Ref is just a way to manipulate the DOM just in a similar manner as jQuery.
\nSimple example:<\/p>\n
\r\n\r\nimport React from "react";\r\nimport ReactDOM from "react-dom";\r\n\r\nclass App extends React.Component {\r\n constructor(props) {\r\n super(props);\r\n this.myRef = React.createRef();\r\n this.focusTextInput = this.focusTextInput.bind(this);\r\n }\r\n focusTextInput() {\r\n this.myRef.current.focus();\r\n this.myRef.current.value = "WORLD";\r\n }\r\n render() {\r\n return (\r\n <div>\r\n <div>HELLO<\/div>\r\n <div>\r\n <input type="text" ref={this.myRef} \/>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <div>\r\n <button onClick={this.focusTextInput}>Focus!<\/button>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n );\r\n }\r\n}\r\n\r\nconst rootElement = document.getElementById("root");\r\nReactDOM.render(<App \/>, rootElement);\r\n\r\n<\/pre>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"