Message Composer - CometChat Docs

Overview

MessageComposer is a Component that enables users to write and send a variety of messages, including text, image, video, and custom messages. Features such as Live Reaction, Attachments, and Message Editing are also supported by it.

MessageComposer is comprised of the following Base Components:

Base Components	Description
MessageInput	This provides a basic layout for the contents of this component, such as the TextField and buttons
ActionSheet	The ActionSheet component presents a list of options in either a list or grid mode, depending on the user’s preference

Usage

Integration

The following code snippet illustrates how you can directly incorporate the MessageComposer component into your layout.xml file.

<com.cometchat.chatuikit.messagecomposer.CometChatMessageComposer
                android:id="@+id/composer"
                android:layout_width="match_parent"
                android:layout_height="wrap_content" />

The MessageComposer is responsible for managing runtime permissions. To ensure the ActivityResultLauncher is properly initialized, its object should be created in the the onCreate state of an activity. To ensure that the composer is loaded within the fragment, it is important to make sure that the fragment is loaded in the onCreate state of the activity.

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.

1. OnSendButtonClick

The OnSendButtonClick event gets activated when the send message button is clicked. It has a predefined function of sending messages entered in the composer EditText. However, you can overide this action with the following code snippet.

Java
Kotlin

messageComposer.setOnSendButtonClick(new CometChatMessageComposer.SendButtonClick() {
    @Override
    public void onClick(Context context, BaseMessage baseMessage) {
        Toast.makeText(context, "OnSendButtonClicked ..", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
    }
});

2. onError

This action doesn’t change the behavior of the component but rather listens for any errors that occur in the MessageList component.

Java
Kotlin

YourActivity.java

messageComposer.setOnError(new OnError() {
    @Override
    public void onError(Context context, CometChatException e) {
        //Your Exception Handling code.
    }
});

Filters

MessageComposer component does not have any available 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 MessageComposer Component does not emit any events of its own.

Customization

To fit your app’s design requirements, you can customize the appearance of the MessageComposer 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. MessageComposer Style

To modify the styling, you can apply the MessageComposerStyle to the MessageComposer Component using the setStyle method.

Java
Kotlin

MessageComposerStyle messageComposerStyle = new MessageComposerStyle();
messageComposer.setStyle(messageComposerStyle);

The following properties are exposed by MessageComposerStyle:

Property	Description	Code
Set BorderWidth	Used to set outermost border	`.setBorderWidth(int)`
Border Color	Used to set border color	`.setBorderColor(@ColorInt int)`
Corner Radius	Used to set corner radius	`.setCornerRadius(int)`
Background	This method will set the background color for message list	`.setBackground(@ColorInt int)`
Set InputBackgroundColor	Used to set input background color	`.setInputBackgroundColor(@ColorInt int)`
Set TextAppearance	Used to set input text style	`.setTextAppearance(@StyleRes int)`
Set PlaceHolderTextColor	Used to set placeholder text color	`.setPlaceHolderTextColor(@StyleRes int)`
Background	This will set drawable component for list background	`.setBackground(@drawable int)`
Set AttachIconTint	Used to set attachment icon tint	`.setAttachIconTint(@ColorRes int)`
Set SendIconTint	Used to set send button icon tint	`.setSendIconTint(@ColorRes int)`
Set SeparatorTint	Used to set separator color	`.setSeparatorTint(@ColorRes int)`
Set VoiceRecordingIconTint	used to set voice recording icon color	`.setVoiceRecordingIconTint(@ColorRes int)`

2. MessageInput Style

To customize the styles of the MessageInput component within the MessageComposer Component, use the .setMessageInputStyle() method. For more details, please refer to MessageInput styles.

Java
Kotlin

MessageInputStyle messageInputStyle = new MessageInputStyle();
messageInputStyle.setBackground(Color.BLUE);
messageInputStyle.setCornerRadius(50);
messageComposer.setMessageInputStyle(messageInputStyle);

3. MediaRecorder Style

To customize the styles of the MediaRecorder component within the MessageComposer Component, use the .setMediaRecorderStyle() method. For more details, please refer to MediaRecorder styles.

Java
Kotlin

MediaRecorderStyle mediaRecorderStyle = new MediaRecorderStyle();
mediaRecorderStyle.setBorderColor(Color.BLACK);
mediaRecorderStyle.setRecordedContainerColor(Color.RED);
messageComposer.setMediaRecorderStyle(mediaRecorderStyle);

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.

Java
Kotlin

CometChatMessageComposer messageComposer = findViewById(R.id.composer);
messageComposer.hideLiveReaction(true);
messageComposer.disableTypingEvents(true);

Below is a list of customizations along with 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)`
Set PlaceHolderText	Used to set composer’s placeholder text	`.setPlaceHolderText("Your_Text")`
Disable TypingEvents	Used to disable/enable typing events , default false	`.disableTypingEvents(boolean)`
Disable SoundForMessages	Used to toggle sound for outgoing messages	`.disableSoundForMessages(boolean)`
Set SendButtonIcon	Used to set send button icon	`.setSendButtonIcon(@DrawableRes int)`
Set Text	Used to set predefined text	`.setText("Your_Text")`
Set MaxLine	Maximum lines allowed to increase in the input field	`.setMaxLine(int)`
Set VoiceRecordingIcon	Sets custom drawable resources for the record buttons.	`.setVoiceRecordingIcon(@DrawableRes int)`
Set VoiceRecordingVisibility	The visibility constant for the voice recording view. Use View.VISIBLE, View.INVISIBLE or View.GONE.	`.setVoiceRecordingVisibility(int)`
Set PauseIcon	Sets custom drawable resources for the pause buttons.	`.setPauseIcon(@DrawableRes int)`
Set PlayIcon	Sets custom drawable resources for the play buttons.	`.setPlayIcon(@DrawableRes int)`
Set DeleteIcon	Sets custom drawable resources for the delete buttons.	`.setDeleteIcon(@DrawableRes int)`
Set StopIcon	Sets custom drawable resources for the stop buttons.	`.setStopIcon(@DrawableRes int)`
Set AuxiliaryButtonAlignment	controls position auxiliary button view , can be left or right . default right	`.setAuxiliaryButtonAlignment(AuxiliaryButtonsAlignment)`
Set AttachmentIcon	sets the icon to show in the attachment button	`.setAttachmentIcon(@DrawableRes int)`
Hide LiveReaction	used to toggle visibility for live reaction component	`.hideLiveReaction(boolean)`
Disable Mentions	Sets whether mentions in text should be disabled. Processes the text formatters If there are text formatters available and the disableMentions flag is set to true, it removes any formatters that are instances of CometChatMentionsFormatter.	`.setDisableMentions(true);`
Set CustomSoundForMessages	Used to give custom sounds to outgoing messages	`.setCustomSoundForMessages(String)`
Set LiveReactionIcon	used to set custom live reaction icon.	`.setLiveReactionIcon(@DrawableRes int)`

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.

setTextFormatters

Assigns the list of text formatters. If the provided list is not null, it sets the list. Otherwise, it assigns the default text formatters retrieved from the data source. To configure the existing Mentions look and feel check out CometChatMentionsFormatter Example

Java
Kotlin

// Initialize CometChatMentionsFormatter
CometChatMentionsFormatter mentionFormatter = new CometChatMentionsFormatter(context);

// set style to customize composer mention text
mentionFormatter.setComposerMentionTextStyle(new MentionTextStyle()
            .setLoggedInUserTextStyle(Typeface.defaultFromStyle(Typeface.BOLD))
            .setTextColor(Color.parseColor("#000000")));

// This can be passed as an array of formatter in CometChatMessageComposer by using setTextFormatters method.
List<CometChatTextFormatter> textFormatters = new ArrayList<>();
textFormatters.add(mentionFormatter);
messageComposer.setTextFormatters(textFormatters);

AttachmentOptions

By using setAttachmentOptions(), you can set a list of custom MessageComposerActions for the MessageComposer Component. This will override the existing list of MessageComposerActions.

Java
Kotlin

messageComposer.setAttachmentOptions()

Example

In this example, we are overriding the existing MessageComposerActions List with Capture Photo, Go Live & Payments actions.

Java
Kotlin

messageComposer.setAttachmentOptions(new Function4<Context, User, Group, HashMap<String, String>, List<CometChatMessageComposerAction>>() {
    @Override
    public List<CometChatMessageComposerAction> invoke(Context context, User user, Group group, HashMap<String, String> stringStringHashMap) {
        List<CometChatMessageComposerAction> actionList = new ArrayList<>();

        CometChatMessageComposerAction action1 =  new CometChatMessageComposerAction();
        action1.setTitle("Capture Photo");
        action1.setIcon(com.cometchat.chatuikit.R.drawable.ic_camera);
        action1.setOnClick(new OnClick() {
            @Override
            public void onClick() {
                Toast.makeText(context, "Capture Photo option Clicked !!!", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
            }
        });
        actionList.add(action1);

        CometChatMessageComposerAction action2 =  new CometChatMessageComposerAction();
        action2.setTitle("Go Live");
        action2.setIcon(R.drawable.broadcast_camera);
        action2.setOnClick(new OnClick() {
            @Override
            public void onClick() {
                Toast.makeText(context, "Live Option Clicked !!!", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
            }
        });
        actionList.add(action2);

        CometChatMessageComposerAction action3 =  new CometChatMessageComposerAction();
        action3.setTitle("Payments");
        action3.setIcon(R.drawable.ic_payment);
        action3.setOnClick(new OnClick() {
            @Override
            public void onClick() {
                Toast.makeText(context, "Payment Option Clicked !!!", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
            }
        });
        actionList.add(action3);
        return actionList;
    }
});

AuxiliaryButtonView

You can insert a custom view into the MessageComposer component to add additional functionality using the following method.

Java
Kotlin

 messageComposer.setAuxiliaryButtonView()

Please note that the MessageComposer Component utilizes the AuxiliaryButton to provide sticker functionality. Overriding the AuxiliaryButton will subsequently replace the sticker functionality. Example

In this example, we’ll be adding a custom SOS button with click functionality. You’ll first need to create a layout file and then inflate it inside the .setAuxiliaryButtonView() function.

auxiliary_button_layout.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:id="@+id/card_button"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:padding="10dp"
        android:layout_margin="5dp"
        app:cardCornerRadius="10dp"
        >
        <TextView
            android:layout_width="wrap_content"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:text="SOS !"
            android:padding="2dp"
            android:paddingEnd="5dp"
            android:paddingStart="5dp"
            android:textColor="@color/white"
            android:background="@color/purple_700"
            />

    </androidx.cardview.widget.CardView>

</RelativeLayout>

Java
Kotlin

messageComposer.setAuxiliaryButtonView((context, user, group, stringStringHashMap) -> {

    View view = getLayoutInflater().inflate(R.layout.auxiliary_button_layout, null);
    CardView cardView = view.findViewById(R.id.card_button);
    cardView.setOnClickListener(new View.OnClickListener() {
        @Override
        public void onClick(View v) {
            Toast.makeText(context, "Clicked on SOS", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
        }
    });
    return view;
});

SecondaryButtonView

You can add a custom view into the SecondaryButton component for additional functionality using the below method.

Java
Kotlin

messageComposer.setSecondaryButtonView()

Please note that the MessageComposer Component uses the SecondaryButton to open the ComposerActionsList. Overriding the SecondaryButton will replace the ComposerActionsList functionality. Example

In this example, we’ll be adding a custom SOS button with click functionality. You’ll first need to create a layout file and then inflate it inside the .setSecondaryButtonView() function.

secondary_button_layout.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:id="@+id/card_button"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:padding="10dp"
        android:layout_margin="5dp"
        app:cardCornerRadius="10dp"
        >
        <TextView
            android:layout_width="wrap_content"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:text="SOS !"
            android:padding="2dp"
            android:paddingEnd="5dp"
            android:paddingStart="5dp"
            android:textColor="@color/white"
            android:background="@color/purple_700"
            />

    </androidx.cardview.widget.CardView>

</RelativeLayout>

Java
Kotlin

messageComposer.setSecondaryButtonView((context, user, group, stringStringHashMap) -> {

    View view = getLayoutInflater().inflate(R.layout.secondary_button_layout, null);
    CardView cardView = view.findViewById(R.id.card_button);
    cardView.setOnClickListener(new View.OnClickListener() {
        @Override
        public void onClick(View v) {
            Toast.makeText(context, "Clicked on SOS", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
        }
    });
    return view;
});

Set SendButtonView

You can set a custom view in place of the already existing send button view. Using the following method.

Java
Kotlin

messageComposer.setSendButtonView();

Example

send_button_layout.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:id="@+id/card_button"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:layout_margin="5dp"
        app:cardCornerRadius="30dp"
        >
        <ImageView
            android:layout_width="wrap_content"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:padding="15dp"
            android:src="@drawable/ic_send"
            android:background="@color/purple_700"
            />

    </androidx.cardview.widget.CardView>

</RelativeLayout>

Java
Kotlin

View view = getLayoutInflater().inflate(R.layout.send_button_layout, null);
messageComposer.setSendButtonView(view);

HeaderView

You can set custom headerView to the MessageComposer component using the following method

Java
Kotlin

messageComposer.setHeaderView();

Example

In the following example, we’re going to apply a mock smart reply view to the MessageComposer Component using the .setHeaderView() method.

custom_header_view_layout

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

    <androidx.cardview.widget.CardView
        android:id="@+id/card1"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:padding="10dp"
        android:layout_margin="5dp"
        app:cardCornerRadius="10dp"
        >
        <TextView
            android:layout_width="wrap_content"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:text="Smart Reply"
            android:padding="10dp"
            android:paddingEnd="5dp"
            android:paddingStart="5dp"
            android:textColor="@color/white"
            android:background="@color/purple_700"
            />

    </androidx.cardview.widget.CardView>

    <androidx.cardview.widget.CardView
        android:id="@+id/card2"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:padding="10dp"
        android:layout_margin="5dp"
        app:cardCornerRadius="10dp"
        >
        <TextView
            android:layout_width="wrap_content"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:text="Smart Reply"
            android:padding="10dp"
            android:paddingEnd="5dp"
            android:paddingStart="5dp"
            android:textColor="@color/white"
            android:background="@color/purple_700"
            />

    </androidx.cardview.widget.CardView>


    <androidx.cardview.widget.CardView
        android:id="@+id/card3"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:padding="10dp"
        android:layout_margin="5dp"
        app:cardCornerRadius="10dp"
        >
        <TextView
            android:layout_width="wrap_content"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:text="Smart Reply"
            android:padding="10dp"
            android:paddingEnd="5dp"
            android:paddingStart="5dp"
            android:textColor="@color/white"
            android:background="@color/purple_700"
            />

    </androidx.cardview.widget.CardView>


    <androidx.cardview.widget.CardView
        android:id="@+id/card4"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:padding="10dp"
        android:layout_margin="5dp"
        app:cardCornerRadius="10dp"
        >
        <TextView
            android:layout_width="wrap_content"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:text="Smart Reply"
            android:padding="10dp"
            android:paddingEnd="5dp"
            android:paddingStart="5dp"
            android:textColor="@color/white"
            android:background="@color/purple_700"
            />

    </androidx.cardview.widget.CardView>

</LinearLayout>

Java
Kotlin

View view = getLayoutInflater().inflate(R.layout.custom_header_view_layout, null);
messageComposer.setHeaderView(view);

FooterView

You can set a custom footer view to the MessageComposer component using the following method:

Java
Kotlin

 messageComposer.setFooterView();

Example

In the following example, we’re going to apply a mock smart reply view to the MessageComposer Component using the .setFooterView() method.

custom_footer_view_layout

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

    <androidx.cardview.widget.CardView
        android:id="@+id/card1"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:padding="10dp"
        android:layout_margin="5dp"
        app:cardCornerRadius="10dp"
        >
        <TextView
            android:layout_width="wrap_content"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:text="Smart Reply"
            android:padding="10dp"
            android:paddingEnd="5dp"
            android:paddingStart="5dp"
            android:textColor="@color/white"
            android:background="@color/purple_700"
            />

    </androidx.cardview.widget.CardView>

    <androidx.cardview.widget.CardView
        android:id="@+id/card2"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:padding="10dp"
        android:layout_margin="5dp"
        app:cardCornerRadius="10dp"
        >
        <TextView
            android:layout_width="wrap_content"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:text="Smart Reply"
            android:padding="10dp"
            android:paddingEnd="5dp"
            android:paddingStart="5dp"
            android:textColor="@color/white"
            android:background="@color/purple_700"
            />

    </androidx.cardview.widget.CardView>


    <androidx.cardview.widget.CardView
        android:id="@+id/card3"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:padding="10dp"
        android:layout_margin="5dp"
        app:cardCornerRadius="10dp"
        >
        <TextView
            android:layout_width="wrap_content"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:text="Smart Reply"
            android:padding="10dp"
            android:paddingEnd="5dp"
            android:paddingStart="5dp"
            android:textColor="@color/white"
            android:background="@color/purple_700"
            />

    </androidx.cardview.widget.CardView>


    <androidx.cardview.widget.CardView
        android:id="@+id/card4"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:padding="10dp"
        android:layout_margin="5dp"
        app:cardCornerRadius="10dp"
        >
        <TextView
            android:layout_width="wrap_content"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:text="Smart Reply"
            android:padding="10dp"
            android:paddingEnd="5dp"
            android:paddingStart="5dp"
            android:textColor="@color/white"
            android:background="@color/purple_700"
            />

    </androidx.cardview.widget.CardView>

</LinearLayout>

Java
Kotlin

View view = getLayoutInflater().inflate(R.layout.custom_footer_view_layout, null);
messageComposer.setHeaderView(view);

​Overview

​Usage

​Integration

​Actions

1. OnSendButtonClick

2. onError

​Filters

​Events

​Customization

​Style

1. MessageComposer Style

2. MessageInput Style

3. MediaRecorder Style

​Functionality

​Advanced

​setTextFormatters

​AttachmentOptions

​AuxiliaryButtonView

​SecondaryButtonView

​Set SendButtonView

​HeaderView

​FooterView

Overview

Usage

Integration

Actions

Filters

Events

Customization

Style

Functionality

Advanced

setTextFormatters

AttachmentOptions

AuxiliaryButtonView

SecondaryButtonView

Set SendButtonView

HeaderView

FooterView