useImperativeHandle: Expose a Custom Ref API
useImperativeHandle exposes a custom API via a ref, letting a parent call specific methods on a child. Instead of exposing an entire DOM node, you can provide a handle with methods like `reset()` or `focus()`.
useImperativeHandle customizes the API a child component exposes to a parent via a ref. Instead of passing back the entire DOM node, you can create a specific handle with only the methods you want to expose, like `focus()` or `reset()`. This is useful for triggering actions imperatively, such as focusing an input or clearing a form, without giving the parent full control. The footgun is overusing it; always prefer declarative props, as imperative handles create tight coupling and break React's data flow.
Read the original → react.dev
- #react
- #hooks
- #refs
- #react-advanced
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