Using useRef in OWL: Create an Input Display Component

In this guide, we will learn how to use the useRef hook in OWL (Odoo Web Library). We will create a simple component that shows what you type in an input field. This example will help you understand how to manage references to DOM elements in your OWL components.

Step 1: Write the JavaScript Code

Here is the code for our input display component:

Explanation:

1. Imports: We import Component and useRef from OWL. These are necessary to build our component.

2. Create the Component:

• We define a class named InputDisplayComponent.

• In the setup() method, we use useRef() to create a reference called inputRef. This lets us access the input field later.

3. Get Input Value:

• The method showInputValue gets the value from the input field using this.inputRef.el.value.

• It shows this value in an alert dialog, giving feedback to the user.

4. Registering the Component: Finally, we register our component with Odoo's registry so it can be used in our application.

Step 2: Create the Template

Next, we need to create a template for our component. Create an XML file called InputDisplayComponent.xml and add this code:

Explanation:

• Template Structure: In the XML template, we create an input box for typing and a button to show the text.

• The t-ref attribute on the <input> tag links it to our JavaScript reference (inputField). This allows us to easily access its value.

• The button uses t-on-click to call the showInputValue method when clicked.

You have now created a basic OWL component that displays what you type in a text field. This example shows how to use useRef to manage DOM elements in OWL components. If you have any questions or need help, feel free to ask. Happy coding!