Hey everyone,
I’m working on a project and I’m wondering if there’s a JavaScript-based text layout system that works like the one in Google Docs. You know how smooth and responsive the text editing is in Google Docs, right?
I’ve been looking into this and it appears that Google Docs avoids using the typical features like designMode and contentEditable. Instead, they have developed a unique solution. I heard Microsoft Office Online might be using a similar approach as well.
So, has anyone come across a JavaScript library or engine that can manage text layout with a similar level of performance? I’m not looking for a full word processor, just something that can handle basic layout and responsiveness. Any suggestions or experiences would be a great help. Thanks in advance!
have u looked at TinyMCE? its pretty good for basic text editing n layout. not exactly google docs level but might work 4 ur project. ive used it before and its pretty easy to set up. just a thought!
As someone who’s spent countless hours tinkering with text editors, I can tell you that replicating Google Docs’ functionality is no small feat. However, I’ve had success using Draft.js, which is Facebook’s rich text editor framework for React. It’s incredibly flexible and performant, allowing for real-time collaboration and custom styling.
Another option I’ve explored is Slate.js. It’s more of a low-level framework, giving you granular control over the editing experience. The learning curve is steeper, but the results can be impressive if you’re willing to put in the work.
One thing to keep in mind is that these solutions often require significant customization to achieve a Google Docs-like experience. You’ll likely need to implement your own rendering logic and optimize for performance. It’s a challenging but rewarding process if you’re up for it.
Remember, the key is to focus on the specific features you need rather than trying to replicate Google Docs entirely. Start small, iterate, and you’ll be surprised at what you can achieve.
I’ve actually been researching this topic for a while now, and it’s quite a complex area. From what I’ve gathered, Google Docs uses a custom-built text layout engine that’s not publicly available. However, there are some open-source alternatives that might suit your needs.
One option worth looking into is ProseMirror. It’s a toolkit for building rich-text editors in JavaScript and offers a lot of flexibility. Another interesting project is Quill, which provides a powerful API for creating custom editors.
For something closer to Google Docs’ performance, you might want to check out CodeMirror. It’s primarily designed for code editing but can be adapted for general text editing and offers excellent performance.
Keep in mind that replicating Google Docs’ exact functionality is a massive undertaking. These alternatives might not match its full capabilities, but they could provide a solid foundation for your project.