Android background string resource

Question

I am working on a layout XML file, and I want to set a background color for a LinearLayout. This bit, which I am now using, works perfectly:

android:background="#1a64b7"

However, I would much prefer to break that out. In my strings.xml file I have

<string name="bg_blue">#1a64b7</string>

but when I use that in the following manner:

android:background="@string/bg_blue"

it shows up great in the Graphical Layout Preview in Eclipse, but the app crashes as soon as it opens. Any ideas? Thanks a ton.

Nick

Kiril Kirilov · Accepted Answer · 2011-02-24T13:29:06.623

10

This is the right way to do it!

For example you need some resources xml with lines like:

<resources>
    <color name="candidate_normal">#FF000000</color>
    <color name="candidate_recommended">#FFE35900</color>
    <color name="candidate_other">#ff808080</color>
    <color name="candidate_background">#bbffffff</color>
</resources>

edited Feb 24 '11 at 13:29

answered Feb 23 '11 at 22:46

Kiril Kirilov

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Ah, this is why I love StackOverflow. You guys are like magic. Thank you! – Nick Feb 23 '11 at 22:52
Whilst this may theoretically answer the question, [it would be preferable](http://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/8231/are-answers-that-just-contain-links-elsewhere-really-good-answers/8259#8259) to include the essential parts of the answer here, and provide the link for reference. – Benjol Feb 24 '11 at 10:53

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Feb 23 '11 at 22:48

1

It is best practise to keep your colors defined in colors.xml, and reference them as "@color/bg_blue". Keep your strings.xml for language copy only.

http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/resources/more-resources.html#Color

answered Feb 23 '11 at 22:48

Jeff Gilfelt

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should colors.xml by placed into the values folder? – AG1 May 24 '11 at 04:54

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Feb 23 '11 at 22:48

0

You may need to escape that pound symbol.

http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/resources/string-resource.html#FormattingAndStyling

answered Feb 23 '11 at 22:48

gdonald

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Android background string resource

3 Answers3