Building an Intuitive React Range Slider from Scratch

Creating a user-friendly interface often involves incorporating various UI elements that allow users to interact with data and control settings seamlessly. One such element is the range slider, a versatile control used in forms to capture a range of values or a single value from the user.

In React, a range slider can be implemented with different approaches, each offering unique features and benefits. This blog will explore two popular methods: the "react-rangeslider " package and the "React Slider component " from Material UI.

What is Range Sliders in React?

Before diving into the specifics, let's understand what a range slider is and how it can enhance your React application . A range slider is a graphical UI element that allows users to select a value or a range of values by moving a slider thumb along a track. It's an intuitive way to input numerical data without typing, making it a preferred choice for settings like volume control, price filters, and more.

In React, a slider component can be a lightweight react component that enriches your application without adding significant load time. It can be horizontal or vertical, and its appearance and behavior can be customized to match your design requirements.

Implementing Range Slider Using "react-rangeslider"

The "react-rangeslider" is a lightweight react component that provides a simple yet customizable slider for your React applications. It supports horizontal and vertical orientations and is easily integrated into your project.

Installation

To begin, you need to install the package using npm or yarn:

Copy
1npm install react-rangeslider --save
2

or

Copy
1yarn add react-rangeslider
2

Import Slider

Once installed, you can import the slider into your component file:

Copy
1import Slider from 'react-rangeslider';
2import 'react-rangeslider/lib/index.css';
3

Using the Slider Component

To render the slider, you can add the Slider component to your render function and provide the necessary props:

Copy
1class VolumeControl extends React.Component {
2  constructor(props, context) {
3    super(props, context);
4    this.state = {
5      volume: 0
6    };
7  }
8
9  handleOnChange = (value) => {
10    this.setState({
11      volume: value
12    });
13  };
14
15  render() {
16    let { volume } = this.state;
17    return (
18      <Slider
19        value={volume}
20        orientation="horizontal"
21        onChange={this.handleOnChange}
22      />
23    );
24  }
25}
26

In this example, the value prop is used to set the slider's current value, and the onChange event updates the state with the new value as the user interacts with the slider.

Customizing the Slider

The react-rangeslider allows you to customize the default styles to match your UI. You can override the CSS by targeting the specific classes the slider component uses.

Implementing Range Slider with Material UI's React Slider Component

Material UI is a popular React UI framework that provides a set of components designed according to the Material Design guidelines. The React Slider component from Material UI offers more flexibility and customization options, making it an excellent choice for more complex design requirements.

Installation

First, install Material UI core if you haven't already:

Copy
1npm install @material-ui/core
2

Import Slider

Next, import the Slider component from Material UI:

Copy
1import Slider from '@material-ui/core/Slider';
2

Using the Slider Component

To use the Slider component, you can add it to your render function like so:

Copy
1function VolumeControl() {
2  const [volume, setVolume] = React.useState(30);
3
4  const handleSliderChange = (event, newValue) => {
5    setVolume(newValue);
6  };
7
8  return (
9    <Slider value={volume} onChange={handleSliderChange} aria-labelledby="continuous-slider" />
10  );
11}
12

Here, the value prop is bound to the component's state, and the onChange handler updates this state, reflecting the user's selection.

Accessibility with ARIA

Material UI's Slider component supports WAI-ARIA standards out of the box. You can use props like aria-label or aria-labelledby to make your slider accessible to all users.

Vertical Sliders

Creating a vertical slider with Material UI is straightforward. You simply need to set the orientation prop to "vertical":

Copy
1<Slider
2  orientation="vertical"
3  value={volume}
4  onChange={handleSliderChange}
5  aria-label="Volume control"
6/>
7

Customizing the Slider

Material UI allows you to customize the default styles using their theming solution. You can define your own styles and apply them to the slider for a consistent look and feel across your application.

Conclusion

Whether you choose "react-rangeslider" for its simplicity and lightweight nature or opt for the more robust "React Slider component" from Material UI, implementing a range slider in your React application can significantly enhance the user experience. Both options allow for horizontal and vertical sliders, ensuring you can match the orientation to your design requirements.

When deciding between the two, consider the complexity of your project and the level of customization you need. "react-rangeslider" is perfect for quick implementations with minimal setup. At the same time, Material UI's slider component offers more flexibility and is ideal if you're already using Material UI for other UI elements in your application.

Following the steps outlined in this blog, you should now understand how to implement and customize a range slider in React. Experiment with different settings and styles to create a great slider that provides an intuitive control mechanism for your users.