Issue With PlaceAutocompleteElement: IME Input Conflicts With Keyboard Navigation In Suggestions

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Problem Description

When using the google.maps.places.PlaceAutocompleteElement to implement Place Autocomplete, a moderate issue arises when users input text using an Input Method Editor (IME). Specifically, when selecting characters with the keyboard's arrow keys (up/down), the highlighted suggestion in the autocomplete list changes simultaneously, and the input field gets auto-filled with the selected address. This behavior makes it difficult for IME users to interact with the autocomplete widget effectively.

Background Information

The older Place Picker, which is no longer supported, did not exhibit this issue. This suggests that the problem is specific to the PlaceAutocompleteElement and may be related to the way it handles keyboard navigation during IME composition.

Steps to Reproduce the Issue

To reproduce the issue, follow these steps:

Step 1: Focus on the Autocomplete Input Field

  • Open a web page that uses the google.maps.places.PlaceAutocompleteElement.
  • Focus on the autocomplete input field by clicking on it or using the keyboard's tab key.

Step 2: Switch to an IME

  • Switch your input method to an IME (e.g., Chinese Pinyin or Japanese).
  • You can usually do this by clicking on the IME icon in the system tray or using a keyboard shortcut (e.g., Ctrl + Space on Windows or Cmd + Space on macOS).

Step 3: Begin Typing a Location Name

  • Begin typing a location name (e.g., “台北”).
  • As you type, the autocomplete suggestions should appear below the input field.

Step 4: Use the Up and Down Arrow Keys to Navigate Between IME Candidate Characters

  • Use the up and down arrow keys to navigate between IME candidate characters.
  • Observe that the Place Autocomplete suggestions are also highlighted and cycled through.

Step 5: Observe the Premature Filling of the Input Field

  • As you navigate between IME candidate characters, observe that the input field is prematurely filled with address suggestions from the autocomplete.

Console Log Output

The console log output is currently empty, as the issue is related to the visual behavior of the autocomplete widget rather than any error messages.

Request for Improvement

To improve the usability of the PlaceAutocompleteElement for IME users, we request that you consider adding an option to disable keyboard navigation (up/down) during IME composition or provide a way to customize this behavior. This would allow developers to tailor the autocomplete widget to their specific use case and provide a better experience for their users.

Example Use Case

Here's an example use case that demonstrates the issue:

Suppose you're building a web application that allows users to search for locations using the PlaceAutocompleteElement. You want to provide a seamless experience for IME users, but the current behavior of the autocomplete widget makes it difficult for them to interact with the widget effectively.

By adding an option to disable keyboard navigation during IME composition or providing a way to customize this behavior, you can improve the usability of the autocomplete widget and provide a better for your users.

Conclusion

Q: What is the issue with PlaceAutocompleteElement and IME input?

A: The issue arises when users input text using an Input Method Editor (IME) and select characters with the keyboard's arrow keys (up/down). The highlighted suggestion in the autocomplete list changes simultaneously, and the input field gets auto-filled with the selected address.

Q: Why does this issue occur only with IME input?

A: This issue occurs only with IME input because IMEs handle keyboard input differently than regular keyboard input. IMEs often use a combination of keyboard input and mouse input to select characters, which can cause conflicts with the autocomplete widget's keyboard navigation.

Q: Is this issue specific to the PlaceAutocompleteElement?

A: Yes, this issue is specific to the PlaceAutocompleteElement. The older Place Picker, which is no longer supported, did not exhibit this issue.

Q: How can I reproduce the issue?

A: To reproduce the issue, follow these steps:

  1. Focus on the autocomplete input field.
  2. Switch your input method to an IME (e.g., Chinese Pinyin or Japanese).
  3. Begin typing a location name (e.g., “台北”).
  4. Use the up and down arrow keys to navigate between IME candidate characters.
  5. Observe that the Place Autocomplete suggestions are also highlighted and cycled through.
  6. As you navigate between IME candidate characters, observe that the input field is prematurely filled with address suggestions from the autocomplete.

Q: What is the impact of this issue on users?

A: The impact of this issue on users is that they may find it difficult to interact with the autocomplete widget effectively when using an IME. This can lead to frustration and a poor user experience.

Q: How can I customize the behavior of the PlaceAutocompleteElement to avoid this issue?

A: To customize the behavior of the PlaceAutocompleteElement, you can use the following options:

  • Disable keyboard navigation during IME composition.
  • Provide a way to customize the keyboard navigation behavior.

Q: Are there any workarounds for this issue?

A: Yes, there are workarounds for this issue. You can use the following workarounds:

  • Use a different autocomplete widget that does not exhibit this issue.
  • Implement a custom solution that handles IME input and keyboard navigation separately.

Q: Is this issue a bug or a feature?

A: This issue is a bug. It is a defect in the PlaceAutocompleteElement that needs to be fixed.

Q: How can I report this issue to Google?

A: To report this issue to Google, follow these steps:

  1. Go to the Google Maps Platform issue tracker.
  2. Create a new issue and describe the issue in detail.
  3. Attach any relevant screenshots or logs to the issue.
  4. Submit the issue for review.

Q: What is the expected resolution for this issue?

A: The expected resolution time for this issue is not specified. However, Google typically responds to issues within a few days to a few weeks.

Q: Are there any known solutions or patches for this issue?

A: No, there are no known solutions or patches for this issue. However, you can use the workarounds mentioned earlier to mitigate the issue.