React - use ref in component AND pass it to parent in props
2
Update: my problem was actually due to typos – the general approach works fine if you'd like to use a child element ref in both a child and parent component.
Here's a working example of the approach that works:
https://codesandbox.io/s/rwj7z7o7oo
Original post:
I'm trying to forward a ref to the parent component, while also making the ref accessible for functions in the child (which is a class). Currently, I can successfully pass the ref to the parent, but the ref is no longer accessible in the child.
class Child extends React.Component {
// Unable to access the forwarded ref here:
componentDidMount() {
console.log(this.props.forwardedRef); // null
}
render() {
return <input type="text" ref={this.props.forwardedRef} />
}
}
// Parent is able to access the ref:
const Parent = () => {
const childRef = useRef(null);
function handleClick() {
console.log(childRef.current); // correctly ref's the input el
}
return (
<Child forwardedRef={childRef} onClick={handleClick} />
);
}
Is there another approach will let me use the ref in both Child and Parent?
reactjs react-hooks
asked Nov 22 '18 at 5:03
StephenStephen
332120
add a comment |
2
Update: my problem was actually due to typos – the general approach works fine if you'd like to use a child element ref in both a child and parent component.
Here's a working example of the approach that works:
https://codesandbox.io/s/rwj7z7o7oo
Original post:
I'm trying to forward a ref to the parent component, while also making the ref accessible for functions in the child (which is a class). Currently, I can successfully pass the ref to the parent, but the ref is no longer accessible in the child.
class Child extends React.Component {
// Unable to access the forwarded ref here:
componentDidMount() {
console.log(this.props.forwardedRef); // null
}
render() {
return <input type="text" ref={this.props.forwardedRef} />
}
}
// Parent is able to access the ref:
const Parent = () => {
const childRef = useRef(null);
function handleClick() {
console.log(childRef.current); // correctly ref's the input el
}
return (
<Child forwardedRef={childRef} onClick={handleClick} />
);
}
Is there another approach will let me use the ref in both Child and Parent?
reactjs react-hooks
asked Nov 22 '18 at 5:03
StephenStephen
332120
You wish to pass the child's ref up to the parent but your current code is not working, correct?
– Shawn Andrews
Nov 22 '18 at 5:19
Hi Shawn - yes, in the example code, the child's ref is successfully passed up to the parent, but the ref is not accessible in the child itself.
– Stephen
Nov 22 '18 at 5:20
add a comment |
2
2
2
1
Update: my problem was actually due to typos – the general approach works fine if you'd like to use a child element ref in both a child and parent component.
Here's a working example of the approach that works:
https://codesandbox.io/s/rwj7z7o7oo
Original post:
I'm trying to forward a ref to the parent component, while also making the ref accessible for functions in the child (which is a class). Currently, I can successfully pass the ref to the parent, but the ref is no longer accessible in the child.
class Child extends React.Component {
// Unable to access the forwarded ref here:
componentDidMount() {
console.log(this.props.forwardedRef); // null
}
render() {
return <input type="text" ref={this.props.forwardedRef} />
}
}
// Parent is able to access the ref:
const Parent = () => {
const childRef = useRef(null);
function handleClick() {
console.log(childRef.current); // correctly ref's the input el
}
return (
<Child forwardedRef={childRef} onClick={handleClick} />
);
}
Is there another approach will let me use the ref in both Child and Parent?
reactjs react-hooks
asked Nov 22 '18 at 5:03
StephenStephen
332120
Update: my problem was actually due to typos – the general approach works fine if you'd like to use a child element ref in both a child and parent component.
Here's a working example of the approach that works:
https://codesandbox.io/s/rwj7z7o7oo
Original post:
I'm trying to forward a ref to the parent component, while also making the ref accessible for functions in the child (which is a class). Currently, I can successfully pass the ref to the parent, but the ref is no longer accessible in the child.
class Child extends React.Component {
// Unable to access the forwarded ref here:
componentDidMount() {
console.log(this.props.forwardedRef); // null
}
render() {
return <input type="text" ref={this.props.forwardedRef} />
}
}
// Parent is able to access the ref:
const Parent = () => {
const childRef = useRef(null);
function handleClick() {
console.log(childRef.current); // correctly ref's the input el
}
return (
<Child forwardedRef={childRef} onClick={handleClick} />
);
}
Is there another approach will let me use the ref in both Child and Parent?
reactjs react-hooks
reactjs react-hooks
asked Nov 22 '18 at 5:03
StephenStephen
332120
asked Nov 22 '18 at 5:03
StephenStephen
332120
edited Nov 22 '18 at 5:46
Stephen
asked Nov 22 '18 at 5:03
StephenStephen
332120
asked Nov 22 '18 at 5:03
StephenStephen
332120
asked Nov 22 '18 at 5:03
StephenStephen
332120
332120
You wish to pass the child's ref up to the parent but your current code is not working, correct?
– Shawn Andrews
Nov 22 '18 at 5:19
Hi Shawn - yes, in the example code, the child's ref is successfully passed up to the parent, but the ref is not accessible in the child itself.
– Stephen
Nov 22 '18 at 5:20
add a comment |
You wish to pass the child's ref up to the parent but your current code is not working, correct?
– Shawn Andrews
Nov 22 '18 at 5:19
Hi Shawn - yes, in the example code, the child's ref is successfully passed up to the parent, but the ref is not accessible in the child itself.
– Stephen
Nov 22 '18 at 5:20
You wish to pass the child's ref up to the parent but your current code is not working, correct?
– Shawn Andrews
Nov 22 '18 at 5:19
You wish to pass the child's ref up to the parent but your current code is not working, correct?
– Shawn Andrews
Nov 22 '18 at 5:19
Hi Shawn - yes, in the example code, the child's ref is successfully passed up to the parent, but the ref is not accessible in the child itself.
– Stephen
Nov 22 '18 at 5:20
Hi Shawn - yes, in the example code, the child's ref is successfully passed up to the parent, but the ref is not accessible in the child itself.
– Stephen
Nov 22 '18 at 5:20
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
2
useRef returns values that are like instance variables classes. In your case, there is nothing that would cause the component to render even if your set the ref and hence componentDidUpdate of child wouldn't run.
Also you haven't returned anything from Child component.
class Child extends React.Component {
// Unable to access the forwarded ref here:
componentDidUpdate(prevProps) {
console.log(this.props.forwardedRef); // null
console.log(prevProps.forwardedRef); // null
}
render() {
return (
<React.Fragment>
<input type="text" ref={this.props.forwardedRef} />
<div>{this.props.count}</div>
<input type="button" onClick={this.props.onClick} value={"Click"} />
</React.Fragment>
);
}
}
// Parent is able to access the ref:
const Parent = () => {
const childRef = useRef(null);
const [count, setCount] = useState(0);
function handleClick() {
console.log(childRef.current); // correctly ref's the input el
setCount(count => count + 1);
}
return <Child forwardedRef={childRef} count={count} onClick={handleClick} />;
};
Working demo
answered Nov 22 '18 at 5:28
Shubham KhatriShubham Khatri
94.7k15119160
Thanks Shubham – I don't use class components much and made a mistake. You can substitute componentDidMount (I edited my original question). I also added 'return' to the Child's render function, thanks for pointing out the typo. The main issue I'm trying to solve is that the ref isn't available for use in any child functions.
– Stephen
Nov 22 '18 at 5:37
Ah thanks Shubham - your correction of my typos helped me figure it out. I forgot that componentDidUpdate doesn't run on the initial render of the component.
– Stephen
Nov 22 '18 at 5:41
@Stephen, Even componentDidMount is called on initial render and since the ref of the parent will update but no re-render is called to update props it isn't reflecting in componentDidMount.
– Shubham Khatri
Nov 22 '18 at 5:41
add a comment |
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1 Answer
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oldest
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1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
2
useRef returns values that are like instance variables classes. In your case, there is nothing that would cause the component to render even if your set the ref and hence componentDidUpdate of child wouldn't run.
Also you haven't returned anything from Child component.
class Child extends React.Component {
// Unable to access the forwarded ref here:
componentDidUpdate(prevProps) {
console.log(this.props.forwardedRef); // null
console.log(prevProps.forwardedRef); // null
}
render() {
return (
<React.Fragment>
<input type="text" ref={this.props.forwardedRef} />
<div>{this.props.count}</div>
<input type="button" onClick={this.props.onClick} value={"Click"} />
</React.Fragment>
);
}
}
// Parent is able to access the ref:
const Parent = () => {
const childRef = useRef(null);
const [count, setCount] = useState(0);
function handleClick() {
console.log(childRef.current); // correctly ref's the input el
setCount(count => count + 1);
}
return <Child forwardedRef={childRef} count={count} onClick={handleClick} />;
};
Working demo
answered Nov 22 '18 at 5:28
Shubham KhatriShubham Khatri
94.7k15119160
Thanks Shubham – I don't use class components much and made a mistake. You can substitute componentDidMount (I edited my original question). I also added 'return' to the Child's render function, thanks for pointing out the typo. The main issue I'm trying to solve is that the ref isn't available for use in any child functions.
– Stephen
Nov 22 '18 at 5:37
Ah thanks Shubham - your correction of my typos helped me figure it out. I forgot that componentDidUpdate doesn't run on the initial render of the component.
– Stephen
Nov 22 '18 at 5:41
@Stephen, Even componentDidMount is called on initial render and since the ref of the parent will update but no re-render is called to update props it isn't reflecting in componentDidMount.
– Shubham Khatri
Nov 22 '18 at 5:41
add a comment |
2
useRef returns values that are like instance variables classes. In your case, there is nothing that would cause the component to render even if your set the ref and hence componentDidUpdate of child wouldn't run.
Also you haven't returned anything from Child component.
class Child extends React.Component {
// Unable to access the forwarded ref here:
componentDidUpdate(prevProps) {
console.log(this.props.forwardedRef); // null
console.log(prevProps.forwardedRef); // null
}
render() {
return (
<React.Fragment>
<input type="text" ref={this.props.forwardedRef} />
<div>{this.props.count}</div>
<input type="button" onClick={this.props.onClick} value={"Click"} />
</React.Fragment>
);
}
}
// Parent is able to access the ref:
const Parent = () => {
const childRef = useRef(null);
const [count, setCount] = useState(0);
function handleClick() {
console.log(childRef.current); // correctly ref's the input el
setCount(count => count + 1);
}
return <Child forwardedRef={childRef} count={count} onClick={handleClick} />;
};
Working demo
answered Nov 22 '18 at 5:28
Shubham KhatriShubham Khatri
94.7k15119160
Thanks Shubham – I don't use class components much and made a mistake. You can substitute componentDidMount (I edited my original question). I also added 'return' to the Child's render function, thanks for pointing out the typo. The main issue I'm trying to solve is that the ref isn't available for use in any child functions.
– Stephen
Nov 22 '18 at 5:37
Ah thanks Shubham - your correction of my typos helped me figure it out. I forgot that componentDidUpdate doesn't run on the initial render of the component.
– Stephen
Nov 22 '18 at 5:41
@Stephen, Even componentDidMount is called on initial render and since the ref of the parent will update but no re-render is called to update props it isn't reflecting in componentDidMount.
– Shubham Khatri
Nov 22 '18 at 5:41
add a comment |
2
2
2
useRef returns values that are like instance variables classes. In your case, there is nothing that would cause the component to render even if your set the ref and hence componentDidUpdate of child wouldn't run.
Also you haven't returned anything from Child component.
class Child extends React.Component {
// Unable to access the forwarded ref here:
componentDidUpdate(prevProps) {
console.log(this.props.forwardedRef); // null
console.log(prevProps.forwardedRef); // null
}
render() {
return (
<React.Fragment>
<input type="text" ref={this.props.forwardedRef} />
<div>{this.props.count}</div>
<input type="button" onClick={this.props.onClick} value={"Click"} />
</React.Fragment>
);
}
}
// Parent is able to access the ref:
const Parent = () => {
const childRef = useRef(null);
const [count, setCount] = useState(0);
function handleClick() {
console.log(childRef.current); // correctly ref's the input el
setCount(count => count + 1);
}
return <Child forwardedRef={childRef} count={count} onClick={handleClick} />;
};
Working demo
answered Nov 22 '18 at 5:28
Shubham KhatriShubham Khatri
94.7k15119160
useRef returns values that are like instance variables classes. In your case, there is nothing that would cause the component to render even if your set the ref and hence componentDidUpdate of child wouldn't run.
Also you haven't returned anything from Child component.
class Child extends React.Component {
// Unable to access the forwarded ref here:
componentDidUpdate(prevProps) {
console.log(this.props.forwardedRef); // null
console.log(prevProps.forwardedRef); // null
}
render() {
return (
<React.Fragment>
<input type="text" ref={this.props.forwardedRef} />
<div>{this.props.count}</div>
<input type="button" onClick={this.props.onClick} value={"Click"} />
</React.Fragment>
);
}
}
// Parent is able to access the ref:
const Parent = () => {
const childRef = useRef(null);
const [count, setCount] = useState(0);
function handleClick() {
console.log(childRef.current); // correctly ref's the input el
setCount(count => count + 1);
}
return <Child forwardedRef={childRef} count={count} onClick={handleClick} />;
};
Working demo
answered Nov 22 '18 at 5:28
Shubham KhatriShubham Khatri
94.7k15119160
answered Nov 22 '18 at 5:28
Shubham KhatriShubham Khatri
94.7k15119160
answered Nov 22 '18 at 5:28
Shubham KhatriShubham Khatri
94.7k15119160
answered Nov 22 '18 at 5:28
Shubham KhatriShubham Khatri
94.7k15119160
94.7k15119160
Thanks Shubham – I don't use class components much and made a mistake. You can substitute componentDidMount (I edited my original question). I also added 'return' to the Child's render function, thanks for pointing out the typo. The main issue I'm trying to solve is that the ref isn't available for use in any child functions.
– Stephen
Nov 22 '18 at 5:37
Ah thanks Shubham - your correction of my typos helped me figure it out. I forgot that componentDidUpdate doesn't run on the initial render of the component.
– Stephen
Nov 22 '18 at 5:41
@Stephen, Even componentDidMount is called on initial render and since the ref of the parent will update but no re-render is called to update props it isn't reflecting in componentDidMount.
– Shubham Khatri
Nov 22 '18 at 5:41
add a comment |
Thanks Shubham – I don't use class components much and made a mistake. You can substitute componentDidMount (I edited my original question). I also added 'return' to the Child's render function, thanks for pointing out the typo. The main issue I'm trying to solve is that the ref isn't available for use in any child functions.
– Stephen
Nov 22 '18 at 5:37
Ah thanks Shubham - your correction of my typos helped me figure it out. I forgot that componentDidUpdate doesn't run on the initial render of the component.
– Stephen
Nov 22 '18 at 5:41
@Stephen, Even componentDidMount is called on initial render and since the ref of the parent will update but no re-render is called to update props it isn't reflecting in componentDidMount.
– Shubham Khatri
Nov 22 '18 at 5:41
Thanks Shubham – I don't use class components much and made a mistake. You can substitute componentDidMount (I edited my original question). I also added 'return' to the Child's render function, thanks for pointing out the typo. The main issue I'm trying to solve is that the ref isn't available for use in any child functions.
– Stephen
Nov 22 '18 at 5:37
Thanks Shubham – I don't use class components much and made a mistake. You can substitute componentDidMount (I edited my original question). I also added 'return' to the Child's render function, thanks for pointing out the typo. The main issue I'm trying to solve is that the ref isn't available for use in any child functions.
– Stephen
Nov 22 '18 at 5:37
Ah thanks Shubham - your correction of my typos helped me figure it out. I forgot that componentDidUpdate doesn't run on the initial render of the component.
– Stephen
Nov 22 '18 at 5:41
Ah thanks Shubham - your correction of my typos helped me figure it out. I forgot that componentDidUpdate doesn't run on the initial render of the component.
– Stephen
Nov 22 '18 at 5:41
@Stephen, Even componentDidMount is called on initial render and since the ref of the parent will update but no re-render is called to update props it isn't reflecting in componentDidMount.
– Shubham Khatri
Nov 22 '18 at 5:41
@Stephen, Even componentDidMount is called on initial render and since the ref of the parent will update but no re-render is called to update props it isn't reflecting in componentDidMount.
– Shubham Khatri
Nov 22 '18 at 5:41
add a comment |
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You wish to pass the child's ref up to the parent but your current code is not working, correct?
– Shawn Andrews
Nov 22 '18 at 5:19
Hi Shawn - yes, in the example code, the child's ref is successfully passed up to the parent, but the ref is not accessible in the child itself.
– Stephen
Nov 22 '18 at 5:20