Template reference variable returns undefined inside ng-template

Question

Already tried this and this solution but nothing worked.

I am using Angular 7 and trying to get a reference variable which I've placed inside the ng-template tag. But it always returns undefined

test-component.html

<ng-template #abc>
  <div #xyz>    
  </div>
</ng-template>

test-component.ts

@ViewChild('abc') abc: ElementRef; //---> works fine
@ViewChild('xyz') xyz: ElementRef; //---> undefined

test-component.ts

ngAfterViewInit(){
  console.log(this.xyz); //---> undefined  
}

I've tried printing it in all the life cycle hooks of angular but it always returns undefined. But when I try putting it in out side of ng-template it works perfectly.

Is there any way around?

Answer 1

That is because, the content inside ng-template is not yet rendered.

You should first activate it using ngTemplateOutlet.

Add the following code in your html, it should work

<ng-template #abc>
  <div #xyz>    
  </div>
</ng-template>

<ng-container *ngTemplateOutlet="abc"></ng-container>

DEMO