page.title=Style Resource parent.title=Resource Types parent.link=available-resources.html @jd:body

See also

  1. Styles and Themes

A style resource defines the format and look for a UI. A style can be applied to an individual {@link android.view.View} (from within a layout file) or to an entire {@link android.app.Activity} or application (from within the manifest file).

For more information about creating and applying styles, please read Styles and Themes.

Note: A style is a simple resource that is referenced using the value provided in the {@code name} attribute (not the name of the XML file). As such, you can combine style resources with other simple resources in the one XML file, under one {@code <resources>} element.

file location:
res/values/filename.xml
The filename is arbitrary. The element's {@code name} will be used as the resource ID.
resource reference:
In XML: @[package:]style/style_name
syntax:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<resources>
    <style
        name="style_name"
        parent="@[package:]style/style_to_inherit">
        <item
            name="[package:]style_property_name"
            >style_value</item>
    </style>
</resources>
elements:
<resources>
Required. This must be the root node.

No attributes.

<style>
Defines a single style. Contains {@code <item>} elements.

attributes:

name
String. Required. A name for the style, which is used as the resource ID to apply the style to a View, Activity, or application.
parent
Style resource. Reference to a style from which this style should inherit style properties.
<item>
Defines a single property for the style. Must be a child of a <style> element.

attributes:

name
Attribute resource. Required. The name of the style property to be defined, with a package prefix if necessary (for example {@code android:textColor}).
example:
XML file for the style (saved in res/values/):
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<resources>
    <style name="CustomText" parent="@style/Text">
        <item name="android:textSize">20sp</item>
        <item name="android:textColor">#008</item>
    </style>
</resources>
XML file that applies the style to a {@link android.widget.TextView} (saved in res/layout/):
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<EditText
    style="@style/CustomText"
    android:layout_width="fill_parent"
    android:layout_height="wrap_content"
    android:text="Hello, World!" />