Android-Studio to show XML code instead of design

Question

I'm using IntelliJ Android-Studio 0.8.2 and i'd like to know if it's possible to open the code by default when editing XML files?

Opening multiple files always shows Design tab, while opening single files, though, it sometimes opens them in Text tab but sometimes not.

Is there any way to set the default tab to Text ? It's pretty annoying as I rarely use the Design tab. Here's a screenshot of what I'm talking about:

Design & Text Tabs

i had this tool bar vanished. any idea how to show it again? — ThunderWiring
– ThunderWiring, Commented Aug 3, 2017 at 12:49

Aravind Subramaniam · Accepted Answer · 2020-03-09 08:47:32Z

57

Here is the screen shot of the latest version

Look at the top right corner of the image

answered Mar 9, 2020 at 8:47

Aravind Subramaniam

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3 Comments

Beats2019 Over a year ago

Just what I was looking for!

Todd Vlk Over a year ago

Yes, that is answer I needed. Kudos.

KFleischer May 21 at 12:04

I wouldn't have known that those icons are part of the editor view....

Patrick · Accepted Answer · 2016-11-30 11:34:36Z

44

Newer (I guess 2.x+) versions of Android Studio have this option in the main settings:

Open the settings with one of the following actions:

Press Ctrl+Alt+S.
On the main menu, choose File | Settings for Windows and Linux or IntelliJ IDEA | Preferences for OS X
Press Ctrl+Shift+A, type settings and press Enter.

Then navigate to the following sub-menu:

Editor -> Layout Editor -> "Prefer XML editor"

edited Nov 30, 2016 at 11:34

answered Nov 30, 2016 at 11:28

Patrick

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3 Comments

karlingen Over a year ago

Android Studio -> Preferences -> Design Tools -> Default Editor Mode: Set all to 'Code'

The incredible Jan Over a year ago

@karlingen I don't see "Preferences" anywhere. I have "Design Tools" under File -> Settings.

karlingen Over a year ago

@TheincredibleJan Yes, you are on Windows and I'm on a Mac :)

Simas · Accepted Answer · 2014-10-12 10:07:20Z

38

This has been added in the newest release of Android Studio (0.8.12).

default to xml editor

Other features of the new release can be found here.

answered Oct 12, 2014 at 10:07

Simas

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2 Comments

Greg Brown Over a year ago

It took me a minute to find this menu. It's accessed by the Options (gear) menu in the design view.

Patrick Over a year ago

Newer versions seem to have this in the main settings.

Raul Maza · Accepted Answer · 2021-09-22 15:34:25Z

37

UPDATE 2021

Using Android Studio Artic Fox 2020.3.1 it's Design Tools in Settings Menu (CtrlAltS) instead of Layout Editor:

edited Sep 22, 2021 at 15:34

answered Aug 17, 2021 at 10:52

Raul Maza

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3 Comments

cesards Over a year ago

This answer should be bumped up!

Jacob Ferrero Over a year ago

Note it's called Android Design Tools in IntelliJ

Marcell Harmaci Oct 27 at 8:17

They changed the name again... It's UI Tools now.

Pieter van der Vyver · Accepted Answer · 2023-10-03 07:49:58Z

12

2023 New UI Update

In the new refreshed AS UI the selection to change with the editor open like the OP is on the top right of the open files tool bar. The defaults are under Design Tools in the settings view.

View switch for xml design and code

enter image description here

edited Oct 3, 2023 at 7:49

answered Oct 2, 2023 at 9:49

Pieter van der Vyver

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2 Comments

Jacob Ferrero Over a year ago

Note it's called Android Design Tools in IntelliJ

A. Ferrand Over a year ago

Now it's UI Tools

jeet.chanchawat · Accepted Answer · 2020-06-11 14:58:53Z

11

In case of Android Studio 4.0 use Split OR Code button to view it.

edited Jun 11, 2020 at 14:58

answered Jun 8, 2020 at 6:07

jeet.chanchawat

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Ruben Helsloot · Accepted Answer · 2020-10-25 22:12:31Z

6

Since in the new update, the feature of viewing the code of XML has changed, there are some series of steps that are needed to be followed.

Step 1: Press Ctrl + Alt + S (Basically opening settings)

The screen visible to you after Step 1

Step 2:Click on the layout editor and choose the default Editor mode as you wish. In my case I want it to be in split mode (You will be able to see both code and its output at the same screen or window).

Step 3: Click on Apply and OK.

Apply and Ok output screen

Step 4: Close all the opened XML or the design files . Now after this step , if you open any other file present at your project, you would be realizing that the mode in which the file is opened is at the mode you chose at the Step 2 .

edited Oct 25, 2020 at 22:12

Ruben Helsloot

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answered Oct 25, 2020 at 13:58

Prasanna N A

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1 Comment

Hong Over a year ago

Thank you. I do not know why Google has gone so far to discourage using the text editor which is often the cleanest way to design layouts with clear logic and structure.

karel · Accepted Answer · 2025-02-17 07:02:17Z

4

Found at: Settings -> Editor -> UI Tools -> Editor View Mode: Resource: Code

Android Studio XML as code setting:

Windows 10 and recent Android Studio version:

Android Studio Ladybug Feature Drop | 2024.2.2

edited Feb 17 at 7:02

karel

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answered Feb 16 at 16:57

Shloyem

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theSwapnilSaste · Accepted Answer · 2020-08-15 07:04:28Z

3

Mac

Android Studio > Preferences > Editor > Layout Editor change to the view as per your desire.

Also you can switch between views Using Cmd + Shift + Left/Right Arrow

answered Aug 15, 2020 at 7:04

theSwapnilSaste

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Lexo · Accepted Answer · 2023-09-29 02:49:06Z

3

For Android Studio - giraffe, look at the top right corner of your work space. You should see: Code Split Design, with Design highlighted by default. Click on Code to switch to text mode.

answered Sep 29, 2023 at 2:49

Lexo

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vikas kumar · Accepted Answer · 2020-10-21 23:59:53Z

2

In the new Android Studio 4.1 this option is somewhat changed to :

To access this visit Android Studio -> Preference from the menu bar search for design and select layout editor and change the mode to your desired one.

Thanks

answered Oct 21, 2020 at 23:59

vikas kumar

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Larry Schiefer · Accepted Answer · 2014-07-16 10:34:05Z

-2

The Android Designer editor always opens files in the "Design" mode by default. Once you have it open you can switch to "Text" mode and it will retain that setting for that file. However, there's no option to have it default to opening XML files in "Text" mode.

answered Jul 16, 2014 at 10:34

Larry Schiefer

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4 Comments

Simas Over a year ago

Though if you open multiple files it just goes ahead and opens it in design and resets that setting..

Larry Schiefer Over a year ago

That stinks - I've not tried that particular use case. You might try filing a bug report or enhancement request with the Android tools team or JetBrains for this.

Scott Barta Over a year ago

The feature request for this is at code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=73299

Jeff Padgett Over a year ago

This is no longer true, see above answers.

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