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Last updated at 2023-09-03

Axios POST Request with Example

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axios-post-request
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Sep 3, 2023
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Axios is a popular JavaScript library for making HTTP requests in both browsers and Node.js environments.
While you may be familiar with its capability for sending GET requests, it is equally proficient in handling POST requests.
In this article, we will dive into the fundamentals of making POST requests with Axios. Whether you are new to Axios or looking to expand your knowledge, this guide will walk you through the process.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure that you have Axios installed in your project. You can easily install it using npm or yarn:
npm install axios
# or
yarn add axios
Once Axios is installed, you can start using it to perform POST requests.

Complete Axios POST Request Example

Let's begin with a comprehensive example that demonstrates the various aspects of making a POST request using Axios.
This complete example covers sending data, handling headers, handling response, and error management.
const axios = require('axios');

const API_URL = 'https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts';

const DATA_TO_SEND = {
  title: 'Axios POST Request',
  body: 'This is a sample POST request using Axios.',
  userId: 1,
};

const CUSTOM_HEADERS = {
  'Content-Type': 'application/json',
  'Authorization': 'Bearer YOUR_TOKEN',
};

axios.post(API_URL, DATA_TO_SEND, {
  headers: CUSTOM_HEADERS,
})
  .then((response) => {
    if (response.status === 201) {
      console.log('Data sent successfully:', response.data);
    } else {
      console.error('An unexpected error occurred.');
    }
  })
  .catch((error) => {
    console.error('Error:', error.message);
  });
Now that you have a complete example, let's explore the specific details of making POST requests with Axios.

1. Basic POST Request

At the core of making a POST request with Axios is the axios.post method. It allows you to send data to a specified URL. Here's a simplified example:
const axios = require('axios');

const API_URL = 'https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts';
const DATA_TO_SEND = {
  title: 'Axios POST Request',
  body: 'This is a sample POST request using Axios.',
  userId: 1,
};

axios.post(API_URL, DATA_TO_SEND)
  .then((response) => {
    console.log('Data sent successfully:', response.data);
  })
  .catch((error) => {
    console.error('Error:', error.message);
  });
In this code:
  • You import Axios.
  • You use the axios.post method and provide the URL of the resource to which we want to send data.
  • You send the data as an object (DATA_TO_SEND) in the request body.
  • You handle the response using .then and any errors using .catch.

2. Sending JSON Data

When making POST requests, it's common to send JSON data in the request body. To specify the content type as JSON, you can set the 'Content-Type' header to 'application/json', as shown in the previous complete example.
Axios will automatically serialize the JavaScript object into JSON format before sending it.
There is no need to manually use JSON.stringify.

3. Handling Headers

Headers are essential in HTTP requests, especially when dealing with authentication or specifying content types.
You can include custom headers in your POST request by providing an object of headers in the request configuration.
Here's an example:
const CUSTOM_HEADERS = {
  'Content-Type': 'application/json',
  'Authorization': 'Bearer YOUR_TOKEN',
};

axios.post(API_URL, DATA_TO_SEND, {
  headers: CUSTOM_HEADERS,
})
In this example, we set the 'Content-Type' header to specify that we are sending JSON data and include an 'Authorization' header with a bearer token.

4. Handling Response

Handling the response from a POST request is straightforward. You can access the response data in the .then block as response.data.
Axios automatically parses the response body based on the content type and provides it as a JavaScript object.
axios.post(API_URL, DATA_TO_SEND)
  .then((response) => {
    console.log('Data sent successfully:', response.data);
  })

5. Error Handling

Error handling is a crucial aspect of making HTTP requests.
Axios makes it easy to handle errors using the .catch block.
It captures any errors that occur during the request, including network errors and response errors.
axios.post(API_URL, DATA_TO_SEND)
  .then((response) => {
    console.log('Data sent successfully:', response.data);
  })
  .catch((error) => {
    console.error('Error:', error.message);
  });
In this example, we log the error message to the console in case of an error.
You can customize error handling to suit your application's needs, such as displaying user-friendly error messages or taking specific actions based on the error type.

Conclusion

Making POST requests with Axios is a fundamental skill for interacting with APIs and sending data to servers.
In this comprehensive guide, you have learned how to create POST requests with Axios, including sending data, handling headers, managing responses, and implementing error handling.
Axios provides a user-friendly and flexible interface for handling HTTP requests in JavaScript projects, making it a valuable tool for developers.
With this knowledge, you can confidently incorporate POST requests into your applications and interact with RESTful APIs.

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