React's "export 'useId' was not found in 'react'" Error: A Simple Fix
Have you encountered the cryptic error message "export 'useId' (imported as 'React') was not found in 'react'" while working with React? This error often pops up when using React 18 and its new hooks, particularly useId
. Let's break down the issue and find a solution.
Understanding the Error
The error arises when you try to import the useId
hook directly from the react
package. This is because useId
is a new hook introduced in React 18. Before React 18, the useId
hook wasn't available, so the react
package doesn't contain it. This leads to the error message.
Illustrative Code Snippet
import React from 'react';
function MyComponent() {
const id = React.useId(); // Error: export 'useId' (imported as 'React') was not found in 'react'
return <div id={id}>My Component</div>;
}
In this example, we're attempting to use useId
from the react
package, which is incorrect.
The Solution
To use useId
correctly, you need to import it directly from the react/jsx-runtime
package:
import { useId } from 'react/jsx-runtime';
function MyComponent() {
const id = useId(); // Correct usage
return <div id={id}>My Component</div>;
}
Why react/jsx-runtime
?
React 18 introduces a new jsx-runtime
package that houses features like useId
. This allows for smaller bundle sizes and improved performance, but it also means you need to import hooks like useId
from the react/jsx-runtime
package instead of the main react
package.
Additional Considerations
- React Versions: Ensure you're using React 18 or later. Older versions don't include
useId
. - Other Hooks: Similar to
useId
, other new React 18 hooks likeuseSyncExternalStore
anduseDeferredValue
also need to be imported fromreact/jsx-runtime
. - Import Statements: Be mindful of how you import React components and hooks. Using the correct import path is crucial.
Conclusion
The "export 'useId' was not found in 'react'" error in React can be easily resolved by importing useId
from the react/jsx-runtime
package. By understanding the differences in React 18's import structure, you can avoid this error and continue building modern, performant React applications.