React ref types

Hey. I'm having some difficulty trying to set a type for a ref in React that can be applied to any HTML element.

13 Replies

domi?OP•3y ago

My current implementation:

const ref = useRef<HTMLElement>(null);

// ...

<div ref={ref}>
    // ...
</div>

const ref = useRef<HTMLElement>(null);

// ...

<div ref={ref}>
    // ...
</div>

But TypeScript doesn't like that: Type 'RefObject<HTMLElement>' is not assignable to type 'LegacyRef<HTMLDivElement> | undefined'

Unknown User•3y ago

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domi?OP•3y ago

I'm trying to create a custom hook that will work with pretty much any HTML element hm, let me try that no, it didn't help the situation, ts is still complaining

Unknown User•3y ago

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domi?OP•3y ago

import React, { useRef } from 'react';


function useHook() {
    const ref = useRef<HTMLElement>(null);

    return { ref };
}

const Component: React.FC = () => {
    const { ref } = useHook();

    return (
        <div ref={ref}>text</div>
    );
};


export { useHook, Component };

import React, { useRef } from 'react';


function useHook() {
    const ref = useRef<HTMLElement>(null);

    return { ref };
}

const Component: React.FC = () => {
    const { ref } = useHook();

    return (
        <div ref={ref}>text</div>
    );
};


export { useHook, Component };

domi?OP•3y ago

yeah, but I'd like to be able to use this hook on another element if needed. Let's say a span or n ul later on

Unknown User•3y ago

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domi?OP•3y ago

Using any kind of defeats the purpose of ts here but thanks for the info. I'll keep experimenting 👀

Unknown User•3y ago

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domi?OP•3y ago

hm that's a good idea

Unknown User•3y ago

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domi?OP•3y ago

this method works well, thanks

Unknown User•3y ago

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React ref types

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