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An Angular template defines the rendered view for a component. It combines HTML with Angular syntax to display component data, respond to user actions, and shape dynamic interfaces. You can keep a template in the component metadata or put it in a separate HTML file.

How do Angular templates work?

A template describes the DOM that Angular renders for a component. It connects the component’s data and behavior to what appears on screen: interpolation and bindings display values, while event listeners connect user actions to component behavior. Angular processes templates by compiling them into JavaScript and applying rendering optimizations.

Most template markup looks like HTML, but Angular gives special meaning to certain syntax. For example, square brackets denote bindings, parentheses denote event listeners, and the at sign introduces features such as control flow.

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For the broader set of template features, see the Angular Essentials guide to templates.

Where does a component’s template live?

Angular supports two ways to define a component template. The choice is primarily about how you want to organize the component’s markup.

Form How it works When it fits
Inline template Markup is written in the component metadata. Useful when the markup is short and keeping it beside the component metadata makes the component easier to follow.
External templateUrl The component metadata references a separate HTML file. Useful when separating markup from component code makes a larger template easier to read or maintain.

These are organizational choices; Angular’s documentation establishes both forms, not a performance advantage for either. See the Angular templates overview for the official description.

Which Angular syntax connects data and interaction?

Interpolation displays values

Use interpolation to insert an expression’s result into rendered text:

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<p>Hello, {{ name }}!</p>

When the relevant component data changes, the displayed text can reflect that change.

Property and attribute bindings set values

Square brackets bind an expression to a DOM property:

<button [disabled]="isSaving">Save</button>

For an HTML attribute binding, use the attr. prefix, as in [attr.aria-label]. Property and attribute bindings are related but target different things: a DOM property or an HTML attribute.

Event bindings respond to user actions

Parentheses add an event listener. For example, (click) can call a component method when a user clicks an element:

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<button (click)="save()">Save</button>

Bindings and event listeners are building blocks for dynamic interfaces; Angular also provides control flow, template variables, pipes, content projection, and deferred loading.

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What differs from standard HTML?

Angular templates accept most familiar HTML, but Angular parses some characters and elements according to its own rules.

  • Binding notation: Square brackets and parentheses have framework meaning, so they are not always ordinary text in a template.
  • At signs: The @ character introduces features such as control flow. To display a literal at sign, Angular’s guide gives &commat; or &#64;.
  • Whitespace: Angular ignores or collapses unnecessary whitespace.
  • Comments: Source comments are not included in rendered output.
  • Self-closing elements: Component and directive elements may use self-closing syntax.
  • Script elements: <script> elements are not supported in templates.
  • Dynamic content: Angular may add comment placeholders in the DOM for dynamic content.

What is ng-template for?

<ng-template> declares a template fragment that Angular can render later through a reference and a rendering mechanism. Declaring the fragment alone does not display its contents. It is therefore different from ordinary markup that appears in the rendered view as soon as the component template is rendered.

Use this distinction when working with content that needs to be rendered dynamically or programmatically. The Angular ng-template API reference describes the fragment and its rendering behavior.

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