Tips on updating Angular data model when a static HTML element changes

Question

Tips on updating Angular data model when a static HTML element changes

Currently, I am utilizing the editable-table jQuery plugin to enable editing in a table. This tool is simple to implement, lightweight, and highly efficient.

The markup structure for this task looks like this:

<tr ng-repeat="o in orders">
   <td ng-bind="o.name"></td>
   <td ng-bind="o.weight"></td>
   <td ng-bind="o.dimensions"></td>
</tr>

To make the table editable, all it takes is calling the following function:

$('#ordertable').editableTableWidget();

This implementation functions smoothly: the table displays perfectly and supports editing capabilities. In case there are modifications in the data model, the table refreshes automatically.

However, using ng-bind results in one-way binding, meaning that alterations made in the table do not reflect in the data model without manual updates. Unfortunately, employing ng-model is not feasible as it requires an input field.

Since I am still learning Angular, I am uncertain about the appropriate method to synchronize changes back to the data model. While resolving it through plain JavaScript is possible, my preference is to stick with Angular conventions.

What would be the correct approach to update the data model accordingly?

javascript angularjs

Answer 1

Answer №1

In my opinion, it's best to avoid mixing the Angular way of updating values with an editable plugin. Since Angular is unaware of the plugin, their integration may not work as intended.

Instead of using a plugin, you could try implementing it without one:

<tr ng-repeat="o in orders">
   <td><input type="text"  ng-model="o.name" /></td>
   <td><input type="text"  ng-model="o.weight" /></td>
   <td><input type="text"  ng-model="o.dimensions" /></td>
</tr>

Answer 2

In my opinion, it's best to avoid mixing the Angular way of updating values with an editable plugin. Since Angular is unaware of the plugin, their integration may not work as intended.

Instead of using a plugin, you could try implementing it without one:

<tr ng-repeat="o in orders">
   <td><input type="text"  ng-model="o.name" /></td>
   <td><input type="text"  ng-model="o.weight" /></td>
   <td><input type="text"  ng-model="o.dimensions" /></td>
</tr>

Answer 3

Answer №2

When you make changes using jQuery, the model is not automatically updated in Angular because Angular is not aware of the changes made and the digest cycle is not triggered. You can manually trigger the digest cycle like this:

$scope.$digest();
// However, this may not always work

Therefore, if you are using jQuery, you will need to explicitly assign a value to the model in order to update it.

Answer 4

When you make changes using jQuery, the model is not automatically updated in Angular because Angular is not aware of the changes made and the digest cycle is not triggered. You can manually trigger the digest cycle like this:

$scope.$digest();
// However, this may not always work

Therefore, if you are using jQuery, you will need to explicitly assign a value to the model in order to update it.

Answer 5

Answer №3

If you're looking for an alternative solution to this issue, consider using the 'contenteditable' attribute in table cells with ng-model instead of ng-bind, instead of relying on the jQuery editable-table plugin. You can create a directive for contenteditable to update the model, and there is an example provided on the AngularJS site itself at the end of this page.

I have adapted the directive code from that example and made the necessary changes to your HTML.

directive('contenteditable', ['$sce', function($sce) {
  return {
    restrict: 'A',
    require: '?ngModel',
    link: function(scope, element, attrs, ngModel) {
      if (!ngModel) return;

      ngModel.$render = function() {
        element.html($sce.getTrustedHtml(ngModel.$viewValue || ''));
      };

      element.on('blur keyup change', function() {
        scope.$evalAsync(read);
      });
      read();

      function read() {
        var html = element.html();
      
        if ( attrs.stripBr && html == '<br>' ) {
          html = '';
        }
        ngModel.$setViewValue(html);
      }
    }
  };
}]);

<tr ng-repeat="o in orders">
   <td contenteditable ng-model="o.name"></td>
   <td contenteditable ng-model="o.weight"></td>
   <td contenteditable ng-model="o.dimensions"></td>
</tr>

Answer 6

If you're looking for an alternative solution to this issue, consider using the 'contenteditable' attribute in table cells with ng-model instead of ng-bind, instead of relying on the jQuery editable-table plugin. You can create a directive for contenteditable to update the model, and there is an example provided on the AngularJS site itself at the end of this page.

I have adapted the directive code from that example and made the necessary changes to your HTML.

directive('contenteditable', ['$sce', function($sce) {
  return {
    restrict: 'A',
    require: '?ngModel',
    link: function(scope, element, attrs, ngModel) {
      if (!ngModel) return;

      ngModel.$render = function() {
        element.html($sce.getTrustedHtml(ngModel.$viewValue || ''));
      };

      element.on('blur keyup change', function() {
        scope.$evalAsync(read);
      });
      read();

      function read() {
        var html = element.html();
      
        if ( attrs.stripBr && html == '<br>' ) {
          html = '';
        }
        ngModel.$setViewValue(html);
      }
    }
  };
}]);

<tr ng-repeat="o in orders">
   <td contenteditable ng-model="o.name"></td>
   <td contenteditable ng-model="o.weight"></td>
   <td contenteditable ng-model="o.dimensions"></td>
</tr>

Answer 7

Answer №4

It's not recommended to use jquery based plugins in an angular app as they may not integrate well. It's better to search for angular-specific plugins.

What I did was take the input element utilized by the plugin for user input (Editable cell) and compile it using Angular's $compile service.

I believe this approach should be effective.

HTML :

 <div ng-app='app' ng-controller='mainCtrl' my-input>
     <table id="ir" >
       <tr ng-repeat="o in orders">
         <td ng-repeat="(key, value) in o"  ng-bind="value" ng-click="setCurrentCell($parent.$index, key)"></td>
       </tr>
     </table>
 </div>

Controller :

controller('mainCtrl', function($scope){
   setTimeout(function(){
      $('#ir').editableTableWidget();
   });

   $scope.orders = [{name:1, weight : 10}, {name:2, weight : 20}];
   var editableOrder  = {};
   $scope.setCurrentCell = function(index, key){
        editableOrder.index = index;
       editableOrder.key = key;
   }
   $scope.myEdit = function(newVal){
    $scope.orders[editableOrder.index][editableOrder.key] = newVal;
   }
})

Directive

directive('myInput', ['$compile', function( $compile){
   return {
      restrict: 'A',
      link: function(scope, element, attrs) {
            setTimeout(function(){
              var input = element.find('input');
              input.attr('ng-model', 'val');
              input.attr('ng-change', 'myEdit(val)');
              $compile(input)(scope);
           })
       }
   }
}]);

Answer 8

It's not recommended to use jquery based plugins in an angular app as they may not integrate well. It's better to search for angular-specific plugins.

What I did was take the input element utilized by the plugin for user input (Editable cell) and compile it using Angular's $compile service.

I believe this approach should be effective.

HTML :

 <div ng-app='app' ng-controller='mainCtrl' my-input>
     <table id="ir" >
       <tr ng-repeat="o in orders">
         <td ng-repeat="(key, value) in o"  ng-bind="value" ng-click="setCurrentCell($parent.$index, key)"></td>
       </tr>
     </table>
 </div>

Controller :

controller('mainCtrl', function($scope){
   setTimeout(function(){
      $('#ir').editableTableWidget();
   });

   $scope.orders = [{name:1, weight : 10}, {name:2, weight : 20}];
   var editableOrder  = {};
   $scope.setCurrentCell = function(index, key){
        editableOrder.index = index;
       editableOrder.key = key;
   }
   $scope.myEdit = function(newVal){
    $scope.orders[editableOrder.index][editableOrder.key] = newVal;
   }
})

Directive

directive('myInput', ['$compile', function( $compile){
   return {
      restrict: 'A',
      link: function(scope, element, attrs) {
            setTimeout(function(){
              var input = element.find('input');
              input.attr('ng-model', 'val');
              input.attr('ng-change', 'myEdit(val)');
              $compile(input)(scope);
           })
       }
   }
}]);

Tips on updating Angular data model when a static HTML element changes

Answer №1

Answer №2

Answer №3

Answer №4

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