Android - Dynamically Add Views into View

Question

I have a layout for a view -

<LinearLayout
    xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    android:layout_width="fill_parent"
    android:layout_height="fill_parent"
    android:padding="0px"
    android:orientation="vertical">

    <TextView
        android:layout_width="fill_parent"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:id="@+id/items_header"
        style="@style/Home.ListHeader" />

    <TextView 
        android:layout_width="fill_parent"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:id="@+id/items_none"
        android:visibility="gone"
        style="@style/TextBlock"
        android:paddingLeft="6px" />

    <ListView 
        android:layout_width="fill_parent"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:id="@+id/items_list" />


</LinearLayout>

What I want to do, is in my main activity with a layout like this

<LinearLayout
    xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    android:layout_width="fill_parent"
    android:layout_height="fill_parent"
    android:padding="0px"
    android:id="@+id/item_wrapper">
</LinearLayout>

I want to loop through my data model and inject multiple views consisting of the first layout into the main layout. I know I can do this by building the controls completely within the code, but I was wondering if there was a way to dynamically build the views so that I can continue using a layout instead of putting everything in code.

Answer 1

Use the LayoutInflater to create a view based on your layout template, and then inject it into the view where you need it.

LayoutInflater vi = (LayoutInflater) getApplicationContext().getSystemService(Context.LAYOUT_INFLATER_SERVICE);
View v = vi.inflate(R.layout.your_layout, null);

// fill in any details dynamically here
TextView textView = (TextView) v.findViewById(R.id.a_text_view);
textView.setText("your text");

// insert into main view
ViewGroup insertPoint = (ViewGroup) findViewById(R.id.insert_point);
insertPoint.addView(v, 0, new ViewGroup.LayoutParams(ViewGroup.LayoutParams.FILL_PARENT, ViewGroup.LayoutParams.FILL_PARENT));

You may have to adjust the index where you want to insert the view.

Additionally, set the LayoutParams according to how you would like it to fit in the parent view. e.g. with FILL_PARENT, or MATCH_PARENT, etc.