Bold words in a string of strings.xml in Android

Making words pretty: Spanning the Android text-scape

Advanced text tricks: Spannable strings

For dynamic text, use SpannableString and SpannableStringBuilder:

// SpannableStringBuilder: Because Your String Deserves More Than Just Regular Beauty Treatment
SpannableStringBuilder spannableBuilder = new SpannableStringBuilder("Regular bold italic");
spannableBuilder.setSpan(new StyleSpan(android.graphics.Typeface.BOLD), 8, 12, Spanned.SPAN_EXCLUSIVE_EXCLUSIVE);
spannableBuilder.setSpan(new StyleSpan(android.graphics.Typeface.ITALIC), 13, 19, Spanned.SPAN_EXCLUSIVE_EXCLUSIVE);
textView.setText(spannableBuilder);
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Mixing static and dynamic parts: The beauty of placeholders

Placeholders (%1$s) are priceless when dealing with dynamic values:

<string name="welcome_message">Welcome to the <b>%1$s</b> world!</string>
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Just replace the placeholders in your Java/Kotlin code:

// First step: replacing scary placeholders with the real deal
String userName = "Bold";
String welcomeText = String.format(getString(R.string.welcome_message), userName);

// Step 2: apply spannable magic dust
Spanned formattedText = Html.fromHtml(welcomeText, Html.FROM_HTML_MODE_COMPACT);
textView.setText(formattedText);
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Escaping HTML tags: Survival of the prettiest

You got a string that looks like an HTML tag? Make sure to escape them:

// Nothing to see here, definitely not an HTML tag
<string name="example">This tag is innocent: &lt;b&gt;NOT HTML&lt;/b&gt;</string>
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Kotlin: Who says Java gets to have all the fun?

Kotlin and Android, sitting in a tree, E.X.T.E.N.D.I.N.G

Looking for all the fun with Kotlin? Create extension functions that make conversion easier:

// All hail the mighty extension function!
fun String.fromHtmlCompat(): Spanned =
    if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.N) {
        Html.fromHtml(this, Html.FROM_HTML_MODE_COMPACT)
    } else {
        Html.fromHtml(this)
    }

// And here it is, in action
textView.text = getString(R.string.bold_text).fromHtmlCompat()
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Playing nice and safe: TextUtils.htmlEncode

For special characters, TextUtils.htmlEncode is your trusted sidekick:

String safeString = TextUtils.htmlEncode(userInput);
// The name’s String. Safe String.
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Compatibility: The secret to every long-lasting relationship

When SDK plays hard to get

Just like you check the milk's expiry date, make sure to keep an eye on Build.VERSION.SDK_INT:

if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.N) {
    // No one's too good for my bold text
    textView.setText(Html.fromHtml(getString(R.string.bold_text), Html.FROM_HTML_MODE_COMPACT));
} else {
    // Old but gold
    textView.setText(Html.fromHtml(getString(R.string.bold_text)));
}
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getText() vs getString(): There can only be one

When it comes to styled resources, always place your bets on getText():

// The only time when TEXTing is better than getting STRINGS attached
CharSequence styledText = getText(R.string.bold_text);
textView.setText(styledText);
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HTML within CDATA: Because everyone deserves a safe space

For a cleaner approach to HTML formatting, wrap your code inside a CDATA section:

// Building a safe haven for HTML. A layman would say 'A VIP Lounge'
<string name="rich_text"><![CDATA[This is a <b>bold</b> move!]]></string>
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