Sort Lists with Ease: Using Sortable.js and React

Unlock the Power of Drag-and-Drop List Sorting with React and Sortable.js

In today’s era of interactive web applications, handling drag-and-drop list sorting has become a crucial aspect of user experience. With numerous libraries available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. In this tutorial, we’ll explore the popular Sortable.js library and its React wrapper, react-sortablejs, to create a dynamic and interactive list sorting experience.

Getting Started with Sortable.js and React

Before diving into the implementation, ensure you have Node.js and npm installed. Create a new React project using create-react-app and install the required dependencies, including Axios, Bootstrap, jQuery, Popper.js, react-sortablejs, and styled-components.

Project Structure and Setup

Create the following folder structure and files:

• components
  • ActionModal.js
  • ListItem.js
  • SimpleList.js
• constants.js
• index.js
• SimpleList.css

Building the Example

Let’s start with the index.js file, importing Bootstrap CSS and JavaScript dependencies. Next, create the ActionModal component, which will handle editing and deleting list items. The ListItem component will display individual list items, while the SimpleList component will integrate all the functionality.

Implementing Drag-and-Drop List Sorting

In the SimpleList component, import react-sortablejs and initialize the necessary state variables. Define the handleChange, prepareAction, handleSubmit, reset, handleDelete, and handleLayoutChange functions to handle user interactions.

Use the useEffect Hook to fetch data from an external endpoint and populate the list. The return statement will render the alert section, form, toggle switch, and the ReactSortable component.

Customizing the List Disposition

Create a parseToGrid function to convert the list into a grid disposition. Apply different rules for list and grid dispositions, and provide the necessary props to the ReactSortable component.

Adding Custom Styles

In the SimpleList.css file, add custom styles to enhance the overall appearance of the list.

Final Touches

In the App component, import the SimpleList component and render it. Test the CRUD operations, drag-and-drop functionality, and toggle switch.

Conclusion

With Sortable.js and react-sortablejs, you’ve successfully created a dynamic and interactive list sorting experience. Explore the official documentation for more features and customization options.