How to Safely Render Specific HTML Tags in React Using DOMPurify

Learn how to securely render specific HTML tags in React by using the DOMPurify library to sanitize your content. Keep your applications safe and clean!
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How to Safely Render Specific HTML Tags in React

In web development, rendering dynamic content that contains HTML can often pose security risks, particularly if that content is pulled from external sources. One common problem developers face is needing to display HTML content, but wanting to restrict it to certain tags while avoiding dangerous methods like dangerouslySetInnerHTML. If you're working with React and want to allow specific HTML tags—like <b>, <i>, <strong>, or <em>—this guide will guide you through the process.

The Challenge

Let's take an example scenario: you receive a string input from your server, which includes HTML tags like this:

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Your goal is to display this text in a way that only the allowed HTML tags are rendered correctly, while ensuring that other tags (including potentially harmful ones) are not executed or rendered.

The Solution: Using DOMPurify

To safely render HTML while permitting only specific tags, the DOMPurify library is a fantastic tool. It allows you to sanitize strings and remove any disallowed content. Here’s how you can implement this solution in your React application.

Step 1: Install DOMPurify

First, you’ll need to install the dompurify package. You can easily do this using npm or yarn:

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or

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Step 2: Create a React Component

Next, you will create a reusable React component that takes your string and the allowed tags as props.

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Step 3: Use the Component

Now, you can use your HTMLTagRenderer component wherever you need to render HTML content safely. Here’s an example of how to utilize it:

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Why This Works

Conclusion

Using the DOMPurify library, you can safely render specific HTML tags in your React applications without exposing your users to security risks. This solution allows you to maintain the dynamic nature of your applications while keeping them clean and safe.

Adopting these practices not only promotes secure coding but also helps in maintaining the integrity of your web applications.

By following the steps shared in this guide, you can rest easy knowing that your content is not only well-rendered but also securely handled. Happy coding!