Скачать или смотреть Creating a Dynamic Text Input with Dropdowns in ReactJS

Learn how to implement a dynamic text input in ReactJS that integrates dropdowns for seamless user experience.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/73800641/ asked by the user 'Adrian' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/2205211/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/73871490/ provided by the user 'Adrian' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/2205211/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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Creating a Dynamic Text Input with Dropdowns in ReactJS

In modern web applications, user interaction plays a critical role in providing a smooth and engaging experience. One common interactive element is the use of text inputs where users need to select options, yet continue typing seamlessly. In this post, we explore how to create a dynamic text input using ReactJS that incorporates dropdowns, allowing users to choose between options within editable text.

The Challenge

Imagine you have a text template such as:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

You want to allow users to edit this text, but instead of typing {sea|city}, they should have the option to select from a dropdown. Furthermore, if they decide to delete the dropdown, the associated token in the original text must also be removed to ensure that the edited text remains consistent.

Key Requirements:

A text input where users can edit text smoothly

Dropdowns for specific options where tokens are required

Capability to remove a dropdown by pressing backspace, which also removes the relevant token from the text

The Solution

Using contenteditable for Dynamic Text Editing

The solution lies in leveraging the contenteditable property of HTML elements. This property allows elements like div to be editable by users, which we can utilize for our text input and dropdowns.

Step 1: Setting Up the Editable Container

We start by creating a div with the contenteditable=true attribute. This allows users to type freely into this container. Here's how you can set it up:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 2: Configuring the Dropdown

For dropdowns, we need to manage the content differently. By setting contenteditable=false, we enable the dropdown to exist as a single complete element, simplifying the process of removing it when needed. This approach minimizes the complexity of editing—users won't have to jump between multiple inputs.

Example Dropdown Implementation

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 3: Handling Backspace Functionality

To manage the deletion of both the dropdown and the token upon pressing backspace, you will need to implement a JavaScript function that listens for key events. Here’s a basic implementation concept:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Conclusion

By using the contenteditable attribute strategically, we can create a robust text input system that meets the user's needs effectively. Users can interact with dropdowns without the hassle of navigating between multiple inputs, while still being able to easily edit text.

Implementing this dynamic input structure in your projects can significantly enhance the user experience, making text editing intuitive and fluid. Make sure to experiment with additional features, such as customizing dropdown styles or adding more editable areas as needed.

Adopting this method ensures a delightful user interface that caters to modern web standards, making your application more interactive and engaging.