Vue $refs Object
Example
Using the $refs object inside a method to change the text inside a <p> tag.
methods: {
changeVal() {
this.$refs.pEl.innerHTML = "Hello!";
}
}
Definition and Usage
DOM elements marked with the built-in ref attribute are stored in the $refs object.
Elements inside the $refs object can be reached with the this keyword.
The $refs object is used to reach DOM elements to read or manipulate them in a similar way as querySelector() and getElementById() are used in plain JavaScript.
More Examples
Example 1
The text from the first <p> tag is copied into the second <p> tag.
<template>
<h1>Example</h1>
<p ref="p1">Click the button to copy this text into the paragraph below.</p>
<button @click="transferText">Transfer text</button>
<p ref="p2">...</p>
</template>
<script>
export default {
methods: {
transferText() {
this.$refs.p2.innerHTML = this.$refs.p1.innerHTML;
}
}
};
</script>
Example 2
A <p> element gets the same content as what's being written in the input field.
<template>
<h1>Example</h1>
<p>Start writing inside the input element, and the text will be copied into the last paragraph by the use of the '$refs' object.</p>
<input ref="inputEl" @input="getRefs" placeholder="Write something..">
<p ref="pEl"></p>
</template>
<script>
export default {
methods: {
getRefs() {
this.$refs.pEl.innerHTML = this.$refs.inputEl.value;
}
}
};
</script>
Example 3
The button reveals the the third list element stored as an array element inside the $refs object.
<template>
<h1>Example</h1>
<p>Click the button to reveal the 3rd list element stored as an array element in the $refs object.</p>
<button @click="getValue">Get the 3rd list element</button><br>
<ul>
<li v-for="x in liTexts" ref="liEl">{{ x }}</li>
</ul>
<pre>{{ thirdEl }}</pre>
</template>
<script>
export default {
data() {
return {
thirdEl: ' ',
liTexts: ['Apple','Banana','Kiwi','Tomato','Lichi']
}
},
methods: {
getValue() {
this.thirdEl = this.$refs.liEl[2].innerHTML;
console.log("this.$refs.liEl = ",this.$refs.liEl);
}
}
};
</script>
<style>
pre {
background-color: lightgreen;
display: inline-block;
}
</style>
Related Pages
Vue Tutorial: Vue Template Refs
Vue Reference: Vue 'ref' Attribute
