Fixing Input Focus Issue with Popovers in ShadCN

Resolving Input Focus Loss in ShadCN Popovers

When using Popover and Input components from ShadCN in a Next.js project, you may encounter an issue where the input loses focus when the Popover opens. This disrupts the user experience, particularly for scenarios like search bars where continuous typing is expected.

In this guide, we provide a clear solution to ensure the input remains focused while the Popover opens.

The Problem

Here’s an example component illustrating the issue:

"use client";

import { Input } from "@/components/ui/input";
import {
  Popover,
  PopoverContent,
  PopoverTrigger,
} from "@/components/ui/popover";

export default function Searchbar() {
  return (
    <div className="w-1/3">
      <Popover>
        <PopoverTrigger>
          <Input />
        </PopoverTrigger>
        <PopoverContent>Place content for the popover here.</PopoverContent>
      </Popover>
    </div>
  );
}

When clicking on the input, the Popover opens, but the input loses focus, requiring an additional click to type.

The Solution

The issue arises because the Popover component uses Radix UI under the hood. By default, Radix attempts to focus on the Popover when it opens. To prevent this behavior, you can use the onOpenAutoFocus event and call preventDefault().

Here’s the corrected code:

"use client";

import { Input } from "@/components/ui/input";
import {
  Popover,
  PopoverContent,
  PopoverTrigger,
} from "@/components/ui/popover";

export default function Searchbar() {
  return (
    <div className="w-1/3">
      <Popover>
        <PopoverTrigger>
          <Input />
        </PopoverTrigger>
        <PopoverContent onOpenAutoFocus={(e) => e.preventDefault()}>
          Place content for the popover here.
        </PopoverContent>
      </Popover>
    </div>
  );
}

Why Does This Work?

• The onOpenAutoFocus event is triggered when the Popover opens.
• Calling preventDefault() stops Radix from moving focus to the Popover, allowing the input to retain focus.

Enhancing Accessibility

While this solution works, consider the following tips to maintain proper accessibility:

• Use Tooltips or HoverCards: If the Popover is primarily informational, a Tooltip or HoverCard might be a better choice.
• Keyboard Interactions: Ensure that the Popover does not interfere with keyboard navigation by adhering to Radix UI’s accessibility guidelines.

Common Use Case: Search Bars

For search bars, you might want the Popover to:

1. Open when the input is focused.
2. Display search suggestions or history.
3. Close when the user clicks outside or presses Escape.

Here’s a modified implementation:

"use client";

import { Input } from "@/components/ui/input";
import {
  Popover,
  PopoverContent,
  PopoverTrigger,
} from "@/components/ui/popover";

export default function Searchbar() {
  return (
    <div className="w-1/3">
      <Popover>
        <PopoverTrigger>
          <Input
            placeholder="Search..."
            onFocus={(e) => {
              const popover = e.target.closest("[data-state]");
              popover?.setAttribute("data-state", "open");
            }}
          />
        </PopoverTrigger>
        <PopoverContent onOpenAutoFocus={(e) => e.preventDefault()}>
          Search suggestions go here.
        </PopoverContent>
      </Popover>
    </div>
  );
}

FAQs

Why does the input lose focus?

Radix UI’s default behavior moves focus to the Popover when it opens, following accessibility guidelines for interactive components.

How do I fix spacebar issues inside the input?

Ensure proper keyboard interactions by handling onKeyDown events for the input and preventing unintended behaviors.

Can I close the Popover on outside clicks?

Yes, Radix UI handles this by default. Ensure the Popover component is set up correctly.

Conclusion

With the onOpenAutoFocus fix, you can prevent input focus loss when using Popovers in ShadCN. This ensures a seamless user experience, especially for interactive components like search bars.