Dynamic Form Module

The ABP Dynamic Form Module is a powerful component that allows you to create dynamic, configurable forms without writing extensive HTML templates. It provides a declarative way to define form fields with validation, conditional logic, grid layout, and custom components.

Installation

The Dynamic Form Module is part of the @abp/ng.components package. If you haven't installed it yet, install it via npm:

npm install @abp/ng.components

Usage

Import the DynamicFormComponent in your component:

import { DynamicFormComponent } from '@abp/ng.components/dynamic-form';

@Component({
  selector: 'app-my-component',
  imports: [DynamicFormComponent],
  templateUrl: './my-component.component.html',
})
export class MyComponent {}

Basic Example

Here's a simple example of how to use the dynamic form:

import { Component } from '@angular/core';
import { DynamicFormComponent } from '@abp/ng.components/dynamic-form';
import { FormFieldConfig } from '@abp/ng.components/dynamic-form';

@Component({
  selector: 'app-user-form',
  imports: [DynamicFormComponent],
  template: `
    <abp-dynamic-form
      [fields]="formFields"
      [submitButtonText]="'Submit'"
      [showCancelButton]="true"
      (onSubmit)="handleSubmit($event)"
      (formCancel)="handleCancel()"
    />
  `,
})
export class UserFormComponent {
  formFields: FormFieldConfig[] = [
    {
      key: 'firstName',
      type: 'text',
      label: 'First Name',
      placeholder: 'Enter your first name',
      required: true,
      order: 1,
    },
    {
      key: 'lastName',
      type: 'text',
      label: 'Last Name',
      placeholder: 'Enter your last name',
      required: true,
      order: 2,
    },
    {
      key: 'email',
      type: 'email',
      label: 'Email',
      placeholder: 'Enter your email',
      required: true,
      order: 3,
    },
  ];

  handleSubmit(formValue: any) {
    console.log('Form submitted:', formValue);
    // Handle form submission
  }

  handleCancel() {
    console.log('Form cancelled');
    // Handle form cancellation
  }
}

Component Inputs

The DynamicFormComponent accepts the following inputs:

Component Outputs

FormFieldConfig Properties

The FormFieldConfig interface defines the structure of each field in the form:

interface FormFieldConfig {
  key: string;                    // Unique identifier for the field
  type: FieldType;                // Type of the field
  label: string;                  // Label text for the field
  value?: any;                    // Initial value
  placeholder?: string;           // Placeholder text
  required?: boolean;             // Whether the field is required
  disabled?: boolean;             // Whether the field is disabled
  options?: OptionProps;          // Options for select/radio (static or API)
  validators?: ValidatorConfig[]; // Array of validator configurations
  conditionalLogic?: ConditionalRule[]; // Array of conditional rules
  order?: number;                 // Display order (ascending)
  gridSize?: number;              // Bootstrap grid size (1-12)
  component?: Type<ControlValueAccessor>; // Custom component

  // Type-specific attributes
  min?: number | string;          // number, date, time, range
  max?: number | string;          // number, date, time, range
  step?: number | string;         // number, time, range
  minLength?: number;             // text, password
  maxLength?: number;             // text, password
  pattern?: string;               // tel, text (regex)
  accept?: string;                // file (e.g. "image/*")
  multiple?: boolean;             // file

  // Nested forms (group / array)
  children?: FormFieldConfig[];   // Child fields for group/array
  minItems?: number;              // array: minimum items (default 0)
  maxItems?: number;              // array: maximum items
}

Field Types

The following field types are supported:

Notes:

• file: form value is File or File[] when multiple is true. Use accept (e.g. "image/*") to limit types.
• range: defaults min 0, max 100, step 1 if omitted.
• radio: requires options (static defaultValues or url).

Validators

You can add validators to your form fields using the validators property:

const formFields: FormFieldConfig[] = [
  {
    key: 'username',
    type: 'text',
    label: 'Username',
    validators: [
      {
        type: 'required',
        message: 'Username is required',
      },
      {
        type: 'minLength',
        value: 3,
        message: 'Username must be at least 3 characters',
      },
      {
        type: 'maxLength',
        value: 20,
        message: 'Username must not exceed 20 characters',
      },
    ],
  },
  {
    key: 'age',
    type: 'number',
    label: 'Age',
    validators: [
      {
        type: 'min',
        value: 18,
        message: 'You must be at least 18 years old',
      },
      {
        type: 'max',
        value: 100,
        message: 'Age must not exceed 100',
      },
    ],
  },
];

Available Validator Types

Select and Radio Fields with Options

You can create select dropdowns or radio groups with static or dynamic options. Both use the options property (OptionProps).

Static Options

const formFields: FormFieldConfig[] = [
  {
    key: 'country',
    type: 'select',
    label: 'Country',
    options: {
      defaultValues: [
        { key: 'us', value: 'United States' },
        { key: 'uk', value: 'United Kingdom' },
        { key: 'ca', value: 'Canada' },
      ],
      valueProp: 'key',
      labelProp: 'value',
    },
  },
];

Dynamic Options from API

const formFields: FormFieldConfig[] = [
  {
    key: 'department',
    type: 'select',
    label: 'Department',
    options: {
      url: '/api/departments',
      apiName: 'MyApi',
      valueProp: 'id',
      labelProp: 'name',
    },
  },
];

OptionProps Interface

Used for select and radio fields. Provide either static defaultValues or url for API-driven options:

interface OptionProps<T = any> {
  defaultValues?: T[];           // Static array of options
  url?: string;                  // API endpoint URL (fetched via RestService)
  disabled?: (option: T) => boolean; // Function to disable specific options
  labelProp?: string;            // Property name for label (default 'value')
  valueProp?: string;            // Property name for value (default 'key')
  apiName?: string;              // API name for RestService when using url
}

When using url, the response array is mapped with valueProp / labelProp to build options. Localization is applied to labels via abpLocalization where applicable.

Conditional Logic

The Dynamic Form Module supports conditional logic to show/hide or enable/disable fields based on other field values:

const formFields: FormFieldConfig[] = [
  {
    key: 'hasLicense',
    type: 'checkbox',
    label: 'Do you have a driver\'s license?',
    order: 1,
  },
  {
    key: 'licenseNumber',
    type: 'text',
    label: 'License Number',
    placeholder: 'Enter your license number',
    order: 2,
    conditionalLogic: [
      {
        dependsOn: 'hasLicense',
        condition: 'equals',
        value: true,
        action: 'show',
      },
    ],
  },
  {
    key: 'age',
    type: 'number',
    label: 'Age',
    order: 3,
  },
  {
    key: 'parentConsent',
    type: 'checkbox',
    label: 'Parent Consent Required',
    order: 4,
    conditionalLogic: [
      {
        dependsOn: 'age',
        condition: 'lessThan',
        value: 18,
        action: 'show',
      },
    ],
  },
];

Conditional Rule Interface

interface ConditionalRule {
  dependsOn: string;    // Key of the field to watch
  condition: string;    // Condition type
  value: any;          // Value to compare against
  action: string;      // Action to perform
}

Available Conditions

• equals - Field value equals the specified value
• notEquals - Field value does not equal the specified value
• contains - Field value contains the specified value (for strings/arrays)
• greaterThan - Field value is greater than the specified value (for numbers)
• lessThan - Field value is less than the specified value (for numbers)

Available Actions

• show - Show the field when condition is met
• hide - Hide the field when condition is met
• enable - Enable the field when condition is met
• disable - Disable the field when condition is met

Grid Layout

You can use the gridSize property to control the Bootstrap grid layout:

const formFields: FormFieldConfig[] = [
  {
    key: 'firstName',
    type: 'text',
    label: 'First Name',
    gridSize: 6, // Half width
    order: 1,
  },
  {
    key: 'lastName',
    type: 'text',
    label: 'Last Name',
    gridSize: 6, // Half width
    order: 2,
  },
  {
    key: 'address',
    type: 'textarea',
    label: 'Address',
    gridSize: 12, // Full width
    order: 3,
  },
];

The gridSize property uses Bootstrap's 12-column grid system. If not specified, it defaults to 12 (full width).

Nested Forms

The Dynamic Form supports nested structures via two field types:

Group Type

Use type: 'group' to group related fields (e.g. address, contact info). Define child fields in children:

{
  key: 'address',
  type: 'group',
  label: 'Address Information',
  gridSize: 12,
  children: [
    { key: 'street', type: 'text', label: 'Street', gridSize: 8 },
    { key: 'city', type: 'text', label: 'City', gridSize: 4 },
    { key: 'zipCode', type: 'text', label: 'ZIP Code', gridSize: 6 },
  ],
}

Output: { "address": { "street": "...", "city": "...", "zipCode": "..." } }

Groups use <fieldset> / <legend> for semantics and accessibility. Nesting is recursive (groups inside groups).

Array Type

Use type: 'array' for dynamic lists with add/remove (e.g. phone numbers, work experience). Set children for each item schema, and optionally minItems / maxItems:

{
  key: 'phoneNumbers',
  type: 'array',
  label: 'Phone Numbers',
  minItems: 1,
  maxItems: 5,
  gridSize: 12,
  children: [
    {
      key: 'type',
      type: 'select',
      label: 'Type',
      gridSize: 4,
      options: {
        defaultValues: [
          { key: 'mobile', value: 'Mobile' },
          { key: 'home', value: 'Home' },
          { key: 'work', value: 'Work' },
        ],
      },
    },
    { key: 'number', type: 'tel', label: 'Number', gridSize: 8 },
  ],
}

Output: { "phoneNumbers": [ { "type": "mobile", "number": "..." }, ... ] }

Arrays render add/remove buttons, item labels (e.g. "Phone Number #1"), and respect minItems / maxItems. You can nest groups inside arrays and arrays inside groups.

See NESTED-FORMS.md in the package and apps/dev-app/src/app/dynamic-form-page for more examples.

Custom Components

You can use custom components for specific fields by providing a component that implements ControlValueAccessor:

// custom-rating.component.ts
import { Component, forwardRef } from '@angular/core';
import { ControlValueAccessor, NG_VALUE_ACCESSOR } from '@angular/forms';

@Component({
  selector: 'app-custom-rating',
  template: `
    <div class="rating">
      @for (star of [1,2,3,4,5]; track star) {
        <span
          class="star"
          [class.filled]="star <= value"
          (click)="setValue(star)">
          ★
        </span>
      }
    </div>
  `,
  styles: [`
    .star { cursor: pointer; font-size: 24px; color: #ccc; }
    .star.filled { color: #ffc107; }
  `],
  providers: [{
    provide: NG_VALUE_ACCESSOR,
    useExisting: forwardRef(() => CustomRatingComponent),
    multi: true
  }]
})
export class CustomRatingComponent implements ControlValueAccessor {
  value = 0;
  onChange: any = () => {};
  onTouched: any = () => {};

  setValue(rating: number) {
    this.value = rating;
    this.onChange(rating);
    this.onTouched();
  }

  writeValue(value: any): void {
    this.value = value || 0;
  }

  registerOnChange(fn: any): void {
    this.onChange = fn;
  }

  registerOnTouched(fn: any): void {
    this.onTouched = fn;
  }
}

Then use it in your form configuration:

import { CustomRatingComponent } from './custom-rating.component';

const formFields: FormFieldConfig[] = [
  {
    key: 'rating',
    type: 'text', // Type is ignored when using custom component
    label: 'Rating',
    component: CustomRatingComponent,
    value: 3,
  },
];

Setting Initial Values

You can set initial values for the form fields in two ways:

1. Using the value property in FormFieldConfig

const formFields: FormFieldConfig[] = [
  {
    key: 'firstName',
    type: 'text',
    label: 'First Name',
    value: 'John',
  },
];

2. Using the values input

@Component({
  template: `
    <abp-dynamic-form
      [fields]="formFields"
      [values]="initialValues"
      (onSubmit)="handleSubmit($event)"
    />
  `,
})
export class MyComponent {
  formFields: FormFieldConfig[] = [
    {
      key: 'firstName',
      type: 'text',
      label: 'First Name',
    },
    {
      key: 'lastName',
      type: 'text',
      label: 'Last Name',
    },
  ];

  initialValues = {
    firstName: 'John',
    lastName: 'Doe',
  };

  handleSubmit(formValue: any) {
    console.log(formValue);
  }
}

Programmatic Form Control

You can access the form instance using the exportAs property and template reference variable:

@Component({
  template: `
    <abp-dynamic-form
      #myForm="abpDynamicForm"
      [fields]="formFields"
      (onSubmit)="handleSubmit($event)"
    />

    <button (click)="myForm.resetForm()">Reset Form</button>
  `,
})
export class MyComponent {
  formFields: FormFieldConfig[] = [
    // ... field configurations
  ];

  handleSubmit(formValue: any) {
    console.log(formValue);
  }
}

Available Methods

• resetForm() - Resets the form to its initial state
• submit() - Programmatically submit the form

Custom Action Buttons

You can customize the action buttons by projecting your own content:

@Component({
  template: `
    <abp-dynamic-form
      [fields]="formFields"
      (onSubmit)="handleSubmit($event)">

      <div actions class="form-actions">
        <button type="button" class="btn btn-secondary" (click)="handleCancel()">
          Cancel
        </button>
        <button type="submit" class="btn btn-success">
          Save Changes
        </button>
        <button type="button" class="btn btn-info" (click)="handleDraft()">
          Save as Draft
        </button>
      </div>
    </abp-dynamic-form>
  `,
})
export class MyComponent {
  formFields: FormFieldConfig[] = [
    // ... field configurations
  ];

  handleSubmit(formValue: any) {
    console.log('Form submitted:', formValue);
  }

  handleCancel() {
    console.log('Cancelled');
  }

  handleDraft() {
    console.log('Saved as draft');
  }
}

Accessibility

The Dynamic Form includes built-in accessibility support:

• ARIA attributes: aria-label, aria-required, aria-invalid, aria-describedby, aria-busy on inputs and actions; role="form", role="group", role="radiogroup", role="alert" where appropriate.
• Semantic HTML: <fieldset> / <legend> for groups; proper <label> / for associations.
• Error handling: Validation errors are exposed via aria-describedby and aria-live="polite" so screen readers announce them.
• Focus management: On submit when the form is invalid, focus moves to the first invalid field and it scrolls into view.
• Keyboard navigation: All controls are keyboard-accessible; range and color inputs use appropriate ARIA value attributes.

When using custom components or projected actions, keep labels, error associations, and focus behavior consistent for a good experience.

Complete Example

Here's a complete example demonstrating various features:

import { Component } from '@angular/core';
import { DynamicFormComponent } from '@abp/ng.components/dynamic-form';
import { FormFieldConfig } from '@abp/ng.components/dynamic-form';

@Component({
  selector: 'app-employee-form',
  imports: [DynamicFormComponent],
  template: `
    <div class="container">
      <h2>Employee Registration</h2>
      <abp-dynamic-form
        #employeeForm="abpDynamicForm"
        [fields]="formFields"
        [submitButtonText]="'Register Employee'"
        [showCancelButton]="true"
        [submitInProgress]="isSubmitting"
        (onSubmit)="handleSubmit($event)"
        (formCancel)="handleCancel()"
      />
    </div>
  `,
})
export class EmployeeFormComponent {
  isSubmitting = false;

  formFields: FormFieldConfig[] = [
    // Personal Information
    {
      key: 'firstName',
      type: 'text',
      label: 'First Name',
      placeholder: 'Enter first name',
      required: true,
      gridSize: 6,
      order: 1,
      validators: [
        { type: 'required', message: 'First name is required' },
        { type: 'minLength', value: 2, message: 'First name must be at least 2 characters' },
      ],
    },
    {
      key: 'lastName',
      type: 'text',
      label: 'Last Name',
      placeholder: 'Enter last name',
      required: true,
      gridSize: 6,
      order: 2,
      validators: [
        { type: 'required', message: 'Last name is required' },
        { type: 'minLength', value: 2, message: 'Last name must be at least 2 characters' },
      ],
    },
    {
      key: 'email',
      type: 'email',
      label: 'Email',
      placeholder: 'Enter email address',
      required: true,
      gridSize: 6,
      order: 3,
      validators: [
        { type: 'required', message: 'Email is required' },
        { type: 'email', message: 'Please enter a valid email address' },
      ],
    },
    {
      key: 'phoneNumber',
      type: 'text',
      label: 'Phone Number',
      placeholder: 'Enter phone number',
      gridSize: 6,
      order: 4,
    },

    // Employment Details
    {
      key: 'department',
      type: 'select',
      label: 'Department',
      required: true,
      gridSize: 6,
      order: 5,
      options: {
        defaultValues: [
          { id: 1, name: 'Engineering' },
          { id: 2, name: 'Marketing' },
          { id: 3, name: 'Sales' },
          { id: 4, name: 'Human Resources' },
        ],
        valueProp: 'id',
        labelProp: 'name',
      },
      validators: [
        { type: 'required', message: 'Department is required' },
      ],
    },
    {
      key: 'position',
      type: 'text',
      label: 'Position',
      placeholder: 'Enter position',
      required: true,
      gridSize: 6,
      order: 6,
      validators: [
        { type: 'required', message: 'Position is required' },
      ],
    },
    {
      key: 'startDate',
      type: 'date',
      label: 'Start Date',
      required: true,
      gridSize: 6,
      order: 7,
      validators: [
        { type: 'required', message: 'Start date is required' },
      ],
    },

    // Conditional Fields
    {
      key: 'isManager',
      type: 'checkbox',
      label: 'Is this person a manager?',
      gridSize: 12,
      order: 8,
    },
    {
      key: 'teamSize',
      type: 'number',
      label: 'Team Size',
      placeholder: 'Number of team members',
      gridSize: 6,
      order: 9,
      conditionalLogic: [
        {
          dependsOn: 'isManager',
          condition: 'equals',
          value: true,
          action: 'show',
        },
      ],
      validators: [
        { type: 'min', value: 1, message: 'Team size must be at least 1' },
      ],
    },
    {
      key: 'managementExperience',
      type: 'textarea',
      label: 'Management Experience',
      placeholder: 'Describe your management experience',
      gridSize: 12,
      order: 10,
      conditionalLogic: [
        {
          dependsOn: 'isManager',
          condition: 'equals',
          value: true,
          action: 'show',
        },
      ],
    },

    // Additional Information
    {
      key: 'notes',
      type: 'textarea',
      label: 'Additional Notes',
      placeholder: 'Any additional information',
      gridSize: 12,
      order: 11,
    },
  ];

  handleSubmit(formValue: any) {
    this.isSubmitting = true;

    console.log('Employee Data:', formValue);

    // Simulate API call
    setTimeout(() => {
      this.isSubmitting = false;
      alert('Employee registered successfully!');
    }, 2000);
  }

  handleCancel() {
    if (confirm('Are you sure you want to cancel?')) {
      // Navigate back or reset form
      console.log('Form cancelled');
    }
  }
}

API Reference

DynamicFormComponent

Properties

Methods

DynamicFormService

The DynamicFormService provides utility methods for form management. It is providedIn: 'root'.

Methods

Nested forms use DynamicFormGroupComponent and DynamicFormArrayComponent internally. You configure them via type: 'group' / type: 'array' and children; you do not need to use these components directly.

See Also

• Form Validation
• Form Input Component
• Dynamic Form Extensions