Recreate UITableViewCell from storyboard for each row without dequeuing - uitableview

Question

Here's an interesting problem I'm trying to solve.
I want to use a single cell that is configured in storyboard for different cell configurations by removing stuff I don't need from the cell.
Here's how to cell is constrained.
Basically, if I don't need image for the step (or the red view) I just remove it from cell, and everything aligns dynamically just perfect, and I do not have to calculate cell height or do any coding. However, since I have to reuse the cells, when I get the cell for the next row I do not have that view. I can add it again to cell, but I loses all of the constraints.
In case you need it for ideas, here's some code:
class RecipeStepTableViewCell: UITableViewCell {
#IBOutlet weak var preparationLabel: UILabel!
#IBOutlet weak var stepNumberLabel: UILabel!
#IBOutlet weak var stepImageView: UIImageView!
#IBOutlet weak var stepTextLabel: UILabel!
#IBOutlet weak var stepTimerView: UIView!
override func awakeFromNib() {
super.awakeFromNib()
}
}
And this is how I handle it it cellForRowAtIndexPath:
let cell = tableView.dequeueReusableCellWithIdentifier("RecipeStepCell", forIndexPath: indexPath) as RecipeStepTableViewCell
let step = stepForIndexPath(indexPath)
if step.image == nil {
cell.stepImageView.removeFromSuperview()
}
// etc.
I really like this approach since I don't have to build 10 cell configurations, and all I need is to force it to create a new cell for each row.
By the way, the view will only have 5, 6 cells so performance shouldn't be an issue.

Answer 1

It seems like removing the image is deleting all the constraints associated with it.
I have an idea. Instead of removing the image, you can just adjust constraints when step.image == nil, since the image will be invisible anyway.
This would be done by using storyboard to connect IBOutlets to the constraints. It would look like this:
#IBOutlet weak var constraintToTop: NSLayoutConstraint!
And then later to adjust it,
let cell = tableView.dequeueReusableCellWithIdentifier("RecipeStepCell", forIndexPath: indexPath) as RecipeStepTableViewCell
let step = stepForIndexPath(indexPath)
if step.image == nil { //Set constraint(s) so imageView takes up no space
cell.constraintToTop.constant = 0
}
else { //Go back to original constraints
cell.constraintToTop.constant = 50
}
This may require creating many IBOutlets for your constraints to get the desired result, but this is the general idea.
I hope this helps you.