v-show Does Not Work on template or With v-else

Impact: MEDIUM - v-show cannot be used on <template> elements because templates don't render to the DOM (so there's nothing to apply display: none to). Additionally, v-show does not support v-else. Using these incorrectly results in elements that are always visible or else branches that never work.

Task Checklist

• [ ] Never use v-show on <template> elements - use v-if instead
• [ ] Never use v-else with v-show - use separate v-show with negated condition
• [ ] Remember v-show only works on actual DOM elements
• [ ] If you need to toggle multiple elements frequently, wrap in a real element (div, span)

Incorrect:

<!-- WRONG: v-show on <template> - silently does nothing -->
<template>
  <template v-show="isVisible">
    <h1>Title</h1>
    <p>Content</p>
  </template>
  <!-- These elements will ALWAYS be visible -->
</template>

<!-- WRONG: v-else with v-show - v-else is not supported -->
<template>
  <div v-show="isLoggedIn">Welcome!</div>
  <div v-else>Please log in</div>  <!-- This v-else won't work -->
</template>

<!-- WRONG: Mixing v-show and v-else expectations -->
<template>
  <span v-show="status === 'success'">Success!</span>
  <span v-else-if="status === 'error'">Error</span>  <!-- Not supported -->
</template>

Correct:

<!-- CORRECT: Use v-if on <template> for multiple elements -->
<template>
  <template v-if="isVisible">
    <h1>Title</h1>
    <p>Content</p>
  </template>
</template>

<!-- CORRECT: Use negated v-show for "else" behavior -->
<template>
  <div v-show="isLoggedIn">Welcome!</div>
  <div v-show="!isLoggedIn">Please log in</div>
</template>

<!-- CORRECT: Wrap in a real element if you need v-show for multiple elements -->
<template>
  <div v-show="isVisible">
    <h1>Title</h1>
    <p>Content</p>
  </div>
</template>

<!-- CORRECT: Use v-if/v-else when you need else branches -->
<template>
  <div v-if="status === 'success'">Success!</div>
  <div v-else-if="status === 'error'">Error</div>
  <div v-else>Loading...</div>
</template>

<!-- CORRECT: Multiple v-show conditions -->
<template>
  <span v-show="status === 'success'">Success!</span>
  <span v-show="status === 'error'">Error</span>
  <span v-show="status === 'loading'">Loading...</span>
</template>

Why This Limitation Exists

// v-show works by toggling the CSS display property
// This requires an actual DOM element

// <template> is a virtual element - it doesn't render to DOM
// It's just a wrapper for Vue's rendering logic

// After compilation:
// <template v-if="show"><p>Hi</p></template>
// Renders as: <p>Hi</p> (when show is true)
// Template itself is gone

// v-show needs a real element to set display: none on
// Since <template> doesn't exist in DOM, v-show has nothing to work with

When to Choose Each

Reference

• Vue.js Conditional Rendering - v-show