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 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 and unit tests for this example.

import { useId, useState } from "react";

import { format, isValid, parse } from "date-fns";
import { DayPicker } from "@daypicker/react";

/** 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 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.

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

import { format, isValid, parse } from "date-fns";
import { DayPicker } from "@daypicker/react";

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>
  );
}