How do you load custom UITableViewCells from Xib files?

Question

The question is simple: How do you load custom UITableViewCell from Xib files? Doing so allows you to use Interface Builder to design your cells. The answer app

Answer 1

Here's the class method that I've been using for creating custom cells out of XIBs:

+ (CustomCell*) createNewCustomCellFromNib {

    NSArray* nibContents = [[NSBundle mainBundle]
                            loadNibNamed:@"CustomCell" owner:self options:NULL];

    NSEnumerator *nibEnumerator = [nibContents objectEnumerator];
    CustomCell *customCell= nil;
    NSObject* nibItem = nil;

    while ( (nibItem = [nibEnumerator nextObject]) != nil) {

        if ( [nibItem isKindOfClass: [CustomCell class]]) {
            customCell = (CustomCell*) nibItem;

            if ([customCell.reuseIdentifier isEqualToString: @"CustomCell"]) {
                break; // we have a winner
            }
            else
                fuelEntryCell = nil;
        }
    }
    return customCell;
}

Then, in the XIB, I set the class name, and reuse identifier. After that, I can just call that method in my view controller instead of the

[[UITableViewCell] alloc] initWithFrame:]

It's plenty fast enough, and being used in two of my shipping applications. It's more reliable than calling [nib objectAtIndex:0], and in my mind at least, more reliable than Stephan Burlot's example because you're guaranteed to only grab a view out of a XIB that is the right type.