
@@ -1001,7 +1093,11 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
                             clen = Math.max(colInputLength, colSelectionLength);
                         }
                         current.col = start.col;
-                        cellMeta = instance.getCellMeta(current.row, current.col);
+                        // The transient read keeps a bulk paste/fill from permanently materializing one meta
+                        // object per target cell - this loop only reads (`skipRowOnPaste`, `skipColumnOnPaste`,
+                        // `readOnly`, `valueSetter`, `parsePastedValue`); the write itself goes through the
+                        // data layer.
+                        cellMeta = instance.getCellMetaTransient(current.row, current.col);
                         if ((source === 'CopyPaste.paste' || source === 'Autofill.fill' || source === 'autofill.fill') && cellMeta.skipRowOnPaste) {
                             skippedRow += 1;
                             current.row += 1;
@@ -1015,7 +1111,7 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
                             if (end && current.col > end.col && colSelectionLength > colInputLength || !tableMeta.allowInsertColumn && current.col > instance.countCols() - 1 || current.col >= tableMeta.maxCols) {
                                 break;
                             }
-                            cellMeta = instance.getCellMeta(current.row, current.col);
+                            cellMeta = instance.getCellMetaTransient(current.row, current.col);
                             if ((source === 'CopyPaste.paste' || source === 'Autofill.fill' || source === 'autofill.fill') && cellMeta.skipColumnOnPaste) {
                                 skippedColumn += 1;
                                 current.col += 1;
@@ -1138,7 +1234,7 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
         const themeName = tableMeta.themeName;
         const rootContainerThemeClassName = (0, _themes.getThemeClassName)(instance.rootContainer);
         if ((0, _rootInstance.isRootInstance)(instance) && !rootContainerThemeClassName && ((0, _object.isObject)(theme) || !theme && !themeName)) {
-            initializeThemeManager(theme);
+            initializeThemeManager(theme, readStoredThemeOverrides());
         }
         dataSource.setData(tableMeta.data);
         instance.runHooks('beforeInit');
@@ -1153,6 +1249,7 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
         if ((0, _rootInstance.isRootInstance)(this)) {
             (0, _a11yAnnouncer.install)(instance.rootPortalElement);
             (0, _licenseNotification.initLicenseNotification)(instance);
+            (0, _licenseBranding.initLicenseBranding)(instance);
             // Keep the edge slots (top, bottom) as wide as the table so their content
             // (toolbars, pagination, license notification) aligns with the grid.
             const lastEdgeWidths = {
@@ -1188,7 +1285,12 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
         this.render();
         // Run the logic only if it's the table's initialization and the root element is not visible.
         if (!!firstRun && instance.rootElement.offsetParent === null) {
-            (0, _element.observeVisibilityChangeOnce)(instance.rootElement, ()=>{
+            visibilityObserver = (0, _element.observeVisibilityChangeOnce)(instance.rootElement, ()=>{
+                // A delivery carries the state from the moment its snapshot was taken, so it can arrive after the
+                // instance is gone even though `destroy` disconnects the observer.
+                if (!instance || instance.isDestroyed || !instance.view) {
+                    return;
+                }
                 // Update the spreader size cache before rendering.
                 instance.view._wt.wtOverlays.updateLastSpreaderSize();
                 instance.view.adjustElementsSize();
@@ -1202,11 +1304,85 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
         instance.runHooks('afterInit');
     };
     /**
+   * Reads the per-instance color scheme and density overrides from a settings object.
+   *
+   * Only the keys actually present are returned, so a missing key keeps the value already applied
+   * instead of resetting it to the theme default.
+   *
+   * @param {object} settings - The settings object to read the overrides from.
+   * @returns {object} The theme overrides object.
+   */ function readThemeOverrides(settings) {
+        const overrides = {};
+        if ((0, _object.hasOwnProperty)(settings, 'colorScheme')) {
+            overrides.colorScheme = settings.colorScheme;
+        }
+        if ((0, _object.hasOwnProperty)(settings, 'density')) {
+            overrides.density = settings.density;
+        }
+        return overrides;
+    }
+    /**
+   * Reads the color scheme and density currently configured on this instance.
+   *
+   * Unlike `readThemeOverrides()`, this reads the effective values rather than only the keys that
+   * one payload carries. `updateSettings()` stores grid options on the global meta, which the table
+   * meta inherits through its prototype, so an own-property check would miss them. Use this when
+   * rebuilding a ThemeManager, which has to pick up options set by an earlier call.
+   *
+   * @returns {object} The theme overrides object.
+   */ function readStoredThemeOverrides() {
+        return {
+            colorScheme: tableMeta.colorScheme,
+            density: tableMeta.density
+        };
+    }
+    /**
+   * Applies the `colorScheme` and `density` options to the ThemeManager of this instance.
+   *
+   * The options are per-instance overrides, so the shared theme object stays untouched and other
+   * grids using the same theme keep their own look.
+   *
+   * @param {object} settings - The settings object that may carry the overrides.
+   * @param {boolean} init - `true` when called during initialization. The initial styles are
+   * injected by the ThemeManager constructor, so nothing has to be refreshed in that case.
+   * @returns {boolean} `true` when the overrides changed and `afterSetTheme` still has to run.
+   */ function applyThemeOverrides(settings, init) {
+        const overrides = readThemeOverrides(settings);
+        if (!(0, _object.hasOwnProperty)(overrides, 'colorScheme') && !(0, _object.hasOwnProperty)(overrides, 'density')) {
+            return false;
+        }
+        if (!instance.themeManager) {
+            // Only complain when a value is actually asked for. Clearing the options is documented, and a
+            // framework wrapper re-sends every prop on each render, so warning on key presence alone
+            // would fill the console for grids that never used these options.
+            const isValueRequested = !(0, _engine.isThemeOverrideEmpty)(overrides.colorScheme) || !(0, _engine.isThemeOverrideEmpty)(overrides.density);
+            if (isValueRequested && !themeOverridesWarningShown) {
+                themeOverridesWarningShown = true;
+                (0, _console.warn)('The `colorScheme` and `density` options require the theme engine, so they have no ' + 'effect when the theme is enabled by a CSS class name. Pass a theme config object or a ' + '`ThemeBuilder` instance to the `theme` option, or remove the `ht-theme-*` class from ' + 'the container element to use the default theme.');
+            }
+            return false;
+        }
+        const hasChanged = instance.themeManager.setOverrides(overrides);
+        if (!hasChanged || init) {
+            return false;
+        }
+        // Clear the cache here so the render at the end of `updateSettings` measures the new sizes.
+        // Rendering here as well would paint once with stale meta and then immediately paint again.
+        instance.stylesHandler.clearCache();
+        return true;
+    }
+    /**
    * Initializes the ThemeManager with the given theme configuration.
    *
    * @param {object|boolean} theme - The theme configuration object or `true` to use the default theme.
-   */ function initializeThemeManager(theme) {
+   * @param {object} [overrides] - The per-instance color scheme and density overrides.
+   */ function initializeThemeManager(theme, overrides) {
         let themeObject;
+        // Tear the previous manager down first. Without this its `<style>` node stays in the wrapper,
+        // and because a new manager prepends its own node the orphan ends up LATER in source order —
+        // so at the same specificity the orphan's override rules win and the grid can never change or
+        // reset a `colorScheme` or `density` that was set at construction time.
+        instance.themeManager?.destroy();
         if (typeof theme === 'undefined') {
             if ((0, _themes1.hasTheme)('main')) {
                 themeObject = (0, _themes1.getTheme)('main');
@@ -1221,7 +1397,8 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
         }
         instance.themeManager = (0, _engine.createThemeManager)({
             hot: instance,
-            themeObject
+            themeObject,
+            overrides
         });
     }
     /**
@@ -1309,7 +1486,14 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
             const visualCol = datamap.propToCol(prop);
             let cellProperties;
             if (Number.isInteger(visualCol)) {
-                cellProperties = instance.getCellMeta(row, visualCol);
+                // The transient read keeps a bulk change set from permanently materializing one meta
+                // object per changed cell while the validator is looked up. Cells that DO have a
+                // validator switch to the eagerly stored meta object below - validation writes its
+                // `valid` result on the meta, and that result must survive on the stored object.
+                cellProperties = instance.getCellMetaTransient(row, visualCol);
+                if (instance.getCellValidator(cellProperties)) {
+                    cellProperties = instance.getCellMeta(row, visualCol);
+                }
             } else {
                 // If there's no requested visual column, we can use the table meta as the cell properties when retrieving
                 // the cell validator.
@@ -1344,7 +1528,7 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
    *
    * @private
    * @param {Array} changes Array in form of [row, prop, oldValue, newValue].
-   * @param {string} source String that identifies how this change will be described in changes array (useful in onChange callback).
+   * @param {string} source String that identifies how this change will be described in changes array (useful in {@link Hooks#afterChange} or {@link Hooks#beforeChange} callbacks).
    * @fires Hooks#beforeChangeRender
    * @fires Hooks#afterChange
    */ function applyChanges(changes, source) {
@@ -1358,8 +1542,13 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
                 continue;
             }
             if (tableMeta.allowInsertRow) {
+                // Create the whole missing range in one call - one index-mapper insert and one hook
+                // round instead of one per row. Creating row by row made a paste reaching far below
+                // the last row quadratic in the gap size. The loop re-checks the count so a partial
+                // creation (e.g. a `maxRows` clamp) is detected and the change is skipped.
                 while(changes[i][0] > instance.countRows() - 1){
-                    const { delta: numberOfCreatedRows } = datamap.createRow(undefined, undefined, {
+                    const missingRows = changes[i][0] - (instance.countRows() - 1);
+                    const { delta: numberOfCreatedRows } = datamap.createRow(undefined, missingRows, {
                         source: 'auto'
                     });
                     if (numberOfCreatedRows === 0) {
@@ -1370,7 +1559,8 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
             }
             if (instance.dataType === 'array' && (!tableMeta.columns || tableMeta.columns.length === 0) && tableMeta.allowInsertColumn) {
                 while(Number(datamap.propToCol(changes[i][1])) > instance.countCols() - 1){
-                    const { delta: numberOfCreatedColumns } = datamap.createCol(undefined, undefined, {
+                    const missingColumns = Number(datamap.propToCol(changes[i][1])) - (instance.countCols() - 1);
+                    const { delta: numberOfCreatedColumns } = datamap.createCol(undefined, missingColumns, {
                         source: 'auto'
                     });
                     if (numberOfCreatedColumns === 0) {
@@ -1540,7 +1730,10 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
             const visualColumn = datamap.propToCol(prop);
             let cellProperties;
             if (Number.isInteger(visualColumn)) {
-                cellProperties = instance.getCellMeta(row, visualColumn);
+                // The transient read keeps a bulk change set (paste, fill, checkbox toggle over a large
+                // selection) from permanently materializing one meta object per changed cell - the meta
+                // is only read here (`valueSetter`).
+                cellProperties = instance.getCellMetaTransient(row, visualColumn);
             } else {
                 // If there's no requested visual column, we can use the table meta as the cell properties
                 cellProperties = {
@@ -1562,7 +1755,9 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
    * @param {number|Array} row Visual row index or array of changes in format `[[row, col, value],...]`.
    * @param {number} [column] Visual column index.
    * @param {string} [value] New value.
-   * @param {string} [source] String that identifies how this change will be described in the changes array (useful in afterChange or beforeChange callback). Set to 'edit' if left empty.
+   * @param {string} [source] String that identifies how this change will be described in the changes array (useful in {@link Hooks#afterChange} or {@link Hooks#beforeChange} callbacks). Set to 'edit' if left empty.
+   * @fires Hooks#beforeChange
+   * @fires Hooks#afterChange
    */ this.setDataAtCell = function(row, column, value, source) {
         const input = setDataInputToArray(row, column, value);
         const changes = [];
@@ -1612,7 +1807,9 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
    * @param {number|Array} row Visual row index or array of changes in format `[[row, prop, value], ...]`.
    * @param {string} prop Property name or the source string (e.g. `'first.name'` or `'0'`).
    * @param {string} value Value to be set.
-   * @param {string} [source] String that identifies how this change will be described in changes array (useful in onChange callback).
+   * @param {string} [source] String that identifies how this change will be described in changes array (useful in {@link Hooks#afterChange} or {@link Hooks#beforeChange} callbacks).
+   * @fires Hooks#beforeChange
+   * @fires Hooks#afterChange
    */ this.setDataAtRowProp = function(row, prop, value, source) {
         const input = setDataInputToArray(row, prop, value);
         const changes = [];
@@ -1684,7 +1881,7 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
    * @memberof Core#
    * @function destroyEditor
    * @param {boolean} [revertOriginal=false] If `true`, the previous value will be restored. Otherwise, the edited value will be saved.
-   * @param {boolean} [prepareEditorIfNeeded=true] If `true` the editor under the selected cell will be prepared to open.
+   * @param {boolean} [prepareEditorIfNeeded=true] If `true`, the editor under the selected cell will be prepared to open.
    */ this.destroyEditor = function(revertOriginal = false, prepareEditorIfNeeded = true) {
         editorManager.closeEditor(revertOriginal);
         instance.view.render();
@@ -1858,8 +2055,10 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
    *
    * @memberof Core#
    * @function emptySelectedCells
-   * @param {string} [source] String that identifies how this change will be described in the changes array (useful in afterChange or beforeChange callback). Set to 'edit' if left empty.
+   * @param {string} [source] String that identifies how this change will be described in the changes array (useful in {@link Hooks#afterChange} or {@link Hooks#beforeChange} callbacks). Set to 'edit' if left empty.
    * @since 0.36.0
+   * @fires Hooks#beforeChange
+   * @fires Hooks#afterChange
    */ this.emptySelectedCells = function(source) {
         if (!selection.isSelected() || this.countRows() === 0 || this.countCols() === 0) {
             return;
@@ -1880,7 +2079,9 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
             }
             const collectEmptyCellChanges = (row)=>{
                 (0, _number.rangeEach)(fromColumn, toColumn, (column)=>{
-                    if (!this.getCellMeta(row, column).readOnly) {
+                    // The transient read keeps clearing a large selection from permanently materializing
+                    // one meta object per cell - only `readOnly` is read here.
+                    if (!this.getCellMetaTransient(row, column).readOnly) {
                         changes.push([
                             row,
                             column,
@@ -1982,7 +2183,8 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
    * to the DOM. While rendering the table all cell renderers are recalled.
    *
    * Calling this method manually is not recommended. Handsontable tries to render itself by choosing the most
-   * optimal moments in its lifecycle.
+   * optimal moments in its lifecycle. After [setCellMeta()](@/api/core.md#setcellmeta) changes visual cell
+   * properties, call this method to apply them, or wrap multiple calls in [batch()](@/api/core.md#batch).
    *
    * @memberof Core#
    * @function render
@@ -2223,8 +2425,8 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
    * @memberof Core#
    * @function updateData
    * @since 11.1.0
-   * @param {Array} data An [array of arrays](@/guides/getting-started/binding-to-data/binding-to-data.md#array-of-arrays), or an [array of objects](@/guides/getting-started/binding-to-data/binding-to-data.md#array-of-objects), that contains Handsontable's data
-   * @param {string} [source] The source of the `updateData()` call
+   * @param {Array} data An [array of arrays](@/guides/getting-started/binding-to-data/binding-to-data.md#array-of-arrays), or an [array of objects](@/guides/getting-started/binding-to-data/binding-to-data.md#array-of-objects), that contains Handsontable's data.
+   * @param {string} [source] The source of the `updateData()` call.
    * @fires Hooks#beforeUpdateData
    * @fires Hooks#afterUpdateData
    * @fires Hooks#afterChange
@@ -2265,8 +2467,8 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
    *
    * @memberof Core#
    * @function loadData
-   * @param {Array} data An [array of arrays](@/guides/getting-started/binding-to-data/binding-to-data.md#array-of-arrays), or an [array of objects](@/guides/getting-started/binding-to-data/binding-to-data.md#array-of-objects), that contains Handsontable's data
-   * @param {string} [source] The source of the `loadData()` call
+   * @param {Array} data An [array of arrays](@/guides/getting-started/binding-to-data/binding-to-data.md#array-of-arrays), or an [array of objects](@/guides/getting-started/binding-to-data/binding-to-data.md#array-of-objects), that contains Handsontable's data.
+   * @param {string} [source] The source of the `loadData()` call.
    * @fires Hooks#beforeLoadData
    * @fires Hooks#afterLoadData
    * @fires Hooks#afterChange
@@ -2340,11 +2542,17 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
         this.rowIndexMapper.initToLength(this.countSourceRows());
     };
     /**
-   * Returns the current data object (the same one that was passed by `data` configuration option or `loadData` method,
-   * unless some modifications have been applied (i.e. Sequence of rows/columns was changed, some row/column was skipped).
-   * If that's the case - use the {@link Core#getSourceData} method.).
+   * Returns the current visual data as a 2D array.
+   *
+   * Unlike the source data (which may be an array of objects), `getData()` always
+   * returns an array of arrays regardless of the original data format. The returned
+   * data reflects the current visual state of the grid: rows and columns are in their
+   * current visual order, after any sorting, filtering, or reordering.
    *
-   * Optionally you can provide cell range by defining `row`, `column`, `row2`, `column2` to get only a fragment of table data.
+   * To retrieve the data in its original source format, use the {@link Core#getSourceData} method instead.
+   *
+   * Optionally you can provide a cell range by defining `row`, `column`, `row2`, `column2`
+   * to get only a fragment of the data.
    *
    * @memberof Core#
    * @function getData
@@ -2352,7 +2560,7 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
    * @param {number} [column] From visual column index.
    * @param {number} [row2] To visual row index.
    * @param {number} [column2] To visual column index.
-   * @returns {Array[]} Array with the data.
+   * @returns {Array[]} A 2D array of cell values in the current visual order.
    * @example
    * ```js
    * // Get all data (in order how it is rendered in the table).
@@ -2422,11 +2630,19 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
    * __Note__, that although the `updateSettings` method doesn't overwrite the previously declared settings, it might reset
    * the settings made post-initialization. (for example - ignore changes made using the columnResize feature).
    *
-   * Since 8.0.0 passing `columns` or `data` inside `settings` objects will result in resetting states corresponding to rows and columns
-   * (for example, row/column sequence, column width, row height, frozen columns etc.).
+   * Passing `columns` inside the `settings` object resets the states corresponding to rows and columns
+   * (for example, row/column sequence, column width, row height, frozen columns etc.). Passing `data` does not reset these states.
+   *
+   * After initialization, passing `data` calls [`updateData()`](@/api/core.md#updatedata) internally.
+   * The resulting [`beforeUpdateData`](@/api/hooks.md#beforeupdatedata) and
+   * [`afterUpdateData`](@/api/hooks.md#afterupdatedata) hooks receive `"updateSettings"` as their
+   * `source`, while [`afterChange`](@/api/hooks.md#afterchange) receives `null` as its `changes`
+   * argument and `"updateData"` as its `source`. If you call `updateSettings` with `data` inside
+   * `afterChange`, check the hook's `source` to prevent an infinite loop.
    *
-   * Since 12.0.0 passing `data` inside `settings` objects no longer results in resetting states corresponding to rows and columns
-   * (for example, row/column sequence, column width, row height, frozen columns etc.).
+   * Cell meta set imperatively through [[setCellMeta]] (for example, by the user or the context menu) is preserved across
+   * `updateSettings`, even when `settings` includes `cell`, `cells`, or `columns`. On a direct conflict, a value re-stated
+   * through the declarative `cell` option takes precedence over the preserved imperative value.
    *
    * Cell meta set imperatively through [[setCellMeta]] (for example, by the user or the context menu) is preserved across
    * `updateSettings`, even when `settings` includes `cell`, `cells`, or `columns`. On a direct conflict, a value re-stated
@@ -2463,6 +2679,10 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
         if ((0, _mixed.isDefined)(settings.ganttChart)) {
             (0, _errors.throwWithCause)('Since 8.0.0 the "ganttChart" setting is no longer supported.');
         }
+        warnAboutRemovedOptions(settings);
+        // The `columns` option (or the state its function form reads) may change in this call - drop
+        // getColHeader's index translation cache so it rebuilds against the updated settings.
+        columnsSettingIndexes = null;
         if ((0, _mixed.isDefined)(settings.rowHeights) && (0, _mixed.isDefined)(settings.minRowHeights)) {
             (0, _console.warn)('Both `rowHeights` and `minRowHeights` are defined in your configuration. ' + 'As one is the alias of the other, only one of them can be used at a time. ' + '`rowHeights` will be used as the row height configuration.');
         }
@@ -2513,20 +2733,26 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
             const currentThemeName = instance.getCurrentThemeName();
             // Use `theme` option if it's a string and differs from current theme (takes priority over `themeName`).
             if (themeOptionExists && typeof settings.theme === 'string' && currentThemeName !== settings.theme) {
-                instance.themeManager?.unmount();
-                instance.themeManager = null;
+                // `destroy()`, not `unmount()`. Unmounting removes the style node but leaves the manager
+                // subscribed to the shared theme object, so the next theme change re-injects its scoped
+                // rules and the grid gets stuck on whatever override the dead manager still holds.
+                instance.themeManager?.destroy();
                 instance.useTheme(settings.theme);
             // Use `themeName` option if `theme` is not provided and the name differs from current theme.
             } else if (themeNameOptionExists && !themeOptionExists && currentThemeName !== settings.themeName) {
-                instance.themeManager?.unmount();
-                instance.themeManager = null;
+                // `destroy()`, not `unmount()`. Unmounting removes the style node but leaves the manager
+                // subscribed to the shared theme object, so the next theme change re-injects its scoped
+                // rules and the grid gets stuck on whatever override the dead manager still holds.
+                instance.themeManager?.destroy();
                 tableMeta.theme = settings.themeName;
                 tableMeta.themeName = undefined;
                 instance.useTheme(settings.themeName);
             // Initialize or update the themeManager when theme is an object.
             } else if ((0, _rootInstance.isRootInstance)(instance) && !rootContainerThemeClassName && (0, _object.isObject)(settings.theme)) {
                 if (instance.themeManager === null) {
-                    initializeThemeManager(settings.theme);
+                    // Read the overrides from `tableMeta`, not from this payload. The options may have been
+                    // set by an earlier call, and the manager being rebuilt here starts with none of them.
+                    initializeThemeManager(settings.theme, readStoredThemeOverrides());
                     instance.useTheme(instance.themeManager.getClassName());
                 } else {
                     let themeObject;
@@ -2540,6 +2766,7 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
                 }
             }
         }
+        const themeOverridesChanged = applyThemeOverrides(settings, init);
         // Load data or create data map
         if (instance.runHooks('hasExternalDataSource') === true) {
             // When dataProvider is a complete server-backed config, ignore static data, the plugin loads rows.
@@ -2657,11 +2884,23 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
         // width blocks ran) so partial updateSettings calls see the correct state.
         // When height IS set, the height block's `overflow: clip` shorthand handles both axes — leave
         // overflowX untouched to avoid breaking that shorthand.
+        // Only clip for a definite width. A relative width (`100%`, other percentages, viewport units,
+        // or a `calc()` that mixes them in) fills its container, and content wider than that scrolls
+        // with the window — matching the long-standing behavior where the page gains a horizontal
+        // scrollbar and every column stays reachable. Clipping those would silently hide the off-width
+        // columns with no scrollbar. A definite width (`px`, `em`, `rem`, and other absolute lengths)
+        // establishes a fixed box the table must not visually overflow, so it is clipped.
         // Browser compatibility: `overflow-x: clip` requires Safari 16+. On Safari 14.1–15.x it silently
         // falls back to `visible` (graceful degradation — pre-existing behavior, not a new regression).
         if (typeof settings.height !== 'undefined' || typeof settings.width !== 'undefined') {
             const effectiveHeight = instance.rootElement.style.height;
             const effectiveWidth = instance.rootElement.style.width;
+            // Relative: percentages and viewport units resolve against an ancestor, so a `%` or a viewport
+            // unit (`vw`/`vh`/`vmin`/`vmax`, and dynamic `dvh`/`svh`/`lvh` via the `vh` match) anywhere —
+            // including inside `calc()` — marks the width as container-driven. No word boundaries: the unit
+            // is preceded by digits (`100vw`), which are word characters, so `\bv` would never match.
+            const isRelativeWidth = /%|v(?:w|h|min|max)/i.test(effectiveWidth);
+            const isDefiniteWidth = effectiveWidth !== '' && effectiveWidth !== 'auto' && !isRelativeWidth;
             if (!effectiveHeight) {
                 const currentOverflowX = instance.rootElement.style.overflowX;
                 // Only manage the overflow-x we own (`clip`) or that is unset. Preserve a user-defined
@@ -2669,7 +2908,7 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
                 // by `clip`. Unlike `hidden`, `clip` creates no block formatting context and allows no
                 // programmatic scroll.
                 if (currentOverflowX === '' || currentOverflowX === 'clip') {
-                    instance.rootElement.style.overflowX = effectiveWidth && effectiveWidth !== 'auto' ? 'clip' : '';
+                    instance.rootElement.style.overflowX = isDefiniteWidth ? 'clip' : '';
                 }
             }
         }
@@ -2687,6 +2926,12 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
             instance.render();
             instance.view._wt.wtOverlays.adjustElementsSize();
         }
+        // Fired after the render above, so a listener reading cell sizes sees the new density. The
+        // manager can be gone by now: an `afterUpdateSettings` listener is free to move the grid to a
+        // class-name theme, which tears the engine down.
+        if (themeOverridesChanged && instance.themeManager) {
+            instance.runHooks('afterSetTheme', instance.themeManager.getClassName(), false);
+        }
         if (!init && instance.view && (currentHeight === '' || height === '' || height === undefined) && currentHeight !== height) {
             instance.view._wt.wtOverlays.updateMainScrollableElements();
         }
@@ -2718,11 +2963,36 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
         return null;
     };
     /**
-   * Returns the object settings.
+   * Returns the current global grid settings object.
+   *
+   * The returned object contains the settings passed to the constructor or the most recent
+   * `updateSettings()` call. It reflects the
+   * [grid-level](@/guides/getting-started/configuration-options/configuration-options.md#set-grid-options)
+   * configuration only.
+   *
+   * It does not include merged per-cell or per-column values. Configuration options cascade from
+   * grid to column to cell (see
+   * [Cascading configuration](@/guides/getting-started/configuration-options/configuration-options.md#cascading-configuration)).
+   * To read the effective value for a specific cell, use [[getCellMeta]]. To read column-level meta, use [[getColumnMeta]].
    *
    * @memberof Core#
    * @function getSettings
-   * @returns {TableMeta} Object containing the current table settings.
+   * @returns {TableMeta} Object containing the current global grid settings.
+   * @example
+   * ```js
+   * const hot = new Handsontable(container, {
+   *   readOnly: false,
+   *   columns: (index) => ({
+   *     readOnly: index === 2 || index === 8,
+   *   }),
+   * });
+   *
+   * // returns `false` (global grid-level setting)
+   * hot.getSettings().readOnly;
+   *
+   * // returns `true` for column 2 (merged column and cell meta)
+   * hot.getCellMeta(0, 2).readOnly;
+   * ```
    */ this.getSettings = function() {
         return tableMeta;
     };
@@ -2777,8 +3047,10 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
    * @param {number|number[]} [index] A visual index of the row/column before or after which the new row/column will be
    *                                inserted or removed. Can also be an array of arrays, in format `[[index, amount],...]`.
    * @param {number} [amount] The amount of rows or columns to be inserted or removed (default: `1`).
-   * @param {string} [source] Source indicator.
-   * @param {boolean} [keepEmptyRows] If set to `true`: prevents removing empty rows.
+   * @param {string} [source] Source indicator passed to related hooks.
+   * @param {boolean} [keepEmptyRows] If set to `true`, skips the automatic adjustment that normally adds empty rows
+   *                                  or columns after the operation to satisfy `minRows`, `minSpareRows`,
+   *                                  `minCols`, or `minSpareCols`.
    * @example
    * ```js
    * // above row 10 (by visual index), insert 1 new row
@@ -2798,9 +3070,23 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
    * // remove 2 rows, starting from row 10 (by visual index)
    * hot.alter('remove_row', 10, 2);
    *
+   * // remove 2 columns, starting from column 3 (by visual index)
+   * hot.alter('remove_col', 3, 2);
+   *
    * // remove 3 rows, starting from row 1 (by visual index)
    * // remove 2 rows, starting from row 5 (by visual index)
    * hot.alter('remove_row', [[1, 3], [5, 2]]);
+   *
+   * // pass a custom source string to hooks
+   * hot.addHook('afterCreateRow', (index, amount, source) => {
+   *   if (source === 'inventory-import') {
+   *     // Run logic only for rows created by the inventory import.
+   *   }
+   * });
+   * hot.alter('insert_row_above', 0, 1, 'inventory-import');
+   *
+   * // remove a row without immediately adding empty rows required by `minRows` or `minSpareRows`
+   * hot.alter('remove_row', 4, 1, 'inventory-cleanup', true);
    * ```
    */ this.alter = function(action, index, amount, source, keepEmptyRows) {
         grid.alter(action, index, amount, source, keepEmptyRows);
@@ -3076,9 +3362,14 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
             const visualRow = instance.toVisualRow(changeRow);
             const visualColumn = instance.toVisualColumn(changeProp);
             if (Number.isInteger(visualColumn)) {
-                return instance.getCellMeta(visualRow, visualColumn);
+                // The transient read keeps a bulk source-data write from permanently materializing one
+                // meta object per changed cell - the meta only feeds the `valueSetter` and the
+                // source-data validator, both read-only.
+                return instance.getCellMetaTransient(visualRow, visualColumn);
             }
-            // If there's no requested visual column, we can use the table meta as the cell properties
+            // If there's no requested visual column, we can use the table meta as the cell properties.
+            // The snapshot lacks the per-cell coordinate properties, but every consumer here reads
+            // settings-level keys only.
             return {
                 ...Object.getPrototypeOf(tableMeta),
                 ...tableMeta
@@ -3191,7 +3482,7 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
         (0, _number.rangeEach)(Math.max(Math.min(rowStart, rowEnd), 0), Math.max(rowStart, rowEnd), (row)=>{
             let isTypeEqual = true;
             (0, _number.rangeEach)(Math.max(Math.min(columnStart, columnEnd), 0), Math.max(columnStart, columnEnd), (column)=>{
-                const cellType = instance.getCellMeta(row, column);
+                const cellType = instance.getCellMetaTransient(row, column);
                 currentType = cellType.type ?? null;
                 if (previousType) {
                     isTypeEqual = previousType === currentType;
@@ -3270,8 +3561,52 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
         }
     };
     /**
+   * Writes a configuration-derived cell meta value declaratively. The value is applied to the cell meta
+   * (so it is retained while the cell is released from the viewport by the meta eviction), but is NOT
+   * recorded as user-defined, so an `updateSettings` cache reset clears it and it is re-applied from the
+   * current configuration - exactly like the `cell` option. Used by built-in plugins that derive cell
+   * meta from their own configuration (for example ColumnSummary) and re-apply it on each update.
+   *
+   * Unlike the public `setCellMeta`, this does NOT fire `beforeSetCellMeta`/`afterSetCellMeta` and is
+   * not vetoable: the write is plugin-internal render state the user never requested, so it must not
+   * surface through public hooks or be blocked by a `beforeSetCellMeta` veto. This matches the direct
+   * meta-object write these plugins used before the viewport meta eviction was introduced.
+   *
+   * Internal API: deliberately NOT declared on the public `HotInstance` type (`core/types.ts`), so it
+   * is not exposed to third-party code or the published `.d.ts`. Built-in consumers reach it through a
+   * local internal type (see `HotInstanceInternal` in the ColumnSummary plugin). Do not add it to
+   * `HotInstance` - that would turn an implementation detail into a supported public API.
+   *
+   * @private
+   * @memberof Core#
+   * @function _setCellMetaDeclarative
+   * @param {number} row Visual row index.
+   * @param {number} column Visual column index.
+   * @param {string} key The property name to set.
+   * @param {*} value The value to write.
+   */ this._setCellMetaDeclarative = function(row, column, key, value) {
+        let physicalRow = row;
+        let physicalColumn = column;
+        if (row < instance.countRows()) {
+            physicalRow = instance.toPhysicalRow(row);
+        }
+        if (column < instance.countCols()) {
+            physicalColumn = instance.toPhysicalColumn(column);
+        }
+        metaManager.disableUserDefinedMetaRecording();
+        try {
+            metaManager.setCellMeta(physicalRow, physicalColumn, key, value);
+        } finally{
+            metaManager.enableUserDefinedMetaRecording();
+        }
+    };
+    /**
    * Sets a property defined by the `key` property to the meta object of a cell corresponding to params `row` and `column`.
    *
+   * This method updates internal cell metadata only. It does not repaint the grid. To reflect visual changes (such as
+   * `className`, `type`, or `readOnly`), call [render()](@/api/core.md#render) afterward, or wrap multiple calls in
+   * [batch()](@/api/core.md#batch).
+   *
    * @memberof Core#
    * @function setCellMeta
    * @param {number} row Visual row index.
@@ -3308,6 +3643,11 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
     /**
    * Returns the cell properties object for the given `row` and `column` coordinates.
    *
+   * The returned object reflects the effective cell configuration after
+   * [cascading configuration](@/guides/getting-started/configuration-options/configuration-options.md#cascading-configuration)
+   * (grid, column, and cell levels). To read global grid settings only, use [[getSettings]].
+   * To read column-level meta, use [[getColumnMeta]].
+   *
    * @memberof Core#
    * @function getCellMeta
    * @param {number} row Visual row index.
@@ -3335,8 +3675,52 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
         });
     };
     /**
+   * Returns the cell properties object for the given `row` and `column` coordinates without
+   * retaining it in the cell meta cache.
+   *
+   * Like [[getCellMeta]], the returned object reflects the effective cell configuration after
+   * [cascading configuration](@/guides/getting-started/configuration-options/configuration-options.md#cascading-configuration)
+   * and dynamic extension (the `cells` function and the `beforeGetCellMeta`/`afterGetCellMeta`
+   * hooks run). Unlike `getCellMeta`, when the cell has no stored meta object the extension runs
+   * on a temporary object that is not saved, so scanning many cells (for example, a whole column
+   * or the entire dataset) does not permanently allocate one meta object per visited cell. Cells
+   * that already carry stored meta (for example, written by [[setCellMeta]] or the `cell` option)
+   * return their stored object, exactly as `getCellMeta` would.
+   *
+   * Use this method for read-only bulk scans. Do not write to the returned object - for cells
+   * without stored meta the write lands on the temporary object and is lost; use `setCellMeta`
+   * to persist values.
+   *
+   * @memberof Core#
+   * @function getCellMetaTransient
+   * @since 18.1.0
+   * @param {number} row Visual row index.
+   * @param {number} column Visual column index.
+   * @returns {object} The cell properties object.
+   * @fires Hooks#beforeGetCellMeta
+   * @fires Hooks#afterGetCellMeta
+   */ this.getCellMetaTransient = function(row, column) {
+        let physicalRow = instance.toPhysicalRow(row);
+        let physicalColumn = instance.toPhysicalColumn(column);
+        if (physicalRow === null) {
+            physicalRow = row;
+        }
+        if (physicalColumn === null) {
+            physicalColumn = column;
+        }
+        return metaManager.getCellMetaTransient(physicalRow, physicalColumn, {
+            visualRow: row,
+            visualColumn: column
+        });
+    };
+    /**
    * Returns the meta information for the provided column.
    *
+   * The returned object reflects the column-level configuration after
+   * [cascading configuration](@/guides/getting-started/configuration-options/configuration-options.md#cascading-configuration)
+   * (grid and column levels). To read global grid settings only, use [[getSettings]].
+   * To read the effective configuration for a specific cell, use [[getCellMeta]].
+   *
    * @since 14.5.0
    * @memberof Core#
    * @function getColumnMeta
@@ -3541,12 +3925,27 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
                     continue;
                 }
                 waitingForValidator.addValidatorToQueue();
-                instance.validateCell(instance.getDataAtCell(i, j), instance.getCellMeta(i, j), (result)=>{
+                // The transient read keeps a bulk validation from permanently materializing one meta
+                // object per validated cell (O(rows x columns) retention). Cells with stored meta -
+                // including every currently rendered cell - still receive their `valid` result on the
+                // stored object, because the transient read returns the stored object for them.
+                const row = i;
+                const column = j;
+                const cellMeta = instance.getCellMetaTransient(row, column);
+                instance.validateCell(instance.getDataAtCell(row, column), cellMeta, (result)=>{
                     if (typeof result !== 'boolean') {
                         (0, _errors.throwWithCause)('Validation error: result is not boolean');
                     }
                     if (result === false) {
                         waitingForValidator.valid = false;
+                        // A failed result written on a throwaway object would be lost - persist it on the
+                        // stored meta (a DIRECT write, exactly like the edit-path validation flow; NOT
+                        // `setCellMeta`, which would mark the property as user-persisted and change
+                        // updateSettings/eviction semantics). Only failures materialize, so retention stays
+                        // O(invalid cells); the eviction pass already keeps `valid === false` cells.
+                        instance.getCellMeta(row, column, {
+                            skipMetaExtension: true
+                        }).valid = false;
                     }
                     waitingForValidator.removeValidatorFormQueue();
                 }, 'validateCells');
@@ -3612,6 +4011,13 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
         return false;
     };
     /**
+   * Caches the index translation that `getColHeader` derives from the `columns` option when that
+   * option is a function: the source column indexes for which `columns(index)` returns a truthy
+   * settings object. Only the membership array is cached — titles are still read live from the
+   * `columns` function. Rebuilt when the function reference or the column count changes; cleared
+   * by `updateSettings`.
+   */ let columnsSettingIndexes = null;
+    /**
    * Gets the values of column headers (if column headers are [enabled](@/api/options.md#colheaders)).
    *
    * To get an array with the values of all
@@ -3661,23 +4067,30 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
         }
         let result = tableMeta.colHeaders;
         const columns = tableMeta.columns;
-        const translateVisualIndexToColumns = function(visualColumnIndex) {
-            const arr = [];
+        const columnsFn = typeof columns === 'function' ? columns : null;
+        const physicalColumn = instance.toPhysicalColumn(columnIndex);
+        let columnSettings = null;
+        if (columnsFn !== null) {
             const columnsLen = instance.countCols();
-            let index = 0;
-            for(; index < columnsLen; index++){
-                if ((0, _function.isFunction)(columns) && columns(index)) {
-                    arr.push(index);
+            if (columnsSettingIndexes === null || columnsSettingIndexes.columns !== columnsFn || columnsSettingIndexes.columnsLen !== columnsLen) {
+                const indexes = [];
+                for(let index = 0; index < columnsLen; index++){
+                    if (columnsFn(index)) {
+                        indexes.push(index);
+                    }
                 }
+                columnsSettingIndexes = {
+                    columns: columnsFn,
+                    columnsLen,
+                    indexes
+                };
             }
-            return arr[visualColumnIndex];
-        };
-        const physicalColumn = instance.toPhysicalColumn(columnIndex);
-        const prop = translateVisualIndexToColumns(physicalColumn);
+            columnSettings = columnsFn(columnsSettingIndexes.indexes[physicalColumn]) ?? null;
+        }
         if (tableMeta.colHeaders === false) {
             result = null;
-        } else if (columns && (0, _function.isFunction)(columns) && columns(prop) && columns(prop).title) {
-            result = columns(prop).title;
+        } else if (columnSettings && columnSettings.title) {
+            result = columnSettings.title;
         } else if (columns && !(0, _function.isFunction)(columns) && columns[physicalColumn] && columns[physicalColumn].title) {
             result = columns[physicalColumn].title;
         } else if (Array.isArray(tableMeta.colHeaders) && tableMeta.colHeaders[physicalColumn] !== undefined) {
@@ -3850,7 +4263,7 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
    * @returns {number} Returns -1 if table is not visible.
    */ this.countRenderedRows = function() {
         const view = instance.view;
-        return view._wt.drawn ? view._wt.wtTable.getRenderedRowsCount() : -1;
+        return view?._wt.drawn ? view._wt.wtTable.getRenderedRowsCount() : -1;
     };
     /**
    * Returns the number of rendered rows that are only visible in the table viewport.
@@ -3861,7 +4274,7 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
    * @returns {number} Number of visible rows or -1.
    */ this.countVisibleRows = function() {
         const view = instance.view;
-        return view._wt.drawn ? view._wt.wtTable.getVisibleRowsCount() : -1;
+        return view?._wt.drawn ? view._wt.wtTable.getVisibleRowsCount() : -1;
     };
     /**
    * Returns the number of rendered rows including columns that are partially or fully rendered
@@ -3872,7 +4285,7 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
    * @returns {number} Returns -1 if table is not visible.
    */ this.countRenderedCols = function() {
         const view = instance.view;
-        return view._wt.drawn ? view._wt.wtTable.getRenderedColumnsCount() : -1;
+        return view?._wt.drawn ? view._wt.wtTable.getRenderedColumnsCount() : -1;
     };
     /**
    * Returns the number of rendered columns that are only visible in the table viewport.
@@ -3883,7 +4296,7 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
    * @returns {number} Number of visible columns or -1.
    */ this.countVisibleCols = function() {
         const view = instance.view;
-        return view._wt.drawn ? view._wt.wtTable.getVisibleColumnsCount() : -1;
+        return view?._wt.drawn ? view._wt.wtTable.getVisibleColumnsCount() : -1;
     };
     /**
    * Returns the number of rendered row headers.
@@ -3893,7 +4306,8 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
    * @function countRowHeaders
    * @returns {number} Number of row headers.
    */ this.countRowHeaders = function() {
-        return instance.view.getRowHeadersCount();
+        const view = instance.view;
+        return view ? view.getRowHeadersCount() : 0;
     };
     /**
    * Returns the number of rendered column headers.
@@ -3903,7 +4317,8 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
    * @function countColHeaders
    * @returns {number} Number of column headers.
    */ this.countColHeaders = function() {
-        return instance.view.getColumnHeadersCount();
+        const view = instance.view;
+        return view ? view.getColumnHeadersCount() : 0;
     };
     /**
    * Returns the number of empty rows. If the optional ending parameter is `true`, returns the
@@ -4003,8 +4418,8 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
    * @param {number|string} column A visual column index (`number`), or a column property's value (`string`).
    * @param {number} [endRow] If selecting a range: the visual row index of the last cell in the range.
    * @param {number|string} [endColumn] If selecting a range: the visual column index (or a column property's value) of the last cell in the range.
-   * @param {boolean} [scrollToCell=true] `true`: scroll the viewport to the newly-selected cells. `false`: keep the previous viewport.
-   * @param {boolean} [changeListener=true] `true`: switch the keyboard focus to Handsontable. `false`: keep the
+   * @param {boolean} [scrollToCell=true] If `true`, scrolls the viewport to the newly-selected cells. If `false`, keeps the previous viewport.
+   * @param {boolean} [changeListener=true] If `true`, switches the keyboard focus to Handsontable. If `false`, keeps the
    * previous keyboard focus. If an element outside Handsontable (such as a custom input) currently owns the browser
    * focus, it remains focused after the call.
    * @returns {boolean} `true`: the selection was successful, `false`: the selection failed.
@@ -4077,8 +4492,8 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
    * @param {Array[]|CellRange[]} coords Visual coordinates,
    * passed either as an array of arrays (`[[rowStart, columnStart, rowEnd, columnEnd], ...]`)
    * or as an array of [`CellRange`](@/api/cellRange.md) objects.
-   * @param {boolean} [scrollToCell=true] `true`: scroll the viewport to the newly-selected cells. `false`: keep the previous viewport.
-   * @param {boolean} [changeListener=true] `true`: switch the keyboard focus to Handsontable. `false`: keep the
+   * @param {boolean} [scrollToCell=true] If `true`, scrolls the viewport to the newly-selected cells. If `false`, keeps the previous viewport.
+   * @param {boolean} [changeListener=true] If `true`, switches the keyboard focus to Handsontable. If `false`, keeps the
    * previous keyboard focus. If an element outside Handsontable (such as a custom input) currently owns the browser
    * focus, it remains focused after the call.
    * @returns {boolean} `true`: the selection was successful, `false`: the selection failed.
@@ -4129,8 +4544,8 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
    * @memberof Core#
    * @since 0.38.0
    * @function selectColumns
-   * @param {number} startColumn The visual column index from which the selection starts.
-   * @param {number} [endColumn=startColumn] The visual column index to which the selection finishes. If `endColumn`
+   * @param {number | string} startColumn The visual column index or column property from which the selection starts.
+   * @param {number | string} [endColumn=startColumn] The visual column index or column property to which the selection finishes. If `endColumn`
    * is not defined the column defined by `startColumn` will be selected.
    * @param {number | { row: number, col: number } | CellCoords} [focusPosition=0] The argument allows changing the cell/header focus
    * position. The value can take visual row index from -N to N, where negative values point to the headers and positive
@@ -4205,16 +4620,15 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
    * @since 0.38.2
    * @memberof Core#
    * @function selectAll
-   * @param {boolean} [includeRowHeaders=false] `true` If the selection should include the row headers,
-   * `false` otherwise.
-   * @param {boolean} [includeColumnHeaders=false] `true` If the selection should include the column
-   * headers, `false` otherwise.
+   * @param {boolean} [includeRowHeaders=false] If `true`, includes the row headers in the selection.
+   * @param {boolean} [includeColumnHeaders=false] If `true`, includes the column headers in the selection.
    *
-   * @param {object} [options] Additional object with options. Since 14.0.0
+   * @param {object} [options] Additional object with options. Since 14.0.0.
    * @param {{row: number, col: number} | boolean} [options.focusPosition] The argument allows changing the cell/header
    * focus position. The value takes an object with a `row` and `col` properties from -N to N, where
    * negative values point to the headers and positive values point to the cell range. If `false`, the focus
-   * position won't be changed. Example:
+   * position won't be changed. When the {@link Options#navigableHeaders} option is disabled (the default), a
+   * `focusPosition` that points to a header is relocated to the nearest cell in the data set. Example:
    * ```js
    * hot.selectAll(0, 0, {
    * focusPosition: { row: 0, col: 1 },
@@ -4223,7 +4637,9 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
    * ```
    *
    * @param {boolean} [options.disableHeadersHighlight] If `true`, disables highlighting the headers even when
-   * the logical coordinates points on them.
+   * the logical coordinates points on them. This only suppresses the highlight shown on headers of a fully-selected
+   * row or column. It doesn't affect the focus indicator on the individual cell or header that holds the focus,
+   * which stays visible even when {@link Options#navigableHeaders} moves the focus onto a header.
    */ this.selectAll = function(includeRowHeaders = true, includeColumnHeaders = includeRowHeaders, options) {
         viewportScroller.skipNextScrollCycle();
         selection.selectAll(includeRowHeaders, includeColumnHeaders, options);
@@ -4257,6 +4673,9 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
     /**
    * Scroll viewport to coordinates specified by the `row` and/or `col` object properties.
    *
+   * The object-based signature was introduced in v14.0.0. The positional arguments form is retained
+   * for backward compatibility.
+   *
    * ```js
    * // scroll the viewport to the visual row index (leave the horizontal scroll untouched)
    * hot.scrollViewportTo({ row: 50 });
@@ -4271,6 +4690,9 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
    * }, () => {
    *   // callback function executed after the viewport is scrolled
    * });
+   *
+   * // scroll the viewport using the backward-compatible positional arguments form
+   * hot.scrollViewportTo(50, 50, true, true);
    * ```
    *
    * @memberof Core#
@@ -4376,6 +4798,10 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
    */ this.destroy = function() {
         instance._clearTimeouts();
         instance._clearMicrotasks();
+        // Drop the hidden-init visibility observer before the teardown below nulls the instance. Otherwise a
+        // delivery queued while the table was becoming visible runs its callback on a destroyed instance.
+        visibilityObserver?.disconnect();
+        visibilityObserver = null;
         if (instance.view) {
             instance.view.destroy();
         }
@@ -4467,6 +4893,11 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
     /**
    * Returns the first rendered row in the DOM (usually, it is not visible in the table's viewport).
    *
+   * When the {@link MergeCells} plugin is enabled with its default `virtualized: false` setting, a merged
+   * cell that crosses the viewport edge extends the rendered row range, so this method can return a row
+   * index further from the viewport than usual. For the actual visible viewport, use
+   * {@link Core#getFirstFullyVisibleRow} or {@link Core#getFirstPartiallyVisibleRow}.
+   *
    * @since 14.6.0
    * @memberof Core#
    * @function getFirstRenderedVisibleRow
@@ -4477,6 +4908,11 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
     /**
    * Returns the last rendered row in the DOM (usually, it is not visible in the table's viewport).
    *
+   * When the {@link MergeCells} plugin is enabled with its default `virtualized: false` setting, a merged
+   * cell that crosses the viewport edge extends the rendered row range, so this method can return a row
+   * index further from the viewport than usual. For the actual visible viewport, use
+   * {@link Core#getLastFullyVisibleRow} or {@link Core#getLastPartiallyVisibleRow}.
+   *
    * @since 14.6.0
    * @memberof Core#
    * @function getLastRenderedVisibleRow
@@ -4487,6 +4923,11 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
     /**
    * Returns the first rendered column in the DOM (usually, it is not visible in the table's viewport).
    *
+   * When the {@link MergeCells} plugin is enabled with its default `virtualized: false` setting, a merged
+   * cell that crosses the viewport edge extends the rendered column range, so this method can return a
+   * column index further from the viewport than usual. For the actual visible viewport, use
+   * {@link Core#getFirstFullyVisibleColumn} or {@link Core#getFirstPartiallyVisibleColumn}.
+   *
    * @since 14.6.0
    * @memberof Core#
    * @function getFirstRenderedVisibleColumn
@@ -4497,6 +4938,11 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
     /**
    * Returns the last rendered column in the DOM (usually, it is not visible in the table's viewport).
    *
+   * When the {@link MergeCells} plugin is enabled with its default `virtualized: false` setting, a merged
+   * cell that crosses the viewport edge extends the rendered column range, so this method can return a
+   * column index further from the viewport than usual. For the actual visible viewport, use
+   * {@link Core#getLastFullyVisibleColumn} or {@link Core#getLastPartiallyVisibleColumn}.
+   *
    * @since 14.6.0
    * @memberof Core#
    * @function getLastRenderedVisibleColumn
@@ -4979,7 +5425,7 @@ function Core(rootContainer, userSettings, rootInstanceSymbol = false) {
     const themeName = mergedUserSettings.themeName;
     const rootContainerThemeClassName = (0, _themes.getThemeClassName)(instance.rootContainer);
     if ((0, _rootInstance.isRootInstance)(instance) && !rootContainerThemeClassName && ((0, _object.isObject)(theme) || !theme && !themeName)) {
-        initializeThemeManager(theme);
+        initializeThemeManager(theme, readThemeOverrides(mergedUserSettings));
     }
     (0, _registry.getPluginsNames)().forEach((pluginName)=>{
         const PluginClass = (0, _registry.getPlugin)(pluginName);