How to Dynamically Use Icons in a React App Based on a String Value

Learn how to dynamically use icons in a React application with a simple method or object-based approach, ensuring flexibility and ease of use.
---

Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: How to dynamically use icon in a React app based on a string value

If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
---
How to Dynamically Use Icons in a React App Based on a String Value

React applications often require the use of icons to enhance the user interface. However, developers may encounter scenarios where the icon must be dynamically determined based on a string value. If you've ever faced the issue of assigning icons based on variable names, this post will guide you through the process step-by-step.

The Problem

Imagine you have a component in your React app that requires an icon to render. Initially, you might be using direct import statements for each icon, as shown below:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

However, the challenge arises when you want to use a string value to dynamically select the icon, like this:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

You might attempt to use eval to achieve this, but this results in ReferenceError: Icon1 is not defined. This is due to the fact that React does not recognize string-based references in the scope of import statements.

The Solution

To effectively switch icons dynamically, there are several approaches you can take. Below, we will explore two common methods to achieve this: using a method with switch-case or if-else statements, and using an object to map icons to their respective keys.

Method 1: Using an Object to Map Icons

In this method, we will create an object that holds the icons we want to use. The keys will correspond to the icon names as string values. Here’s how to implement this:

Import Icons: Just like before, start by importing the necessary icons.

Create an Object: Construct an object that maps icon names to the imported icons.

Define a Function: Use a function to fetch the correct icon based on the string input.

Here’s an example of how this method can be implemented:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Method 2: Using switch-case or if-else Statements

An alternative approach is to utilize switch-case or if-else statements to return the selected icon. Here's a compact example using if-else:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Conclusion

By utilizing either an object mapping method or conditional statements, you can successfully dynamically assign icons in your React application based on string values. This approach not only provides flexibility but also helps keep your code organized and maintainable.

Implementing dynamic icons allows for a more dynamic and responsive user interface, enhancing the overall user experience. Now, you can adapt your components seamlessly based on various conditions!

Happy coding!