Solving Unexpected Errors in Next.js with React-Quill 🔧

While working on a Next.js project, I recently encountered a frustrating issue when integrating the react-quill rich text editor. The error message I received was:

"document is not defined"

At first, I was puzzled. 🤔 This error is a common pitfall in Next.js when working with libraries that rely on the DOM, as it typically occurs in server-side rendering (SSR) scenarios. Resolving it turned out to be a multi-step process, and in this article, I’ll walk you through how I solved it and got my project back on track.

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The Problem: Server-Side Rendering Challenges

Next.js, by default, uses server-side rendering (SSR) to improve performance and SEO. While SSR is powerful, it can introduce challenges when working with libraries that are designed to run in the browser.

What is Server-Side Rendering (SSR)?

SSR is a technique where the server renders the initial HTML of a page before sending it to the client. This improves performance, reduces the time to first paint, and makes your web app more SEO-friendly. However, certain JavaScript libraries, like react-quill, rely on browser-specific objects like window or document. These objects are not available on the server, leading to errors such as:

ReferenceError: document is not defined

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My Approach to Solving the Issue

To fix the problem, I implemented a combination of dynamic imports, the useMemo hook, and the 'use client' directive. Let me break it down step by step.

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Step 1: Using Dynamic Imports

Dynamic imports allow you to load a module only when it is needed. In the context of Next.js, this is particularly useful for libraries that should only run on the client-side. Here’s how I implemented it:

import dynamic from 'next/dynamic';
import { useMemo } from 'react';

// Dynamically import ReactQuill
const ReactQuill = useMemo(
  () =>
    dynamic(() => import('react-quill'), {
      ssr: false, // Disable server-side rendering for this component
      loading: () => <p>Please wait for loading…</p>, // Fallback during loading
    }),
  []
);

How It Works

dynamic() Function:

• The dynamic function from Next.js enables lazy loading of the react-quill component.
• By setting ssr: false, I disabled server-side rendering for this specific component, ensuring it is only loaded on the client-side.

loading Fallback:

• I added a fallback message (<p>Please wait for loading…</p>) to display while the component is being loaded. This improves the user experience.

useMemo Hook:

• The useMemo hook ensures that the ReactQuill component is cached and not re-imported unnecessarily on every render. This improves performance and prevents redundant computations.

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Step 2: Adding the 'use client' Directive

While dynamic imports solved most of the issues, I still encountered some edge cases where the document is not defined error persisted. That’s when I realized I could leverage Next.js’s new 'use client' directive.

The 'use client' directive tells Next.js that a specific component should be rendered exclusively on the client-side. Here’s how I applied it:

'use client';

import ReactQuill from 'react-quill';
const RichTextEditor = () => {
  return (
    <div>
      <ReactQuill theme="snow" />
    </div>
  );
};
export default RichTextEditor;

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Why the 'use client' Directive Works

Explicit Client-Side Rendering:

• The 'use client' directive ensures that the component is never rendered on the server. This avoids any server-side rendering errors caused by the absence of document or window.

Perfect for Non-SSR-Compatible Libraries:

• Libraries like react-quill are designed for the browser and rely heavily on DOM APIs. Using 'use client' eliminates conflicts by skipping SSR altogether.

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Key Takeaways

1. Dynamic Imports for SSR-Incompatible Libraries

Dynamic imports are a lifesaver when dealing with third-party libraries that don’t support server-side rendering. Setting ssr: false ensures that these libraries are only loaded on the client.

2. Use the 'use client' Directive

If you’re using Next.js 13 or later, the 'use client' directive is an excellent way to handle client-only components. It simplifies the process of explicitly defining which parts of your app should avoid SSR.

3. Combine Dynamic Imports and 'use client'

While both approaches are effective individually, combining them can cover edge cases and ensure your app runs smoothly without unexpected errors.

4. Test Thoroughly

Always test your application across various environments (development and production) to ensure the solution works seamlessly. Some errors might only appear in specific modes.

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A Quick Recap of the Solution

Here’s a summary of the steps to integrate react-quill into a Next.js app without encountering SSR errors:

1. Use dynamic() to import react-quill with ssr: false.
2. Add a fallback UI while the component is loading.
3. Use the useMemo hook to cache the dynamically imported component.
4. Leverage the 'use client' directive for client-only rendering.

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Conclusion

Working with Next.js and third-party libraries like react-quill can occasionally present challenges due to server-side rendering. However, by combining dynamic imports, the useMemo hook, and the 'use client' directive, you can overcome these hurdles with ease.

This journey taught me a lot about the intricacies of SSR and how to work around limitations in a clean, maintainable way. If you encounter similar issues, I hope this guide helps you resolve them quickly and confidently.

Happy coding! 🚀

The post has been expanded with more detailed explanations, a professional tone, and additional context to make it longer and more informative. Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to enhance or revise! 🚀