Tools: Building Drag-and-Drop Tree Views with he-tree-react in React

Prerequisites ## Installation ## Project Setup ## First Example / Basic Usage ## Understanding the Basics ## Practical Example / Building Something Real ## Common Issues / Troubleshooting ## Next Steps ## Summary ## SEO Keywords he-tree-react is a powerful React library for building tree components with drag-and-drop functionality, sorting, and flexible data manipulation. It provides an intuitive API for creating interactive tree structures where users can reorder nodes, move items between branches, and organize hierarchical data. This guide walks through setting up and creating drag-and-drop tree views using he-tree-react with React, from installation to a working implementation. Before you begin, make sure you have: Install he-tree-react using your preferred package manager: After installation, your package.json should include: he-tree-react requires minimal setup. Import the Tree component and provide tree data structure. Let's create a simple drag-and-drop tree. Create a new file src/TreeExample.jsx: This creates a basic tree with drag-and-drop functionality. he-tree-react provides tree components: Here's an example with more features: Let's build a task organizer with drag-and-drop: Now create a file manager: This example demonstrates: Tree not rendering: Make sure your data structure is correct. Each node needs id and text properties. Check that the data is an array. Drag and drop not working: Ensure draggable and droppable props are set to true. Check browser console for errors. State not updating: Make sure onChange handler is provided and updates state correctly. Use functional updates if needed. Nodes not moving: Verify that nodes have unique id values. Check that onChange is properly updating the tree data. Styling issues: he-tree-react provides default styles. Override with custom CSS. Check that styles aren't being overridden by global CSS. Performance with large trees: For large trees, consider virtualizing or limiting the initial depth. Optimize re-renders with React.memo if needed. Now that you have an understanding of he-tree-react: You've successfully set up he-tree-react in your React application and created drag-and-drop tree views with reorderable nodes and flexible data manipulation. he-tree-react provides a powerful solution for building interactive hierarchical data displays in React applications. he-tree-react he-tree-react drag and drop React drag and drop tree he-tree-react installation React tree component he-tree-react tutorial React hierarchical data he-tree-react example React sortable tree he-tree-react setup React tree view library he-tree-react getting started React interactive tree he-tree-react advanced usage Templates let you quickly answer FAQs or store snippets for re-use. Are you sure you want to hide this comment? It will become hidden in your post, but will still be visible via the comment's permalink. Hide child comments as well For further actions, you may consider blocking this person and/or reporting abuse COMMAND_BLOCK: npm install he-tree-react Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode COMMAND_BLOCK: npm install he-tree-react COMMAND_BLOCK: npm install he-tree-react CODE_BLOCK: yarn add he-tree-react Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode CODE_BLOCK: yarn add he-tree-react CODE_BLOCK: yarn add he-tree-react CODE_BLOCK: pnpm add he-tree-react Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode CODE_BLOCK: pnpm add he-tree-react CODE_BLOCK: pnpm add he-tree-react CODE_BLOCK: { "dependencies": { "he-tree-react": "^2.0.0", "react": "^18.0.0", "react-dom": "^18.0.0" } } Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode CODE_BLOCK: { "dependencies": { "he-tree-react": "^2.0.0", "react": "^18.0.0", "react-dom": "^18.0.0" } } CODE_BLOCK: { "dependencies": { "he-tree-react": "^2.0.0", "react": "^18.0.0", "react-dom": "^18.0.0" } } CODE_BLOCK: // src/TreeExample.jsx import React, { useState } from 'react'; import { Tree } from 'he-tree-react'; const initialData = [ { id: 1, text: 'Item 1', children: [ { id: 2, text: 'Child 1' }, { id: 3, text: 'Child 2' } ] }, { id: 4, text: 'Item 2', children: [ { id: 5, text: 'Child 3' } ] }, { id: 6, text: 'Item 3' } ]; function TreeExample() { const [data, setData] = useState(initialData); return ( <div style={{ padding: '20px', maxWidth: '400px' }}> <h2>Basic Drag-and-Drop Tree</h2> <div style={{ border: '1px solid #ddd', borderRadius: '4px', padding: '10px' }}> <Tree data={data} onChange={setData} draggable={true} droppable={true} /> </div> </div> ); } export default TreeExample; Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode CODE_BLOCK: // src/TreeExample.jsx import React, { useState } from 'react'; import { Tree } from 'he-tree-react'; const initialData = [ { id: 1, text: 'Item 1', children: [ { id: 2, text: 'Child 1' }, { id: 3, text: 'Child 2' } ] }, { id: 4, text: 'Item 2', children: [ { id: 5, text: 'Child 3' } ] }, { id: 6, text: 'Item 3' } ]; function TreeExample() { const [data, setData] = useState(initialData); return ( <div style={{ padding: '20px', maxWidth: '400px' }}> <h2>Basic Drag-and-Drop Tree</h2> <div style={{ border: '1px solid #ddd', borderRadius: '4px', padding: '10px' }}> <Tree data={data} onChange={setData} draggable={true} droppable={true} /> </div> </div> ); } export default TreeExample; CODE_BLOCK: // src/TreeExample.jsx import React, { useState } from 'react'; import { Tree } from 'he-tree-react'; const initialData = [ { id: 1, text: 'Item 1', children: [ { id: 2, text: 'Child 1' }, { id: 3, text: 'Child 2' } ] }, { id: 4, text: 'Item 2', children: [ { id: 5, text: 'Child 3' } ] }, { id: 6, text: 'Item 3' } ]; function TreeExample() { const [data, setData] = useState(initialData); return ( <div style={{ padding: '20px', maxWidth: '400px' }}> <h2>Basic Drag-and-Drop Tree</h2> <div style={{ border: '1px solid #ddd', borderRadius: '4px', padding: '10px' }}> <Tree data={data} onChange={setData} draggable={true} droppable={true} /> </div> </div> ); } export default TreeExample; CODE_BLOCK: // src/App.jsx import React from 'react'; import TreeExample from './TreeExample'; import './App.css'; function App() { return ( <div className="App"> <TreeExample /> </div> ); } export default App; Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode CODE_BLOCK: // src/App.jsx import React from 'react'; import TreeExample from './TreeExample'; import './App.css'; function App() { return ( <div className="App"> <TreeExample /> </div> ); } export default App; CODE_BLOCK: // src/App.jsx import React from 'react'; import TreeExample from './TreeExample'; import './App.css'; function App() { return ( <div className="App"> <TreeExample /> </div> ); } export default App; COMMAND_BLOCK: // src/AdvancedTreeExample.jsx import React, { useState } from 'react'; import { Tree } from 'he-tree-react'; const advancedData = [ { id: 1, text: 'Documents', children: [ { id: 2, text: 'Project 1' }, { id: 3, text: 'Project 2' } ] }, { id: 4, text: 'Images', children: [ { id: 5, text: 'Vacation' }, { id: 6, text: 'Family' } ] }, { id: 7, text: 'Downloads' } ]; function AdvancedTreeExample() { const [data, setData] = useState(advancedData); const [selectedNode, setSelectedNode] = useState(null); const handleNodeClick = (node) => { setSelectedNode(node); console.log('Selected node:', node); }; return ( <div style={{ display: 'flex', padding: '20px' }}> <div style={{ width: '300px', border: '1px solid #ddd', borderRadius: '4px', padding: '10px' }}> <h3>File Tree</h3> <Tree data={data} onChange={setData} draggable={true} droppable={true} onNodeClick={handleNodeClick} /> </div> <div style={{ flex: 1, marginLeft: '20px', padding: '20px', border: '1px solid #ddd', borderRadius: '4px' }}> <h3>Selected Node</h3> {selectedNode ? ( <div> <p><strong>Text:</strong> {selectedNode.text}</p> <p><strong>ID:</strong> {selectedNode.id}</p> <p><strong>Has Children:</strong> {selectedNode.children ? 'Yes' : 'No'}</p> </div> ) : ( <p>No node selected</p> )} </div> </div> ); } export default AdvancedTreeExample; Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode COMMAND_BLOCK: // src/AdvancedTreeExample.jsx import React, { useState } from 'react'; import { Tree } from 'he-tree-react'; const advancedData = [ { id: 1, text: 'Documents', children: [ { id: 2, text: 'Project 1' }, { id: 3, text: 'Project 2' } ] }, { id: 4, text: 'Images', children: [ { id: 5, text: 'Vacation' }, { id: 6, text: 'Family' } ] }, { id: 7, text: 'Downloads' } ]; function AdvancedTreeExample() { const [data, setData] = useState(advancedData); const [selectedNode, setSelectedNode] = useState(null); const handleNodeClick = (node) => { setSelectedNode(node); console.log('Selected node:', node); }; return ( <div style={{ display: 'flex', padding: '20px' }}> <div style={{ width: '300px', border: '1px solid #ddd', borderRadius: '4px', padding: '10px' }}> <h3>File Tree</h3> <Tree data={data} onChange={setData} draggable={true} droppable={true} onNodeClick={handleNodeClick} /> </div> <div style={{ flex: 1, marginLeft: '20px', padding: '20px', border: '1px solid #ddd', borderRadius: '4px' }}> <h3>Selected Node</h3> {selectedNode ? ( <div> <p><strong>Text:</strong> {selectedNode.text}</p> <p><strong>ID:</strong> {selectedNode.id}</p> <p><strong>Has Children:</strong> {selectedNode.children ? 'Yes' : 'No'}</p> </div> ) : ( <p>No node selected</p> )} </div> </div> ); } export default AdvancedTreeExample; COMMAND_BLOCK: // src/AdvancedTreeExample.jsx import React, { useState } from 'react'; import { Tree } from 'he-tree-react'; const advancedData = [ { id: 1, text: 'Documents', children: [ { id: 2, text: 'Project 1' }, { id: 3, text: 'Project 2' } ] }, { id: 4, text: 'Images', children: [ { id: 5, text: 'Vacation' }, { id: 6, text: 'Family' } ] }, { id: 7, text: 'Downloads' } ]; function AdvancedTreeExample() { const [data, setData] = useState(advancedData); const [selectedNode, setSelectedNode] = useState(null); const handleNodeClick = (node) => { setSelectedNode(node); console.log('Selected node:', node); }; return ( <div style={{ display: 'flex', padding: '20px' }}> <div style={{ width: '300px', border: '1px solid #ddd', borderRadius: '4px', padding: '10px' }}> <h3>File Tree</h3> <Tree data={data} onChange={setData} draggable={true} droppable={true} onNodeClick={handleNodeClick} /> </div> <div style={{ flex: 1, marginLeft: '20px', padding: '20px', border: '1px solid #ddd', borderRadius: '4px' }}> <h3>Selected Node</h3> {selectedNode ? ( <div> <p><strong>Text:</strong> {selectedNode.text}</p> <p><strong>ID:</strong> {selectedNode.id}</p> <p><strong>Has Children:</strong> {selectedNode.children ? 'Yes' : 'No'}</p> </div> ) : ( <p>No node selected</p> )} </div> </div> ); } export default AdvancedTreeExample; COMMAND_BLOCK: // src/TaskOrganizer.jsx import React, { useState } from 'react'; import { Tree } from 'he-tree-react'; const initialTasks = [ { id: 1, text: '📋 Project Planning', children: [ { id: 2, text: '✅ Define requirements' }, { id: 3, text: '⏳ Create timeline' }, { id: 4, text: '📝 Write proposal' } ] }, { id: 5, text: '💻 Development', children: [ { id: 6, text: '✅ Setup project' }, { id: 7, text: '⏳ Implement features' }, { id: 8, text: '📝 Write tests' } ] }, { id: 9, text: '🚀 Deployment', children: [ { id: 10, text: '📝 Prepare release' } ] } ]; function TaskOrganizer() { const [tasks, setTasks] = useState(initialTasks); const handleChange = (newData) => { setTasks(newData); console.log('Tasks updated:', newData); }; return ( <div style={{ padding: '20px', maxWidth: '600px' }}> <h2>Task Organizer</h2> <p>Drag and drop tasks to reorganize them</p> <div style={{ border: '1px solid #ddd', borderRadius: '4px', padding: '10px', backgroundColor: '#f9f9f9' }}> <Tree data={tasks} onChange={handleChange} draggable={true} droppable={true} /> </div> </div> ); } export default TaskOrganizer; Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode COMMAND_BLOCK: // src/TaskOrganizer.jsx import React, { useState } from 'react'; import { Tree } from 'he-tree-react'; const initialTasks = [ { id: 1, text: '📋 Project Planning', children: [ { id: 2, text: '✅ Define requirements' }, { id: 3, text: '⏳ Create timeline' }, { id: 4, text: '📝 Write proposal' } ] }, { id: 5, text: '💻 Development', children: [ { id: 6, text: '✅ Setup project' }, { id: 7, text: '⏳ Implement features' }, { id: 8, text: '📝 Write tests' } ] }, { id: 9, text: '🚀 Deployment', children: [ { id: 10, text: '📝 Prepare release' } ] } ]; function TaskOrganizer() { const [tasks, setTasks] = useState(initialTasks); const handleChange = (newData) => { setTasks(newData); console.log('Tasks updated:', newData); }; return ( <div style={{ padding: '20px', maxWidth: '600px' }}> <h2>Task Organizer</h2> <p>Drag and drop tasks to reorganize them</p> <div style={{ border: '1px solid #ddd', borderRadius: '4px', padding: '10px', backgroundColor: '#f9f9f9' }}> <Tree data={tasks} onChange={handleChange} draggable={true} droppable={true} /> </div> </div> ); } export default TaskOrganizer; COMMAND_BLOCK: // src/TaskOrganizer.jsx import React, { useState } from 'react'; import { Tree } from 'he-tree-react'; const initialTasks = [ { id: 1, text: '📋 Project Planning', children: [ { id: 2, text: '✅ Define requirements' }, { id: 3, text: '⏳ Create timeline' }, { id: 4, text: '📝 Write proposal' } ] }, { id: 5, text: '💻 Development', children: [ { id: 6, text: '✅ Setup project' }, { id: 7, text: '⏳ Implement features' }, { id: 8, text: '📝 Write tests' } ] }, { id: 9, text: '🚀 Deployment', children: [ { id: 10, text: '📝 Prepare release' } ] } ]; function TaskOrganizer() { const [tasks, setTasks] = useState(initialTasks); const handleChange = (newData) => { setTasks(newData); console.log('Tasks updated:', newData); }; return ( <div style={{ padding: '20px', maxWidth: '600px' }}> <h2>Task Organizer</h2> <p>Drag and drop tasks to reorganize them</p> <div style={{ border: '1px solid #ddd', borderRadius: '4px', padding: '10px', backgroundColor: '#f9f9f9' }}> <Tree data={tasks} onChange={handleChange} draggable={true} droppable={true} /> </div> </div> ); } export default TaskOrganizer; CODE_BLOCK: // src/FileManager.jsx import React, { useState } from 'react'; import { Tree } from 'he-tree-react'; const initialFiles = [ { id: 1, text: '📁 Documents', children: [ { id: 2, text: '📄 report.pdf' }, { id: 3, text: '📄 presentation.pptx' } ] }, { id: 4, text: '📁 Images', children: [ { id: 5, text: '🖼️ photo1.jpg' }, { id: 6, text: '🖼️ photo2.png' } ] }, { id: 7, text: '📄 readme.txt' } ]; function FileManager() { const [files, setFiles] = useState(initialFiles); return ( <div style={{ padding: '20px', maxWidth: '500px' }}> <h2>File Manager</h2> <p>Drag files and folders to reorganize</p> <div style={{ border: '1px solid #ddd', borderRadius: '4px', padding: '10px' }}> <Tree data={files} onChange={setFiles} draggable={true} droppable={true} /> </div> </div> ); } export default FileManager; Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode CODE_BLOCK: // src/FileManager.jsx import React, { useState } from 'react'; import { Tree } from 'he-tree-react'; const initialFiles = [ { id: 1, text: '📁 Documents', children: [ { id: 2, text: '📄 report.pdf' }, { id: 3, text: '📄 presentation.pptx' } ] }, { id: 4, text: '📁 Images', children: [ { id: 5, text: '🖼️ photo1.jpg' }, { id: 6, text: '🖼️ photo2.png' } ] }, { id: 7, text: '📄 readme.txt' } ]; function FileManager() { const [files, setFiles] = useState(initialFiles); return ( <div style={{ padding: '20px', maxWidth: '500px' }}> <h2>File Manager</h2> <p>Drag files and folders to reorganize</p> <div style={{ border: '1px solid #ddd', borderRadius: '4px', padding: '10px' }}> <Tree data={files} onChange={setFiles} draggable={true} droppable={true} /> </div> </div> ); } export default FileManager; CODE_BLOCK: // src/FileManager.jsx import React, { useState } from 'react'; import { Tree } from 'he-tree-react'; const initialFiles = [ { id: 1, text: '📁 Documents', children: [ { id: 2, text: '📄 report.pdf' }, { id: 3, text: '📄 presentation.pptx' } ] }, { id: 4, text: '📁 Images', children: [ { id: 5, text: '🖼️ photo1.jpg' }, { id: 6, text: '🖼️ photo2.png' } ] }, { id: 7, text: '📄 readme.txt' } ]; function FileManager() { const [files, setFiles] = useState(initialFiles); return ( <div style={{ padding: '20px', maxWidth: '500px' }}> <h2>File Manager</h2> <p>Drag files and folders to reorganize</p> <div style={{ border: '1px solid #ddd', borderRadius: '4px', padding: '10px' }}> <Tree data={files} onChange={setFiles} draggable={true} droppable={true} /> </div> </div> ); } export default FileManager; CODE_BLOCK: // src/App.jsx import React from 'react'; import TaskOrganizer from './TaskOrganizer'; import FileManager from './FileManager'; import './App.css'; function App() { return ( <div className="App"> <TaskOrganizer /> <FileManager /> </div> ); } export default App; Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode CODE_BLOCK: // src/App.jsx import React from 'react'; import TaskOrganizer from './TaskOrganizer'; import FileManager from './FileManager'; import './App.css'; function App() { return ( <div className="App"> <TaskOrganizer /> <FileManager /> </div> ); } export default App; CODE_BLOCK: // src/App.jsx import React from 'react'; import TaskOrganizer from './TaskOrganizer'; import FileManager from './FileManager'; import './App.css'; function App() { return ( <div className="App"> <TaskOrganizer /> <FileManager /> </div> ); } export default App; - Node.js version 14.0 or higher installed - npm, yarn, or pnpm package manager - A React project (version 16.8 or higher) or create-react-app setup - Basic knowledge of React hooks (useState, useEffect) - Familiarity with JavaScript/TypeScript - Understanding of tree data structures and drag-and-drop - Tree: Main tree component with drag-and-drop - Node structure: Each node has id, text, and optional children - Drag and drop: Enable with draggable and droppable props - Change handler: Use onChange to update tree data - Tree data structure: Each node has id, text, and optional children array - Drag and drop: Move nodes by dragging to reorder or move between branches - State management: Update tree data through onChange callback - Nested structure: Support for multiple levels of nesting - Task organizer interface - Drag-and-drop functionality - File manager - Node reorganization - State management - Interactive tree structure - Tree not rendering: Make sure your data structure is correct. Each node needs id and text properties. Check that the data is an array. - Drag and drop not working: Ensure draggable and droppable props are set to true. Check browser console for errors. - State not updating: Make sure onChange handler is provided and updates state correctly. Use functional updates if needed. - Nodes not moving: Verify that nodes have unique id values. Check that onChange is properly updating the tree data. - Styling issues: he-tree-react provides default styles. Override with custom CSS. Check that styles aren't being overridden by global CSS. - Performance with large trees: For large trees, consider virtualizing or limiting the initial depth. Optimize re-renders with React.memo if needed. - Explore custom node rendering - Learn about drag constraints - Implement search and filtering - Add context menus - Create custom drag handles - Integrate with state management - Check the official repository: https://github.com/phphe/he-tree-react