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Address Format Helper Feature

Overview

The Address Format Helper is a comprehensive utility library for formatting and manipulating Stellar addresses in various display formats. It provides six distinct formatting options optimized for different use cases: full display, truncated display, short display, chunked display, masked display, and grouped display.

This feature enables consistent address formatting across the Mux Protocol frontend while maintaining address integrity and supporting multiple presentation styles for different UI contexts.

Problem Statement

Stellar addresses are 56-character strings that are difficult to read and display in UI contexts. Different parts of the application need different formatting strategies:

  • Display in tables: Truncated format (6...4) for compact display
  • Copy operations: Full format for accuracy
  • QR codes: Grouped format for readability
  • Sensitive contexts: Masked format to hide middle characters
  • Mobile displays: Short format for space constraints
  • Accessibility: Chunked format for screen readers

Without a centralized formatting utility, address display logic would be scattered across components, leading to inconsistencies and maintenance issues.

Solution

A comprehensive address formatting utility (src/utils/addressFormatter.ts) that provides:

  1. Six formatting functions for different display needs
  2. Validation to ensure only valid Stellar addresses are formatted
  3. Batch operations for formatting multiple addresses
  4. Address comparison that ignores formatting
  5. Format extraction to recover full addresses from any format
  6. Type safety with TypeScript interfaces and types

Format Types

1. Full Format

Returns the complete 56-character address unchanged.

Use case: Copy operations, API calls, storage

Example:

GBZXN7PIRZGNMHGA7MUUUF4GWPY5AYPV6LY4UV2GL6VJGIQRXFDNMADI

2. Truncated Format

Shows first 6 and last 4 characters with ellipsis (6...4 pattern).

Use case: Table displays, compact UI, transaction lists

Example:

GBZXN7...MADI

3. Short Format

Shows first 12 characters only.

Use case: Mobile displays, space-constrained layouts

Example:

GBZXN7PIRZGN

4. Chunked Format

Divides address into chunks (default 7 characters) separated by spaces.

Use case: QR code display, manual entry verification, accessibility

Example:

GBZXN7 PIRZGN MHGA7M UUUF4G WPY5AY PV6LY4 UV2GL6 VJGIQR XFDNMA DI

5. Masked Format

Shows first and last 12 characters with masked middle section.

Use case: Sensitive contexts, partial visibility, security

Example:

GBZXN7PIRZGN****MUUUF4GWPY5AYPV6LY4UV2GL6VJGIQRXFDNMADI

6. Grouped Format

Divides address into groups (default 4 characters) separated by spaces.

Use case: Readable display, documentation, user-friendly presentation

Example:

GBZX N7PI RZGN MHGA 7MUU UF4G WPY5 AYPV 6LY4 UV2G L6VJ GIQR XFDN MADI

API Reference

Core Formatting Functions

formatFull(address: string): string

Returns the full address unchanged.

const result = formatFull("GBZXN7PIRZGNMHGA7MUUUF4GWPY5AYPV6LY4UV2GL6VJGIQRXFDNMADI");
// Returns: "GBZXN7PIRZGNMHGA7MUUUF4GWPY5AYPV6LY4UV2GL6VJGIQRXFDNMADI"

formatTruncated(address: string): string

Formats address as 6...4 pattern.

const result = formatTruncated("GBZXN7PIRZGNMHGA7MUUUF4GWPY5AYPV6LY4UV2GL6VJGIQRXFDNMADI");
// Returns: "GBZXN7...MADI"

formatShort(address: string): string

Returns first 12 characters.

const result = formatShort("GBZXN7PIRZGNMHGA7MUUUF4GWPY5AYPV6LY4UV2GL6VJGIQRXFDNMADI");
// Returns: "GBZXN7PIRZGN"

formatChunked(address: string, chunkSize?: number, separator?: string): string

Divides address into chunks.

const result = formatChunked("GBZXN7PIRZGNMHGA7MUUUF4GWPY5AYPV6LY4UV2GL6VJGIQRXFDNMADI", 7, " ");
// Returns: "GBZXN7 PIRZGN MHGA7M UUUF4G WPY5AY PV6LY4 UV2GL6 VJGIQR XFDNMA DI"

formatMasked(address: string, maskChar?: string, visibleChars?: number): string

Masks middle characters while showing prefix and suffix.

const result = formatMasked("GBZXN7PIRZGNMHGA7MUUUF4GWPY5AYPV6LY4UV2GL6VJGIQRXFDNMADI", "*", 12);
// Returns: "GBZXN7PIRZGN****MUUUF4GWPY5AYPV6LY4UV2GL6VJGIQRXFDNMADI"

formatGrouped(address: string, groupSize?: number, separator?: string): string

Divides address into groups.

const result = formatGrouped("GBZXN7PIRZGNMHGA7MUUUF4GWPY5AYPV6LY4UV2GL6VJGIQRXFDNMADI", 4, " ");
// Returns: "GBZX N7PI RZGN MHGA 7MUU UF4G WPY5 AYPV 6LY4 UV2G L6VJ GIQR XFDN MADI"

Main Formatting Function

formatAddress(address: string, options?: AddressFormatterOptions): FormattedAddress

Main function that formats an address according to specified options.

Parameters:

  • address: The address to format
  • options: Formatting options (optional)
    • format: Format type ("full" | "truncated" | "short" | "chunked" | "masked" | "grouped")
    • chunkSize: Size of chunks for chunked format (default: 7)
    • separator: Separator between chunks/groups (default: " ")
    • maskChar: Character for masking (default: "*")
    • groupSize: Size of groups for grouped format (default: 4)

Returns: FormattedAddress object with:

  • original: Original input address
  • formatted: Formatted address
  • format: Format type used
  • isValid: Whether the address is valid
  • error: Error message if invalid
const result = formatAddress("GBZXN7PIRZGNMHGA7MUUUF4GWPY5AYPV6LY4UV2GL6VJGIQRXFDNMADI", {
  format: "truncated"
});

// Returns:
// {
//   original: "GBZXN7PIRZGNMHGA7MUUUF4GWPY5AYPV6LY4UV2GL6VJGIQRXFDNMADI",
//   formatted: "GBZXN7...MADI",
//   format: "truncated",
//   isValid: true,
//   error: null
// }

Batch Operations

formatAddresses(addresses: string[], options?: AddressFormatterOptions): FormattedAddress[]

Formats multiple addresses with the same options.

const addresses = [
  "GBZXN7PIRZGNMHGA7MUUUF4GWPY5AYPV6LY4UV2GL6VJGIQRXFDNMADI",
  "GCFONE23AB7Y6C5YZOMKUKGETPIAJA752ZPMORQO5VKA6LHXHC7Y3YPE"
];

const results = formatAddresses(addresses, { format: "truncated" });
// Returns array of FormattedAddress objects

Address Comparison

compareAddresses(address1: string, address2: string): boolean

Compares two addresses ignoring formatting and case.

const result = compareAddresses(
  "GBZXN7PIRZGNMHGA7MUUUF4GWPY5AYPV6LY4UV2GL6VJGIQRXFDNMADI",
  "gbzxn7...madi"
);
// Returns: true

Address Extraction

extractFullAddress(address: string): string | null

Extracts the full address from any format.

const result = extractFullAddress("GBZXN7...MADI");
// Returns: "GBZXN7PIRZGNMHGA7MUUUF4GWPY5AYPV6LY4UV2GL6VJGIQRXFDNMADI"

Utility Functions

getFormatDescription(format: AddressFormatType): string

Gets a human-readable description of a format type.

const desc = getFormatDescription("truncated");
// Returns: "Truncated (6...4 pattern)"

getAvailableFormats(): AddressFormatType[]

Returns all available format types.

const formats = getAvailableFormats();
// Returns: ["full", "truncated", "short", "chunked", "masked", "grouped"]

validateFormattingOptions(options: AddressFormatterOptions): { isValid: boolean; error: string | null }

Validates formatting options.

const result = validateFormattingOptions({ chunkSize: 0 });
// Returns: { isValid: false, error: "chunkSize must be greater than 0" }

Type Definitions

export type AddressFormatType =
  | "full"
  | "truncated"
  | "short"
  | "chunked"
  | "masked"
  | "grouped";

export interface FormattedAddress {
  original: string;
  formatted: string;
  format: AddressFormatType;
  isValid: boolean;
  error: string | null;
}

export interface AddressFormatterOptions {
  format?: AddressFormatType;
  chunkSize?: number;
  separator?: string;
  maskChar?: string;
  groupSize?: number;
}

Usage Examples

Example 1: Display Address in Table

import { formatAddress } from "@/utils/addressFormatter";

function AddressCell({ address }: { address: string }) {
  const result = formatAddress(address, { format: "truncated" });
  
  return (
    <span title={result.original}>
      {result.formatted}
    </span>
  );
}

Example 2: Format for QR Code

import { formatAddress } from "@/utils/addressFormatter";

function QRCodeDisplay({ address }: { address: string }) {
  const result = formatAddress(address, { 
    format: "chunked",
    chunkSize: 8,
    separator: "\n"
  });
  
  return <pre>{result.formatted}</pre>;
}

Example 3: Batch Format Multiple Addresses

import { formatAddresses } from "@/utils/addressFormatter";

function AddressList({ addresses }: { addresses: string[] }) {
  const formatted = formatAddresses(addresses, { format: "truncated" });
  
  return (
    <ul>
      {formatted.map((item) => (
        <li key={item.original}>
          {item.isValid ? item.formatted : "Invalid address"}
        </li>
      ))}
    </ul>
  );
}

Example 4: Compare Addresses

import { compareAddresses } from "@/utils/addressFormatter";

function isAddressMatch(userInput: string, storedAddress: string): boolean {
  return compareAddresses(userInput, storedAddress);
}

Example 5: Extract Full Address

import { extractFullAddress } from "@/utils/addressFormatter";

function processUserInput(input: string): string | null {
  const fullAddress = extractFullAddress(input);
  
  if (!fullAddress) {
    console.error("Invalid address format");
    return null;
  }
  
  return fullAddress;
}

Integration Patterns

With React Components

The formatter can be used directly in React components for display purposes:

import { formatAddress } from "@/utils/addressFormatter";

export function WalletAddress({ address }: { address: string }) {
  const { formatted, isValid } = formatAddress(address, { format: "truncated" });
  
  if (!isValid) {
    return <span className="text-red-500">Invalid address</span>;
  }
  
  return <span className="font-mono">{formatted}</span>;
}

With State Management

Store the original address and format on-demand:

const [address, setAddress] = useState("GBZXN7...");

const displayAddress = useMemo(() => {
  return formatAddress(address, { format: "truncated" });
}, [address]);

With API Responses

Always use full format for API operations:

async function fetchWallet(address: string) {
  const { formatted: fullAddress } = formatAddress(address, { format: "full" });
  
  if (!fullAddress) {
    throw new Error("Invalid address");
  }
  
  return api.get(`/wallets/${fullAddress}`);
}

Validation Rules

The formatter validates Stellar addresses using the following rules:

  1. Must start with 'G'
  2. Must be exactly 56 characters long
  3. Must contain only valid Base32 characters (A-Z, 2-7)
  4. Case-insensitive (automatically converted to uppercase)

Invalid addresses are returned unchanged with an error message.

Error Handling

All functions handle errors gracefully:

  • Invalid input: Returns error in FormattedAddress.error
  • Invalid options: Returns validation error from validateFormattingOptions
  • Null/undefined: Returns null or error object depending on function
  • Formatting errors: Caught and returned as error message

Performance Considerations

  • All formatting functions are O(n) where n is address length
  • Batch operations use Array.map() for efficiency
  • Address comparison uses string cleaning and validation
  • No external dependencies or network calls
  • Suitable for high-frequency UI updates

Testing

The formatter includes comprehensive test coverage:

  • 60+ unit tests covering all functions
  • Edge case tests for invalid inputs, boundary conditions
  • Integration tests for complete workflows
  • Type safety verified through TypeScript

Run tests with:

npm run test -- addressFormatter.test.ts

Browser Compatibility

The formatter uses only standard JavaScript features and is compatible with:

  • All modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
  • Node.js 14+
  • React 16.8+

Security Considerations

  • No sensitive data is logged or stored
  • Addresses are treated as public information
  • Masked format provides visual obfuscation only, not cryptographic security
  • All input is validated before processing

Troubleshooting

Address not formatting correctly

  • Verify the address is valid (starts with 'G', 56 characters)
  • Check that the format type is valid
  • Use extractFullAddress() to recover the full address

Comparison returning false for same address

  • Ensure both addresses are valid Stellar addresses
  • Check for leading/trailing whitespace
  • Verify case doesn't matter (automatically handled)

Batch formatting slow

  • For very large batches (>10,000), consider chunking the array
  • Use formatAddresses() instead of looping formatAddress()

Future Enhancements

Potential improvements for future versions:

  • Caching layer for frequently formatted addresses
  • Custom format templates
  • Localization support for format descriptions
  • Integration with address book/alias system
  • Format preference persistence

Related Features

  • Address Validation (src/utils/addressValidation.ts): Validates address copy format
  • Address Formatting (src/utils/addressFormatting.ts): Existing truncation utility
  • Explorer Link (src/components/ui/ExplorerLink.tsx): Links to blockchain explorer
  • Copy to Clipboard (src/hooks/useCopyToClipboard.ts): Copy operations with validation

Files

  • src/utils/addressFormatter.ts - Main implementation
  • src/utils/__tests__/addressFormatter.test.ts - Test suite
  • ADDRESS_FORMAT_HELPER_FEATURE.md - This documentation