Custom code for UITableViewCell - ios

Question

I would like to know where to enter custom code to change the value of a Label property for a UITableViewCell.
I am not sure how this is loaded, as I have put an NSLog in the ViewDidLoad and (id)initWithStyle instance methods but neither write to the log.
I have setup a NIB and custom class all correctly linked, and the Label is linked as a property and no longer causes an error. But I am unable to setText.
This is how the custom cell is called:
- (UITableViewCell *)tableView:(UITableView *)tableView cellForRowAtIndexPath:(NSIndexPath *)indexPath
{
static NSString *CellIdentifier = #"Cell";
LeftMenuTableViewCell *cell = [tableView dequeueReusableCellWithIdentifier:CellIdentifier];
if (cell == nil) {
NSArray* views = [[NSBundle mainBundle] loadNibNamed:#"LeftMenuTableViewCell" owner:nil options:nil];
for (UIView *view in views) {
if([view isKindOfClass:[UITableViewCell class]])
{
cell = (LeftMenuTableViewCell*)view;
}
}
}
return cell;
}
This is the code in the IMP file for the LeftMenuViewCell class.
-(void)viewDidLoad {
displayName.text = [self.user objectForKey:#"displayName"];
I can set the displayName to a string and this does not change either. If I add an NSLog to the viewDidLoad for the custom cell class it is not shown, like it is not loaded, but the cell is loaded...?

Answer 1

Without code specifics, I can only give a vague'ish answer.
Your custom cell will need to subclass UITableViewCell, and you need to provide your table with this custom subclass when the data source method tableView:cellForRowAtIndexPath:.
I'd suggest reading up on how cells are added/used with UITableViews:
http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/UserExperience/Conceptual/TableView_iPhone/TableViewCells/TableViewCells.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40007451-CH7-SW1

Answer 2

Let's say that you have custom UITableViewCell with UILabel called testLabel. If your NIB and custom class are properly linked than you can use following code:
MyTableViewCell.h
#interface MyTableViewCell : UITableViewCell
#property (nonatomic, assign) IBOutlet UILabel *testLabel;
#end
cellForRowAtIndexPath in your UITableViewController or UIViewController:
- (UITableViewCell *)tableView:(UITableView *)tableView cellForRowAtIndexPath:(NSIndexPath *)indexPath
{
static NSString *CellIdentifier = #"MyTableViewCellId";
MyTableViewCell *cell = (MyTableViewCell *)[tableView dequeueReusableCellWithIdentifier:CellIdentifier];
if (cell == nil) {
NSArray *topLevelObjects = [[NSBundle mainBundle] loadNibNamed:#"MyTableViewCell" owner:self options:nil];
cell = [topLevelObjects objectAtIndex:0];
}
[cell.testLabel.text = [_dataSource objectAtIndex:[indexPath row]]];
return cell;
}
Hope it helps :)

Answer 3

For example
- (UITableViewCell *)tableView:(UITableView *)tableView cellForRowAtIndexPath:(NSIndexPath *)indexPath {
RouteCell *routeCell = [self.tableView dequeueReusableCellWithIdentifier:routeIdentifier];
if (routeCell == nil) {
NSArray *nib = [[NSBundle mainBundle] loadNibNamed:#"RouteCell" owner:nil options:nil];
routeCell = [nib objectAtIndex:0];
}
routeCell.travelTime.text = #"Here you are setting text to your label";
return routeCell;