Disable Submit button if Form fields have not changed in a Nuxt/Vue app
Tags: jamstack, nuxt, javascript, webdev
Published: 2021-02-01 11:17:33

---
canonical_url: https://www.ravsam.in/blog/disable-submit-button-if-form-fields-have-not-changed-in-a-nuxt-vue-app/
date: 2021-02-01 10:49:07 UTC
published: true
tags: jamstack,nuxt,javascript,webdevelopment
title: Disable Submit button if Form fields have not changed in a Nuxt/Vue app
---

> This blog was originally published on [RavSam’s blog](https://www.ravsam.in/blog/disable-submit-button-if-form-fields-have-not-changed-in-a-nuxt-vue-app/).

Forms are one of the most important aspects of any application. It is considered a good UX practice to keep the **Save/Submit** button disabled until the form contents have not changed. In this blog, we will take a look at how can we accomplish this behaviour in a Nuxt/Vue app.

##### Contents

- 1. Creating a Form Template
- 2. Writing Vuex Code
- 3. Writing Computed and Watch properties
- Results

Let us create a simple form which will help us to understand the concepts of **computed** and **watch** properties. In our index.vue in pages directory, let us add the following form template:

```vue
<template>
  <form>
    <label>Name</label>
    <input v-model='form.name' />
    <label>Age</label>
    <input v-model='form.age' />
    <button :disabled="!changed">Save</button>
  <form>
</template>
```

Let us understand the above template. We have bound our form data model to form inputs using **v-model**. In our **Save** button, we will disable it if the form fields have not changed.

#### 2. Writing Vuex Code

In this example, we will use **Vuex Store’s** state, actions and mutations to store state and fetch our form data.

```js
// initialize the state variables
export const state = () => ({
  form: {}
})

export const actions = {
  // action to setup form data
  // we can also do an api call as well
  init({ commit }) {
    const data = {
      name: 'Ravgeet',
      age: '21',
    }

    // commit mutuation for changing the state
    commit('setFormData', data)
  }
}

export const mutations = {
  // mutation to change the state
  setFormData(state, data) {
    state.form = data
  }
}
```

#### 3. Writing Computed and Watch properties

Our template and Vuex Store are set. Now is the time to implement our application logic in our template’s script. In our pages/index.vue, let us add the following code:

```vue
<script>
import _ from 'lodash'

export default {
  data() {
    return {
      changed: false, // useful for storing form change state
      form: {}, // data variable to store current form data binding
    }
  },

  computed: {
    // store the original form data
    originalForm() {
      return this.$store.state.form
    }
  },

  watch: {
    // by watching the original form data
    // create a clone of original form data
    // and assign it to the form data variable
    originalForm() {
      this.form = _.cloneDeep(this.originalForm)
    },

    // watch the changes on the form data variable
    form: {
      handler() {
        // using lodash to compare original form data and current form data
        this.changed = !_.isEqual(this.form, this.originalForm)
      },
      // useful to watch deeply nested properties on a data variable
      deep: true,
    },
  },

  created() {
    // dispatch an action to fill the store with data
    this.$store.dispatch('init')
  }
}
</script>
```

In our **computed** and **watch** properties, we need to clone and compare JS objects. **Lodash** is a great library for working with JS objects and we will install the same by doing:

```bash
$ npm install --save lodash
```

Now that we have written our code, let us understand what is happening in the above code.

- When the component is created, an action init is dispatched using a **created** hook. This action causes a mutation in the store and fills the form state variable.

- The value of the computed property, originalForm is calculated as it is dependent upon form state variable.

- As the value of originalForm is being watched using **watch** hook, the code inside it is executed. A deep clone of originalForm is made and assigned to form data variable.

- Since the value of form is being watched, we use a handler and deep property to run our business logic. We simply check whether the form and originalForm variables are equal using Lodash.

At first, it looks like something very complex is going on but once we break down the things it makes sense.

#### Results

Let us navigate to our browser and check whether we have been able to achieve our purpose of disabling the form submit button if the form fields have not changed at all.

![Tutorial to display notification when user is offline in Nuxt/Vue](https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/840/0*W-m1mB74EqVDwWQQ.gif)

_Voila_! We have successfully implemented our workflow. This adds to the UX of our application and saves the user from the frustration especially in long forms. If you any doubts or appreciation, let us know in the comments below.

If you loved my article, please clap 👏 for it.

#### Connect with Me

I love writing for the community while working on my freelance projects. Connect with me through [Twitter](https://twitter.com/ravgeetdhillon) • [LinkedIn](https://linkedin.com/in/ravgeetdhillon) • [Github](https://github.com/ravgeetdhillon) • [Email](mailto:ravgeetdhillon@gmail.com).

#### About RavSam Web Solutions

We are helping companies and startups to set up Web and Mobile Apps powered by modern JAMstack architecture. Reach out to us to know more about our services, pricing, or anything else. We are always looking forward to work on great ideas. If you are looking for [an application development company](https://www.ravsam.in/), you are most welcome to get in touch with us.

#### You might also enjoy reading

- [Offline Toast notification in Nuxt/Vue app](https://www.ravsam.in/blog/offline-toast-notification-in-nuxt-vue-app/)

- [5 Netlify plugins to ensure a great UX for your website](https://www.ravsam.in/blog/5-netlify-plugins-to-ensure-a-great-web-experience/)

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