Event Handling ​

Listening to Events ​

We can use the v-on directive, which we typically shorten to the @ symbol, to listen to DOM events and run some JavaScript when they're triggered. The usage would be v-on:click="handler" or with the shortcut, @click="handler".

The handler value can be one of the following:

1. Inline handlers: Inline JavaScript to be executed when the event is triggered (similar to the native onclick attribute).

2. Method handlers: A property name or path that points to a method defined on the component.

Inline Handlers ​

Inline handlers are typically used in simple cases, for example:

const count = ref(0)

data() {
  return {
    count: 0
  }
}

<button @click="count++">Add 1</button>
<p>Count is: {{ count }}</p>

Method Handlers ​

The logic for many event handlers will be more complex though, and likely isn't feasible with inline handlers. That's why v-on can also accept the name or path of a component method you'd like to call.

For example:

const name = ref('Vue.js')

function greet(event) {
  alert(`Hello ${name.value}!`)
  // `event` is the native DOM event
  if (event) {
    alert(event.target.tagName)
  }
}

data() {
  return {
    name: 'Vue.js'
  }
},
methods: {
  greet(event) {
    // `this` inside methods points to the current active instance
    alert(`Hello ${this.name}!`)
    // `event` is the native DOM event
    if (event) {
      alert(event.target.tagName)
    }
  }
}

<!-- `greet` is the name of the method defined above -->
<button @click="greet">Greet</button>

A method handler automatically receives the native DOM Event object that triggers it - in the example above, we are able to access the element dispatching the event via event.target.

Method vs. Inline Detection ​

The template compiler detects method handlers by checking whether the v-on value string is a valid JavaScript identifier or property access path. For example, foo, foo.bar and foo['bar'] are treated as method handlers, while foo() and count++ are treated as inline handlers.

Calling Methods in Inline Handlers ​

Instead of binding directly to a method name, we can also call methods in an inline handler. This allows us to pass the method custom arguments instead of the native event:

function say(message) {
  alert(message)
}

methods: {
  say(message) {
    alert(message)
  }
}

<button @click="say('hello')">Say hello</button>
<button @click="say('bye')">Say bye</button>

Accessing Event Argument in Inline Handlers ​

Sometimes we also need to access the original DOM event in an inline handler. You can pass it into a method using the special $event variable, or use an inline arrow function:

<!-- using $event special variable -->
<button @click="warn('Form cannot be submitted yet.', $event)">
  Submit
</button>

<!-- using inline arrow function -->
<button @click="(event) => warn('Form cannot be submitted yet.', event)">
  Submit
</button>

function warn(message, event) {
  // now we have access to the native event
  if (event) {
    event.preventDefault()
  }
  alert(message)
}

methods: {
  warn(message, event) {
    // now we have access to the native event
    if (event) {
      event.preventDefault()
    }
    alert(message)
  }
}

Event Modifiers ​

It is a very common need to call event.preventDefault() or event.stopPropagation() inside event handlers. Although we can do this easily inside methods, it would be better if the methods can be purely about data logic rather than having to deal with DOM event details.

To address this problem, Vue provides event modifiers for v-on. Recall that modifiers are directive postfixes denoted by a dot.

• .stop
• .prevent
• .self
• .capture
• .once
• .passive

<!-- the click event's propagation will be stopped -->
<a @click.stop="doThis"></a>

<!-- the submit event will no longer reload the page -->
<form @submit.prevent="onSubmit"></form>

<!-- modifiers can be chained -->
<a @click.stop.prevent="doThat"></a>

<!-- just the modifier -->
<form @submit.prevent></form>

<!-- only trigger handler if event.target is the element itself -->
<!-- i.e. not from a child element -->
<div @click.self="doThat">...</div>

The .capture, .once, and .passive modifiers mirror the options of the native addEventListener method:

<!-- use capture mode when adding the event listener     -->
<!-- i.e. an event targeting an inner element is handled -->
<!-- here before being handled by that element           -->
<div @click.capture="doThis">...</div>

<!-- the click event will be triggered at most once -->
<a @click.once="doThis"></a>

<!-- the scroll event's default behavior (scrolling) will happen -->
<!-- immediately, instead of waiting for `onScroll` to complete  -->
<!-- in case it contains `event.preventDefault()`                -->
<div @scroll.passive="onScroll">...</div>

The .passive modifier is typically used with touch event listeners for improving performance on mobile devices.

Key Modifiers ​

When listening for keyboard events, we often need to check for specific keys. Vue allows adding key modifiers for v-on or @ when listening for key events:

<!-- only call `submit` when the `key` is `Enter` -->
<input @keyup.enter="submit" />

You can directly use any valid key names exposed via KeyboardEvent.key as modifiers by converting them to kebab-case.

<input @keyup.page-down="onPageDown" />

In the above example, the handler will only be called if $event.key is equal to 'PageDown'.

Key Aliases ​

Vue provides aliases for the most commonly used keys:

• .enter
• .tab
• .delete (captures both "Delete" and "Backspace" keys)
• .esc
• .space
• .up
• .down
• .left
• .right

System Modifier Keys ​

You can use the following modifiers to trigger mouse or keyboard event listeners only when the corresponding modifier key is pressed:

• .ctrl
• .alt
• .shift
• .meta

For example:

<!-- Alt + Enter -->
<input @keyup.alt.enter="clear" />

<!-- Ctrl + Click -->
<div @click.ctrl="doSomething">Do something</div>

.exact Modifier ​

The .exact modifier allows control of the exact combination of system modifiers needed to trigger an event.

<!-- this will fire even if Alt or Shift is also pressed -->
<button @click.ctrl="onClick">A</button>

<!-- this will only fire when Ctrl and no other keys are pressed -->
<button @click.ctrl.exact="onCtrlClick">A</button>

<!-- this will only fire when no system modifiers are pressed -->
<button @click.exact="onClick">A</button>

Mouse Button Modifiers ​

• .left
• .right
• .middle

These modifiers restrict the handler to events triggered by a specific mouse button.

Note, however, that .left, .right, and .middle modifier names are based on the typical right-handed mouse layout, but in fact represent "main", "secondary", and "auxiliary" pointing device event triggers, respectively, and not the actual physical buttons. So that for a left-handed mouse layout the "main" button might physically be the right one but would trigger the .left modifier handler. Or a trackpad might trigger the .left handler with a one-finger tap, the .right handler with a two-finger tap, and the .middle handler with a three-finger tap. Similarly, other devices and event sources generating "mouse" events might have trigger modes that are not related to "left" and "right" whatsoever.