TextInput with controlled state in React Native

Introduction

We use controlled TextInput to keep track of what the user types. This helps us respond to input changes immediately.

When you want to show what the user types somewhere else on the screen.

When you need to validate input as the user types, like checking email format.

When you want to clear or reset the input field from code.

When you want to enable or disable buttons based on input content.

Syntax

React Native

const [text, setText] = useState('');

<TextInput
  value={text}
  onChangeText={setText}
  placeholder="Type here"
/>

The value prop sets the input's current text.

The onChangeText prop updates the state when the user types.

Examples

This example controls a name input field.

React Native

const [name, setName] = useState('');

<TextInput
  value={name}
  onChangeText={setName}
  placeholder="Enter your name"
/>

This example controls an email input with a keyboard optimized for emails.

React Native

const [email, setEmail] = useState('');

<TextInput
  value={email}
  onChangeText={setEmail}
  keyboardType="email-address"
  placeholder="Enter your email"
/>

Sample App

This app shows a text input box. Whatever you type appears below in real time. The input is controlled by React state.

React Native

import React, { useState } from 'react';
import { View, TextInput, Text, StyleSheet } from 'react-native';

export default function App() {
  const [text, setText] = useState('');

  return (
    <View style={styles.container}>
      <TextInput
        style={styles.input}
        value={text}
        onChangeText={setText}
        placeholder="Type something"
        accessibilityLabel="Input field"
      />
      <Text style={styles.output}>You typed: {text}</Text>
    </View>
  );
}

const styles = StyleSheet.create({
  container: {
    flex: 1,
    justifyContent: 'center',
    padding: 20,
    backgroundColor: '#fff'
  },
  input: {
    height: 40,
    borderColor: '#888',
    borderWidth: 1,
    paddingHorizontal: 10,
    marginBottom: 20,
    borderRadius: 5
  },
  output: {
    fontSize: 16
  }
});

Important Notes

Always set value and onChangeText together to keep input controlled.

Controlled inputs help keep your app data in sync with what the user sees.

Use accessibilityLabel for better screen reader support.

Summary

Controlled TextInput means React state holds the input text.

Use value and onChangeText props to control input.

This lets you respond instantly to user typing and keep UI updated.

Practice

1. What does it mean when a TextInput in React Native is "controlled"?

easy

A. The input value is managed by React state using value and onChangeText.

B. The input automatically saves data to a database.

C. The input cannot be edited by the user.

D. The input uses default native keyboard settings only.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand controlled input concept

   A controlled TextInput means React state holds the current text value.

2. Step 2: Identify how React manages input

   React uses value prop to set input text and onChangeText to update state on typing.

3. Final Answer:

   The input value is managed by React state using value and onChangeText. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Controlled input = React state control [OK]

Hint: Controlled means React state controls input text [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking controlled means input is read-only
• Confusing controlled with auto-saving
• Assuming native keyboard controls the value

2. Which of the following is the correct way to create a controlled TextInput in React Native?

easy

A. <TextInput value={text} onChange={setText} />

B. <TextInput value={text} onChangeText={setText} />

C. <TextInput defaultValue={text} onChange={setText} />

D. <TextInput defaultValue={text} onChangeText={text} />

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify correct props for controlled input

   The value prop sets the input text, and onChangeText updates state on typing.

2. Step 2: Check each option's syntax

   <TextInput value={text} onChangeText={setText} /> uses value and onChangeText correctly. Others misuse onChange or defaultValue.

3. Final Answer:

   <TextInput value={text} onChangeText={setText} /> -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Use value + onChangeText for controlled input [OK]

Hint: Use value and onChangeText props for controlled TextInput [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using onChange instead of onChangeText
• Using defaultValue for controlled input
• Passing wrong handler to onChangeText

3. What will be displayed inside the TextInput after typing "Hi" in this code?

const [text, setText] = React.useState('');

<TextInput value={text} onChangeText={setText} />

medium

A. The input will show "undefined".

B. The input will remain empty.

C. The input will show "Hi" as typed.

D. The input will show "" (empty string) always.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand state updates on typing

   Typing "Hi" triggers onChangeText which calls setText to update state to "Hi".

2. Step 2: Value prop reflects state

   The value prop uses text state, so input shows "Hi" as typed.

3. Final Answer:

   The input will show "Hi" as typed. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   State updates input value = typed text [OK]

Hint: Value prop shows current state text instantly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking input won't update without defaultValue
• Confusing onChangeText with onChange
• Assuming input clears after typing

4. Identify the error in this controlled TextInput code:

const [text, setText] = React.useState('');

<TextInput value={text} onChange={setText} />

medium

A. Using onChange instead of onChangeText causes no updates.

B. State should be initialized with null, not empty string.

C. Missing defaultValue prop causes error.

D. The value prop should be omitted for controlled input.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check event handler prop

   TextInput uses onChangeText for text changes, not onChange.

2. Step 2: Effect of wrong handler

   Using onChange means setText never runs, so state stays empty and input doesn't update.

3. Final Answer:

   Using onChange instead of onChangeText causes no updates. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Use onChangeText, not onChange, for TextInput [OK]

Hint: Use onChangeText, not onChange, for TextInput updates [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing onChange with onChangeText
• Thinking defaultValue is required for controlled input
• Removing value prop breaks control

5. You want to create a controlled TextInput that only accepts uppercase letters. Which code snippet correctly implements this behavior?

hard

A. const [text, setText] = React.useState('');

<TextInput
value={text}
onChangeText={t => setText(t.toLowerCase())}
/>

B. const [text, setText] = React.useState('');

<TextInput
value={text.toUpperCase()}
onChangeText={setText}
/>

C. const [text, setText] = React.useState('');

<TextInput
defaultValue={text.toUpperCase()}
onChangeText={setText}
/>

D. const [text, setText] = React.useState('');

<TextInput
value={text}
onChangeText={t => setText(t.toUpperCase())}
/>

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand uppercase enforcement

   To force uppercase, transform input text to uppercase before saving state.

2. Step 2: Check each option's logic

   const [text, setText] = React.useState('');
   
   <TextInput
     value={text}
     onChangeText={t => setText(t.toUpperCase())}
   />

   converts input to uppercase in onChangeText before calling setText.

   const [text, setText] = React.useState('');
   
   <TextInput
     value={text.toUpperCase()}
     onChangeText={setText}
   />

   only uppercases value but stores raw input, so user can type lowercase.

   const [text, setText] = React.useState('');
   
   <TextInput
     defaultValue={text.toUpperCase()}
     onChangeText={setText}
   />

   uses defaultValue which is uncontrolled.

   const [text, setText] = React.useState('');
   
   <TextInput
     value={text}
     onChangeText={t => setText(t.toLowerCase())}
   />

   converts to lowercase, opposite of requirement.

3. Final Answer:

   <TextInput value={text} onChangeText={t => setText(t.toUpperCase())} /> -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Transform input in onChangeText for controlled uppercase [OK]

Hint: Transform text in onChangeText before setting state [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to uppercase value prop only
• Using defaultValue instead of value
• Transforming text to lowercase by mistake