ComboBox with CheckBoxes

[heba.farouk]

Hi all

I would like to have a combobox that its items are checkboxes, like the example attached.

can u help me

Thanks in advance

[Eranga]

For each item of the Combo box, try to set the model as a check box. I've never try it, but it should work. Have a try and see.

[heba.farouk]

I tired this, and it's not working, the combobox data is :

javax.swing.JCheckBox[,0,0,0x0,invalid,alignmentX=0.0,alignmentY=0.5,border=javax.swing.plaf.BorderUIResource$CompoundBorderUIResource@14b03ea,flags=296,maximumSize=,minimumSize=,preferredSize=,defaultIcon=,disabledIcon=,disabledSelectedIcon=,margin=javax.swing.plaf.InsetsUIResource[top=2,left=2,bottom=2,right=2],paintBorder=false,paintFocus=true,pressedIcon=,rolloverEnabled=true,rolloverIcon=,rolloverSelectedIcon=,selectedIcon=,text=One]

the model only sees the check box as a string

Here is my code (May be i missed something )

.
.
.
.
//setting the comboBox model
JCheckBox[] featuresList = new JCheckBox[2];
		featuresList[0] = new JCheckBox("One");
		featuresList[1] = new JCheckBox("two");
		ComboBoxDataModel model = new ComboBoxDataModel(featuresList);
		featuresComboBox.setModel(model);

.
.
.

//The data model class
import java.awt.CheckboxGroup;

import javax.swing.AbstractListModel;
import javax.swing.ComboBoxModel;
import javax.swing.JCheckBox;
import javax.swing.event.ListDataListener;

public class ComboBoxDataModel extends AbstractListModel implements ComboBoxModel{

	JCheckBox[] choices;
	Object selectedItem;
	
	public ComboBoxDataModel(JCheckBox[] choices){
		this.choices = choices;
	}
	@Override
	public Object getSelectedItem() {
		return this.selectedItem;
	}

	@Override
	public void setSelectedItem(Object anItem) {
		this.selectedItem = anItem;
	}

	@Override
	public Object getElementAt(int index) {
		return (JCheckBox)choices[index];
	}

	@Override
	public int getSize() {
		return choices.length;
	}
}

Thanks

[Fubarable]

For each item of the Combo box, try to set the model as a check box. I've never try it, but it should work. Have a try and see.

I don't see how that would work because the standard JComboBox only displays the results from a call to the object's toString() method. I suppose you have to alter the renderer that the combobox uses to display the items. Have a look at this link here.

[Niveditha]

Yes even i agree with Fuberable.
ComboBox will select only one item at the time and checkBoxes are used when user is allowed to select multiple items which contradicts the use of ComboBox.

I think the initiator needs to rethink about the use of checkbox in comboBox.

[heba.farouk]

yes, Fubarable, i made my renderer, my problem now is that i can't select or deselect the check boxes in the combobox, any solutions !!

too, i'll have a look on the link u sent, thanks

here is the code

public class CheckListCellRenderer implements ListCellRenderer	{
	
	public Component getListCellRendererComponent(JList list, Object value,
			int index, boolean isSelected, boolean cellHasFocus) {
		
		if(index ==-1)
			return new JLabel("Select features!");
		JCheckBox checkBox = (JCheckBox)value;
		checkBox.setUI((BasicCheckBoxUI) MyCheckBoxUI.createUI(checkBox));
		checkBox.setPreferredSize(new Dimension(214, 25));
		checkBox.setEnabled(true);
		return checkBox;
	}
	static class MyCheckBoxUI extends BasicCheckBoxUI {
	    public static ComponentUI createUI(JComponent c) {
	      return new MyCheckBoxUI();
	    }
	  }
}

[hardwired]

problem now is that i can't select or deselect the check boxes in the combobox, any solutions !!
One difficulty with a JComboBox is that the editing takes place in the component and not in the JPopupMenu below it.
You might try making a custom component for this.

import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import java.awt.geom.Path2D;
import javax.swing.*;

public class CheckCombo implements ActionListener {
    JPopupMenu popupMenu;

    public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
        JButton button = (JButton)e.getSource();
        Component parent = button.getParent();
        if(popupMenu.getInvoker() == null) {
            popupMenu.setInvoker(parent);
            int w = ((JComponent)parent).getPreferredSize().width;
            Dimension d = popupMenu.getComponent(0).getPreferredSize();
            d.width = w;
            popupMenu.setPopupSize(d);
        }
        Rectangle r = parent.getBounds();
        Point p = r.getLocation();
        Container topLevel = button.getTopLevelAncestor();
        Container cp = ((JFrame)topLevel).getContentPane();
        SwingUtilities.convertPointToScreen(p, cp);
        popupMenu.setLocation(p.x, p.y+r.height);
        popupMenu.setVisible(true);
    }

    private JPanel getContent() {
        createPopupMenu();
        JLabel label = new JLabel(" Select Features!");
        label.setBorder(
            BorderFactory.createLineBorder(new Color(175,175,200), 1));
        JButton button = new JButton() {
            protected void paintComponent(Graphics g) {
                super.paintComponent(g);
                Graphics2D g2 = (Graphics2D)g;
                g2.setRenderingHint(RenderingHints.KEY_ANTIALIASING,
                                    RenderingHints.VALUE_ANTIALIAS_ON);
                int w = getWidth();
                double width = 10.0;
                double x = (w - width)/2.0;
                double height = 5.0;
                double y = (getHeight() - height)/2.0;
                Path2D.Double path = new Path2D.Double();
                path.moveTo(x, y);
                path.lineTo(x+width, y);
                path.lineTo(w/2.0, y+height);
                path.closePath();
                g2.fill(path);
            }

            public Dimension getPreferredSize() {
                return new Dimension(20,25);
            }
        };
        button.addActionListener(this);
        JPanel p = new JPanel(new GridBagLayout());
        GridBagConstraints gbc = new GridBagConstraints();
        gbc.weightx = 1.0;
        gbc.fill = gbc.BOTH;
        p.add(label, gbc);
        gbc.weightx = 0;
        p.add(button, gbc);
        JPanel panel = new JPanel(new GridBagLayout());
        panel.add(p, gbc);
        Dimension d = p.getPreferredSize();
        d.width = 120;
        p.setPreferredSize(d);
        return panel;
    }

    private void createPopupMenu() {
        final CheckComboStore[] stores = {
            new CheckComboStore("one",   true),
            new CheckComboStore("two",   false),
            new CheckComboStore("three", false)
        };
        ActionListener al = new ActionListener() {
            public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
                JCheckBox cb = (JCheckBox)e.getSource();
                String ac = cb.getActionCommand();
                for(int i = 0; i < stores.length; i++) {
                    if(stores[i].toString().equals(ac)) {
                        stores[i].state = cb.isSelected();
                    }
                }
                popupMenu.setVisible(false);
            }
        };
        popupMenu = new JPopupMenu();
        JPanel panel = new JPanel(new GridLayout(0,1));
        GridBagLayout gridbag = new GridBagLayout();
        GridBagConstraints gbc = new GridBagConstraints();
        for(int i = 0; i < stores.length; i++) {
            JCheckBox cb = new JCheckBox();
            cb.setActionCommand(stores[i].toString());
            cb.addActionListener(al);
            JLabel label = new JLabel(stores[i].toString(), JLabel.CENTER);
            JPanel p = new JPanel(gridbag);
            gbc.weightx = 0;
            gbc.gridwidth = GridBagConstraints.RELATIVE;
            p.add(cb, gbc);
            gbc.weightx = 1.0;
            gbc.fill = GridBagConstraints.BOTH;
            gbc.gridwidth = GridBagConstraints.REMAINDER;
            p.add(label, gbc);
            panel.add(p);
        }
        popupMenu.add(panel);
    }

    private JPanel getComparisonCombo() {
        JComboBox combo = new JComboBox(new String[]{"Select Features!"});
        Dimension d = combo.getPreferredSize();
        System.out.printf("comparisonSize = [%d, %d]%n", d.width, d.height);
        JPanel panel = new JPanel();
        panel.add(combo);
        return panel;
    }

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        CheckCombo test = new CheckCombo();
        JFrame f = new JFrame();
        f.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
        f.add(test.getContent());
        f.add(test.getComparisonCombo(), "Last");
        f.setSize(300,200);
        f.setLocation(200,200);
        f.setVisible(true);
    }
}

class CheckComboStore {
    String text;
    boolean state;

    public CheckComboStore(String text, boolean state) {
        this.text = text;
        this.state = state;
    }

    public String toString() {
        return text;
    }
}

[yirenjun]

problem now is that i can't select or deselect the check boxes in the combobox, any solutions !!
One difficulty with a JComboBox is that the editing takes place in the component and not in the JPopupMenu below it.
You might try making a custom component for this.

import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import java.awt.geom.Path2D;
import javax.swing.*;

public class CheckCombo implements ActionListener {
    JPopupMenu popupMenu;

    public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
        JButton button = (JButton)e.getSource();
        Component parent = button.getParent();
        if(popupMenu.getInvoker() == null) {
            popupMenu.setInvoker(parent);
            int w = ((JComponent)parent).getPreferredSize().width;
            Dimension d = popupMenu.getComponent(0).getPreferredSize();
            d.width = w;
            popupMenu.setPopupSize(d);
        }
        Rectangle r = parent.getBounds();
        Point p = r.getLocation();
        Container topLevel = button.getTopLevelAncestor();
        Container cp = ((JFrame)topLevel).getContentPane();
        SwingUtilities.convertPointToScreen(p, cp);
        popupMenu.setLocation(p.x, p.y+r.height);
        popupMenu.setVisible(true);
    }

    private JPanel getContent() {
        createPopupMenu();
        JLabel label = new JLabel(" Select Features!");
        label.setBorder(
            BorderFactory.createLineBorder(new Color(175,175,200), 1));
        JButton button = new JButton() {
            protected void paintComponent(Graphics g) {
                super.paintComponent(g);
                Graphics2D g2 = (Graphics2D)g;
                g2.setRenderingHint(RenderingHints.KEY_ANTIALIASING,
                                    RenderingHints.VALUE_ANTIALIAS_ON);
                int w = getWidth();
                double width = 10.0;
                double x = (w - width)/2.0;
                double height = 5.0;
                double y = (getHeight() - height)/2.0;
                Path2D.Double path = new Path2D.Double();
                path.moveTo(x, y);
                path.lineTo(x+width, y);
                path.lineTo(w/2.0, y+height);
                path.closePath();
                g2.fill(path);
            }

            public Dimension getPreferredSize() {
                return new Dimension(20,25);
            }
        };
        button.addActionListener(this);
        JPanel p = new JPanel(new GridBagLayout());
        GridBagConstraints gbc = new GridBagConstraints();
        gbc.weightx = 1.0;
        gbc.fill = gbc.BOTH;
        p.add(label, gbc);
        gbc.weightx = 0;
        p.add(button, gbc);
        JPanel panel = new JPanel(new GridBagLayout());
        panel.add(p, gbc);
        Dimension d = p.getPreferredSize();
        d.width = 120;
        p.setPreferredSize(d);
        return panel;
    }

    private void createPopupMenu() {
        final CheckComboStore[] stores = {
            new CheckComboStore("one",   true),
            new CheckComboStore("two",   false),
            new CheckComboStore("three", false)
        };
        ActionListener al = new ActionListener() {
            public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
                JCheckBox cb = (JCheckBox)e.getSource();
                String ac = cb.getActionCommand();
                for(int i = 0; i < stores.length; i++) {
                    if(stores[i].toString().equals(ac)) {
                        stores[i].state = cb.isSelected();
                    }
                }
                popupMenu.setVisible(false);
            }
        };
        popupMenu = new JPopupMenu();
        JPanel panel = new JPanel(new GridLayout(0,1));
        GridBagLayout gridbag = new GridBagLayout();
        GridBagConstraints gbc = new GridBagConstraints();
        for(int i = 0; i < stores.length; i++) {
            JCheckBox cb = new JCheckBox();
            cb.setActionCommand(stores[i].toString());
            cb.addActionListener(al);
            JLabel label = new JLabel(stores[i].toString(), JLabel.CENTER);
            JPanel p = new JPanel(gridbag);
            gbc.weightx = 0;
            gbc.gridwidth = GridBagConstraints.RELATIVE;
            p.add(cb, gbc);
            gbc.weightx = 1.0;
            gbc.fill = GridBagConstraints.BOTH;
            gbc.gridwidth = GridBagConstraints.REMAINDER;
            p.add(label, gbc);
            panel.add(p);
        }
        popupMenu.add(panel);
    }

    private JPanel getComparisonCombo() {
        JComboBox combo = new JComboBox(new String[]{"Select Features!"});
        Dimension d = combo.getPreferredSize();
        System.out.printf("comparisonSize = [%d, %d]%n", d.width, d.height);
        JPanel panel = new JPanel();
        panel.add(combo);
        return panel;
    }

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        CheckCombo test = new CheckCombo();
        JFrame f = new JFrame();
        f.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
        f.add(test.getContent());
        f.add(test.getComparisonCombo(), "Last");
        f.setSize(300,200);
        f.setLocation(200,200);
        f.setVisible(true);
    }
}

class CheckComboStore {
    String text;
    boolean state;

    public CheckComboStore(String text, boolean state) {
        this.text = text;
        this.state = state;
    }

    public String toString() {
        return text;
    }
}

.... no !!!

[cadu.andrade]

Hi!

check: Japura - Java Swing application framework and collection of components - CheckComboBox

[Eranga]

This is a very old thread. Our OP may already solved the problem.

[DarrylBurke]

This is a very old thread. Our OP may already solved the problem.

In the context of the advertisement posted by the same member to the Swing forum (which I've just reported) this resurrection of an old dead thread should be considered link spam.

db

[Fubarable]

In the context of the advertisement posted by the same member to the Swing forum (which I've just reported) this resurrection of an old dead thread should be considered link spam.

db

I wonder if it sits in a bit of a gray zone since this library that he's involved in the development of is offered under an open source (LGPL) license, and the rules (in my mind) should be somewhat different for open source vs. for-profit projects.

[Eranga]

Darryl, you really believe that it's spamming the forum? My concern is that he post a link to a different resource, and one in a related thread and the other one is in the relevant sub-forum. That's the only two post he has post at the min, and that's his limitation. If he post that link any other place, yes I've ban him most probably. What you think.

[cadu.andrade]

Hummm... sorry if it was an old post. I just posted because its a new way to resolve the problem. Maybe a better or easier way.

tks

[Eranga]

That's because OP didn't mark the thread solved or not. And also interaction for such an old thread may be time wasting. In most of the cases, if OP found the solution never come back. Some are good at it actually.