Fluent UI Blazor: Show ValidationSummary On PrimaryAction Click
Hey guys! Ever wrestled with getting that ValidationSummary to pop up in your Fluent UI Blazor Dialog when clicking the PrimaryAction? It's a bit of a tricky situation, especially when you want the validation messages to show up just like they do with the OnValidSubmit event. Let's dive into how we can tackle this, making sure your dialog validations are smooth and user-friendly.
The Problem: ValidationSummary and PrimaryAction in Dialogs
So, the main issue is that the <ValidationSummary> and <FluentValidationMessage> components play nicely when you're using the OnValidSubmit in an <EditForm>. But what happens when you've got a PrimaryAction button in a dialog, and you want those same validation messages to appear if things go south? It’s a common scenario: you click that PrimaryAction, expecting the magic of validation, but nothing! The goal here is to ensure that clicking the PrimaryAction triggers the validation, and if it fails, displays those helpful error messages just like a standard form submission.
The challenge arises because the PrimaryAction doesn't inherently trigger the <EditForm>'s validation process the way OnValidSubmit does. We need to manually kickstart the validation and then display the messages accordingly. This involves a bit of extra work, but trust me, it’s totally doable and makes your UI much more intuitive. We're aiming for a seamless experience where users get immediate feedback on what they need to fix, right within the dialog. This not only improves usability but also adds a professional touch to your application.
Understanding the Core Issue
To really nail this, let's break down why the ValidationSummary might seem to be playing hide-and-seek. When you use <EditForm> with OnValidSubmit, Blazor's built-in mechanisms handle the validation lifecycle. The form knows to validate, and if there are issues, it automatically updates the ValidationSummary. However, a PrimaryAction click in a dialog is more of a manual trigger. It doesn’t automatically hook into that validation pipeline. This means we need to take the reins and tell the form to validate ourselves.
Think of it like this: the OnValidSubmit is like an automatic door that opens when you approach, whereas the PrimaryAction is like a regular door – you need to turn the handle (i.e., trigger the validation) yourself. The key is to find a way to link the PrimaryAction click to the validation process, ensuring that our ValidationSummary gets the memo and displays any errors. This might involve tapping into the EditContext, manually triggering validation, and then updating the UI. It sounds like a lot, but we'll break it down step by step!
Solution 1: Manually Triggering Validation
Okay, let's get our hands dirty with some code. The main idea here is to manually trigger the validation process when the PrimaryAction is clicked. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
Step 1: Get a Reference to the EditForm
First, you'll need a way to interact with the <EditForm>. We can do this using a @ref. This gives you a direct link to the form, allowing you to call its methods.
<EditForm Model="@Content" @ref="editForm">
...
</EditForm>
@code {
private EditForm editForm;
}
Step 2: Capture the EditContext
Next, we need the EditContext. This is where all the validation magic happens. You can get the EditContext from the EditForm.
@code {
private EditForm editForm;
private EditContext editContext;
protected override void OnAfterRender(bool firstRender)
{
if (firstRender)
{
editContext = editForm.EditContext;
}
}
}
Step 3: Trigger Validation on PrimaryAction Click
Now, let's hook up the PrimaryAction click. When the button is clicked, we'll manually validate the form. This involves calling the Validate() method on the EditContext.
<FluentDialog
PrimaryAction="Save"
PrimaryActionOnClick="HandlePrimaryActionClick">
...
</FluentDialog>
@code {
private async Task HandlePrimaryActionClick()
{
editContext.Validate();
if (editContext.GetValidationMessages().Any())
{
// Validation failed, do something (e.g., show messages)
return;
}
// Validation passed, proceed with saving
}
}
Step 4: Display Validation Messages
Finally, ensure your ValidationSummary and FluentValidationMessage components are in place to display the messages. They should now react to the manual validation.
<ValidationSummary />
<FluentValidationMessage For="() => Content.SomeProperty" />
By manually triggering the validation, you're ensuring that the ValidationSummary gets the memo when the PrimaryAction is clicked. This approach gives you fine-grained control over the validation process, making sure your dialogs are both user-friendly and robust.
Solution 2: Hiding Primary and Secondary Actions
Alright, let’s flip the script a bit. What if, instead of wrestling with the PrimaryAction validation, we simply hide the action buttons until the form is valid? This approach can streamline your UI and prevent users from attempting to submit invalid data in the first place. Here's how we can pull this off:
Step 1: Track Form Validity
We need a way to keep tabs on whether the form is valid or not. A simple boolean property will do the trick.
@code {
private bool isFormValid = false;
}
Step 2: Use OnValidSubmit and OnInvalidSubmit
Now, let’s leverage the <EditForm>'s built-in events: OnValidSubmit and OnInvalidSubmit. These events fire based on the form's validation status.
<EditForm Model="@Content" OnValidSubmit="HandleValidSubmit" OnInvalidSubmit="HandleInvalidSubmit">
...
</EditForm>
@code {
private async Task HandleValidSubmit(EditContext context)
{
isFormValid = true;
StateHasChanged(); // Trigger a re-render to update the UI
}
private async Task HandleInvalidSubmit(EditContext context)
{
isFormValid = false;
StateHasChanged(); // Trigger a re-render to update the UI
}
}
Step 3: Conditionally Render Action Buttons
With the isFormValid flag in place, we can now conditionally render the Primary and Secondary action buttons in the dialog. If the form is not valid, we simply don't show the buttons.
<FluentDialog
PrimaryAction="Save"
@if (isFormValid)
{
<PrimaryActionOnClick="HandleSave" />
}
SecondaryAction="Cancel"
@if (isFormValid)
{
<SecondaryActionOnClick="HandleCancel" />
}
>
...
</FluentDialog>
By hiding the buttons until the form is valid, you're creating a cleaner, more guided user experience. Users can focus on filling out the form correctly, and the actions become available only when everything checks out. This approach not only simplifies the validation process but also enhances the overall usability of your dialogs.
Choosing the Right Approach
So, which method should you roll with? It really boils down to your specific needs and how you want your UI to flow. If you prefer immediate feedback and want users to see validation messages as they interact with the form, manually triggering validation on the PrimaryAction click (Solution 1) is the way to go. This keeps the PrimaryAction active, but ensures it only does its thing when the data is up to snuff.
On the other hand, if you're aiming for a more streamlined experience where users are guided through the form step-by-step, hiding the action buttons until the form is valid (Solution 2) might be your best bet. This approach simplifies the UI by preventing premature submissions and ensures that users focus on getting the input right before proceeding.
Think about what feels most natural and intuitive for your users. Do they benefit from seeing immediate validation messages? Or would they prefer a cleaner interface where actions become available only when the form is ready? There's no one-size-fits-all answer, so consider your users' needs and your application's context.
Wrapping Up
Alright, we've covered a lot of ground here! Getting ValidationSummary to play nice with Fluent UI Blazor Dialogs can be a bit of a puzzle, but with these strategies, you’re well-equipped to tackle it. Whether you choose to manually trigger validation or hide the action buttons until the form is valid, the key is to create a smooth and intuitive user experience.
Remember, the goal is to guide your users and provide clear feedback, so they can interact with your application confidently. By implementing these techniques, you'll not only resolve the ValidationSummary issue but also level up the overall quality of your Blazor apps. Keep experimenting, keep learning, and keep making awesome UIs!
