How do I select a UITableViewCell by default?

Question

I have created a UITableView and would like a specific UITableViewCell to appear selected (blue) when the view is loaded.

Answer 1

use UITableViewCells - (void)setSelected:(BOOL)selected animated:(BOOL)animated

method , info here http://developer.apple.com/iphone/library/documentation/UIKit/Reference/UITableViewCell%5FClass/Reference/Reference.html#//apple%5Fref/occ/instm/UITableViewCell/setSelected:animated:

Answer 2

Be judicious using this method, as selecting the row in this way is something Apple suggests against doing to show a "chosen" state.

Instead, consider setting the cell's accessoryType property to something like UITableViewCellAccessoryCheckmark.

Answer 3

Definitely watch out. I'm sure you have a good reason, but look closely at the Human Interface Guidelines document Apple provides. Apps get rejected for not unselecting table rows. I'd encourage you to find the appropriate section of the HIG and see Apple offers any suggestions.

Answer 4

-(void)viewDidLoad:(BOOL)animated {
    // assuming you had the table view wired to IBOutlet myTableView
    // and that you wanted to select the first item in the first section
    [myTableView selectRowAtIndexPath:[NSIndexPath indexPathForRow:0 inSection:0] animated:NO scrollPosition:0];
}

I'm using this technique to select one of two cells so the users knows which cell a UIDatePicker below the table view it will effect. This technique is used by Apple in the calendar app when you create a new event and set the dates.