How to replace menu dynamically with another in Android

Question

I have a ListActivity (SherlockListActivity) and its content can be dynamically changed by the user. When the content changes, the options menu should be replaced.

As I learned, instead of onCreateOptionsMenu I should use onPrepareOptionsMenu that is (supposed to be) called every time the user selects the menu.

This is called right before the menu is shown, every time it is shown.

I have the following code:

@Override
  public boolean onPrepareOptionsMenu(Menu menu)
  {
    menu.clear();
    if (UserOption == UserOption1)
      getSupportMenuInflater().inflate(R.menu.menu_option1, menu);
    else
      getSupportMenuInflater().inflate(R.menu.menu_option2, menu);
    return super.onPrepareOptionsMenu(menu);
  }

It is called only once during debug, so I always have the same menu.

What should I set to make it work?

use invalidateOptionsMenu() in where you want to refresh your menu — Arun Shankar, Aug 18 '15 at 11:47
@JordiCastilla The main problem is that I have to use inflate to create a new layout and a simple reference to a menu does not help. — Nestor, Aug 18 '15 at 11:47
@ArunShankar Almost there, but the menu is replaced only after the _first interaction_ and not immediately. — Nestor, Aug 18 '15 at 11:51
@ArunShankar Using `invalidateOptionsMenu` is the solution. If you change your answer, I'll accept it. — Nestor, Aug 18 '15 at 12:08

Arun Shankar · Accepted Answer · 2019-01-18T05:18:00.713

4

Create and prepare the options menu for changing and its item selection method

 @Override
    public boolean onPrepareOptionsMenu(Menu menu) {
        menu.clear();
        MenuInflater inflater = getMenuInflater();
        if(menuString=="red"){
        inflater.inflate(R.menu.red_menu, menu);
        }else if(menuString=="green"){
        inflater.inflate(R.menu.green_menu, menu);
        }
        return true;
    }


 @Override
    public boolean onOptionsItemSelected(MenuItem item) {
        // Handle item selection
        switch (item.getItemId()) {
            case R.id.new_game:
                return true;
            case R.id.help:
                return true;
            default:
                return super.onOptionsItemSelected(item);
        }
    }

Like whenever you want to change menu call

String menuString="red or green";
invalidateOptionsMenu();

Like others told, if you want to have static menu use onCreateOptionsMenu, and if you want to change its visibility dynamically use onPrepareOptionsMenu along with onCreateOptionsMenu

edited Jan 18 '19 at 05:18

answered Aug 18 '15 at 11:58

Arun Shankar

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I have to inflate a new layout dinamically. Your solution does not cover that. – Nestor Aug 18 '15 at 12:03
what layout, you mean listview..? – Arun Shankar Aug 18 '15 at 12:09
A new menu layout, every time. – Nestor Aug 18 '15 at 12:11
check my updated answer, it will now clear the existing menu and inflate new one – Arun Shankar Aug 18 '15 at 12:16
I also suggest using `onPrepareOptionMenu` instead of `onCreateOptionsMenu`. – Nestor Aug 18 '15 at 12:28
do you want to inflate menu, when clicking on menu items, if so onPrepareOptionMenu come in handy, otherwise onCreateOptionsMenu is enough. – Arun Shankar Aug 18 '15 at 12:44

How to replace menu dynamically with another in Android

1 Answers1