React Embed: Filters & Zoom Appearing Behind Tiles

Hey guys, have you ever run into a weird UI glitch while embedding dashboards in your React apps? Specifically, have the filters, parameters, and date zoom controls decided to play hide-and-seek behind your dashboard tiles instead of, ya know, being above them where they belong? Well, you're not alone! We've got a customer report about this exact issue when using the React SDK for Lightdash, and we're diving deep to figure out what's going on and how to fix it. This is super important because if your users can't see the controls, they can't actually use the dashboard, right? Let's get into the nitty-gritty and find out how to make those controls pop into the foreground.

The Bug: Filters and Zoom Hiding in the Shadows

So, the core problem is pretty straightforward. When embedding a Lightdash dashboard using the React SDK, the customer is experiencing that the filters and parameters, along with the date zoom controls, are rendering behind the top tiles of the dashboard. Think of it like this: the tiles are on the top layer, and the interactive controls are getting stuck on a lower layer, making them invisible or inaccessible. This, of course, creates a major usability issue. Users can't change date ranges, adjust filter values, or tweak parameters. The whole point of an interactive dashboard is lost if the interactive parts are hidden. The customer even provided an internal example to help us understand the issue better, and we're using that to reproduce the problem and find a solution. Let's make sure these controls show up where they're supposed to be, right on top, so everything works smoothly and your users can get the most out of their dashboards. Remember, the goal is a seamless user experience. If users have to struggle with the UI, they're less likely to engage with the data.

This isn't just about aesthetics, it's about functionality. A dashboard is only useful if users can actively interact with it. Hidden controls render the dashboard useless, and that’s a big problem. Making sure all the elements are displayed in the correct order is a must-do when developing dashboards in React or any other environment. The correct order ensures that users can easily explore and use the interactive elements provided, which is what makes a dashboard a powerful tool.

Reproducing the Issue: How to Make it Happen

Okay, so how do you actually make this bug happen? Well, based on the customer's report and the internal example, here’s how you can try to reproduce the problem. It seems to happen when using the React SDK to embed a Lightdash dashboard. The specific steps aren't explicitly detailed, but the core issue revolves around the way the embedded dashboard renders its elements within the React application. The problem likely stems from CSS styling or the way the components are layered in the DOM. This can be caused by conflicting styles, incorrect positioning, or z-index issues. The goal of reproducing the issue is to figure out the exact root cause so we can fix it. When we can reproduce it locally, it is easier to understand and fix it. To reproduce the bug, you’ll typically need to set up a basic React app. Then, embed a Lightdash dashboard using the React SDK. Pay close attention to how the filters, parameters, and date zoom controls render in relation to the dashboard tiles. The issue will be obvious if the controls appear behind the tiles. Check the z-index properties in the CSS. Experiment with adjusting these values to see if you can manipulate the layers and bring the controls to the front. You might also need to examine the HTML structure of the embedded dashboard. Make sure that the controls are positioned above the tiles in the DOM hierarchy. If the controls are nested within the tiles or other elements, they might be obscured. Ensure that no parent elements are causing the controls to be clipped or hidden. In your React code, review how you’re integrating the Lightdash dashboard. Make sure you are using the correct version of the SDK and that all necessary props are being passed correctly. Check for any custom CSS or styling that might be affecting the rendering of the dashboard. Look for any CSS rules that could be inadvertently overriding the default styles of the Lightdash components. Pay close attention to any positioning styles (like position: relative, position: absolute, or position: fixed) and how they interact with each other. These can sometimes cause elements to be stacked incorrectly.

Diving into Possible Causes and Solutions

Alright, let’s get into the potential reasons why this is happening and some ideas on how to fix it. This is where we put on our detective hats and start troubleshooting. The most likely culprit is CSS layering and the z-index property. Think of the z-index as the stacking order of elements on a webpage. Higher z-index values mean an element is “on top” of elements with lower values. If the dashboard tiles have a higher z-index than the filter and parameter controls, the controls will be hidden. A quick fix might involve inspecting the CSS of the embedded dashboard and adjusting the z-index values. Try increasing the z-index of the filter and parameter controls to ensure they are on top. Another potential issue could be incorrect positioning. Make sure that the controls are positioned correctly relative to the dashboard tiles. If the controls are positioned absolutely and the tiles are positioned relatively, they might be getting overlaid incorrectly. Double-check that all elements have the correct position values in their CSS. Another potential reason is the way the dashboard is rendered within the React app. It’s possible that the embedding process is not correctly positioning the controls within the DOM structure. Ensure that the embedded dashboard component is correctly integrated into your React app. And if you’re using any custom CSS, ensure that the styles don't conflict with the embedded dashboard's styles. Sometimes, the issue comes down to the CSS rules. Conflicting CSS rules can mess up the layering and positioning of elements. Use your browser's developer tools to inspect the elements and see which CSS rules are being applied. Look for any rules that might be overriding the default styles. Also, try to identify whether the issue is related to the specific Lightdash dashboard you're embedding. If it only happens with one particular dashboard, then the issue might be related to its specific configuration or structure. If it happens on all dashboards, it is probably a more general embedding problem. By carefully inspecting these different aspects, we can understand the problem better.

Troubleshooting Steps: Let's Get Hands-On!

Here’s a practical step-by-step guide to help you troubleshoot this issue. First, use your browser's developer tools. Right-click on the hidden controls and select