Basic Usage

Initialization Approaches

There are two ways to initialize the Google Maps loader with this component:

Automatic Initialization (Quick Start)

This is the simplest approach. Just import the component and pass your API key:

import { PlaceAutocomplete } from 'places-autocomplete-svelte';

Step 2: Handle the Response

The component communicates back to your application using the onResponse callback. This function is triggered whenever a user selects a place from the suggestions list. It receives the full place details object from the Google Places API.

let place = $state(null);

const onResponse = (response) => {
  // The Google Places API response object
  place = response;
};

Step 3: Render the Component

Finally, render the component in your markup. At a minimum, you need to pass the onResponse handler.

<PlaceAutocomplete {onResponse} />

Complete Example

Here is a complete, copy-and-paste example:

<script>
import { PlaceAutocomplete } from 'places-autocomplete-svelte';
import type { PlaceResult } from 'places-autocomplete-svelte/interfaces'; 

// Get API Key securely (e.g., from environment variables)
const PUBLIC_GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY = import.meta.env.VITE_PUBLIC_GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY;

// --- Event Handlers ---
const onResponse = (response: PlaceResult) => {
	console.log('Place Selected:', response);
};

const onError = (error: string) => {
	console.error('Places Autocomplete Error:', error);
};
</script>


<PlaceAutocomplete
    {PUBLIC_GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY}
    {onResponse}
    {onError}
/>

Manual Initialization (Advanced)

For applications using multiple Google Maps libraries or components, initialize the loader once in a parent component. This approach prevents "Loader must not be called again" errors and is more efficient.

Complete Example with Map Integration

<script>
import { browser } from '$app/environment';
import { PlaceAutocomplete } from 'places-autocomplete-svelte';
import { initialiseGMaps, setGMapsContext, importLibrary } from 'places-autocomplete-svelte/gmaps';
import type {PlaceResult,ComponentOptions } from 'places-autocomplete-svelte/interfaces';

let { data } = $props();
const PUBLIC_GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY = data?.PUBLIC_GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY;

// 1. Set the context for Google Maps. This should be done in the script's top-level scope.
setGMapsContext();

// 2. If we are in the browser, trigger the asynchronous loading process.
if (browser) {
	initialiseGMaps({
		key: PUBLIC_GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY,
		v: 'weekly' 
	}).catch((error: any) => {
		// ... handle error (already logged in initialiseGMaps)
	});
}

// --- Event Handlers ---
const onResponse = (response: PlaceResult) => {
	console.log('Place Selected:', response);
};

const onError = (error: string) => {
	console.error('Places Autocomplete Error:', error);
};

// --- Component Options ---
// See Properties for full list
const options: Partial<ComponentOptions> = {
	distance: true,
	distance_units: 'km',
	clear_input: true,
	placeholder: 'Start typing your address',
	classes: {
		li_current: 'bg-green-500',
	}
};

// --- Request Parameters ---
// See Request Parameters for full list
const requestParams = {
	region : 'GB',
	language : 'en-GB',      
};

// --- Fetch Fields ---
// Specify which fields to fetch from the Places API
const fetchFields = ['formattedAddress', 'addressComponents'];

</script>

<PlaceAutocomplete {options} {requestParams} {fetchFields} {onResponse} {onError} />

Security Best Practices

Your Google Maps API Key is sensitive. To prevent unauthorized use and unexpected charges, you must restrict it.