Advanced Form Features

Introduction

Filament forms are built on Livewire, enabling powerful reactive behavior without writing JavaScript. This guide covers advanced features like reactive fields, dependent field logic, field lifecycle hooks, and performance optimization.

Reactive forms

The basics of reactivity

By default, forms don’t re-render when field values change. This is a performance optimization since rendering requires a server round-trip. To make a field reactive, use the live() method:

use Filament\Forms\Components\Select;
use Filament\Forms\Components\TextInput;
use Filament\Schemas\Components\Utilities\Get;

Select::make('country')
    ->options([
        'us' => 'United States',
        'uk' => 'United Kingdom',
        'ca' => 'Canada',
    ])
    ->live(), // Re-render form when changed

Select::make('state')
    ->options(fn (Get $get) => match ($get('country')) {
        'us' => ['ny' => 'New York', 'ca' => 'California'],
        'uk' => ['eng' => 'England', 'sco' => 'Scotland'],
        'ca' => ['on' => 'Ontario', 'bc' => 'British Columbia'],
        default => [],
    })
    ->visible(fn (Get $get) => filled($get('country')))

Reactive on blur

For text inputs, validate after the user finishes typing:

TextInput::make('slug')
    ->live(onBlur: true)

Debounced reactivity

Wait for the user to stop typing before triggering updates:

TextInput::make('search')
    ->live(debounce: 500) // Wait 500ms after last keystroke

Dependent fields

Conditional visibility

Show or hide fields based on other field values:

use Filament\Forms\Components\Toggle;
use Filament\Forms\Components\TextInput;
use Filament\Schemas\Components\Utilities\Get;

Toggle::make('is_company')
    ->live(),

TextInput::make('company_name')
    ->required()
    ->visible(fn (Get $get) => $get('is_company') === true),

TextInput::make('tax_id')
    ->required()
    ->visible(fn (Get $get) => $get('is_company') === true)

Conditional requirements

Make fields required based on conditions:

Select::make('shipping_method')
    ->options([
        'standard' => 'Standard',
        'express' => 'Express',
        'pickup' => 'Store Pickup',
    ])
    ->live(),

TextInput::make('shipping_address')
    ->required(fn (Get $get) => $get('shipping_method') !== 'pickup')

Conditional disabling

Toggle::make('custom_pricing')
    ->live(),

TextInput::make('price')
    ->numeric()
    ->disabled(fn (Get $get) => ! $get('custom_pricing'))
    ->dehydrated(fn (Get $get) => $get('custom_pricing'))

Dynamic field options

Select::make('category_id')
    ->relationship('category', 'name')
    ->live(),

Select::make('subcategory_id')
    ->options(function (Get $get) {
        $categoryId = $get('category_id');
        if (! $categoryId) {
            return [];
        }
        return Subcategory::where('category_id', $categoryId)
            ->pluck('name', 'id');
    })
    ->visible(fn (Get $get) => filled($get('category_id')))

Field lifecycle hooks

After state hydrated

Runs when the form is filled with data:

TextInput::make('name')
    ->afterStateHydrated(function (TextInput $component, $state) {
        $component->state(ucwords($state));
    })

Or use the shortcut:

TextInput::make('name')
    ->formatStateUsing(fn (string $state): string => ucwords($state))

After state updated

Runs when the user changes a field:

use Filament\Schemas\Components\Utilities\Set;
use Illuminate\Support\Str;

TextInput::make('title')
    ->live(onBlur: true)
    ->afterStateUpdated(function (Set $set, ?string $state) {
        $set('slug', Str::slug($state));
    })

TextInput::make('slug')
    ->required()

Before state dehydrated

Runs before form data is saved:

TextInput::make('name')
    ->dehydrateStateUsing(fn (string $state): string => ucwords($state))

Advanced reactive patterns

Auto-generating slugs

use Filament\Schemas\Components\Utilities\Get;
use Filament\Schemas\Components\Utilities\Set;
use Illuminate\Support\Str;

TextInput::make('title')
    ->required()
    ->live(onBlur: true)
    ->afterStateUpdated(function (Get $get, Set $set, ?string $state) {
        if (! $get('is_slug_changed_manually') && filled($state)) {
            $set('slug', Str::slug($state));
        }
    }),

TextInput::make('slug')
    ->required()
    ->unique(ignoreRecord: true)
    ->afterStateUpdated(fn (Set $set) => $set('is_slug_changed_manually', true)),

Hidden::make('is_slug_changed_manually')
    ->default(false)
    ->dehydrated(false)

Calculated totals

TextInput::make('quantity')
    ->numeric()
    ->default(1)
    ->live(onBlur: true),

TextInput::make('price')
    ->numeric()
    ->prefix('$')
    ->live(onBlur: true),

TextInput::make('total')
    ->numeric()
    ->prefix('$')
    ->disabled()
    ->dehydrated(false)
    ->state(function (Get $get) {
        return ($get('quantity') ?? 0) * ($get('price') ?? 0);
    })

Dependent repeaters

use Filament\Forms\Components\Repeater;

Repeater::make('line_items')
    ->schema([
        Select::make('product_id')
            ->relationship('product', 'name')
            ->live()
            ->afterStateUpdated(function (Set $set, $state) {
                $product = Product::find($state);
                $set('unit_price', $product?->price ?? 0);
            }),
        
        TextInput::make('quantity')
            ->numeric()
            ->default(1)
            ->live(onBlur: true),
        
        TextInput::make('unit_price')
            ->numeric()
            ->prefix('$')
            ->disabled(),
        
        TextInput::make('total')
            ->numeric()
            ->prefix('$')
            ->disabled()
            ->state(fn (Get $get) => 
                ($get('quantity') ?? 0) * ($get('unit_price') ?? 0)
            ),
    ])
    ->columns(4)
    ->live()

Wizard with conditional steps

use Filament\Schemas\Components\Wizard;
use Filament\Schemas\Components\Wizard\Step;

Wizard::make([
    Step::make('Type')
        ->schema([
            Select::make('account_type')
                ->options([
                    'personal' => 'Personal',
                    'business' => 'Business',
                ])
                ->required()
                ->live(),
        ]),
    
    Step::make('Personal Info')
        ->schema([
            TextInput::make('first_name')->required(),
            TextInput::make('last_name')->required(),
        ])
        ->visible(fn (Get $get) => $get('account_type') === 'personal'),
    
    Step::make('Business Info')
        ->schema([
            TextInput::make('company_name')->required(),
            TextInput::make('tax_id')->required(),
        ])
        ->visible(fn (Get $get) => $get('account_type') === 'business'),
])

Performance optimization

Avoiding unnecessary re-renders

Use JavaScript expressions for simple UI updates:

use Filament\Schemas\JsContent;

TextInput::make('name')
    ->live(onBlur: true),

Placeholder::make('greeting')
    ->content(JsContent::make(
        "'Hello, ' + ($get('name') || 'guest') + '!'"
    ))

Selective field rendering

Only re-render specific fields:

TextInput::make('first_name')
    ->live(onBlur: true)
    ->afterStateUpdated(function (Set $set, $state) {
        // This won't trigger a full form re-render
        $set('full_name', $state . ' ' . $get('last_name'));
    })

Dehydration control

Prevent fields from being saved:

TextInput::make('confirmation_code')
    ->required()
    ->saved(false) // Won't be included in form data

Placeholder::make('calculated_field')
    ->content(fn (Get $get) => $get('field_a') + $get('field_b'))
    ->dehydrated(false) // Same as saved(false)

Using JavaScript utilities

JavaScript expressions in labels

use Filament\Schemas\JsContent;

TextInput::make('greeting_response')
    ->label(JsContent::make(
        "($get('name') === 'John') ? 'Hello, John!' : 'Hello, stranger!'"
    ))

Accessing field state in JavaScript

The $get() and $state utilities are available in JavaScript contexts:

TextInput::make('quantity')
    ->hint(JsContent::make(
        "'Total: $' + ($get('quantity') * $get('price'))"
    ))

Field state management

Getting field values

use Filament\Schemas\Components\Utilities\Get;

TextInput::make('confirmation')
    ->rules([
        fn (Get $get): Closure => function ($attribute, $value, $fail) use ($get) {
            if ($value !== $get('original_value')) {
                $fail('The confirmation must match.');
            }
        },
    ])

Setting field values

use Filament\Schemas\Components\Utilities\Set;

Select::make('template')
    ->options([
        'welcome' => 'Welcome Email',
        'reset' => 'Password Reset',
    ])
    ->live()
    ->afterStateUpdated(function (Set $set, $state) {
        $template = EmailTemplate::find($state);
        $set('subject', $template->subject);
        $set('body', $template->body);
    })

Calling updated hooks

By default, $set() doesn’t trigger afterStateUpdated() hooks. To trigger them:

$set('field_name', 'value', shouldCallUpdatedHooks: true);

Complex form patterns

Multi-step validation

Wizard::make([
    Step::make('Account')
        ->schema([
            TextInput::make('email')
                ->email()
                ->required()
                ->unique(),
            TextInput::make('password')
                ->password()
                ->required()
                ->minLength(8),
        ])
        ->afterValidation(function ($state) {
            // Custom validation after step completion
            if (! $this->isEmailDomainAllowed($state['email'])) {
                throw ValidationException::withMessages([
                    'email' => 'This email domain is not allowed.',
                ]);
            }
        }),
])

Dynamic field schema

Repeater::make('fields')
    ->schema(fn (Get $get) => match ($get('../../field_type')) {
        'text' => [
            TextInput::make('value')
                ->required(),
        ],
        'select' => [
            Select::make('value')
                ->options($get('../../options'))
                ->required(),
        ],
        default => [],
    })

Conditional field groups

Select::make('payment_method')
    ->options([
        'card' => 'Credit Card',
        'bank' => 'Bank Transfer',
        'crypto' => 'Cryptocurrency',
    ])
    ->live(),

Group::make([
    TextInput::make('card_number')->required(),
    TextInput::make('expiry')->required(),
    TextInput::make('cvv')->required(),
])
    ->visible(fn (Get $get) => $get('payment_method') === 'card'),

Group::make([
    TextInput::make('account_number')->required(),
    TextInput::make('routing_number')->required(),
])
    ->visible(fn (Get $get) => $get('payment_method') === 'bank'),

Group::make([
    Select::make('cryptocurrency')->options([...])->required(),
    TextInput::make('wallet_address')->required(),
])
    ->visible(fn (Get $get) => $get('payment_method') === 'crypto')

Best practices

Performance

Use live(onBlur: true) for text inputs to reduce requests
Use live(debounce: 500) for real-time validation with typing
Avoid deep nesting of reactive fields
Use JavaScript expressions for simple calculations

User experience

Provide immediate feedback for validation errors
Use debouncing to avoid jarring UI updates
Show loading states during async operations
Clear dependent fields when their parent changes

Code organization

Extract complex logic into dedicated methods
Use form components to reuse field patterns
Document complex reactive relationships
Test edge cases thoroughly

Security

Always validate on the backend
Don’t rely solely on frontend validation
Sanitize user input before setting field values
Be cautious with dynamic field schemas

Next steps

Explore custom form fields
Learn about form actions
Integrate forms with panel resources

Getting Started

Panel Builder

Core Concepts

Building Blocks

Advanced

​Introduction

​Reactive forms

​The basics of reactivity

​Reactive on blur

​Debounced reactivity

​Dependent fields

​Conditional visibility

​Conditional requirements

​Conditional disabling

​Dynamic field options

​Field lifecycle hooks

​After state hydrated

​After state updated

​Before state dehydrated

​Advanced reactive patterns

​Auto-generating slugs

​Calculated totals

​Dependent repeaters

​Wizard with conditional steps

​Performance optimization

​Avoiding unnecessary re-renders

​Selective field rendering

​Dehydration control

​Using JavaScript utilities

​JavaScript expressions in labels

​Accessing field state in JavaScript

​Field state management

​Getting field values

​Setting field values

​Calling updated hooks

​Complex form patterns

​Multi-step validation

​Dynamic field schema

​Conditional field groups

​Best practices

​Performance

​User experience

​Code organization

​Security

​Next steps

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love