Is it possible to left align SearchView in AppCompat 21 with toolbar?

Question

I want to left align the SearchView on tablets when using the new material theme and AppCompat 21. Is this possible or must I add my own custom layout to the toolbar?

  @Override
public boolean onCreateOptionsMenu(Menu menu) {
    getMenuInflater().inflate(R.menu.menu_search, menu);
    mnuSearch = menu.findItem(R.id.menu_search);
    android.support.v7.widget.SearchView searchView = (SearchView) MenuItemCompat.getActionView(mnuSearch);
    searchView.setGravity(Gravity.LEFT);
    searchView.setIconifiedByDefault(false);
    searchView.setQueryHint(getString(R.string.search));
    searchView.requestFocus();
    return true;
}

Answer 1

I would rather define your SearchView in a layout and then call

View v = findViewById(R.id.your_search_view);
getSupportActionBar().setCustomView(v);

This way it comes already aligned on the left, and if it doesn't you can set its LayoutParams.

If you're using a Toolbar with AppCompat things are easier, because it acts as a ViewGroup.

<android.support.v7.widget.Toolbar
        xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
        xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
        xmlns:abc="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto"
        android:id="@+id/toolbar"
        android:layout_height="?attr/actionBarSize"
        android:layout_width="match_parent">

    <your.SearchView />
        // here you have control over layout_gravity

</android.support.v7.widget.Toolbar>