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# Input Fields

Binding a DayPicker to an input field requires handling user interactions, synchronizing the selected date between the calendar and the field, and maintaining a good level of usability.

:::info Native Date Pickers

Browsers offer [native date pickers](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTML/Element/input/date) for easy date selection. However, their appearance and functionality vary across browsers and might not meet your customization needs. Use DayPicker for a tailored date picker that aligns with your app's design and accessibility standards.

:::

## Examples

### Input with Inline Calendar

See the [full source code](https://github.com/gpbl/react-day-picker/blob/main/examples/Input.tsx) and [unit tests](https://github.com/gpbl/react-day-picker/blob/main/examples/Input.test.tsx) for this example.

<BrowserWindow sourceUrl="https://github.com/gpbl/react-day-picker/blob/main/examples/Input.tsx">
  <Examples.Input />
</BrowserWindow>

```tsx
import { useId, useState } from "react";

import { format, isValid, parse } from "date-fns";
import { DayPicker } from "react-day-picker";

/** Render an input field bound to a DayPicker calendar. */
export function Input() {
  const inputId = useId();

  // Hold the month in state to control the calendar when the input changes
  const [month, setMonth] = useState(new Date());

  // Hold the selected date in state
  const [selectedDate, setSelectedDate] = useState<Date | undefined>(undefined);

  // Hold the input value in state
  const [inputValue, setInputValue] = useState("");

  const handleDayPickerSelect = (date: Date | undefined) => {
    if (!date) {
      setInputValue("");
      setSelectedDate(undefined);
    } else {
      setSelectedDate(date);
      setMonth(date);
      setInputValue(format(date, "MM/dd/yyyy"));
    }
  };

  const handleInputChange = (e: React.ChangeEvent<HTMLInputElement>) => {
    setInputValue(e.target.value); // Keep the input value in sync

    const parsedDate = parse(e.target.value, "MM/dd/yyyy", new Date());

    if (isValid(parsedDate)) {
      setSelectedDate(parsedDate);
      setMonth(parsedDate);
    } else {
      setSelectedDate(undefined);
    }
  };

  return (
    <div>
      <label htmlFor={inputId}>
        <strong>Date: </strong>
      </label>
      <input
        style={{ fontSize: "inherit" }}
        id={inputId}
        type="text"
        value={inputValue}
        placeholder="MM/dd/yyyy"
        onChange={handleInputChange}
      />
      <DayPicker
        month={month}
        onMonthChange={setMonth}
        mode="single"
        selected={selectedDate}
        onSelect={handleDayPickerSelect}
        footer={`Selected: ${selectedDate?.toDateString()}`}
      />
    </div>
  );
}
```

### Input with Date Picker Dialog

Implementing the date picker as a dialog requires careful consideration of accessibility. Refer to the [W3C ARIA Authoring Practices](https://www.w3.org/WAI/ARIA/apg/patterns/dialog-modal/examples/datepicker-dialog/) for guidance on creating an accessible date picker.

In this example, we use the native HTML `<dialog>` element, which provides a built-in way to create a modal dialog. You can replace the native `<dialog>` element with a custom dialog component or a modal library that fits your application's design and accessibility requirements.

If a screen reader keeps the arrow keys for browse mode (for example, NVDA), set `role="application"` on the calendar root and make sure it has an accessible name that includes the current month (for example, "Calendar, September 2025"). This prompts focus mode so arrow-key navigation works inside the calendar.

<BrowserWindow sourceUrl="https://github.com/gpbl/react-day-picker/blob/main/examples/Dialog.tsx">
  <Examples.Dialog />
</BrowserWindow>

```tsx
import { useEffect, useId, useRef, useState } from "react";

import { format, isValid, parse } from "date-fns";
import { DayPicker } from "react-day-picker";

export function Dialog() {
  const dialogRef = useRef<HTMLDialogElement>(null);
  const dialogId = useId();
  const headerId = useId();

  // Hold the month in state to control the calendar when the input changes
  const [month, setMonth] = useState(new Date());

  // Hold the selected date in state
  const [selectedDate, setSelectedDate] = useState<Date | undefined>(undefined);

  // Hold the input value in state
  const [inputValue, setInputValue] = useState("");

  // Hold the dialog visibility in state
  const [isDialogOpen, setIsDialogOpen] = useState(false);

  // Function to toggle the dialog visibility
  const toggleDialog = () => setIsDialogOpen(!isDialogOpen);
  const calendarLabel = `Calendar, ${format(month, "MMMM yyyy")}`;

  // Hook to handle the body scroll behavior and focus trapping
  useEffect(() => {
    const handleBodyScroll = (isOpen: boolean) => {
      document.body.style.overflow = isOpen ? "hidden" : "";
    };
    if (!dialogRef.current) return;
    if (isDialogOpen) {
      handleBodyScroll(true);
      dialogRef.current.showModal();
    } else {
      handleBodyScroll(false);
      dialogRef.current.close();
    }
    return () => {
      handleBodyScroll(false);
    };
  }, [isDialogOpen]);

  const handleDayPickerSelect = (date: Date | undefined) => {
    if (!date) {
      setInputValue("");
      setSelectedDate(undefined);
    } else {
      setSelectedDate(date);
      setInputValue(format(date, "MM/dd/yyyy"));
    }
    dialogRef.current?.close();
  };

  const handleInputChange = (e: React.ChangeEvent<HTMLInputElement>) => {
    setInputValue(e.target.value); // Keep the input value in sync

    const parsedDate = parse(e.target.value, "MM/dd/yyyy", new Date());

    if (isValid(parsedDate)) {
      setSelectedDate(parsedDate);
      setMonth(parsedDate);
    } else {
      setSelectedDate(undefined);
    }
  };

  return (
    <div>
      <label htmlFor="date-input">
        <strong>Pick a Date: </strong>
      </label>
      <input
        style={{ fontSize: "inherit" }}
        id="date-input"
        type="text"
        value={inputValue}
        placeholder="MM/dd/yyyy"
        onChange={handleInputChange}
      />{" "}
      <button
        style={{ fontSize: "inherit" }}
        onClick={toggleDialog}
        aria-controls={dialogId}
        aria-haspopup="dialog"
        aria-expanded={isDialogOpen}
        aria-label="Open calendar to choose booking date"
      >
        📆
      </button>
      <p aria-live="assertive" aria-atomic="true">
        {selectedDate !== undefined
          ? selectedDate.toDateString()
          : "Please type or pick a date"}
      </p>
      <dialog
        role="dialog"
        ref={dialogRef}
        id={dialogId}
        aria-modal
        aria-labelledby={headerId}
        onClose={() => setIsDialogOpen(false)}
      >
        <h2 id={headerId}>Choose a date</h2>
        <DayPicker
          month={month}
          onMonthChange={setMonth}
          autoFocus
          role="application"
          aria-label={calendarLabel}
          mode="single"
          selected={selectedDate}
          onSelect={handleDayPickerSelect}
          footer={
            selectedDate !== undefined &&
            `Selected: ${selectedDate.toDateString()}`
          }
        />
      </dialog>
    </div>
  );
}
```