const getRefElement = <T>( element?: RefObject<Element> | T, ): Element | T | undefined | null => { if (element && 'current' in element) { return element.current; } return element; }; code example

Example: Cannot find name 'RefObject'

class TestApp extends React.Component<AppProps, AppState> {
    private stepInput: React.RefObject<HTMLInputElement>;
    constructor(props) {
        super(props);
        this.stepInput = React.createRef();
    }
    render() {
        return <input type="text" ref={this.stepInput} />;
    }
}