1---
2title: v-model Does Not Update During IME Composition
3impact: MEDIUM
4impactDescription: v-model won't capture intermediate input for Chinese, Japanese, Korean and other IME languages
5type: capability
6tags: [vue3, v-model, forms, input, ime, internationalization, i18n, cjk]
7---
8 
9# v-model Does Not Update During IME Composition
10 
11**Impact: MEDIUM** - When users type in languages that require an Input Method Editor (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, etc.), v-model won't update until the composition is complete. This breaks real-time validation, character counters, and live search features for international users.
12 
13IME (Input Method Editor) allows users to compose complex characters by typing multiple keystrokes. During this composition phase, v-model deliberately waits until the user confirms their selection before updating. This is usually desired, but can break features that need every keystroke.
14 
15## Task Checklist
16 
17- [ ] Test forms with IME input if your app serves CJK (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) users
18- [ ] For real-time features (live search, character counters), use manual event binding instead of v-model
19- [ ] Consider both behaviors when designing - sometimes waiting for composition completion IS correct
20- [ ] Document expected behavior for international users
21 
22**Problem - v-model waits for composition:**
23```html
24<script setup>
25import { ref } from 'vue'
26 
27const searchQuery = ref('')
28const charCount = ref(0)
29</script>
30 
31<template>
32  <!-- PROBLEM: During IME composition, searchQuery won't update -->
33  <!-- Chinese user types "ni hao" -> sees no results until they press space/enter -->
34  <input v-model="searchQuery" placeholder="Live search...">
35  <p>{{ searchQuery.length }} characters</p>
36 
37  <!-- Character counter stays at 0 during IME input -->
38</template>
39```
40 
41**Solution - Manual event binding for real-time updates:**
42```html
43<script setup>
44import { ref } from 'vue'
45 
46const searchQuery = ref('')
47 
48// This captures EVERY input event, including during IME composition
49function handleInput(event) {
50  searchQuery.value = event.target.value
51}
52</script>
53 
54<template>
55  <!-- CORRECT: Manual binding captures all input, including IME composition -->
56  <input
57    :value="searchQuery"
58    @input="handleInput"
59    placeholder="Live search..."
60  >
61  <p>{{ searchQuery.length }} characters</p>
62</template>
63```
64 
65```html
66<!-- Shorter inline version -->
67<input
68  :value="searchQuery"
69  @input="event => searchQuery = event.target.value"
70>
71```
72 
73**When v-model behavior IS correct:**
74```html
75<!-- For form submission, waiting for composition IS usually better -->
76<!-- User expects to confirm their character selection before it's "official" -->
77<input v-model="formName" placeholder="Enter your name">
78 
79<!-- The final composed characters will be submitted, not intermediate states -->
80```
81 
82## Reference
83- [Vue.js Form Input Bindings](https://vuejs.org/guide/essentials/forms.html)
84