Use text in an InfoBadge

[ItsTheSky]

Hi there. It seems the "Value" property of InfoBadge only supports int, is there a way I can provide a text (I would need to display a version in there, e.g. v1.2.5)?
Thanks!

[robloo]

is there a way I can provide a text (I would need to display a version in there, e.g. v1.2.5)?

No there isn't. InfoBadge is a port of the WinUI control and behaves the same. It is designed to show a changeable count -- although I agree in some cases just text would be useful (asterisk, infinity, etc.).

You are free to create a new control using the InfoBadge code as a base that supports your use case. It shouldn't be too difficult.

[ItsTheSky]

Gotcha, I'm not good enough to create a new control based on InfoBadge as I'm not sure what to copy and chance. Any chance it cold come in the official FA version?

[timunie]

@amwx would you be okay with a PR changing it to object? This would also allow to add DataTemplates and thus symbol icons for example.

[robloo]

The only issue is styling. With a number we can control the size and appearance. With generic content there is a lot more responsibility on the app to make sure everything fits and looks correct. It's more difficult to use in that case.

[timunie]

well, if I bind an int, nothing changes. If I place any content, up to the dev to ensure apperance is okay.

[amwx]

Changing to object, no. That opens the control up to things its not designed for, plus you end up boxing a value type just to convert it to a string - of which the control is normally designed for.
If anything, I'd add a ValueString property and then the displayed value would be whichever is set, with the original Value property taking priority. However, this is not something I'm looking at in the 2.1 time frame.

There is a workaround you could use for now. Use a FontIconSource and with the string you want to display, and set that as the IconSource to the InfoBadge. I haven't tested this, but it theoretically should work. There are also various display modes you can add a styling class for - see the styles file for InfoBadge, or the Sample app. Just keep in mind, this control is not meant for long strings, so it should be kept to a few characters max.

[ItsTheSky]

Yup thanks, got it working with a font icon, it looks clean! Is there any chance to have a sort of "universal badge" that'll take control instead? Or at least string? (those can really be useful a bit everywhere I think, just my opinion tho)

While I'm here, is there a way to change its style (I mean if there's a built-it style like a transparent one, or do we have to override it ourselves?)