Text view

A user interface element that displays text to the user. To provide user-editable text, see EditText.

The following code sample shows a typical use, with an XML layout and code to modify the contents of the text view:

<LinearLayout

      xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"

      android:layout_width="match_parent"

      android:layout_height="match_parent">

    <TextView

        android:id="@+id/text_view_id"

        android:layout_height="wrap_content"

        android:layout_width="wrap_content"

        android:text="@string/hello_world" />

 </LinearLayout>

This code sample demonstrates how to modify the contents of the text view defined in the previous XML layout: 

public class MainActivity extends Activity {

    protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {

         super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);

         setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);

         final TextView helloTextView = (TextView) findViewById(R.id.text_view_id);

         helloTextView.setText(R.string.user_greeting);

     }

 }

Result

EditText 

A user interface element for entering and modifying text. When you define an edit text widget, you must specify the R.styleable.TextView_inputType attribute. For example, for plain text input set inputType to "text": 

<EditText

     android:id="@+id/plain_text_input"

     android:layout_height="wrap_content"

     android:layout_width="match_parent"

     android:inputType="text"/>

Choosing the input type configures the keyboard type that is shown, acceptable characters, and appearance of the edit text. For example, if you want to accept a secret number, like a unique pin or serial number, you can set inputType to "numericPassword". An inputType of "numericPassword" results in an edit text that accepts numbers only, shows a numeric keyboard when focused, and masks the text that is entered for privacy.

See the Text Fields guide for examples of other R.styleable.TextView_inputType settings.

You also can receive callbacks as a user changes text by adding a TextWatcher to the edit text. This is useful when you want to add auto-save functionality as changes are made, or validate the format of user input, for example. You add a text watcher using the TextView#addTextChangedListener method.

This widget does not support auto-sizing text.