How to add a TextView to LinearLayout in Android

java

layout-params

android-development

xml-layout

byAnton Shumikhin·Feb 14, 2025

Here’s your express road to adding a TextView to a LinearLayout:

// Gettin' down to business! Locate our fancy LinearLayout
LinearLayout layout = findViewById(R.id.linearLayout);
// Time to play God and CREATE A TEXTVIEW!
TextView textView = new TextView(this);
// Psst, hey. Wanna see some... text?
textView.setText("Text to display");
// One TextView coming right up, waiter!
layout.addView(textView, new LinearLayout.LayoutParams(LayoutParams.WRAP_CONTENT, LayoutParams.WRAP_CONTENT));

This codeathlon creates a TextView, whispers a secret text into its ear, and delivers it to your LinearLayout kingdom. Just make sure linearLayout matches the ID in your XML layout.

The secret sauce: layout params

Before adding a TextView to a LinearLayout, keep an eye on the layout's orientation and ensure the layout parameters are set up like the perfect blind date. LinearLayout.LayoutParams lets you plan the TextView's dream date:

// Let's create the perfect sizing scenario for our TextView
LinearLayout.LayoutParams params = new LinearLayout.LayoutParams(
        LinearLayout.LayoutParams.WRAP_CONTENT, 
        LinearLayout.LayoutParams.WRAP_CONTENT
);
textView.setLayoutParams(params);
// Padding and margins? We're not savages!
params.setMargins(10, 20, 10, 0); // left, top, right, bottom
textView.setLayoutParams(params);

Always test your code-tales after each chapter. Who knows what plot twist might lie ahead?

The tale of the proper context

The Context you use when awakening the TextView is like the required password at a secret club. You gotta use the right one—usually the activity that the view parties in:

// Presto! TextView out of thin air!
TextView textView = new TextView(MyActivity.this);

If you mistakenly use getApplicationContext(), you might face a ClassCastException. And trust me, nobody wants to see that spoiler.

Dressing up the TextView

Make sure to give your TextView a unique ID—like a secret agent name—especially if you plan to spy on it later:

// Welcome, agent TextView, your ID is...
textView.setId(View.generateViewId());

Want to play stylist? You can change the text size, padding, typeface, and gravity. Let your TextView strut its stuff!

// Top model TextView getting ready for the runway  
textView.setTextSize(TypedValue.COMPLEX_UNIT_SP, 18f);
textView.setPadding(20, 20, 20, 20);
textView.setTypeface(Typeface.defaultFromStyle(Typeface.BOLD));
textView.setGravity(Gravity.CENTER);

Kotlin for a literary masterpiece

If Kotlin is your language of choice, you can turn your code into a Shakespearean play with apply:

// A TextView is born! Let's customize it.
val textView = TextView(this).apply {
    text = "All hail Kotlin, the king of languages!" 
    layoutParams = LinearLayout.LayoutParams(
        LinearLayout.LayoutParams.WRAP_CONTENT,
        LinearLayout.LayoutParams.WRAP_CONTENT
    ).apply {
        setMargins(10, 10, 10, 10) // We respect personal space here
    }
}
linearLayout.addView(textView)

Matching your XML layout

Ensure your main.xml isn't playing rebel and reflects what your code is trying to enforce. Set the LinearLayout's orientation attribute to vertical for a nice, tidy stack:

<LinearLayout
    android:id="@+id/linearLayout"
    android:orientation="vertical"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="wrap_content">
    <!-- TextViews assemble here -->
</LinearLayout>