In this tutorial, we will learn about Android Textview Widget. We will also learn about different attributes used to configure the basic class of Textview widget.

Output

Android TextView Output

Video Output

Getting Started

We can define Android Textview widget as below –

Android Textview is user interface element that shows texts to the user and optionally allow them to edit it. However, Text editing is disabled by default. We need to configure the basic class by adding some attributes to make it editable.

Different Attributes of Android TextView Widget

Below are the different attributes of android Textview widget that are commonly used to customise the Textview. However, you can check the android official documentation website for complete list of Textview attributes. Here, we are listing some of the attributes that we will need commonly.

Example Of Android TextView Widget

In this section, you will learn how to use Android Textview. Follow the steps below to create android project. After that, we will use TextView in it. Please ignore the steps if you already know how to create a new android project.

1. Creating New Project

Now, we will modify the xml and java files to use Textview. Please follow the steps below.

2. Modify values folder

Open res/values/strings.xml file. Add below code into it.

<resources>
   <string name="app_name">TextView</string>
   <string name="click_on_me">Click On Me</string>
   <string name="clicked_on_me">You clicked on me.</string>
</resources>

Other values folders have not been changed. So, we are not going to mention it here.

3. Use TextView in xml file

Open res/layout/activity_main.xml file. Add below code into it. You may also visit post to Use Textview Widget programmatically in Android

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<LinearLayout
	android:id="@+id/activity_main"
	xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
	android:layout_width="match_parent"
	android:layout_height="match_parent"
	android:gravity="center">

	<TextView
		android:id="@+id/textView"
		android:layout_width="wrap_content"
		android:layout_height="wrap_content"
		android:text="@string/click_on_me"/>
</LinearLayout>

Note that we have added TextView widget in this xml file.

Now, we will access this TextView in java file and perform some action.

4. Access TextView in Java File

Open src/main/java/com.tutorialwing.textview/MainActivity.java file. Then, add below code into it.

package com.tutorialwing.textview;

import android.os.Bundle;
import android.support.v7.app.AppCompatActivity;
import android.view.View;
import android.widget.TextView;
import android.widget.Toast;

public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {

	@Override
	protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
		super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
		setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);

		TextView textView = (TextView) findViewById(R.id.textView);
		if (textView != null) {
			textView.setOnClickListener(new View.OnClickListener() {
				@Override
				public void onClick(View v) {
					Toast.makeText(MainActivity.this, R.string.clicked_on_me, Toast.LENGTH_LONG).show();
				}
			});
		}
	}
}

In this java file, we are showing a Toast message on click of TextView widget. However, you can perform any action you need.

4. AndroidManifest.xml file

Code inside main/AndroidManifest.xml file is as below.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest package="com.tutorialwing.textview" 
        xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">

	<application
		android:allowBackup="true"
		android:icon="@mipmap/ic_launcher"
		android:label="@string/app_name"
		android:supportsRtl="true"
		android:theme="@style/AppTheme">
		<activity android:name=".MainActivity">
			<intent-filter>
				<action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN"/>

				<category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER"/>
			</intent-filter>
		</activity>
	</application>

</manifest>

Finally, when you run the app, you will get output as shown above.