Filament is one of the most powerful admin panel builders for Laravel, providing an easy-to-use interface for managing backend web development functionalities. However, the default content width in Filament may feel restrictive, especially if you are working with wide tables, charts, or forms. Fortunately, Filament 3.2 offers a simple way to adjust the main width using the ->maxContentWidth()
function inside the AdminPanelProvider
file.
In this guide, we’ll explore how you can increase the main width in Filament 3.2 while using Laravel 12. If you prefer a video tutorial, check out the embedded video below for a step-by-step walkthrough.
Why Increase Filament’s Main Width?
By default, Filament has a predefined content width to maintain consistency and usability. However, some projects require a wider layout for better visibility of data-heavy pages. Increasing the content width helps in:
- Enhancing readability for large datasets
- Improving user experience in admin dashboards
- Preventing content from being unnecessarily wrapped
- Displaying larger charts and images without horizontal scrolling
Using ->maxContentWidth()
to Increase Width
To modify the content width in Filament 3.2, you need to update the AdminPanelProvider
file located in the app/Filament/
directory. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Open the AdminPanelProvider
File
Navigate to the app/Filament/
directory and open the AdminPanelProvider.php
file in your preferred code editor.
Step 2: Add ->maxContentWidth()
to the Panel Builder
Inside the AdminPanelProvider.php
file, locate the panel()
method and modify the Filament panel builder as follows:
use Filament\Facades\Filament;
class AdminPanelProvider extends PanelProvider
{
public function panel(Panel $panel): Panel
{
return $panel
->maxContentWidth('full');
}
}
The ->maxContentWidth()
function allows you to define different width options:
->maxContentWidth('full')
: Expands the content width to take the full available space.->maxContentWidth('7xl')
: Sets the width to a predefined maximum, typically useful when maintaining some margin.->maxContentWidth('8xl')
: Increases the width slightly beyond 7xl for larger screens.->maxContentWidth('custom-size')
: Allows setting a specific pixel-based width.
Step 3: Clear Cache and Restart Your Application
After making these changes, clear your Laravel cache and restart the server to apply the modifications:
php artisan cache:clear
php artisan config:clear
php artisan serve
Verifying the Changes
Once the application restarts, navigate to your Filament dashboard. The main content area should now appear significantly wider, accommodating more data, tables, or forms without unnecessary wrapping. This adjustment enhances readability, minimizes the need for horizontal scrolling, and provides a more user-friendly experience, particularly for data-heavy applications. If the changes don’t reflect immediately, try clearing your browser cache or reloading the page to ensure the updated layout is applied correctly.
Additional Customizations
If you want more control over the panel layout, you can customize the Filament panel further. For example, you may want to:
- Change sidebar width
- Adjust panel colors
- Modify typography settings
To do this, you can extend Filament’s panel builder with additional styling and customization options.
Common Issues and Fixes
If the width doesn’t update as expected, consider the following troubleshooting steps:
- Ensure Filament is properly installed – If Filament isn’t registered in your app, ensure you have installed it correctly using: composer require filament/filament
- Check for conflicting styles – If your custom styles override Filament’s panel width, remove them and test again.
- Confirm Laravel version compatibility – Filament 3.2 requires Laravel 10 or later, so ensure your project is up to date.
- Verify that
AdminPanelProvider.php
is loaded – If the provider isn’t registered, add it manually inconfig/app.php
underproviders
.
Final Thoughts
By utilizing ->maxContentWidth()
, you can significantly enhance the usability of your Filament admin panel in Laravel 12. The default content width in Filament is designed to maintain a structured and compact layout, but in certain cases, it may feel restrictive—especially when working with large datasets, detailed reports, or extensive forms. Expanding the width ensures that elements like tables, charts, and dashboards have more room to be displayed without unnecessary wrapping, improving readability and workflow efficiency.
For those managing data-heavy applications, a wider layout allows for better visibility of complex tables, reducing the need for excessive scrolling. This is particularly beneficial for admin users who frequently interact with detailed records, invoices, or analytical reports. Similarly, developers working on custom dashboards can leverage the additional space to present widgets, graphs, or custom UI elements more effectively.
Even for general usability, increasing the content width leads to a more comfortable and spacious interface, minimizing visual clutter and making interactions smoother. Admins and users alike will find it easier to navigate and interact with the dashboard, resulting in a more seamless and productive experience.
If you found this guide helpful, don’t forget to watch the full video tutorial embedded at the top of this post for a visual walkthrough!