react-xarrows

introduction

Draw arrows between components in React!


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- Connect arrows/lines between components just by passing an id or ref!
- Super simple API yet fully customizable usage!
- Smart and Intuitive look and behavior!
- Smart React lifecycle, and cached parsed props for efficiency!

liked my work? star this repo.

reallyy liked my work? buy me a coffee!
this project needs funding to stay open source and free :blush:

installation

with npm npm install react-xarrows.
(or yarn add react-xarrows)

Examples

#### Demos

see here!
codebox of few examples(in this repo at /examples).

!react-xarrow-picture-1 4 2

see this interactive example:

[comment]: <> ()

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``jsx
import React, {useRef} from "react";
import Xarrow from "react-xarrows";

const boxStyle = {border: "grey solid 2px", borderRadius: "10px", padding: "5px"};

function SimpleExample() {
const box1Ref = useRef(null);
return (

hey

hey2

start={box1Ref} //can be react ref
end="elem2" //or an id
/>

);
}

export default SimpleExample;
`

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in order to invoke updates on xarrows wrap your arrows and connceted elements with Xwrapper, and consume useXarrow
on connected elements.

`jsx
import React from 'react';
import Xarrow, {useXarrow, Xwrapper} from 'react-xarrows';
import Draggable from 'react-draggable';

const boxStyle = {border: 'grey solid 2px', borderRadius: '10px', padding: '5px'};

const DraggableBox = ({id}) => {
const updateXarrow = useXarrow();
return (

{id}

);
};

export function V2Example() {
return (

);
}
`



another example

`tsx
import React from 'react';
import Xarrow, {useXarrow, xarrowPropsType, Xwrapper} from 'react-xarrows';
import Draggable from 'react-draggable';

const boxStyle = {
border: '1px #999 solid',
borderRadius: '10px',
textAlign: 'center',
width: '100px',
height: '30px',
color: 'black',
alignItems: 'center',
display: 'flex',
justifyContent: 'center',
} as const;

const canvasStyle = {
width: '100%',
height: '100vh',
background: 'white',
overflow: 'auto',
display: 'flex',
color: 'black',
} as const;

const DraggableBox = ({box}) => {
const updateXarrow = useXarrow();
return (

{box.id}

);
};

const SimpleTemplate = () => {
const box = {id: 'box1', x: 20, y: 20};
const box2 = {id: 'box2', x: 320, y: 120};
const box3 = {id: 'box3', x: 50, y: 150};
const box4 = {id: 'box4', x: 320, y: 220};
return (

);
};
`

(will render this)





Usage

react-xarrow v2.0 released! no need to trigger render on parents anymore!
react-xarrows will smartly trigger updates on relevant elements! use Xwrapper and useXarrow hook to achieve
selective rendering!

please note that v2.0.0 is not working using react StrictMode. to fix
update to v2.0.1.

##### breaking changes

V2.0 introduced some breaking changes, mainly related to properties naming. see CHANGELOG.md for
details.

#### useXarrow

`jsx
import {useXarrow} from "react-xarrow"

const YourComponent = ({id, ...props}) => {
const updateXarrow = useXarrow()
//...
return (

...

)

}
`

#### Xwrapper

`jsx
const YourApp = () => {
return (
// ...





// ...
)
}
`

each time component calling useXarrow hook renders also the xarrows inside the wrapping Xwrapper wrapper will render.
receiving updateXarrow is optional. use this function only if you want to trigger a render different phase from
rendering(like click or drag event).

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to see full typescript definition see types.ts file.

here's a summary of the all the available props:

Properties|Description|default value|type
:-----:|:-----:|:-----:|:-----:
start|ref to start element|none(Required!)|string/ReactRef
end|ref to end element|none(Required!)|string/ReactRef
startAnchor|from which side the arrow should start from start element| 'auto'|string/object/array
endAnchor|at which side the arrow should end at end element| 'auto'|string/object/array
labels|optional labels| null|string/array
color|color of Xarrow(all parts)| 'CornflowerBlue'|string
lineColor|color of the line| null|string
headColor|color of the head| null|string
tailColor|color of the tail| null|string
strokeWidth|thickness of Xarrow(all parts)|4|number
headSize|thickness of head(relative to strokeWidth)|6|number
tailSize|thickness of tail(relative to strokeWidth)|6|number
path|path drawing style| 'smooth'|string
curveness|how much the line curveness when path='smooth'| 0.8|number
gridBreak|where the line breaks in path='grid'| "50%" | string
dashness|should the line be dashed| false|boolean/object
showHead|show the arrow head?| true|boolean
showTail|show the arrow tail?| false|boolean
showXarrow|show Xarrow?| true|boolean
animateDrawing|animate drawing when arrow mounts?| false|boolean/object
headShape|shape of the arrow head| 'arrow1'|string/object
tailShape|shape of the arrow tail|'arrow1'|string/object
zIndex|zIndex - Overlapping elements with a larger z-index cover those with a smaller one|0|number

Advanced Props

see details

Properties|Description|default value|type
:-----:|:-----:|:-----:|:-----:
passProps|properties which will be pased to arrowBody,arrowHead,arrowTail| {}|object
SVGcanvasProps|properties which will be passed to svgCanvas| {}|object
arrowBodyProps|properties which will be passed to arrowBody| {}|object
arrowHeadProps|properties which will be passed to arrowHead| {}|object
arrowTailProps|properties which will be passed to arrowTail| {}|object
divContainerProps|properties which will be passed to divContainer| {}|object
SVGcanvasStyle|style properties which will be passed svgCanvas|0|object
divContainerStyle|style properties which will be passed divContainer| false|object
_extendSVGcanvas|extend svgCanas at all sides|0|number
_debug|show debug elements|0|boolean
_cpx1Offset|offset control point 1 x|0|number
_cpy1Offset|offset control point 1 y|0|number
_cpx2Offset|offset control point 2 x|0|number
_cpy2Offset|offset control point 2 x|0|number

##### API flexibility

This API built in such way that most props can accept different types. you can keep things simple or provide more custom
props for more custom behavior(see startAnchor good example).

explore typescript for detailed descriptions of what type excepts every prop.

Properties

This documentation is examples driven.\
The examples sorted from the most common use case to the most custom one.

'start' and 'end'

_required_\
can be a reference to a react ref to html element or string - an id of a DOM element.

examples:

- start="myid" - myid is id of a dom element.
- start={myRef} - myRef is a react ref.









'startAnchor' and 'endAnchor'

specify what anchors are allowed. can be a string/object/array.

type:

`typescript
export type anchorType = anchorPositionType | anchorCustomPositionType;
`

#### simple usage:

type:

`typescript
export const tAnchorEdge = ['middle', 'left', 'right', 'top', 'bottom', 'auto'] as const;
export type anchorPositionType = typeof tAnchorEdge[number];
`

one of "auto" | "middle" | "left" | "right" | "top" | "bottom"
auto will choose automatically the path with the smallest length.

example:

- endAnchor="middle" will set the anchor of the end of the line to the middle of the end element.
- endAnchor="auto" choose the closest anchor.
- endAnchor="left" connect to the left.

#### custom usage:

type:

`typescript
export type anchorCustomPositionType = {
position: anchorPositionType;
offset: { x?: number; y?: number };
};
`

example:

- endAnchor= { position: "auto", offset: { x: 20 } } will choose automatic anchoring for end anchor but will offset it
20 pixels to the right after normal positioning.

if list is provided - the minimal length anchors will be chosen from the list. example:

- endAnchor= ["right", {position: "left", offset: {y: -10}}] only right and left anchors will be allowed for
endAnchor, and if the left side connected then it will be offset 10 pixels up.









labels

you can place up to 3 labels. see examples

- `labels="middleLabel"` - middle label
- `labels=

styled middle label

`
- custom middle label
- `labels={{ start:"I'm start label",middle: "middleLabel",end:

big end label

}}`
start and middle label and custom end label









color,lineColor and headColor and tailColor

color defines color to the entire arrow. lineColor,headColor and tailColor will override color specifically for
line,tail or head. examples:

- color="red" will change the color of the arrow to red(body and head).
- headColor="red" will change only the color of the head to red.
- tailColor="red" will change only the color of the tail to red.
- lineColor="red" will change only the color of the body to red.









strokeWidth and headSize and tailSize

strokeWidth defines the thickness of the entire arrow. headSize and tailSize defines how big will be the head or tail
relative to the strokeWidth. examples:

- strokeWidth={15} will make the arrow more thick(body and head).
- headSize={15} will make the head of the arrow more thick(relative to strokeWidth as well).
- tailSize={15} will make arrow's tail thicker.









path

path can be one of: "smooth" | "grid" | "straight", and it controls the path arrow is drawn, exactly how their name
suggest. examples:

- path={"grid"} will draw the line in sharp curves(90 degrees) like grid.









curveness

defines how much the lines curve. makes a difference only in path='smooth'. examples:

- curveness={false} will make the line straight without curves(exactly like path='straight').
- curveness={true} will choose default values of curveness.
- curveness={2} will make Xarrow extra curved.









gridBreak

defines where the line will break when path='grid'.

examples:

- gridBreak='20%' the line would break closer to start element(20% of the path instead of 50%).
- gridBreak='50' the line would break 50 pixel from start element.
- gridBreak='20%50' the line would break 50 pixel after 20% from start element.
- gridBreak='100%-50' the line would break 50 pixel before end element.









dashness

can make the arrow dashed and can even animate. if true default values(for dashness) are chosen. if object is passed
then default values are chosen except what passed. examples:

- dashness={true} will make the line of the arrow to be dashed.
- dashness={{ strokeLen: 10, nonStrokeLen: 15, animation: -2 }} will make a custom looking dashness.









showHead, showTail and showXarrow

showXarrow: show or not show Xarrow? (can be used to restart the drawing animation)
showHead: show or not the arrow head?
showTail: show or not the arrow tail?

- showXarrow={false} - will hide (unmount) Xarrow and his labels.
- showHead={false} - will hide the arrow head.









animateDrawing

can animate the drawing of the arrow using svg animation. type: boolean|number. if true animation duration is 1s. if
number is passed then animation duration is number's value in seconds. examples:

- animateDrawing will animate the drawing of the arrow in 1 second.
- animateDrawing={5} will animate the drawing of the arrow in 5 seconds.
- animateDrawing={0.1} will animate the drawing of the arrow in 100 milliseconds.









custom svg arrows - headShape and tailShape

you can customize the svg edges (head or tail) of the arrow. you can use predefined svg by passing string,one
of "arrow1" | "circle" | "heart"

#### simple usage:

_headShape type:string_

Code	Result
`jsx `	!img_1.png
`jsx arrowHeadProps={"fill": "transparent", "strokeWidth": "0.1", "stroke": "CornflowerBlue"} /> `	!img_1.png
`jsx `	!img.png

you can import arrowShapes which is object contains all predefined svg shapes.



custom usage

you can also pass _your own_ svg shapes:

`ts
type svgElemType = "circle" | "ellipse" | "line" | "path" | "polygon" | "polyline" | "rect"
type headShapeType = {
svgElem: SVGElementTagNameMap[T];
offsetForward?: number;
};
`

for example, you can pass the following object, and it will be exactly equivalent to passing 'arrow1':

`tsx
const headShapeArrow1 = {svgElem: , offsetForward: 0.25}
// then pass it Xarrow

`

svgElem - a jsx of svg element like path or circle(can also imported svg element from file).
offsetForward - how much to offset tht line into the svg element(from 0 to 1). normally the line will connect to the
start of the svgElem. for example in case of the default arrow you want the line to enter 25% into the svgElem.

don't forget about arrowHeadProps and arrowTailProps in case you want to use default shape but custom svg props.

in case you pass a custom svg element: currently you have to adjust the path to start from 0,0 and to be at size box
1x1 in order to make the custom shape look like the default shapes in size.







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The xarrow is fully customizable, and you can pass props to any part of the component. if unlisted(unknown) property is
passed to xarrow so by default it'll be passed down to divContainer.

#### passProps

you can pass properties to visible parts(body and head) of the arrow (such event handlers and much more). this supposed
to be enough for most cases. examples:

- passProps= {{onClick: () => console.log("xarrow clicked!")}} - now the arrow will console log a message when
clicked.
- passProps= {{cursor: "pointer"}} - now the cursor will change to pointer style when hovering over Xarrow.
- passProps= {{pointerEvents: "none"}} - now the user cannot interact with Xarrow via mouse events.

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The properties below can be used to customize the arrow even farther:

#### arrowBodyProps, arrowHeadProps, SVGcanvasProps, divContainerProps

!image

if you wish you can pass props specific part of the component.

- divContainerProps - the container which contains the SVG canvas, and the optional labels elements. It takes no
place, and located where you normaly placed him in the elements tree(no offset). The SVGcanvas and the labels will be
placed in a offset from this div.
- SVGcanvasProps - the svg canvas which contains arrow head and body.
- arrowBodyProps - the body of the arrow
- arrowHeadProps - the arrow head.

Note that arrowBody and arrowHead receives props of svg path element, SVGcanvas receives props of svg element,
and divContainerProps of a div element.

examples:

- arrowHead = {onClick: () => console.log("head clicked!")} - now only the head will console log a message when
clicked.

##### SVGcanvasStyle, divContainerStyle

if you wish to pass style to divContainer or SVGcanvas use SVGcanvasStyle,divContainerStyle and not SVGcanvasProps
,divContainerProps to not override existing style.

##### _extendSVGcanvas

will extend the svg canvas at all sides. can be useful if for some reason the arrow is cut though to small svg canvas(
should be used in advanced custom arrows). example: _extendSVGcanvas = {30}` - will extend svg canvas in all sides by
30 pixels.

##### _cpx1Offset,_cpy1Offset,_cpx2Offset,_cpy2Offset

now you can manipulate and offset the control points of the arrow. this way you can control how the line curves. check
out the interactive codesandbox, set _debug to true and play with these properties.

Donation

It takes many hours to develop and maintain this library, and it is not funded by any company or commercial
organization.

If you/your company are using this project, please consider donating.
Any donation will help me to devote more time to the development of this project.


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Want a feature that is not supported? found a bug?\
no need to clone the repo and set up the dev environment anymore!\
here's a ready to use development environment with a click of a button(patience, it takes about a minute to setup):


this will set up environment that will clone react-xarrow master,and will link the code from the src to the examples,
and will start examples,with typescript watch process that will recompile when any change is made.\
this means that any code changes in src/* will immediately be reflected to the running example at port 3000!
(add console.log("test") line and see!)\
to reproduce this dev env on your local machine git clone and follow same commands as in gitpod.yml.

if you made an improvement that is relevant for most users, you can quickly submit a pull request.
Please always pull request from and into dev branch -
here's Gitpod

Versions

See CHANGELOG.md in this repo.