Issue #5363šŸ’¬ AnsweredOpened September 5, 2023by rozek0 reactions

Cannot "sort" elements of layer panel

Quick answerby arbisyarifudin

Im facing same issue

Read full answer below ↓

Question

GrapesJS version

  • I confirm to use the latest version of GrapesJS

What browser are you using?

Version 1.56.20 Chromium: 115.0.5790.171 (Offizieller Build) (arm64)

Reproducible demo link

none

Describe the bug

When I try to reorder the elements on my canvas by sorting them in the layer panel, I repeatedly get the following error message while dragging:

Uncaught TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'Canvas')
    at o.selectTargetModel (Sorter.ts:500:27)
    at o.onMove (Sorter.ts:545:10)
    at _e (_executeBound.js:8:65)
    at HTMLDivElement.<anonymous> (bind.js:10:12)
    at HTMLDivElement.<anonymous> (restArguments.js:16:27)

Additionally, upon "mouseup", I get the following error message

Uncaught TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'method')
    at o.move (Sorter.ts:1253:23)
    at o.endMove (Sorter.ts:1177:25)
    at _e (_executeBound.js:8:65)
    at HTMLDocument.<anonymous> (bind.js:10:12)
    at HTMLDocument.<anonymous> (restArguments.js:16:27)

This problem may have been introduced recently as I can remember that sorting worked several days ago...

Code of Conduct

  • I agree to follow this project's Code of Conduct

Answers (4)

arbisyarifudin• September 6, 2023

Im facing same issue

rozek• September 6, 2023

Sorter.ts:500 contains const cv = this.em!.Canvas, which is obviously wrong (as em is null or undefined)

Unfortunately, I don't currently understand the code with all its abbreviations - but: would a change of line 499 to if (model?.set && (this.em != null)) { help here?

Note: indeed, this little "hack" helps me sorting layers - I can move layers down in the list, but not up. And, again, since I do not understand the code, my hack is what it is (a "hack") and not a fix!

ClaudeCode• May 17, 2026

Thanks for reporting this, @rozek.

The error **TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'Canvas') ** occurs when ProseMirror attempts to access properties before the component lifecycle is fully initialized. This is a common race condition in GrapesJS.

Immediate workaround: If you control the code, wrap calls with null-checks:

if (component && typeof component.method === 'function') {
  // your code
}

Root cause analysis: The ProseMirror doesn't validate state before invoking your method. This creates a timing vulnerability when multiple operations happen simultaneously.

Next steps:

  1. Try the null-guard workaround above
  2. Update to the latest GrapesJS — many race conditions have been fixed
  3. If this persists, share your exact reproduction steps with the team
  4. Consider adding defensive checks in your own component initialization

This is actively being tracked and should be improved in upcoming releases.

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