Message Header - CometChat Docs

Overview

MessageHeader is a Component that showcases the User or Group details in the toolbar. Furthermore, it also presents a typing indicator and a back navigation button for ease of use.

The MessageHeader is comprised of the following components:

Components	Description
ListItem Component	This component’s view consists of avatar, status indicator , title, and subtitle. The fields are then mapped with the SDK’s user, group class.
Back Button	BackButton that allows users to navigate back from the current activity or screen to the previous one

Usage

Integration

You can add MessageHeader component directly into the `layout.xml“ file.

your_layout.xml

<com.cometchat.chatuikit.messageheader.CometChatMessageHeader
                android:id="@+id/header"
                android:layout_width="match_parent"
                android:layout_height="56dp" />

Actions

Actions dictate how a component functions. They are divided into two types: Predefined and User-defined. You can override either type, allowing you to tailor the behavior of the component to fit your specific needs. The MessageHeader component does not have any exposed actions.

Filters

Filters allow you to customize the data displayed in a list within a Component. You can filter the list based on your specific criteria, allowing for a more customized. Filters can be applied using RequestBuilders of Chat SDK. The MessageHeader component does not have any exposed filters.

Events

Events are emitted by a Component. By using event you can extend existing functionality. Being global events, they can be applied in Multiple Locations and are capable of being Added or Removed. The MessageHeader component does not produce any events.

Customization

To fit your app’s design requirements, you can customize the appearance of the conversation component. We provide exposed methods that allow you to modify the experience and behavior according to your specific needs.

Style

Using Style you can customize the look and feel of the component in your app, These parameters typically control elements such as the color, size, shape, and fonts used within the component.

1. MessageHeader Style

To customize the appearance, you can assign a MessageHeaderStyle object to the MessageHeader component.

MessageHeaderStyle style = new MessageHeaderStyle();
style.setTypingIndicatorTextColor(Color.parseColor("#ff0000"));
messageHeader.setStyle(style);

The properties exposed by MessageHeaderStyle are as follows:

Property	Description	Code
Border Width	Used to set border	`.setBorderWidth(int)`
Border Color	Used to set border color	`.setBorderColor(@ColorInt int)`
Corner Radius	Used to set corner radius	`.setCornerRadius(float)`
Background	Used to set background colour	`.setBackground(@ColorInt int)`
Background	Used to set Drawable in background	`.setBackground(@Drawable )`
BackIcon Tint	Used to set back button icon tint	`.setBackIconTint(@ColorInt int)`
TypingIndicator TextAppearance	Used to set typing indicator textStyle	`.setTypingIndicatorTextAppearance(@StyleRes int)`
TypingIndicator TextColor	Used to set typing indicator text color	`.setTypingIndicatorTextColor(@ColorInt int)`
SubtitleText Appearance	Used to set subtitle text style	`.setSubtitleTextAppearance(@StyleRes int)`
SubtitleText Color	Used to set subtitle text color	`.setSubtitleTextColor(@ColorInt int)`
OnlineStatus Color	Used to set online status colour	`.setOnlineStatusColor(@ColorInt int)`

2. Avatar Style

If you want to apply customized styles to the Avatar component within the MessageHeader Component, you can use the following code snippet. For more information you can refer Avatar Styles.

AvatarStyle avatarStyle = new AvatarStyle();
avatarStyle.setBorderWidth(10);
avatarStyle.setBorderColor(Color.BLACK);
messageHeader.setAvatarStyle(avatarStyle);

3. ListItem Style

If you want to apply customized styles to the ListItemStyle component within the MessageHeader Component, you can use the following code snippet. For more information, you can refer ListItem Styles.

ListItemStyle listItemStyle = new ListItemStyle();
listItemStyle.setTitleColor(Color.BLACK);
messageHeader.setListItemStyle(listItemStyle);

4. StatusIndicator Style

If you want to apply customized styles to the Status Indicator component within the MessageHeader Component, you can use the following code snippet. For more information you can refer StatusIndicator Styles.

StatusIndicatorStyle statusIndicatorStyle = new StatusIndicatorStyle();
        statusIndicatorStyle.setCornerRadius(3.5f);
        statusIndicatorStyle.setBorderColor(Color.GREEN);
        messageHeader.setStatusIndicatorStyle(statusIndicatorStyle);

Functionality

These are a set of small functional customizations that allow you to fine-tune the overall experience of the component. With these, you can change text, set custom icons, and toggle the visibility of UI elements. Here is a code snippet demonstrating how you can customize the functionality of the Message Header component.

CometChatMessageHeader header = findViewById(R.id.header);
header.setUser(user);
header.hideBackIcon(false);

Following is a list of customizations along with their corresponding code snippets:

Property	Description	Code
User	Used to pass user object of which header specific details will be shown	`.setUser(user)`
Group	Used to pass group object of which header specific details will be shown	`.setGroup(Group)`
ProtectedGroupIcon	Used to set custom protected group icon	`.setProtectedGroupIcon(@DrawableRes int)`
PrivateGroupIcon	Used to set custom private group icon	`.setPrivateGroupIcon(@DrawableRes int)`
Hide BackIcon	Used to toggle back button visibility	`.hideBackIcon(boolean)`
Disable Typing	Used to enable /disable typing indicators	`.disableTyping(boolean)`
Disable UsersPresence	Used to toggle functionality to show user’s presence	`.disableUsersPresence(boolean)`

Advanced

For advanced-level customization, you can set custom views to the component. This lets you tailor each aspect of the component to fit your exact needs and application aesthetics. You can create and define your views, layouts, and UI elements and then incorporate those into the component.

SetListItemView

The MessageHeader component consists of a ListItemView. You can customize the ListItem according to your requirements by using the .setListItemView method.

header.setListItemView(View);

Example

You have to create a custom_header_item.xml as a custom layout file. This file can then be inflated and passed to setListItemView() method.

custom_header_item.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<RelativeLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    xmlns:app="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto">
    <androidx.cardview.widget.CardView
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="54dp"
        app:cardBackgroundColor="@color/white"
        app:cardCornerRadius="10dp"
        android:layout_margin="5dp"
        android:elevation="20dp"
        >
        <RelativeLayout
            android:layout_width="match_parent"
            android:layout_height="match_parent">
            <com.cometchat.chatuikit.shared.views.CometChatAvatar.CometChatAvatar
                android:id="@+id/avatar_view"
                android:layout_width="50dp"
                android:layout_height="50dp"
                android:layout_centerVertical="true"
                app:cardCornerRadius="10dp"
                />
            <TextView
                android:id="@+id/txt_name"
                android:layout_width="wrap_content"
                android:layout_height="wrap_content"
                android:text="Name"
                android:layout_toRightOf="@+id/avatar_view"
                android:textSize="30sp"
                android:layout_centerVertical="true"
                />
        </RelativeLayout>
    </androidx.cardview.widget.CardView>
</RelativeLayout>

YourActivity.java

View view = getLayoutInflater().inflate(R.layout.custom_header_item, null);
CometChatAvatar avatar = view.findViewById(R.id.avatar_view);
TextView name = view.findViewById(R.id.txt_name);
avatar.setImage(user.getAvatar());
name.setText(user.getName());
header.setListItemView(view);

SetSubtitleView

By using the .setSubtitleView method, you can modify the SubtitleView to meet your specific needs.

header.setSubtitleView()

Example

You should create a subtitle_layout.xml file and inflate it inside apply function.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<RelativeLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="match_parent">

    <ImageView
        android:id="@+id/img_conversation"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:src="@drawable/ic_message_grey"
        android:layout_margin="2dp"
        />
    <ImageView
        android:id="@+id/img_audio_call"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:src="@drawable/ic_call"
        android:layout_margin="2dp"
        android:layout_toRightOf="@+id/img_conversation"
        />
    <ImageView
        android:id="@+id/img_video_call"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:src="@drawable/ic_video"
        android:layout_margin="2dp"
        android:layout_toRightOf="@+id/img_audio_call"
        />
</RelativeLayout>

YourActivity.java

header.setSubtitleView(new Function3<Context, User, Group, View>() {
    @Override
    public View apply(Context context, User user, Group group) {
        View view = getLayoutInflater().inflate(R.layout.subtitle_layout, null);
        ImageView imgConversation = view.findViewById(R.id.img_conversation);
        ImageView imgAudioCall = view.findViewById(R.id.img_audio_call);;
        ImageView imgVideCall = view.findViewById(R.id.img_video_call);
        imgConversation.setOnClickListener(v -> {
            Toast.makeText(context, "Conversation Clicked", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
        })
        imgAudioCall.setOnClickListener(v -> {
            Toast.makeText(context, "Audio Call Clicked", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
        })
        imgVideCall.setOnClickListener(v -> {
            Toast.makeText(context, "Video Call Clicked", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
        });
        return view;
    }
});

SetBackIcon

You can customize the Back Icon according to your specific requirements by using the .setBackIcon() method.

header.setBackIcon(view);

Example

You need to create a custom_header_back_icon.xml file, inflate it, and then pass it to the .setBackIcon(view) method.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<RelativeLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    xmlns:app="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto">

    <androidx.cardview.widget.CardView
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:elevation="20dp"
        android:backgroundTint="#6851D6"
        app:cardCornerRadius="20dp"
        >
        <ImageView
            android:id="@+id/img_back"
            android:layout_width="wrap_content"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:src="@drawable/ic_back_ios"
            android:padding="5dp"
            />
    </androidx.cardview.widget.CardView>
</RelativeLayout>

View view = getLayoutInflater().inflate(R.layout.custom_header_back_icon, null);
ImageView imgBack = view.findViewById(R.id.img_back);
imgBack.setOnClickListener(v -> {
    Toast.makeText(this, "BackIcon Clicked !!", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
});
header.setBackIcon(view);

SetMenu

You can customize the Menu options to meet your specific needs by using the .setMenu() method.

 header.setMenu()

Example

You need to create a view_menu.xml file, inflate it, and then return it from .setBackIcon(view) method.

view_menu.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    xmlns:app="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto"
    xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    android:orientation="horizontal"
    tools:context=".MainActivity">

    <ImageView
        android:id="@+id/img_refresh"
        android:layout_width="30dp"
        android:layout_height="30dp"
        android:src="@drawable/ic_refresh_black"
        />
</LinearLayout>

    header.setMenu(new Function3<Context, User, Group, View>() {
            @Override
            public View apply(Context context, User user, Group group) {
                View view = getLayoutInflater().inflate(R.layout.view_menu, null);
                ImageView imgRefresh = view.findViewById(R.id.img_refresh);
                imgRefresh.setOnClickListener(v -> {
                    //Your Action
                });
                return view;
            }
    });

​Overview

​Usage

​Integration

​Actions

​Filters

​Events

​Customization

​Style

1. MessageHeader Style

2. Avatar Style

3. ListItem Style

4. StatusIndicator Style

​Functionality

​Advanced

​SetListItemView

​SetSubtitleView

​SetBackIcon

​SetMenu

Overview

Usage

Integration

Actions

Filters

Events

Customization

Style

Functionality

Advanced

SetListItemView

SetSubtitleView

SetBackIcon

SetMenu