Feature Request: When Using Text-input, Range And Partial-range, Allow Typing A Single Date

Mar 13, 2025 by ADMIN 92 views

Feature Request: Simplifying Date Range Input for Enhanced User Experience

When it comes to selecting a range of dates for a document search or any other application, a date picker is often the most convenient and user-friendly option. However, when using a text-input method to select a date range, typing a single date can be a cumbersome process. This article highlights a feature request to simplify this process by allowing users to type a single date when using text-input, range, and partial-range.

We use a date picker to select a range of dates for a document search. In this context, a single date is a valid 'range'. This is easy enough to choose when using the mouse, but when typing it involves typing out the date twice, e.g. 13/5/2025-13/5/2025 which can get pretty cumbersome. This issue arises because the current implementation of the date picker does not recognize a single date as a valid input for the range.

If a single date is entered using text input, accept that as valid input for the range and set the start and end date for the range to the same date. This simple yet effective solution will greatly enhance the user experience, making it easier and more efficient for users to select a date range using the text-input method.

Benefits of the Solution

The proposed solution offers several benefits, including:

Improved user experience: By allowing users to type a single date, the process of selecting a date range becomes more intuitive and user-friendly.
Increased efficiency: Users will no longer need to type out the date twice, saving them time and effort.
Reduced errors: With a single date input, the likelihood of errors decreases, as users are less likely to make mistakes when typing the same date twice.

Before proposing this feature request, we explored various workarounds using input events. However, these solutions quickly became unwieldy and complex, making them less desirable. Some of the alternatives considered include:

Custom JavaScript code: We could have written custom JavaScript code to handle the date input and range selection. However, this approach would have added complexity to the codebase and may have introduced new bugs.
Third-party libraries: We could have used third-party libraries to simplify the date input and range selection process. However, this would have introduced dependencies on external libraries and may have affected the overall performance of the application.

To implement this feature request, the following changes would be required:

Update the date picker library: The date picker library would need to be updated to recognize a single date as a valid input for the range.
Modify the text-input handling: The text-input handling code would need to be modified to accept a single date as a valid input and set the start and end date for the range to the same date.
Test and validate: The updated code would need to be thoroughly tested and validated to ensure that it works as expected and does not introduce any new bugs.

In conclusion, the proposed feature request to allow typing a single date when using text-input, range, and partial-range will greatly enhance the user experience and make the process of selecting a date range more efficient and intuitive. By accepting a single date as a valid input for the range and setting the start and end date to the same date, users will no longer need to type out the date twice, reducing errors and increasing efficiency. We believe that this feature request is a valuable addition to the date picker library and will greatly benefit users who rely on this feature.
Q&A: Feature Request - Simplifying Date Range Input for Enhanced User Experience

In our previous article, we discussed a feature request to simplify the date range input process by allowing users to type a single date when using text-input, range, and partial-range. This article provides a Q&A section to address common questions and concerns related to this feature request.

Q: What is the current issue with the date range input process?

A: The current issue is that when using a text-input method to select a date range, typing a single date can be a cumbersome process. Users are required to type out the date twice, e.g. 13/5/2025-13/5/2025, which can get pretty cumbersome.

Q: How does the proposed solution address this issue?

A: The proposed solution allows users to type a single date, which is then accepted as a valid input for the range. The start and end date for the range are set to the same date, making it easier and more efficient for users to select a date range using the text-input method.

Q: What are the benefits of the proposed solution?

A: The proposed solution offers several benefits, including:

Improved user experience: By allowing users to type a single date, the process of selecting a date range becomes more intuitive and user-friendly.
Increased efficiency: Users will no longer need to type out the date twice, saving them time and effort.
Reduced errors: With a single date input, the likelihood of errors decreases, as users are less likely to make mistakes when typing the same date twice.

Q: How does the proposed solution affect the existing date picker library?

A: The proposed solution requires updates to the date picker library to recognize a single date as a valid input for the range. The text-input handling code would also need to be modified to accept a single date as a valid input and set the start and end date for the range to the same date.

Q: What alternatives were considered before proposing this feature request?

A: Before proposing this feature request, we explored various workarounds using input events. However, these solutions quickly became unwieldy and complex, making them less desirable. Some of the alternatives considered include:

Custom JavaScript code: We could have written custom JavaScript code to handle the date input and range selection. However, this approach would have added complexity to the codebase and may have introduced new bugs.
Third-party libraries: We could have used third-party libraries to simplify the date input and range selection process. However, this would have introduced dependencies on external libraries and may have affected the overall performance of the application.

Q: How will the proposed solution be implemented?

A: To implement the proposed solution, the following changes would be required:

Update the date picker library: The date picker library would need to be updated to recognize a single date as a valid input for the range.
Modify the text-input handling: The text-input handling code would need to be modified to accept a single date as a valid input and set the start and end date for the range to the same date.
Test and validate: The updated code would need to be thoroughly tested and validated to ensure that it works as expected and does not introduce any new bugs.

Q: What is the expected timeline for implementing the proposed solution?

A: The expected timeline for implementing the proposed solution will depend on the complexity of the changes required and the availability of resources. However, we anticipate that the implementation will take several weeks to several months, depending on the scope of the project.