Adding Borders to Android TextViews

In Android development, adding borders to views such as TextView can be achieved through various methods. This tutorial will guide you through different approaches to add borders to a TextView, including using shape drawables, 9-patch images, layer lists, and views.

Using Shape Drawables

One of the most common ways to add a border to a TextView is by using a shape drawable. You can create a new XML file in your drawable folder (e.g., border.xml) with the following content:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<shape xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    android:shape="rectangle">

    <!-- View background color -->
    <solid
        android:color="@color/background_color" />

    <!-- View border color and width -->
    <stroke
        android:width="1dp"
        android:color="@color/border_color" />

    <!-- The radius makes the corners rounded -->
    <corners
        android:radius="2dp" />
</shape>

Then, you can set this shape drawable as the background of your TextView:

<TextView
    android:id="@+id/textview1"
    android:layout_width="wrap_content"
    android:layout_height="wrap_content"
    android:background="@drawable/border" />

Using 9-Patch Images

Another way to add a border is by using a 9-patch image. A 9-patch is a stretchable background image that can be created using the draw9patch tool provided by Android. You can create an image with a border and then set it as the background of your TextView.

<TextView
    android:id="@+id/textview1"
    android:layout_width="wrap_content"
    android:layout_height="wrap_content"
    android:background="@drawable/my_ninepatch_image" />

Using Layer Lists

If you want to add a border only to one side of your TextView, you can use a layer list. A layer list allows you to stack multiple drawables on top of each other.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<layer-list xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">

    <!-- Lower rectangle (border color) -->
    <item>
        <shape android:shape="rectangle">
            <solid android:color="@color/border_color" />
        </shape>
    </item>

    <!-- Upper rectangle (background color) -->
    <item android:top="2dp">
        <shape android:shape="rectangle">
            <solid android:color="@color/background_color" />
        </shape>
    </item>
</layer-list>

You can apply this layer list to your TextView background in the same way as a shape drawable.

Using Views

Finally, you can also use a View to add a border between two views or to a single TextView. This method involves adding an extra view with a height of 1-2 dp and setting its background color.

<LinearLayout
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    android:orientation="vertical">

    <TextView
        android:id="@+id/textview1"
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content" />

    <!-- This adds a border between the TextViews -->
    <View
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="2dp"
        android:background="@android:color/black" />

    <TextView
        android:id="@+id/textview2"
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content" />
</LinearLayout>

In conclusion, adding borders to TextView in Android can be achieved through various methods, each with its own advantages and use cases. By choosing the right approach for your specific needs, you can enhance the visual appearance of your app’s UI.