How to show tooltip in android jetpack compose

2 min read 05-10-2024

How to show tooltip in android jetpack compose

Show Tooltips Like a Pro: Mastering Tooltips in Jetpack Compose

Tooltips are a valuable way to provide concise, context-sensitive information to users within your Android application. In Jetpack Compose, creating and displaying tooltips is both straightforward and customizable. This article will guide you through the process, empowering you to implement tooltips effectively.

Understanding the Need for Tooltips

Imagine you have a complex UI with various icons or buttons. You want to inform the user about their purpose without cluttering the screen with text. Tooltips provide a solution by offering brief, interactive explanations that appear only when needed.

Implementing Tooltips in Jetpack Compose

Here's a basic example of creating a simple tooltip in Jetpack Compose:

@Composable
fun TooltipExample() {
    var showTooltip by remember { mutableStateOf(false) }

    Box(
        modifier = Modifier
            .fillMaxSize()
            .background(Color.White)
            .clickable { showTooltip = !showTooltip }
    ) {
        if (showTooltip) {
            Tooltip(
                text = "This is a tooltip",
                onDismissRequest = { showTooltip = false }
            )
        }
    }
}

@Composable
fun Tooltip(text: String, onDismissRequest: () -> Unit) {
    Surface(
        shape = RoundedCornerShape(8.dp),
        color = Color.Gray,
        modifier = Modifier
            .padding(8.dp)
    ) {
        Text(
            text = text,
            modifier = Modifier
                .padding(8.dp),
            color = Color.White
        )
    }
}

In this code:

showTooltip tracks the tooltip's visibility.
Clicking the Box toggles the tooltip's state.
The Tooltip composable renders a simple gray box containing the text.

Enhancing Your Tooltips

You can customize tooltips further by leveraging Jetpack Compose's flexibility:

Placement: Control the tooltip's position using Modifier.offset() or Modifier.align().
Appearance: Style the tooltip using Surface properties for background color, border, shape, etc.
Content: Embed different composables within the tooltip to display images, icons, or complex layouts.
Animation: Use AnimatedVisibility for visually appealing transitions.

Real-World Use Cases

Tooltips find applications in various scenarios:

Explaining Icon Functionality: Provide quick descriptions for icons that represent complex actions.
Highlighting Features: Draw attention to new features or important options within your app.
Offering Help Text: Guide users through specific tasks by providing contextual information.

Conclusion

Tooltips in Jetpack Compose empower you to create intuitive and informative user experiences. Experiment with different customizations to tailor tooltips to your specific needs and enhance the clarity of your app's UI. By providing timely, relevant information, you can guide users seamlessly through your application, fostering a positive and engaging interaction.