Creating a universally accessible handlebars helper in ExpressJS

Question

Creating a universally accessible handlebars helper in ExpressJS

I have a basic handlebars helper file located in helpers/handlebars.js:

var hbs = require('express-handlebars');

hbs.registerHelper("inc", function(value, options) {
    return parseInt(value) + 1;
});

Unfortunately, I am unable to utilize the {{#inc}} helper because I forgot to pass it into the res.render() function. Is there a way to automatically include and make all helpers within my file global?

edit:

After implementing @1cgonza's solution, I encountered the following error:

hbs.registerHelper("inc", function(value, options) {
      ^
TypeError: undefined is not a function

This error occurs when running the application. Below is an excerpt from app.js:

var engine      = require('express-handlebars');
                  require('./helpers/handlebars.js')(engine);

app.engine('hbs',           engine({defaultLayout: 'layout', extname: 'hbs'}));
app.set('view engine',      'hbs');

Any suggestions on how to resolve this issue?

javascript express handlebars.js helper

Answer 1

Answer №1

If you're looking to streamline your helper functions in Node.js, one approach is to export them as a module and then import them into your main app file.

Here's a simplified example:

In a file called helpers/handlebars.js

function hbsHelpers(hbs) {
  hbs.registerHelper("inc", function(value, options) {
    return parseInt(value) + 1;
  });

  // More helpers...
}

module.exports = hbsHelpers;

Then, within your main app file (e.g., app.js):

var hbs = require('express-handlebars');
require('./helpers/handlebars')(hbs);

Give this a try and see if it fits your needs.

UPDATE

After consulting the express-handlebars documentation, I recommend tweaking your helpers/handlebars.js function like so:

function hbsHelpers(hbs) {
  return hbs.create({
    helpers: { // Don't forget this important part
      inc: function(value, options) {
        console.log('working');
        return parseInt(value) + 1;
      }

      // Additional helpers...
    }

  });
}

module.exports = hbsHelpers;

Let me know if this resolves any issues for you.

UPDATE 2:

I noticed that the wrapping of helpers inside helpers:{} was omitted from the create() function within the handelbars.js file. I've made the necessary adjustments in my previous explanation; refer to the comment for clarification.

Regarding the content in app.js, there seemed to be some confusion. Here's a refined version:

// Changed variable name to avoid ambiguity with 'engine'
var exphbs = require('express-handlebars');

// Initialize express-handlebars instance 
var handlebars  = require('./helpers/handlebars.js')(exphbs);

// Use 'handlebars' object to set up app.engine
// No need to specify options here – all configurations are in handlebars.js
app.engine('hbs', handlebars.engine);

// If using a different view extension, adjust 'hbs' accordingly
app.set('view engine', 'hbs');

Answer 2

If you're looking to streamline your helper functions in Node.js, one approach is to export them as a module and then import them into your main app file.

Here's a simplified example:

In a file called helpers/handlebars.js

function hbsHelpers(hbs) {
  hbs.registerHelper("inc", function(value, options) {
    return parseInt(value) + 1;
  });

  // More helpers...
}

module.exports = hbsHelpers;

Then, within your main app file (e.g., app.js):

var hbs = require('express-handlebars');
require('./helpers/handlebars')(hbs);

Give this a try and see if it fits your needs.

UPDATE

After consulting the express-handlebars documentation, I recommend tweaking your helpers/handlebars.js function like so:

function hbsHelpers(hbs) {
  return hbs.create({
    helpers: { // Don't forget this important part
      inc: function(value, options) {
        console.log('working');
        return parseInt(value) + 1;
      }

      // Additional helpers...
    }

  });
}

module.exports = hbsHelpers;

Let me know if this resolves any issues for you.

UPDATE 2:

I noticed that the wrapping of helpers inside helpers:{} was omitted from the create() function within the handelbars.js file. I've made the necessary adjustments in my previous explanation; refer to the comment for clarification.

Regarding the content in app.js, there seemed to be some confusion. Here's a refined version:

// Changed variable name to avoid ambiguity with 'engine'
var exphbs = require('express-handlebars');

// Initialize express-handlebars instance 
var handlebars  = require('./helpers/handlebars.js')(exphbs);

// Use 'handlebars' object to set up app.engine
// No need to specify options here – all configurations are in handlebars.js
app.engine('hbs', handlebars.engine);

// If using a different view extension, adjust 'hbs' accordingly
app.set('view engine', 'hbs');

Answer 3

Answer №2

Here is a helpful code snippet that you can use:

Inside the folder helpers/handlebars.js:

var customHelpers = function(Handlebars) {
    var helpers = {
        inc: function(value, options) {
            return parseInt(value) + 1;
        },
        foo: function(var1, var2) {
            return ....
        }
    };

    if (Handlebars && typeof Handlebars.registerHelper === "function") {
        for (var prop in helpers) {
            Handlebars.registerHelper(prop, helpers[prop]);
        }
    } else {
        return helpers;
    }

};

module.exports.customHelpers = customHelpers;
module.exports.helpers = customHelpers(null);

Inside app.js file:

var exphbs = require('express-handlebars');
var hbsHelpers = exphbs.create({
    helpers: require("./helpers/handlebars.js").helpers,
    defaultLayout: 'layout',
    extname: '.hbs'
});

app.engine('.hbs', hbsHelpers.engine);
app.set('view engine', '.hbs');

Answer 4

Here is a helpful code snippet that you can use:

Inside the folder helpers/handlebars.js:

var customHelpers = function(Handlebars) {
    var helpers = {
        inc: function(value, options) {
            return parseInt(value) + 1;
        },
        foo: function(var1, var2) {
            return ....
        }
    };

    if (Handlebars && typeof Handlebars.registerHelper === "function") {
        for (var prop in helpers) {
            Handlebars.registerHelper(prop, helpers[prop]);
        }
    } else {
        return helpers;
    }

};

module.exports.customHelpers = customHelpers;
module.exports.helpers = customHelpers(null);

Inside app.js file:

var exphbs = require('express-handlebars');
var hbsHelpers = exphbs.create({
    helpers: require("./helpers/handlebars.js").helpers,
    defaultLayout: 'layout',
    extname: '.hbs'
});

app.engine('.hbs', hbsHelpers.engine);
app.set('view engine', '.hbs');

Answer 5

Answer №3

Check out the solution provided below for ways to enhance your code with customized customer helpers as well as those from 'handlebars-helpers':

const hbshelpers = require('handlebars-helpers');
const multihelpers = hbshelpers();

const helpersDM = {
    hlp: echo => `Echo: ${echo}.`,
    STATIC: `/static`,
};
const hbs = exphbs.create({
    layoutsDir: join(__dirname, 'views', 'layouts'),
    partialsDir: join(__dirname, 'views', 'partials'),
    extname: '.hbs',
    defaultLayout: 'base',
    helpers: {...multihelpers, ...helpersDM},
});
app.engine('.hbs', hbs.engine);
app.setViewEngine('.hbs');

Answer 6

Check out the solution provided below for ways to enhance your code with customized customer helpers as well as those from 'handlebars-helpers':

const hbshelpers = require('handlebars-helpers');
const multihelpers = hbshelpers();

const helpersDM = {
    hlp: echo => `Echo: ${echo}.`,
    STATIC: `/static`,
};
const hbs = exphbs.create({
    layoutsDir: join(__dirname, 'views', 'layouts'),
    partialsDir: join(__dirname, 'views', 'partials'),
    extname: '.hbs',
    defaultLayout: 'base',
    helpers: {...multihelpers, ...helpersDM},
});
app.engine('.hbs', hbs.engine);
app.setViewEngine('.hbs');

Answer 7

Answer №4

If you want to create your own helper functions, you can do so by following these steps:

Firstly, make sure to import both express-handlebars and the express npm module in your app.js file:

const exphbs = require("express-handlebars");
const express = require("express");
const app = express();

Next, configure the express-handlebars by using the create method with options as objects:

const customHbs = exphbs.create({
    extname: "hbs",
    helpers: {
        equal: function(a, b, options) {
            return (a == b) ? options.fn(this) : options.inverse(this);
        }
    }
});
app.engine("hbs", customHbs.engine);
app.set("view engine", "hbs");

By registering the partials like this, you can then use them throughout handlebars as built-in functions.

Answer 8

If you want to create your own helper functions, you can do so by following these steps:

Firstly, make sure to import both express-handlebars and the express npm module in your app.js file:

const exphbs = require("express-handlebars");
const express = require("express");
const app = express();

Next, configure the express-handlebars by using the create method with options as objects:

const customHbs = exphbs.create({
    extname: "hbs",
    helpers: {
        equal: function(a, b, options) {
            return (a == b) ? options.fn(this) : options.inverse(this);
        }
    }
});
app.engine("hbs", customHbs.engine);
app.set("view engine", "hbs");

By registering the partials like this, you can then use them throughout handlebars as built-in functions.

Creating a universally accessible handlebars helper in ExpressJS

Answer №1

Answer №2

Answer №3

Answer №4

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