How to put a ListView into a ScrollView without it collapsing on Android?

This example demonstrates how to put a ListView into a ScrollView without it collapsing on Android.

Step 1 − Create a new project in Android Studio, go to File ⇒ New Project and fill all required details to create a new project.

Step 2 − Add the following code to res/layout/activity_main.xml.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<ScrollView xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
   xmlns:app="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto"
   xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
   android:layout_width="match_parent"
   android:layout_height="match_parent"
   tools:context=".MainActivity">
   <LinearLayout
      android:layout_width="match_parent"
      android:layout_height="match_parent"
      android:orientation ="vertical" >
      <TextView
         android:layout_width="wrap_content"
         android:layout_height="wrap_content"
         android:layout_marginTop="19dp"
         android:text="hello_world" />
      <ListView
         android:id="@+id/listView"
         android:layout_width="fill_parent"
         android:layout_height="fill_parent" />
   </LinearLayout>
</ScrollView>

Step 3 − Add the following code to src/MainActivity.java

package com.example.sample;
import android.support.v7.app.AppCompatActivity;
import android.os.Bundle;
import android.widget.ArrayAdapter;
import android.widget.ListView;
public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
   private String listview_array[]={ "ONE", "TWO", "THREE", "FOUR", "FIVE", "SIX", "SEVEN", "EIGHT", "NINE", "TEN" };
   ListView myList;
   @Override
   protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
      super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
      setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
      myList=(ListView) findViewById(R.id.listView);
      myList.setAdapter(new ArrayAdapter<String>(this,android.R.layout.simple_list_item_1, listview_array));
      Helper.getListViewSize(myList);
   }
}

Step 4 − Add the following code to src/ Helper.java

package com.example.sample;
import android.util.Log;
import android.view.View;
import android.view.ViewGroup;
import android.widget.ListAdapter;
import android.widget.ListView;
public class Helper {
   public static void getListViewSize(ListView myListView) {
      ListAdapter myListAdapter=myListView.getAdapter();
      if (myListAdapter==null) {
         //do nothing return null
         return;
      }
      //set listAdapter in loop for getting final size
      int totalHeight=0;
      for (int size=0; size < myListAdapter.getCount(); size++) {
         View listItem=myListAdapter.getView(size, null, myListView);
         listItem.measure(0, 0);
         totalHeight+=listItem.getMeasuredHeight();
      }
      //setting listview item in adapter
      ViewGroup.LayoutParams params=myListView.getLayoutParams();
      params.height=totalHeight + (myListView.getDividerHeight() * (myListAdapter.getCount() - 1));
      myListView.setLayoutParams(params);
      // print height of adapter on log
      Log.i("height of listItem:", String.valueOf(totalHeight));
   }
}

Step 5 − Add the following code to app/manifests/AndroidManifest.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android" package="com.example.sample">
   <application
      android:allowBackup="true"
      android:icon="@mipmap/ic_launcher"
      android:label="@string/app_name"
      android:roundIcon="@mipmap/ic_launcher_round"
      android:supportsRtl="true"
      android:theme="@style/AppTheme">
      <activity android:name=".MainActivity">
         <intent-filter>
            <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
            <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
         </intent-filter>
      </activity>
   </application>
</manifest>

Let's try to run your application. I assume you have connected your actual Android Mobile device with your computer. To run the app from android studio, open one of your project's activity files and click Run   icon from the toolbar. Select your mobile device as an option and then check your mobile device which will display your default screen −

Click here to download the project code