Optimizing Scroll Performance in Complex Layouts

Outline steps and code snippets to optimize scroll performance for a masonry grid layout, utilizing event handling techniques with TanStack Virtual.

import { useVirtual } from 'tanstack-virtual';

First, import the useVirtual hook from TanStack Virtual to manage the scroll and item virtualization.

const parentRef = useRef(null);

Create a reference for the masonry grid container to track its scroll position.

const rowVirtualizer = useVirtual({
  size: items.length, // Total number of items
  parentRef,
  estimateSize: useCallback(() => 300, []), // Estimated item size
  overscan: 5, // Number of items to render outside of the viewport
});

Initialize the row virtualizer from TanStack Virtual, setting up the total number of items, the container reference, an estimated size for the items, and an overscan value for pre-rendering items just outside the viewport.

useEffect(() => {
  const handleResize = () => {
    rowVirtualizer.recomputeSizes();
  };
  window.addEventListener('resize', handleResize);
  return () => window.removeEventListener('resize', handleResize);
}, [rowVirtualizer]);

Use an effect to recompute item sizes whenever the window resizes to ensure layout accuracy. This is essential for responsive designs and when items may change size.

return (
  <div ref={parentRef} style={{ overflow: 'auto' }}>
    <div style={{ height: `${rowVirtualizer.totalSize}px`, position: 'relative' }}>
      {rowVirtualizer.virtualItems.map(virtualRow => (
        <Item key={virtualRow.index} index={virtualRow.index} style={virtualRow.measureRef} />
      ))}
    </div>
  </div>
);

Render the virtualized items within the container, using the total size for the dynamic container height and mapping through the virtualized items. Assign the measureRef to dynamically adjust item sizes.