How do I modify the background color of an empty UITableViewCell object based on it's position?

Question

I'm trying to write code to modify the background color of a cell based on it's position in the table. While the following code 'works', it only effects cells that are passed to it. Empty cells don't get effected.

- (void)tableView: (UITableView*)tableView willDisplayCell: (UITableViewCell*)cell forRowAtIndexPath: (NSIndexPath*)indexPath
{
    if(!indexPath.row%2)
    {
        cell.backgroundColor = [UIColor colorWithRed: 0.0 green: 0.0 blue: 1.0 alpha: 1.0] ;
        NSLog(@"Blue");
    }
    else{
        cell.backgroundColor = [UIColor whiteColor];
        NSLog(@"white");
    }
    cell.textLabel.backgroundColor = [UIColor clearColor];
    cell.detailTextLabel.backgroundColor = [UIColor clearColor];
}

How can I effect the rest of the cells that are displayed, if empty, when there are few items in the list?

Answer 1

You should implement

-(UITableViewCell *)tableView:(UITableView *)tableView cellForRowAtIndexPath:(NSIndexPath *)indexPath

in your delegate and initialize cells as you want.

Answer 2

I guess you want to change the background only of "empty" cells ... Then you can change the backgroundColor in the InterfaceBuilder of the UITableView. But it will affect all empty cells.

You can also change the separator type.

Also, have a look here : http://www.zenbrains.com/blog/en/2010/06/color-de-fondo-de-celdas-vacias/

EDIT :

- (NSInteger)tableView:(UITableView *)tableView numberOfRowsInSection:(NSInteger)section {
    // 7 depends on how many cell is shown
    return ([source count] <= 7) ? 7 : [source count];
}

From : http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2614242/show-blank-uitableviewcells-in-custom-uitableview