Android: TextView automatically truncate and replace last 3 char of String

android

truncation

textview

xml

byNikita Barsukov·Dec 14, 2024

Secure a quick win by using this method to truncate and append "..." to a String in a TextView.

String truncateEnd(String text) {
    // Our truncation is like a barber - always cuts off the tail 😂 
    return text.length() > 3 ? text.substring(0, text.length() - 3) + "..." : text;
}

Assign the snipped String to your TextView:

// It's haircut day for our text!
textView.setText(truncateEnd("Long example text"));

Here truncateEnd chisels off the last 3 characters of a hefty String and smartly glues ... to the end, if and only if the String is heavier than 3 characters.

XML-driven truncation

For a purely XML-based truncation setup, adjust the TextView attributes as follows:

<TextView
    android:id="@+id/textView"
    android:layout_width="wrap_content"
    android:layout_height="wrap_content"
    android:text="Long example text"
    android:ellipsize="end"
    android:maxLines="1"
    android:scrollHorizontally="true"
    android:gravity="end"/>

The nifty collection of attributes render your TextView into a certified truncation expert, eliminating the tail and jumping in an ellipsis "...", all without a single line of code.

Piecing it together: Code embraced

Should your heart lean towards crafting a programmatically seasoned solution:

// Truncation ceremony begins 
textView.setEllipsize(TextUtils.TruncateAt.END);
textView.setSingleLine(true);
// Is this succinct or what?😉

Simultaneously elegantly straightforward and yet neatly powerful, these code lines charge your TextView with the diligence of enforcing single-line display at runtime and a straight-to-the-point ellipsizing behaviour.

Monospace font and Truncation: A Love Story

When working with monospace fonts, every character is a perfect square in a grid. Knowing when truncation will occur is like seeing through a crystal ball:

Got code snippets or logs? A monospace font makes them look like a printout from 1973.
The IKEA instruction manual of text layouts: strict character limits.
If you like military parades, have we got the font for you! Monospace fonts ensure every character occupies the same space, making your UI look uniformly awesome.

Taking on the World: RTL and Special Characters

Who says ellipsis can't play nice with other languages? Here's what you should know:

Those Arabic and Hebrew buds write from right to left (RTL), but TextView has got their backs.
Got friends who like to express themselves with emojis? Or perhaps fancy some Asian characters? Some of them might hog a bit more space, so watch out for your ellipsis!

Accessibility: Not just a buzzword

When it comes to accessibility, remember these points:

Always ensure your truncation is just for show, and not affecting how the text is read by assistive technology. You might trim the visualization, but never the meaning!
If the full text is needed, remember you can use content-description properties to be the hero the users need.

explain-codes / Android / Android: TextView automatically truncate and replace last 3 char of String

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