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HomeiOS DevelopmentA Newbie's Information to NavigationSplitView in SwiftUI for iOS 16

A Newbie’s Information to NavigationSplitView in SwiftUI for iOS 16


In iOS 16, aside from introducing the brand new NavigationStack, Apple additionally launched a brand new view container named NavigationSplitView for builders to create two or three column navigation interface. If you wish to construct UI just like the inventory Mail app, it’s best to take a look at this cut up view element.

Whereas NavigationSplitView is extra appropriate for iPadOS and macOS apps, you can too apply it to apps for iPhone. The view element mechanically adapts itself for iPhone. As a substitute of displaying a multi-column interface, it creates a single-column expertise.

The brand new NavigationSplitView comes with numerous choices so that you can customise its look and operations. You’ll be able to change the column width and programmatically present/disguise the columns.

On this tutorial, we are going to create a three-column navigation UI utilizing NavigationSplitView.

Let’s get began.

The Fundamental Utilization of NavigationSplitView

The NavigationSplitView helps each two-column and three-column navigation expertise. Their implementations are fairly comparable. To create a two-column navigation UI, you write the code like this:

For 3-column navigation interface, you add the content material parameter in between:

We are going to begin with the two-column navigation UI and ultimately construct the three-column design.

Constructing the 2-Column Navigation Interface

In case you’ve learn my earlier tutorial on the expandable record view, chances are you’ll know that I’m an enormous fan of La Marzocco. In that tutorial, I confirmed you methods to create an expandable record view with inset group fashion.

Now let’s flip this expandable record right into a two degree navigation interface just like the screenshot proven under:

swiftui-navigationsplitview-two-column

Earlier than we create the cut up view, let’s start with the information mannequin. We create a struct to mannequin a menu merchandise:

To make a nested record, the important thing right here is to incorporate a property that comprises an optionally available array of youngsters (i.e. subMenuItems). Word that the kids are of the identical kind of its mum or dad.

For the highest degree menu objects, we will create an array of MenuItem like this:

For every of the menu merchandise, we specify the array of the sub-menu objects. In case if there isn’t a sub-menu merchandise, you may omit the subMenuItems parameter or cross it a nil worth. For the sub-menu objects, we will outline them like this:

To higher arrange the information mannequin, we create a struct referred to as CoffeeEquipmentModel like this:

The mainMenuItems array holds the pattern menu objects. Each subMenuItems and menuItem are helper strategies for wanting up a selected class or menu merchandise.

Now that we’ve ready the information mannequin, let’s transfer onto the implementation of the navigation cut up view. Create a brand new file named TwoColumnSplitView.swift utilizing the SwiftUI view template. Replace the TwoColumnSplitView struct like this:

The primary closure of NavigationSplitView presents the principle menu merchandise. We use a Record view to loop by way of all mainMenuItems within the knowledge mannequin and show every of the menu objects utilizing a HStack view.

We even have a state variable named selectedCategoryId, which is used to carry the chosen predominant menu merchandise.

For the element closure, that is the place the submenu merchandise is rendered. If a class is chosen, we name the subMenuItems methodology to get the submenu objects for that specific class. We then show the submenu objects utilizing Record view. Conversely, if no class is chosen, we show a textual content message instructing the consumer to decide on a class.

When you made the adjustments, it’s best to see a two-column navigation UI within the Xcode preview.

swiftui-split-view-three-columns

Making a Three-Column Navigation Interface

Now that we’ve created a two-column navigation interface, let’s additional improve it to supply customers with a three-column navigation expertise. The additional column is used for displaying the photograph of the chosen gear.

swiftui-navigation-split-view-three-column-demo

To transform the two-column navigation interface to three-column, we have to implement a further parameter (i.e. content material) for the NavigationSplitView. Let’s create a brand new view named ThreeColumnSplitView like this:

Principally, the code within the content material closure ought to be similar to you. The content material parameter is designed for displaying the submenu objects. Thus, we use the Record view to point out the submenu objects for the chosen class.

When an merchandise is chosen within the submenu, the app exhibits the gear photograph. That is achieved by the code written within the element closure.

After the code adjustments, the preview pane ought to present you a two-column structure.

swiftui-navigation-empty

By default, the primary column is hidden. It is advisable faucet the menu button on the top-left nook to disclose it.

To regulate the visibility of the cut up view, you may declare a state variable of the kind NavigationSplitViewVisibility and set its worth to .all:

When instantiating the NavigationSplitView, it has an choice parameter named columnVisibility. You’ll be able to merely cross the binding of columnVisibility to regulate the visibility of the columns.

swiftui-column-visiblity-split-view

The NavigationSplitViewVisibility.all worth tells iPadOS to show all of the three columns. There are different choices together with:

  • .automated – Use the default main column visibility for the present machine. That is the default setting.
  • .doubleColumn – Present the content material column and element space of a three-column navigation cut up view.
  • .detailOnly – Cover the main two columns of a three-column cut up view. In different phrases, solely the element space exhibits.

Customizing the Fashion of Navigation Break up Views

Have you ever examined the app in iPad Portrait? By default, the element space takes up the entire display screen when the iPad machine is in portrait mode. So, once you convey up the principle menu and submenu areas, the element space is hidden behind these two main columns.

swiftui-portrait-multiple-column

In case you don’t like this fashion, you may change it by attaching the .navigationSplitViewStyle modifier to NavigationSplitView:

The default worth is about to .automated. In case you set the worth to .balanced, it reduces the element space such that the 2 main columns can seem on the identical time.

swiftui-splitview-multi-column-balanced

What’s Subsequent

This tutorial provides you an introduction to NavigationSplitView in iOS 16. It’s very simple to create multi-column navigation expertise for iPad customers. Even in the event you develop apps for iPhone customers, NavigationSplitView can adapt itself to suit the navigation expertise on narrower screens. For instance, when iPhone 13 Professional Max is in portrait mode, the cut up view exhibits a one-column navigation. In case you rotate the machine sideway, the cut up view adjustments to a multi-column structure.

Due to this fact, take a while to check this cut up view element and apply it to your app every time this type of UI is sensible.

For reference, if you wish to be taught extra about NavigationSplitView, you may take a look at this WWDC video.

In case you take pleasure in this text and need to dive deeper into SwiftUI, chances are you’ll take a look at our Mastering SwiftUI e-book.



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