React Testing Library: Why is toBeInTheDocument() not a function?

React Testing Library is a popular testing utility for React applications. It provides a simple and intuitive API to test React components. However, you may encounter a situation where the toBeInTheDocument() matcher is not recognized as a function. In this blog post, we will explore the possible reasons for this issue and discuss the solutions.

1. Incorrect import statement

One possible reason for the toBeInTheDocument() matcher not being recognized as a function is an incorrect import statement. Make sure you are importing the necessary functions from the correct module.

import { render, screen } from ‘@testing-library/react’;

test(‘Example test’, () => {

render();

expect(screen.getByText(‘Example Text’)).toBeInTheDocument();

});

2. Missing setup

Another reason for the toBeInTheDocument() matcher not working could be a missing setup. Make sure you have set up the necessary testing environment and rendered the component before using this matcher.

import { render, screen } from ‘@testing-library/react’;

beforeEach(() => {

render();

});

test(‘Example test’, () => {

expect(screen.getByText(‘Example Text’)).toBeInTheDocument();

});

3. Version mismatch

If you are using an outdated version of React Testing Library or Jest, it is possible that the toBeInTheDocument() matcher is not available. Check the versions of these dependencies and update them if necessary.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we discussed the possible reasons for the toBeInTheDocument() matcher not being recognized as a function in React Testing Library. We explored incorrect import statements, missing setup, and version mismatches as potential causes. By ensuring the correct import statement, setting up the testing environment properly, and updating the dependencies, you should be able to resolve this issue and use the toBeInTheDocument() matcher successfully in your tests.