React Formik updating one field based on another
  • 14-May-2023
Lightrun Team
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React Formik updating one field based on another

React Formik updating one field based on another

Lightrun Team
Lightrun Team
14-May-2023

Explanation of the problem

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The problem at hand revolves around utilizing the Formik library in a React application to achieve dynamic field updates. Specifically, there is a requirement to update two fields, price and totalPrice, based on the onChange event of another field. In this scenario, the price field should be calculated as the product of quantity and totalPrice. Conversely, the totalPrice field should be derived by multiplying price with quantity. The challenge lies in implementing the necessary logic to update these fields dynamically and ensure the correct calculations take place.

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Problem solution for React Formik updating one field based on another

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One suggested approach is to utilize effects and child components to achieve dynamic field updates in Formik. By creating a child component, developers can access the useFormikContext() hook to obtain the formik object. Within an effect, the setFieldValue() method provided by Formik can be called to update the value of the dependent field based on the calculation involving the main field. This approach offers a decentralized solution, allowing for separate components to handle the updates. However, it introduces the overhead of additional components and requires careful synchronization to ensure the fields stay in harmony.

Another solution proposed involves modifying the formik.values object within the onChange event handler. In this approach, the handleChange() function provided by Formik is called to handle the field change. Additionally, the dependent field is updated by directly assigning the calculated value to formik.values.dependentValue. However, it is worth noting that modifying formik.values directly is discouraged, and treating it as an immutable object is recommended. This approach may result in a loss of abstraction provided by Formik’s event handling and can lead to potential issues if not managed carefully.

Both approaches present different trade-offs in terms of code organization and maintainability. The first approach using effects and child components provides a decentralized solution but introduces additional components and requires synchronization efforts. On the other hand, the second approach modifies formik.values directly, which goes against the recommended immutability principle and can lead to potential issues. Developers should carefully evaluate these solutions and consider the specific requirements of their application to choose the most appropriate approach for achieving dynamic field updates in Formik.

Other popular problems with jaredpalmer formik

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Problem: Complex nested object handling

One of the most common problems with using Formik by Jared Palmer is handling complex nested objects. It can be difficult to properly map the fields of a deeply nested object to the corresponding form inputs, leading to issues with data binding and validation.

Solution:

To solve this problem, it is important to use a set of helper functions or libraries that can make it easier to handle nested objects in Formik. One such library is formik-nested which provides a set of utility functions that make it easy to handle nested fields in Formik. Additionally, you can create your custom utility functions that can help you to handle nested objects, for instance, a function that flattens the object, making it easier to map to the form fields.

Code snippet for flattening the object:

import _ from 'lodash';

function flattenObject(object) {
  return _.reduce(
    object,
    (acc, value, key) => {
      if (_.isPlainObject(value)) {
        _.assign(acc, flattenObject(value));
      } else {
        acc[key] = value;
      }
      return acc;
    },
    {}
  );
}

Problem: Handling multiple forms on a single page

Another common problem with using Formik by Jared Palmer is handling multiple forms on a single page. It can be difficult to manage the state of multiple forms and ensure that data is properly bound to the correct form inputs.

Solution:

To solve this problem, it is important to use a unique key for each form instance. This can be done by using the key prop provided by Formik or by using a custom hook that creates a unique key for each form instance. Additionally, it’s useful to wrap each form in a separate component and manage their state separately. This allows you to have a better control over the different forms and avoid conflicts between them.

Code snippet for wrapping each form in a separate component:

import { useState } from 'react';

function Form1() {
  const [formState, setFormState] = useState({});
  return (
    <Formik
      initialValues={formState}
      onSubmit={(values) => setFormState(values)}
    >
      {/* form fields */}
    </Formik>
  );
}

function Form2() {
  const [formState, setFormState] = useState({});
  return (
    <Formik
      initialValues={formState}
      onSubmit={(values) => setFormState(values)}
    >
      {/* form fields */}
    </Formik>
  );
}

Problem: Error handling and validation

Another common problem with using Formik by Jared Palmer is handling error messages and validation. It can be difficult to properly display error messages and validate form input in a way that is both user-friendly and effective.

Solution:

To solve this problem, it is important to use a comprehensive validation library such as Yup or Joi that provides a range of validation methods and error handling. Additionally, it’s useful to make use of the errors object provided by Formik to display error messages next to the appropriate form fields. This allows you to give clear and specific feedback to the user when an error occurs.

Code snippet for validating the form fields using Yup:

import * as Yup from 'yup';

A brief introduction to jaredpalmer formik

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Formik by Jared Palmer is a popular library for building forms in React. It provides a powerful set of tools for handling form state, validation, and submission, making it easy to create complex forms with minimal code. Formik provides a high-level abstraction that allows developers to manage the state of their forms, including the values of form fields, validation states, and error messages. Additionally, Formik provides a set of built-in validation methods and allows for custom validation as well.

One of the key features of Formik is its ability to handle form state management. Formik provides a set of hooks and components that make it easy to manage the state of a form, including the values of form fields, validation states, and error messages. Formik also provides a set of built-in validation methods, including support for Yup, a popular validation library for JavaScript. Additionally, Formik allows for custom validation methods to be defined, giving developers full control over the validation process. Formik also provides a set of hooks and components that make it easy to handle form submission, including support for asynchronous submissions, and provide feedback to the user.

Most popular applications of jaredpalmer formik include

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  1. Form management: One of the primary uses of Formik is to manage forms. It provides a set of methods and props that make it easy to handle form submissions, form field updates, and form validation. Formik also makes it easy to keep track of form state and display errors to the user.
  2. Simplifying form logic: Formik simplifies form logic by abstracting away the complexities of handling form field updates and validation. This allows developers to focus on the business logic and user experience of their forms without having to worry about the underlying implementation.
  3. Integrating with other libraries: Formik can be easily integrated with other libraries such as Yup for form validation and React Router for navigation. This allows developers to leverage the benefits of Formik with other libraries they are already using, making it easy to add forms to existing applications.
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