Implementing Tooltips in XML UI

Tooltips are small, informative pop-up windows that appear when a user hovers over an element or focuses on it using a keyboard or touch input. They provide contextual help and guidance without cluttering the UI. In XML UI environments, implementing tooltips can enhance user experience significantly. This blog post covers the techniques for adding tooltips in XML-based UI, highlighting various methods, considerations, and best practices.

What are Tooltips?

Tooltips are visual cues that offer users brief descriptions or helpful information when they interact with an on-screen element. They are particularly useful for:

• Explaining the function of an icon button
• Providing hints for form fields
• Offering contextual help for complex UI components

Why Use Tooltips?

Tooltips offer several benefits in enhancing usability:

• Improved User Experience: They guide users by providing on-demand assistance.
• Simplified Interface: Tooltips reduce clutter by showing information only when needed.
• Accessibility: Well-implemented tooltips enhance accessibility for users who may require additional context.

Implementing Tooltips in XML UI

While XML UI environments like Android don’t have a direct built-in “tooltip” element, tooltips can be achieved using various approaches.

Method 1: Using android:tooltipText (API Level 26+)

Starting from API level 26, Android introduced the android:tooltipText attribute, providing native tooltip support for View elements. This is the simplest way to implement tooltips on supported devices.

Step 1: Set android:tooltipText in XML

<Button
    android:id="@+id/myButton"
    android:layout_width="wrap_content"
    android:layout_height="wrap_content"
    android:text="Click Me"
    android:tooltipText="Click this button to perform an action" />

In this example, the Button will display the specified text when hovered over (e.g., on a desktop environment with a mouse) or long-pressed on a touch device (with TalkBack active).

Step 2: Ensure Compatibility

To ensure your app works on older devices, you should check the SDK version before enabling tooltips.

import android.os.Build
import android.view.View

fun setTooltip(view: View, tooltipText: String) {
    if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.O) {
        view.tooltipText = tooltipText
    } else {
        // Fallback method for older devices (see below)
        setTooltipCompat(view, tooltipText)
    }
}

Method 2: Implementing Tooltips with Pop-up Windows (Backward Compatibility)

For devices running versions older than API level 26, tooltips can be implemented using custom pop-up windows. This approach requires more coding but ensures consistent behavior across all devices.

Step 1: Create a Tooltip Class

Define a class to manage the tooltip window.

import android.content.Context
import android.graphics.PixelFormat
import android.os.Handler
import android.view.Gravity
import android.view.LayoutInflater
import android.view.View
import android.view.WindowManager
import android.widget.TextView
import android.widget.PopupWindow
import androidx.core.content.ContextCompat
import androidx.core.view.isVisible

class Tooltip(private val context: Context) {

    private var popupWindow: PopupWindow? = null
    private val handler = Handler()

    fun show(anchorView: View, text: String, delay: Long = 500) {
        handler.postDelayed({
            if (popupWindow?.isShowing == true) return@postDelayed

            val inflater = context.getSystemService(Context.LAYOUT_INFLATER_SERVICE) as LayoutInflater
            val popupView = inflater.inflate(R.layout.tooltip_layout, null)

            val textView = popupView.findViewById(R.id.tooltip_text)
            textView.text = text

            popupWindow = PopupWindow(
                popupView,
                WindowManager.LayoutParams.WRAP_CONTENT,
                WindowManager.LayoutParams.WRAP_CONTENT,
                true
            ).apply {
                elevation = 10f // Optional elevation for better visibility

                showAsDropDown(anchorView, 0, 0, Gravity.START) // Positioning the tooltip
            }
        }, delay)
    }

    fun dismiss() {
        handler.removeCallbacksAndMessages(null) // Remove any pending show callbacks
        popupWindow?.dismiss()
        popupWindow = null
    }
}

Step 2: Create a Layout for the Tooltip (tooltip_layout.xml)

<androidx.cardview.widget.CardView
    xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    xmlns:app="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto"
    android:layout_width="wrap_content"
    android:layout_height="wrap_content"
    app:cardBackgroundColor="#333"
    app:cardCornerRadius="4dp"
    app:cardElevation="4dp">

    <TextView
        android:id="@+id/tooltip_text"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:textColor="#fff"
        android:padding="8dp"
        android:textSize="14sp"/>

</androidx.cardview.widget.CardView>

Step 3: Implement the setTooltipCompat Function

Add this function to your Activity or Fragment:

import android.annotation.SuppressLint
import android.view.MotionEvent
import android.view.View

@SuppressLint("ClickableViewAccessibility")
fun setTooltipCompat(view: View, tooltipText: String) {
    val tooltip = Tooltip(view.context)

    view.setOnTouchListener { v, event ->
        when (event.action) {
            MotionEvent.ACTION_HOVER_ENTER -> {
                tooltip.show(v, tooltipText)
                true
            }
            MotionEvent.ACTION_HOVER_EXIT -> {
                tooltip.dismiss()
                true
            }
            else -> false
        }
    }
}

Step 4: Call setTooltip from Your Activity or Fragment

import android.os.Build
import android.os.Bundle
import android.widget.Button
import androidx.appcompat.app.AppCompatActivity

class MainActivity : AppCompatActivity() {
    override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState)
        setContentView(R.layout.activity_main)

        val myButton: Button = findViewById(R.id.myButton)

        val tooltipText = "Click this button to perform an action"
        setTooltip(myButton, tooltipText) // Using the compatibility function
    }
}

And update the setTooltip to include backward compatibility:

import android.os.Build
import android.view.View

fun setTooltip(view: View, tooltipText: String) {
    if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.O) {
        view.tooltipText = tooltipText
    } else {
        // Fallback method for older devices
        setTooltipCompat(view, tooltipText)
    }
}

Method 3: Using Libraries

Several third-party libraries can simplify the implementation of tooltips and provide advanced customization options. Some popular libraries include:

• MaterialShowcaseView: This library provides showcase views (similar to tooltips) to guide users through your app’s features.
• Toasty: While primarily known for toasts, it also offers customizable tooltip-like views.

To use a library, add the dependency to your build.gradle file and follow the library’s documentation for implementation.

Best Practices for Tooltips

Here are some guidelines for creating effective tooltips:

• Keep it concise: Tooltips should provide brief, focused information.
• Use clear language: Avoid jargon and technical terms.
• Position appropriately: Place tooltips near the element they describe without obscuring important UI elements.
• Ensure readability: Use appropriate text sizes and contrasts.
• Test on different devices: Ensure tooltips display correctly on various screen sizes and orientations.
• Consider accessibility: Tooltips should be accessible to users with disabilities, particularly those using screen readers.

Conclusion

Implementing tooltips in XML UI enhances user experience by providing contextual assistance and guidance. By using the android:tooltipText attribute (API Level 26+) or implementing custom pop-up windows for older devices, developers can add effective tooltips. Third-party libraries also offer a convenient way to implement advanced and customizable tooltips. Following best practices ensures tooltips are clear, concise, accessible, and effectively improve your application’s usability.