mat-option disappears when tablet keyboard opens

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Summary

The issue at hand is that mat-option elements disappear when the tablet keyboard opens, specifically when the input field is located near the bottom of the screen. This problem arises because the keyboard overlay covers the options, and upon scrolling, it becomes apparent that the options are not merely hidden but actually removed.

Root Cause

The root cause of this issue can be attributed to the following factors:

  • Screen size and layout: The position of the input field on the screen affects how the keyboard overlay interacts with the mat-option elements.
  • Keyboard overlay behavior: The keyboard overlay covers the options, causing them to be removed from the DOM.
  • Angular Material implementation: The mat-autocomplete component’s behavior and styling may contribute to this issue.

Why This Happens in Real Systems

This issue occurs in real systems due to the complexities of handling keyboard overlays on different devices and screen sizes. The factors that contribute to this problem include:

  • Variability in device screen sizes and orientations
  • Diverse keyboard overlay behaviors across different devices and operating systems
  • Complexity of Angular Material component interactions

Real-World Impact

The real-world impact of this issue is significant, as it affects the usability and functionality of the application, particularly on tablet devices. The consequences include:

  • Frustrated users: Users may become frustrated when they are unable to select options from the autocomplete list.
  • Reduced user engagement: The issue may lead to reduced user engagement and interaction with the application.
  • Negative user experience: The problem can result in a negative overall user experience, potentially driving users away from the application.

Example or Code

import { Component, ViewChild } from '@angular/core';
import { MatAutocomplete } from '@angular/material/autocomplete';

@Component({
  selector: 'app-example',
  template: `
    
      Project
      
      
        
          {{item.volledignr}} - {{item.omschrijving}}
        
      
    
  `
})
export class ExampleComponent {
  @ViewChild('auto') auto: MatAutocomplete;
}

How Senior Engineers Fix It

Senior engineers can fix this issue by implementing the following solutions:

  • Using a custom autocomplete component: Creating a custom autocomplete component that handles keyboard overlay and screen size variations.
  • Implementing a scrollable container: Wrapping the mat-autocomplete component in a scrollable container to ensure options are not removed from the DOM.
  • Adjusting component styling and layout: Modifying the styling and layout of the mat-form-field and mat-autocomplete components to accommodate keyboard overlays.

Why Juniors Miss It

Junior engineers may miss this issue due to:

  • Lack of experience with Angular Material: Inadequate familiarity with Angular Material components and their behaviors.
  • Insufficient testing on diverse devices: Failure to test the application on various devices and screen sizes, leading to overlooked issues.
  • Limited understanding of keyboard overlay behavior: Incomplete knowledge of how keyboard overlays interact with web applications on different devices.