Linear Layout and weight in Android

Question

I always read about this funny weight value in the Android documentations. Now I want to try it for the first time but it isn't working at all.

As I understand it from the documentations this layout:

  <LinearLayout
     android:layout_width="fill_parent"
     android:layout_height="wrap_content"
     android:orientation="horizontal">

     <Button
        android:text="Register"
        android:id="@+id/register"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:padding="10dip"
        weight="1" />

     <Button
        android:text="Not this time"
        android:id="@+id/cancel"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:padding="10dip"
        weight="1" />

  </LinearLayout>

should create two buttons that are horizontally aligned and share the space equally. The problem is the two buttons don't grow to fill the space.

I would like the buttons to grow and fill the whole line. If both buttons are set to match parent only the first button is shown and fills the whole line.

Answer 1

It's android:layout_weight. Weight can only be used in LinearLayout. If the orientation of linearlayout is Vertical, then use android:layout_height="0dp" and if the orientation is horizontal, then use android:layout_width = "0dp". It'll work perfectly.

Answer 2

This image summarizes the Linear layout.

You can follow this link for more information on the topic. Just Maths - Views, View Groups and Layouts

Video Tutorial For Linear Layout : Width, Height & Weights

Android Linear Layout Tutorial

Answer 3

Perhaps setting both of the buttons layout_width properties to "fill_parent" will do the trick.

I just tested this code and it works in the emulator:

<LinearLayout android:layout_width="fill_parent"
          android:layout_height="wrap_content">

    <Button android:layout_width="fill_parent"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:layout_weight="1"
        android:text="hello world"/>

    <Button android:layout_width="fill_parent"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:layout_weight="1"
        android:text="goodbye world"/>

</LinearLayout>

Be sure to set layout_width to "fill_parent" on both buttons.

Answer 4

This is perfect answer of your problem

  <LinearLayout 
        xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
        android:layout_width="fill_parent" 
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:orientation="horizontal"  >   
     <Button 
        android:text="Register" android:id="@+id/register"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content" android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:padding="10dip" weight="1" />
     <Button 
        android:text="Not this time" android:id="@+id/cancel"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content" android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:padding="10dip" weight="1" />
  </LinearLayout>

Answer 5

Like answer of @Manoj Seelan

Replace android:layout_weight With android:weight.

When you use Weight with LinearLayout. you must add weightSum in LinearLayout and according to orientation of your LinearLayout you must setting 0dp for Width/Height to all LinearLayout`s Children views

Example :

If The orientation of Linearlayout is Vertical , then Set Width of all LinearLayout`s Children views with 0dp

 <LinearLayout
     android:layout_width="fill_parent"
     android:layout_height="wrap_content"
     android:orientation="vertical"
     android:weightSum="3">

     <Button
        android:text="Register"
        android:id="@+id/register"
        android:layout_width="0dp"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:padding="10dip"
        android:layout_weight="2" />

     <Button
        android:text="Not this time"
        android:id="@+id/cancel"
        android:layout_width="0dp"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:padding="10dip"
        android:layout_weight="1" />

  </LinearLayout>

If the orientation Linearlayout of is horizontal , then Set Height of all LinearLayout`s Children views with 0dp.

 <LinearLayout
     android:layout_width="fill_parent"
     android:layout_height="wrap_content"
     android:orientation="horizontal"
     android:weightSum="3">

     <Button
        android:text="Register"
        android:id="@+id/register"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="0dp"
        android:padding="10dip"
        android:layout_weight="2" />

     <Button
        android:text="Not this time"
        android:id="@+id/cancel"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="0dp"
        android:padding="10dip"
        android:layout_weight="1" />

  </LinearLayout>

Answer 6

In the above XML, set the android:layout_weight of the linear layout as 2: android:layout_weight="2"