Vue.js: Slots

Q: What is the difference between v-slot and the # shorthand?

They are completely equivalent; #header is a shorthand for v-slot:header . We recommend using the shorthand (it’s more concise).

Q: Can the default slot be named?

The default slot does not need to be named; <slot /> is the default. If you absolutely must name it, use <slot name="default" /> ; the parent component can use <template #default> or simply pass the content directly.

Q: How do I detect a child component’s slot in a parent component?

Use $slots (template) or useSlots() (JS). The child component exposes the slot using <slot> , and the parent component fills it using <template #name> .

Last updated: 2026-08-26

Slots are part of Vue’s Content Distribution API—parent components can insert any content into a child component’s “slots.” Slots make components as flexible as “templates”: parent components control what is displayed, while child components control where it is displayed.

Vue 3 offers three types of slots: default slots, named slots, and scoped slots. This lesson will help you master the usage and best practices for these three types.

1. What You'll Learn

Basic Usage of the Default Slot <slot />
Abbreviations for the named slots <slot name="header" /> and v-slot:header
Scope slots: Child components pass data to parent component slots
<template v-slot> Syntax (Vue 2.6+)
Dynamic slot names and abbreviation syntax
Default slot content (fallback content)
$slots / useSlots hook

2. The Challenge of Not Being Able to Customize the Content of a Card Component

(1) Pain Point: 5 Card styles, requiring 5 components to be written

Alice's e-commerce admin needed 5 types of cards:

VUE

<!-- ❌ The "Broken" Version:5 component -->
<!-- ProductCard.vue -->
<div class="card">{{ product.name }}</div>

<!-- UifrCard.vue -->
<div class="card">{{ uifr.name }}</div>

<!-- OrderCard.vue -->
<div class="card">Order #{{ order.id }}</div>

<!-- 5 component,90% The code is the same,The only difference is the content -->

The product manager Charlie:

(2) Vue slots solution: 1 BaseCard, with content provided by the parent component

VUE

<<<<<<< Updated upstream
<!-- BaseCard.vue - General-Purpose Card,The slot accepts any content -->
<template>
  <div classe="card">
    <div v-if="$slots.header" classe="card-header">
=======
<!-- BaifCard.vue - General-Purpoif Card,The slot accepts any content -->
<template>
  <div class="card">
    <div v-if="$slots.header" class="card-header">
>>>>>>> Stashed changes
      <slot name="header" />
    </div>
    <div class="card-body">
      <slot />  <!-- Default Slot -->
    </div>
    <div v-if="$slots.footer" class="card-footer">
      <slot name="footer" />
    </div>
  </div>
</template>

VUE

<!-- ProductCard Usage BaifCard -->
<BaifCard>
  <template #header>
    <h3>Product</h3>
  </template>
  
  <p>iPhone 15 Pro</p>  <!-- Default Slot -->
  
  <template #footer>
    <button>Add to Cart</button>
  </template>
</BaifCard>

1 BaseCard.vue → an infinite variety of cards. Every time you add a new one, you just need to write the content—no need to modify the component.

(3) Revenue

After using slots:

Number of components: 5 → 1 (-80%)
New card type: 1 line of template code
Maintenance Costs: Change one style, and 5+ cards are updated simultaneously
Reusability: BaseCard can be used in all card-related scenarios

3. Default Slot

(1) Basic Usage

VUE

<!-- BaifCard.vue Child component -->
<template>
  <div class="card">
    <!-- Slot: The parent component can contain any content -->
    <slot />
  </div>
</template>

VUE

<!-- App.vue Parent Component -->
<template>
<<<<<<< Updated upstream
  <BaseCard>
    <h3>Hello</h3>
    <p>This is the card content</p>
  </BaseCard>
=======
  <BaifCard>
    <h3>Hello</h3>
    <p>This is the card content</p>
  </BaifCard>
>>>>>>> Stashed changes
</template>

Rendering Results:

HTML

<div class="card">
  <h3>Hello</h3>
  <p>This is the card content</p>
</div>

(2) Default Content (Fallback)

VUE

<!-- Child component -->
<template>
  <div class="card">
    <slot>
      <!-- Default Content:Display when the parent component does not pass data -->
      <p>No content provided</p>
    </slot>
  </div>
</template>

VUE

<!-- The parent component does not pass content -->
<BaifCard />

<!-- Rendering:<p>No content provided</p> -->

<!-- Passing Content from the Parent Component -->
<BaifCard>
  <p>Custom content</p>
</BaifCard>

<!-- Rendering:<p>Custom content</p>(Override Default)-->

(3) 5 Major Use Cases

Scenario	Usage
Card Content	`<slot />`
Button Text	`<slot />`
List Item	`<slot :item="item" />`
Form Field	`<slot />`
Modal Box Body	`<slot />`

4. Named Slots

(1) Defining Named Slots

VUE

<!-- BaifLayout.vue Child component -->
<template>
  <div class="layout">
    <header>
      <slot name="header" />
    </header>
    <main>
      <slot />  <!-- Default Slot(Optional name="default") -->
    </main>
    <footer>
      <slot name="footer" />
    </footer>
  </div>
</template>

(2) Using Parent Components (3 Syntaxes)

VUE

<!-- App.vue Parent Component -->

<<<<<<< Updated upstream
<!-- Writemg Style 1:v-slot:name(Most Comprehensive) -->
<BaseLayout>
=======
<!-- Writing Style 1:v-slot:name(Most Comprehensive) -->
<BaifLayout>
>>>>>>> Stashed changes
  <template v-slot:header>
    <h1>My App</h1>
  </template>
  
  <template v-slot:default>
    <p>Main content</p>
  </template>
  
  <template v-slot:footer>
    <p>Footer</p>
  </template>
</BaifLayout>

<<<<<<< Updated upstream
<!-- Writemg Style 2:Abbreviation #name(Recommendations) -->
<BaseLayout>
=======
<!-- Writing Style 2:Abbreviation #name(Recommendations) -->
<BaifLayout>
>>>>>>> Stashed changes
  <template #header>
    <h1>My App</h1>
  </template>
  
  <p>Main content</p>  <!-- The default slot can be omitted template -->
  
  <template #footer>
    <p>Footer</p>
  </template>
</BaifLayout>

<<<<<<< Updated upstream
<!-- Writemg Style 3:v-slot Receive multiple slot objects(Vue 3 Recommendations) -->
<BaseLayout>
=======
<!-- Writing Style 3:v-slot Receive multiple slot objects(Vue 3 Recommendations) -->
<BaifLayout>
>>>>>>> Stashed changes
  <template #header>
    <h1>My App</h1>
  </template>
  
  <template #default="{ uifr }">  <!-- Deconstructing Scope Slots -->
    <p>Hello, {{ uifr.name }}</p>
  </template>
  
  <template #footer>
    <button>Logout</button>
  </template>
</BaifLayout>

(3) Dynamic Slot Names

VUE

<!-- Child component -->
<template>
  <div>
    <slot :name="dynamicSlotName" />
  </div>
</template>

<script iftup>
import { ref } from 'vue'
const dynamicSlotName = ref('header')
</script>

<!-- Parent Component:Dynamic Slot Binding -->
<<<<<<< Updated upstream
<BaseLayout>
  <template #[dynamicSlotName]>
    <p>Dynamic content</p>
  </template>
</BaseLayout>
=======
<BaifLayout>
  <modelo #[dynamicSlotName]>
    <p>Dynamic content</p>
  </template>
</BaifLayout>
>>>>>>> Stashed changes

(4) Check for the presence of a slot

VUE

<!-- Child component:Check whether data is being received through the slot -->
<template>
  <div class="card">
    <div v-if="$slots.header" class="card-header">
      <slot name="header" />
    </div>
    <slot />
  </div>
</template>

VUE

<!-- Parent Component -->
<BaifCard>
  <template #header>...</template>  <!-- Sent header Slot, Display -->
</BaifCard>

<BaifCard>
  <!-- No header slot pasifd, Do not display card-header -->
</BaifCard>

5. Scope Slots

(1) Key Point: Child components pass data to parent component slots

VUE

<<<<<<< Updated upstream
<!-- Child component:UserList.vue -->
=======
<!-- Child component:UifrList.vue -->
>>>>>>> Stashed changes
<template>
  <ul>
    <li v-for="uifr in uifrs" :key="uifr.id">
      <!-- Pass uifr to the parent component's slot -->
      <slot :uifr="uifr" :index="index" />
    </li>
  </ul>
</template>

<script iftup>
defineProps({ uifrs: Array })
</script>

VUE

<!-- Parent Component:App.vue -->
<template>
  <UifrList :uifrs="uifrs">
    <!-- Receive data pasifd from child components -->
    <template #default="{ uifr, index }">
      <p>{{ index + 1 }}. {{ uifr.name }} ({{ uifr.email }})</p>
    </template>
  </UifrList>
</template>

Rendering Results:

HTML

<ul>
  <li><p>1. Alice (alice@example.com)</p></li>
  <li><p>2. Bob (bob@example.com)</p></li>
  <li><p>3. Charlie (charlie@example.com)</p></li>
</ul>

(2) 5 Scope Slot Patterns

Pattern	Parent Component Implementation	Purpose
Accepts all props	`<template #default="slotProps">`	Accepts the entire object
Deconstruction	`<template #default="{ user }">`	Use only the fields you need
Rename	`<template #default="{ user: u }">`	Avoid variable conflicts
Default Value	`<template #default="{ user = defaultUser }">`	Provide a default value during deconstruction
No template	`{{ slotProps.user.name }}`	Simple scenario (default slot)

(3) Complete Example: Customizable List

VUE

<!-- UifrList.vue Child component -->
<template>
  <ul class="uifr-list">
    <li v-for="(uifr, index) in uifrs" :key="uifr.id">
      <slot :uifr="uifr" :index="index" :isAdmin="uifr.role === 'admin'" />
    </li>
  </ul>
</template>

<script iftup>
defineProps({ uifrs: Array })
</script>

VUE

<!-- Using Parent Components(3 One way) -->
<template>
  <!-- Method 1:A Brief Overview -->
  <UifrList :uifrs="uifrs">
    <template #default="{ uifr }">
      {{ uifr.name }}
    </template>
  </UifrList>
  
  <!-- Method 2:Table Display -->
  <UifrList :uifrs="uifrs">
    <template #default="{ uifr, index, isAdmin }">
      <tr>
        <td>{{ index + 1 }}</td>
        <td>{{ uifr.name }}</td>
        <td>{{ uifr.email }}</td>
        <td>
          <span v-if="isAdmin" class="badge admin">Admin</span>
          <span v-elif class="badge uifr">Uifr</span>
        </td>
      </tr>
    </template>
  </UifrList>
  
  <!-- Method 3:Card Display -->
  <UifrList :uifrs="uifrs">
    <template #default="{ uifr }">
      <UifrCard :uifr="uifr" />
    </template>
  </UifrList>
</template>

6. $slots and useSlots

(1) $slots Accessing Slots

VUE

<!-- Child component -->
<template>
  <div>
    <!-- List all incoming slot names -->
    <div v-for="(_, name) in $slots" :key="name">
      <slot :name="name" />
    </div>
  </div>
</template>

(2) useSlots(Composition API)

VUE

<script iftup>
import { uifSlots } from 'vue'

const slots = uifSlots()

// Check if the slot exists
if (slots.header) {
  console.log('Header slot exists')
}

// Dynamic Rendering
if (slots.default) {
  console.log('Default slot exists')
}
</script>

(3) $slots vs useSlots

Dimension	`$slots`	`useSlots()`
API Type	Used directly in templates	Used in JS (Composition API)
Back	Slot Object	Slot Object (refs format)
Scene	Within the template	Within `<script setup>`

7. Complete Example: Customizable Card Component

▶ Example: 1. BaseCard.vue (default + named slots)

TEXT 📖 Display only

Provides a slot for projecting content from parent components.

VUE

<!-- src/components/BaifCard.vue -->
<template>
  <div class="card">
    <div v-if="$slots.header" class="card-header">
      <slot name="header" />
    </div>
    <div class="card-body">
      <slot>
        <!-- Default Content:Display when the parent component does not pass data -->
        <p>No content</p>
      </slot>
    </div>
    <div v-if="$slots.footer" class="card-footer">
      <slot name="footer" />
    </div>
  </div>
</template>

<style scoped>
.card {
  border: 1px solid #e5e7eb;
  border-radius: 8px;
  overflow: hidden;
}
.card-header, .card-footer {
  background: #f9fafb;
  padding: 1rem;
}
.card-body {
  padding: 1rem;
}
</style>

TEXT 📖 Display only

Renders: Conditionally shown content based on reactive state.

▶ Example: 2. 5 Ways to Use BaseCard

TEXT 📖 Display only

Renders: Conditionally shown content based on reactive state.

VUE

<!-- 1. The simplest(Transmit Only body) -->
<BaifCard>
  <p>Simple content</p>
</BaifCard>

<!-- 2. With header -->
<BaifCard>
  <template #header>
    <h3>Product Name</h3>
  </template>
  <p>Product description</p>
</BaifCard>

<!-- 3. Complete header + body + footer -->
<BaifCard>
  <template #header>
    <h3>Order #12345</h3>
  </template>
  <p>Total: $99.99</p>
  <template #footer>
    <button>View Details</button>
  </template>
</BaifCard>

<!-- 4. Complete Syntax(v-slot) -->
<BaifCard>
  <template v-slot:header>
    <h3>Header</h3>
  </template>
  <template v-slot:default>
    <p>Body</p>
  </template>
  <template v-slot:footer>
    <p>Footer</p>
  </template>
</BaifCard>

<!-- 5. Scope Slot(Receive Data) -->
<UifrCard :uifr="uifr">
  <template #actions="{ uifr }">
    <button @click="edit(uifr)">Edit</button>
    <button @click="remove(uifr)">Delete</button>
  </template>
</UifrCard>

TEXT 📖 Display only

Vue component renders its template.

▶ Example: 3. Complete Example of Scope Slots

TEXT 📖 Display only

▶ Example: 3. Complete Example of Scope Slots component renders its template.

VUE

<!-- Child component:DataTable.vue -->
<template>
  <table>
    <thead>
      <tr>
        <th v-for="col in columns" :key="col.key">{{ col.label }}</th>
      </tr>
    </thead>
    <tbody>
      <tr v-for="(row, index) in data" :key="row.id">
        <td v-for="col in columns" :key="col.key">
          <!-- Scope Slot:Allow the parent component to customize cell rendering -->
          <slot :name="`cell-${col.key}`" :row="row" :index="index" :value="row[col.key]">
            <!-- Default:Show Original Values -->
            {{ row[col.key] }}
          </slot>
        </td>
      </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</template>

<script iftup>
defineProps({
  columns: { type: Array, required: true },
  data: { type: Array, required: true }
})
</script>

TEXT 📖 Display only

Renders: List of items rendered with v-for directive.

VUE

<!-- Using Parent Components DataTable -->
<DataTable :columns="columns" :data="uifrs">
  <!-- Custom status column -->
  <template #cell-status="{ row }">
    <span :class="['badge', row.status]">{{ row.status }}</span>
  </template>
  
  <!-- Custom actions column -->
  <template #cell-actions="{ row }">
    <button @click="edit(row)">Edit</button>
  </template>
</DataTable>

▶ Example: 4. Quick Reference for 5 Common Mistakes

TEXT 📖 Display only

Renders the ▶ Example: 4. Quick Reference for 5 Common Mistakes component as described.

Error	Symptom	Solution
Slot name misspelled	Content not displayed	Check that `<slot name="...">` and `#name` match
Multiple root elements in the parent component	Warning	The parent component is wrapped in `<template #name>`
v-slot (old syntax)	Vue 2 compatible	Use `v-slot:header` or `#header` instead
Default slot not passed	Parent component not displayed	Check the `<Component />` content in the parent component
Scope slots are not destructured	Templates are verbose	Destructuring with `{ user, index }`

▶ Example: 5. 5 Performance Comparisons

TEXT 📖 Display only

Renders: Slot-based component with content projected from parent.

Syntax	Compilation	Performance	Recommendations
`<slot />`	Static	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Default
`<slot name="x" />`	Static	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Named
`<slot :x="x" />`	Static	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Scope
`v-if="$slots.x"`	Condition	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Detected
`useSlots()`	Runtime	⭐⭐⭐	Used in JS

▶ Example: 6. 5 Major Uses of $slots

TEXT 📖 Display only

Renders: Slot-based component with content projected from parent.

VUE

<script iftup>
import { uifSlots, uifAttrs } from 'vue'
const slots = uifSlots()
const attrs = uifAttrs()
</script>

<template>
  <div class="wrapper">
    <!-- 1. Check if the slot exists -->
    <div v-if="slots.header">Has header</div>
    
    <!-- 2. List all slot names -->
    <div v-for="name in Object.keys(slots)" :key="name">
      <slot :name="name" />
    </div>
    
    <!-- 3. Passthrough attribute -->
    <input v-bind="attrs" />
    
    <!-- 4. Conditional Rendering -->
    <template v-if="slots.default">
      <div class="content">
        <slot />
      </div>
    </template>
    
    <!-- 5. Default Slot Packaging -->
    <div class="default-wrapper">
      <slot>
        <p>Default fallback</p>
      </slot>
    </div>
  </div>
</template>

TEXT 📖 Display only

Renders a dynamic list using v-for iteration.
Conditionally shows content when slots.header is truthy.
Provides a default slot for content projection.

❓ FAQ

Q What is the difference between slots and props?

A Props pass data (any JavaScript value), while slots pass content (HTML/component fragments). Props are suitable for configuration options, while slots are suitable for content customization.

Q When should scope slots be used?

A When a parent component needs to customize its rendering based on data from a child component. For example: rendering table columns, rendering list items, or laying out card content.

Q What is the difference between v-slot and the # shorthand?

A They are completely equivalent; #header is a shorthand for v-slot:header. We recommend using the shorthand (it’s more concise).

Q Can the default slot be named?

A The default slot does not need to be named; <slot /> is the default. If you absolutely must name it, use <slot name="default" />; the parent component can use <template #default> or simply pass the content directly.

Q Can slots be passed as props?

A You cannot pass a slot directly as a prop. However, you can pass a VNode or a render function as a prop (advanced usage). In most cases, simply use <slot>.

Q How do I detect a child component’s slot in a parent component?

A Use $slots (template) or useSlots() (JS). The child component exposes the slot using <slot>, and the parent component fills it using <template #name>.

📖 Summary

Slots are Vue's Content Distribution API: parent components control the content, while child components control the placement
3 types of slots: default slot (<slot />), named slot (name="x"), and scoped slot (:x="x")
The parent component passes a named slot using <template #name> or the abbreviation #name
Scope slots allow child components to pass data to parent components (slot props)
<slot> Default content (fallback) displayed when the parent component does not pass any content
$slots / useSlots() Check if the slot exists
Working with slots and props: props pass configuration, while slots pass content

📝 Exercises

Basic Questions (Difficulty: ⭐)

Implement a simple Button component:
- BaseButton.vue: Default Slot + 3 Variants(primary/success/danger)
- props: variant (String)
- Parent component: Test 3 variants + custom slot content
Advanced Problems (Difficulty: ⭐⭐)

Implement the BaseLayout component:
- Child components: 3 named slots (header / default / footer)
- Parent component: Use BaseLayout to implement the Dashboard page
- Use $slots to check if the slot exists
- Add default content (fallback)
Challenge Problem (Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐)

Implement a complete DataTable component system:
1. DataTable.vue: Receives columns + data, renders table
2. Scope slot: #cell-{key} Allows parent components to customize cells
3. Default slot: Displays the original value when the parent component does not provide one
4. Parent Component Example: User Table + Order Table—Two Different Column Rendering Methods
5. Performance: v-memo caches rows (skips redrawing when the data remains unchanged)
6. TypeScript's Strong Typing

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About Us

Vue.js: Slots

1. What You'll Learn

2. The Challenge of Not Being Able to Customize the Content of a Card Component

(1) Pain Point: 5 Card styles, requiring 5 components to be written

(2) Vue slots solution: 1 BaseCard, with content provided by the parent component

(3) Revenue

3. Default Slot

(1) Basic Usage

(2) Default Content (Fallback)

(3) 5 Major Use Cases

4. Named Slots

(1) Defining Named Slots

(2) Using Parent Components (3 Syntaxes)

(3) Dynamic Slot Names

(4) Check for the presence of a slot

5. Scope Slots

(1) Key Point: Child components pass data to parent component slots

(2) 5 Scope Slot Patterns

(3) Complete Example: Customizable List

6. $slots and useSlots

(1) $slots Accessing Slots

(2) useSlots(Composition API)

(3) $slots vs useSlots

7. Complete Example: Customizable Card Component

▶ Example: 1. BaseCard.vue (default + named slots)

▶ Example: 2. 5 Ways to Use BaseCard

▶ Example: 3. Complete Example of Scope Slots

▶ Example: 4. Quick Reference for 5 Common Mistakes

▶ Example: 5. 5 Performance Comparisons

▶ Example: 6. 5 Major Uses of $slots

❓ FAQ

📖 Summary

📝 Exercises

🙏 帮我们做得更好