Smooth Scrolling to IDs in React: A Network-Call-Free Approach

When you have a React page with elements identified by IDs, you want to enable smooth internal navigation within the page. While the <Link> component with hash links can achieve this, it might sometimes trigger unnecessary network calls. Here's how to handle this effectively:

1. Embrace the Simplicity of Anchor Tags (<a>)

For internal navigation within the same page, ditch the <Link> component. Standard anchor tags (<a>) are perfectly suited for this task. Set the href attribute to the hash link (including the # symbol) followed by the element's ID:

JavaScript

<a href="#target-element">Click Me to Scroll</a>

This approach leverages the browser’s built-in scrolling behavior without involving React’s routing mechanism, preventing network calls in most cases.

2. Address Dynamic Content Scenarios

If you’re dealing with dynamic content that might not be rendered yet when the anchor tag is clicked, you might still encounter issues. To handle this:

• Consider Client-Side Rendering (CSR): If your application heavily relies on CSR, you can explore techniques like pre-rendering content or using libraries like react-router-dom with the HashRouter configuration to manage hash-based navigation within your React app.
• Conditional Rendering or Loaders: If you have specific sections that load dynamically, employ conditional rendering or display loaders until the elements are ready. This ensures that the target element exists before scrolling is attempted.
• Custom Scroll Logic (Optional): If the above approaches don’t work perfectly, you could create a custom scroll function using document.getElementById() to find the element and trigger programmatic scrolling using scrollIntoView(). However, this might be less maintainable compared to using anchor tags for basic scenarios.

Key Points:

• Anchor tags are a lightweight and network-call-free solution for internal navigation within a page.
• For dynamic content or complex navigation requirements, explore CSR techniques, conditional rendering, or custom scrolling logic (as a last resort).
• Prioritize readability and maintainability when choosing your approach.