TanStack · KevinVandy · Aug 9, 2026 · Aug 8, 2026 · Aug 8, 2026 · Aug 8, 2026
diff --git a/.changeset/central-noop-state-guard.md b/.changeset/central-noop-state-guard.md
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+---
+'@tanstack/table-core': patch
+---
+
+Centralize state updates behind a `setStateSlice` util with an optional structural no-op policy. Equality-guarded slices give their state owner a functional updater that resolves against the owner's latest value and returns the existing reference when nothing changed. Atom and framework state owners can then skip the write and re-render without comparing against a potentially stale controlled table snapshot.
+
+This removes an entire class of render loops where an auto reset (for example `autoResetExpanded` after a `data` reference change) fired a change handler with a freshly allocated but semantically identical value, causing controlled-state consumers to re-render, produce a new `data` reference, and loop.
+
+Behavior notes:
+
+- A custom `onXChange` handler is still invoked for an apparent no-op. Only its state container knows the latest queued value, so it performs the equality check when it applies the guarded updater. This preserves same-tick update composition in frameworks such as React.
+- State updaters are evaluated once, by the state owner. Controlled fallback atoms therefore remain correct if control is later released, and external atom owners do not run functional updaters twice.
+- `stateSlicesEqual` compares enumerable string and symbol keys through the three container levels used by stock state. Sparse arrays remain distinct from explicit `undefined` entries; deeper or non-plain values compare by reference and safely allow the update.
+- Structural equality is opt-in per slice. Opaque `globalFilter` values and row-scaled `rowSelection`/`rowPinning` maps stay direct. The high-frequency `columnSizing`, `columnResizing`, and ordinary cell-selection write paths also avoid a comparison on every pointer update.
+- Auto-reset-prone cell selection applies equality specifically to resets, while its drag handler keeps an O(1) active-focus guard. Expanded state similarly guards reset/auto-reset while ordinary writes stay direct, and toggle-all keeps its explicit O(1) no-op checks.
diff --git a/docs/reference/index/functions/assignPrototypeAPIs.md b/docs/reference/index/functions/assignPrototypeAPIs.md
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ function assignPrototypeAPIs<TFeatures, TData, TDeps, TDepArgs>(
    apis): void;
 ```
 
-Defined in: [utils.ts:453](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L453)
+Defined in: [utils.ts:586](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L586)
 
 Assigns API methods to a prototype object for memory-efficient method sharing.
 All instances created with this prototype will share the same method references.

diff --git a/docs/reference/index/functions/assignTableAPIs.md b/docs/reference/index/functions/assignTableAPIs.md
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ function assignTableAPIs<TFeatures, TData, TDeps, TDepArgs>(
    apis): void;
 ```
 
-Defined in: [utils.ts:411](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L411)
+Defined in: [utils.ts:544](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L544)
 
 Assigns Table API methods directly to the table instance.
 Unlike row/cell/column/header, the table is a singleton so methods are assigned directly.

diff --git a/docs/reference/index/functions/callMemoOrStaticFn.md b/docs/reference/index/functions/callMemoOrStaticFn.md
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ function callMemoOrStaticFn<TObject, TArgs, TReturn>(
    args): TReturn;
 ```
 
-Defined in: [utils.ts:499](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L499)
+Defined in: [utils.ts:632](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L632)
 
 Looks to run the memoized function with the builder pattern on the object if it exists, otherwise fall back to the static method passed in.
 

diff --git a/docs/reference/index/functions/flattenBy.md b/docs/reference/index/functions/flattenBy.md
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ title: flattenBy
 function flattenBy<TNode>(arr, getChildren): TNode[];
 ```
 
-Defined in: [utils.ts:131](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L131)
+Defined in: [utils.ts:264](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L264)
 
 Flattens a tree of nodes by recursively reading child nodes.
 

diff --git a/docs/reference/index/functions/getFunctionNameInfo.md b/docs/reference/index/functions/getFunctionNameInfo.md
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ title: getFunctionNameInfo
 function getFunctionNameInfo(staticFnName, splitBy): object;
 ```
 
-Defined in: [utils.ts:394](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L394)
+Defined in: [utils.ts:527](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L527)
 
 Assumes that a function name is in the format of `parentName_fnKey` and returns the `fnKey` and `fnName` in the format of `parentName.fnKey`.
 

diff --git a/docs/reference/index/functions/isFunction.md b/docs/reference/index/functions/isFunction.md
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ title: isFunction
 function isFunction<T>(d): d is T;
 ```
 
-Defined in: [utils.ts:122](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L122)
+Defined in: [utils.ts:255](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L255)
 
 Returns whether a value is a function.
 

diff --git a/docs/reference/index/functions/memo.md b/docs/reference/index/functions/memo.md
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ title: memo
 function memo<TDeps, TDepArgs, TResult>(__namedParameters): (depArgs?) => TResult;
 ```
 
-Defined in: [utils.ts:166](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L166)
+Defined in: [utils.ts:299](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L299)
 
 Creates a dependency-tracked memoized function for table internals.
 

diff --git a/docs/reference/index/functions/setStateSlice.md b/docs/reference/index/functions/setStateSlice.md
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+---
+id: setStateSlice
+title: setStateSlice
+---
+
+# Function: setStateSlice()
+
+```ts
+function setStateSlice<K>(
+   instance,
+   key,
+   updater,
+   isEqual): void;
+```
+
+Defined in: [utils.ts:223](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L223)
+
+Routes a state slice update through the slice's `on<State>Change` handler,
+preserving the owner's current reference for structural no-ops.
+
+Equality is evaluated inside the updater received by the state owner, never
+against the table's potentially stale controlled snapshot. This keeps
+same-tick updates composable in queued host containers such as React state,
+evaluates the original updater only when the owner applies it, and lets atom
+owners suppress notifications by returning their existing reference.
+
+A user-provided change handler is still invoked for a no-op because only that
+handler's state container can know its latest queued value. The guarded
+updater returns that container's previous reference, preventing a state write
+or render in state containers with identity bailout semantics.
+
+Hot-path slices that skip guarding entirely (selection maps that scale with
+row count, pointer-frequency resize state) call their change handler
+directly instead of routing through this util. Custom feature slices with a
+cheaper or semantic-aware comparison can pass `isEqual` to override the
+structural default.
+
+## Type Parameters
+
+### K
+
+`K` *extends* `string` & `object` \| keyof TableState\_All
+
+## Parameters
+
+### instance
+
+#### options
+
+`object`
+
+### key
+
+`K`
+
+### updater
+
+[`Updater`](../type-aliases/Updater.md)\<`StateSliceForKey`\<`K`\>\>
+
+### isEqual
+
+[`StateSliceEqualityFn`](../type-aliases/StateSliceEqualityFn.md)\<`StateSliceForKey`\<`K`\>\> = `stateSlicesEqual`
+
+## Returns
+
+`void`
diff --git a/docs/reference/index/functions/skipFirstRun.md b/docs/reference/index/functions/skipFirstRun.md
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ title: skipFirstRun
 function skipFirstRun(fn): () => void;
 ```
 
-Defined in: [utils.ts:217](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L217)
+Defined in: [utils.ts:350](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L350)
 
 Wraps a callback so that its first invocation is skipped.
 

diff --git a/docs/reference/index/functions/stateSlicesEqual.md b/docs/reference/index/functions/stateSlicesEqual.md
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+---
+id: stateSlicesEqual
+title: stateSlicesEqual
+---
+
+# Function: stateSlicesEqual()
+
+```ts
+function stateSlicesEqual(a, b): boolean;
+```
+
+Defined in: [utils.ts:155](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L155)
+
+Structurally compares two state slice values as deeply as stock feature
+state can nest and no deeper.
+
+Three container levels cover flat maps and arrays, arrays of state objects,
+array-valued filter values, and `columnResizing.columnSizingStart` tuples.
+Deeper containers and non-plain values compare by reference. A `false`
+result is always safe: the state update simply proceeds.
+
+## Parameters
+
+### a
+
+`unknown`
+
+### b
+
+`unknown`
+
+## Returns
+
+`boolean`
diff --git a/docs/reference/index/functions/tableMemo.md b/docs/reference/index/functions/tableMemo.md
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ title: tableMemo
 function tableMemo<TFeatures, TDeps, TDepArgs, TResult>(__namedParameters): (depArgs?) => TResult;
 ```
 
-Defined in: [utils.ts:254](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L254)
+Defined in: [utils.ts:387](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L387)
 
 Creates a table-aware memoized function.
 

diff --git a/docs/reference/index/index.md b/docs/reference/index/index.md
@@ -292,6 +292,7 @@ title: index
 - [SortDirection](type-aliases/SortDirection.md)
 - [SortFnOption](type-aliases/SortFnOption.md)
 - [SortingState](type-aliases/SortingState.md)
+- [StateSliceEqualityFn](type-aliases/StateSliceEqualityFn.md)
 - [StringOrTemplateHeader](type-aliases/StringOrTemplateHeader.md)
 - [Table](type-aliases/Table.md)
 - [Table\_RowModels](type-aliases/Table_RowModels.md)
@@ -413,7 +414,9 @@ title: index
 - [makeStateUpdater](functions/makeStateUpdater.md)
 - [memo](functions/memo.md)
 - [metaHelper](functions/metaHelper.md)
+- [setStateSlice](functions/setStateSlice.md)
 - [skipFirstRun](functions/skipFirstRun.md)
+- [stateSlicesEqual](functions/stateSlicesEqual.md)
 - [tableFeatures](functions/tableFeatures.md)
 - [tableMemo](functions/tableMemo.md)
 - [tableOptions](functions/tableOptions.md)
diff --git a/docs/reference/index/interfaces/API.md b/docs/reference/index/interfaces/API.md
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ title: API
 
 # Interface: API\<_TDeps, _TDepArgs\>
 
-Defined in: [utils.ts:381](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L381)
+Defined in: [utils.ts:514](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L514)
 
 ## Type Parameters
 
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ Defined in: [utils.ts:381](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/
 fn: (...args) => any;
 ```
 
-Defined in: [utils.ts:382](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L382)
+Defined in: [utils.ts:515](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L515)
 
 #### Parameters
 
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ Defined in: [utils.ts:382](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/
 optional memoDeps: (depArgs?) => any[] | undefined;
 ```
 
-Defined in: [utils.ts:383](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L383)
+Defined in: [utils.ts:516](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L516)
 
 #### Parameters
 

diff --git a/docs/reference/index/interfaces/PrototypeAPI.md b/docs/reference/index/interfaces/PrototypeAPI.md
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ title: PrototypeAPI
 
 # Interface: PrototypeAPI\<_TDeps, _TDepArgs\>
 
-Defined in: [utils.ts:436](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L436)
+Defined in: [utils.ts:569](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L569)
 
 ## Type Parameters
 
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ Defined in: [utils.ts:436](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/
 fn: (self, ...args) => any;
 ```
 
-Defined in: [utils.ts:437](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L437)
+Defined in: [utils.ts:570](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L570)
 
 #### Parameters
 
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ Defined in: [utils.ts:437](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/
 optional memoDeps: (self, depArgs?) => any[] | undefined;
 ```
 
-Defined in: [utils.ts:438](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L438)
+Defined in: [utils.ts:571](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L571)
 
 #### Parameters
 

diff --git a/docs/reference/index/type-aliases/APIObject.md b/docs/reference/index/type-aliases/APIObject.md
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ title: APIObject
 type APIObject<TDeps, TDepArgs> = Record<string, API<TDeps, TDepArgs>>;
 ```
 
-Defined in: [utils.ts:386](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L386)
+Defined in: [utils.ts:519](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L519)
 
 ## Type Parameters
 

diff --git a/docs/reference/index/type-aliases/PrototypeAPIObject.md b/docs/reference/index/type-aliases/PrototypeAPIObject.md
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ title: PrototypeAPIObject
 type PrototypeAPIObject<TDeps, TDepArgs> = Record<string, PrototypeAPI<TDeps, TDepArgs>>;
 ```
 
-Defined in: [utils.ts:441](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L441)
+Defined in: [utils.ts:574](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L574)
 
 ## Type Parameters
 

diff --git a/docs/reference/index/type-aliases/StateSliceEqualityFn.md b/docs/reference/index/type-aliases/StateSliceEqualityFn.md
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+---
+id: StateSliceEqualityFn
+title: StateSliceEqualityFn
+---
+
+# Type Alias: StateSliceEqualityFn()\<T\>
+
+```ts
+type StateSliceEqualityFn<T> = (current, next) => boolean;
+```
+
+Defined in: [utils.ts:200](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/utils.ts#L200)
+
+## Type Parameters
+
+### T
+
+`T`
+
+## Parameters
+
+### current
+
+`T`
+
+### next
+
+`T`
+
+## Returns
+
+`boolean`
diff --git a/docs/reference/static-functions/functions/cell_getCanSelect.md b/docs/reference/static-functions/functions/cell_getCanSelect.md
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ title: cell_getCanSelect
 function cell_getCanSelect<TFeatures, TData, TValue>(cell): boolean;
 ```
 
-Defined in: [features/cell-selection/cellSelectionFeature.utils.ts:507](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/features/cell-selection/cellSelectionFeature.utils.ts#L507)
+Defined in: [features/cell-selection/cellSelectionFeature.utils.ts:515](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/features/cell-selection/cellSelectionFeature.utils.ts#L515)
 
 Checks whether this cell can currently be selected.
 

diff --git a/docs/reference/static-functions/functions/cell_getIsFocused.md b/docs/reference/static-functions/functions/cell_getIsFocused.md
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ title: cell_getIsFocused
 function cell_getIsFocused<TFeatures, TData, TValue>(cell): boolean;
 ```
 
-Defined in: [features/cell-selection/cellSelectionFeature.utils.ts:605](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/features/cell-selection/cellSelectionFeature.utils.ts#L605)
+Defined in: [features/cell-selection/cellSelectionFeature.utils.ts:613](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/features/cell-selection/cellSelectionFeature.utils.ts#L613)
 
 Checks whether this cell is the active cell.
 

diff --git a/docs/reference/static-functions/functions/cell_getIsSelected.md b/docs/reference/static-functions/functions/cell_getIsSelected.md
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ title: cell_getIsSelected
 function cell_getIsSelected<TFeatures, TData, TValue>(cell): boolean;
 ```
 
-Defined in: [features/cell-selection/cellSelectionFeature.utils.ts:581](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/features/cell-selection/cellSelectionFeature.utils.ts#L581)
+Defined in: [features/cell-selection/cellSelectionFeature.utils.ts:589](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/features/cell-selection/cellSelectionFeature.utils.ts#L589)
 
 Checks whether this cell falls inside the final positive selection.
 

diff --git a/docs/reference/static-functions/functions/cell_getSelectionEdges.md b/docs/reference/static-functions/functions/cell_getSelectionEdges.md
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ title: cell_getSelectionEdges
 function cell_getSelectionEdges<TFeatures, TData, TValue>(cell): CellSelectionEdges;
 ```
 
-Defined in: [features/cell-selection/cellSelectionFeature.utils.ts:649](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/features/cell-selection/cellSelectionFeature.utils.ts#L649)
+Defined in: [features/cell-selection/cellSelectionFeature.utils.ts:657](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/features/cell-selection/cellSelectionFeature.utils.ts#L657)
 
 Returns which sides of this cell sit on the outer boundary of the selection.
 

diff --git a/docs/reference/static-functions/functions/cell_getSelectionExtendHandler.md b/docs/reference/static-functions/functions/cell_getSelectionExtendHandler.md
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ title: cell_getSelectionExtendHandler
 function cell_getSelectionExtendHandler<TFeatures, TData, TValue>(cell): (_e) => void;
 ```
 
-Defined in: [features/cell-selection/cellSelectionFeature.utils.ts:1482](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/features/cell-selection/cellSelectionFeature.utils.ts#L1482)
+Defined in: [features/cell-selection/cellSelectionFeature.utils.ts:1490](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/features/cell-selection/cellSelectionFeature.utils.ts#L1490)
 
 Creates a handler that extends the active range to this cell during a drag.
 

diff --git a/docs/reference/static-functions/functions/cell_getSelectionStartHandler.md b/docs/reference/static-functions/functions/cell_getSelectionStartHandler.md
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ title: cell_getSelectionStartHandler
 function cell_getSelectionStartHandler<TFeatures, TData, TValue>(cell, _contextDocument?): (e) => void;
 ```
 
-Defined in: [features/cell-selection/cellSelectionFeature.utils.ts:1403](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/features/cell-selection/cellSelectionFeature.utils.ts#L1403)
+Defined in: [features/cell-selection/cellSelectionFeature.utils.ts:1411](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/features/cell-selection/cellSelectionFeature.utils.ts#L1411)
 
 Creates a handler that begins a selection at this cell.
 

diff --git a/docs/reference/static-functions/functions/cell_getTabIndex.md b/docs/reference/static-functions/functions/cell_getTabIndex.md
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ title: cell_getTabIndex
 function cell_getTabIndex<TFeatures, TData, TValue>(cell): number;
 ```
 
-Defined in: [features/cell-selection/cellSelectionFeature.utils.ts:629](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/features/cell-selection/cellSelectionFeature.utils.ts#L629)
+Defined in: [features/cell-selection/cellSelectionFeature.utils.ts:637](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/features/cell-selection/cellSelectionFeature.utils.ts#L637)
 
 Returns `0` for the focused cell and `-1` otherwise, for roving tabindex.
 

diff --git a/docs/reference/static-functions/functions/column_clearSorting.md b/docs/reference/static-functions/functions/column_clearSorting.md
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ title: column_clearSorting
 function column_clearSorting<TFeatures, TData, TValue>(column): void;
 ```
 
-Defined in: [features/row-sorting/rowSortingFeature.utils.ts:510](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/features/row-sorting/rowSortingFeature.utils.ts#L510)
+Defined in: [features/row-sorting/rowSortingFeature.utils.ts:512](https://github.com/TanStack/table/blob/main/packages/table-core/src/features/row-sorting/rowSortingFeature.utils.ts#L512)
 
 Removes this column from the sorting state.