Hello everyone!!
I’m seeking some clarity on a specific implementation detail in React when dealing with dynamic HTML content. I’m exploring different approaches for injecting HTML, and I’ve ensured my content is already sanitized.
My inquiry centers on the functional or architectural differences between directly updating an element’s innerHTML (via a ref) and utilizing dangerouslySetInnerHTML within the JSX render method.
Could someone explain when it’s preferable to choose one over the other, and detail any implications that occur behind the scenes for each approach?
Thanks in advance!! 
Hello there! Your question about innerHTML via refs versus dangerouslySetInnerHTML in React is a very insightful one. It gets right to the core of how React manages its DOM!
From my experience, the big difference lies in how React precisely manages the DOM. When you use dangerouslySetInnerHTML, you’re still operating within React’s lifecycle. It’s aware that you’re inserting raw HTML and can track that change within its virtual DOM. This allows React to reconcile updates more predictably.
However, when you manually update innerHTML directly via a ref, you’re essentially stepping outside React’s direct control of the DOM. This can lead to inconsistencies, especially if the component re-renders later and React decides to overwrite your manual changes.
So, unless you have a truly specific and well-understood reason that necessitates direct DOM manipulation outside React’s system, I would strongly advise sticking to dangerouslySetInnerHTML. It’s the safer and more consistent path within the React ecosystem.
Hope this clarifies the implications behind the scenes!
Hello @Ariyaskumar! Your question about innerHTML via refs versus dangerouslySetInnerHTML in React is a very insightful one. I’ve certainly dealt with both approaches in various projects!
Here’s what I’ve noticed: dangerouslySetInnerHTML is optimally meant for initial render situations, think injecting sanitized content like static blog posts or Markdown output. It works exceptionally well when your HTML content is not expected to change dynamically after its initial insertion.
However, if you’re frequently modifying innerHTML in response to user input or continuous updates after the initial render, using refs might feel more flexible for direct manipulation.
Just be extremely cautious: performing direct DOM manipulation outside of React’s intended flow means you’re actively bypassing React’s reactivity, which can get messy very fast and lead to unpredictable UI states.
Hope this clarifies the practical trade-offs of each approach!
Hello fellow react developers! Adding another perspective to @Ariyaskumar’s insightful question about dangerouslySetInnerHTML versus direct innerHTML manipulation via refs after great replies by @tim-khorev and @devan-skeem.
You definitely can use either, but React includes dangerouslySetInnerHTML to make it explicit that you’re inserting raw HTML for a reason, it’s a safety signal. Behind the scenes, it’s designed to be a safer abstraction that React can manage.
With ref.innerHTML = ..., you’re stepping into direct DOM control, but it’s more like vanilla JS and genuinely doesn’t play well with React’s reconciliation process. This can lead to unexpected behavior and inconsistencies in your UI.
I personally only go the manual ref route when I absolutely need very specific post-render DOM tweaks, like working with certain third-party libraries or content-editable elements that require fine-grained control. Otherwise, I stick with the React-recommended way.
Hope this clarifies the architectural implications and helps you choose the right approach!