MultiLineLabel 1.2
JavaBean
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MultiLineLabel is a Java AWT component for displaying multiple line text labels. 

MultiLineLabel provides a missing and much needed feature in Java, the ability to display blocks of text as often appear in dialog and about boxes, help and splash screens, status reports and instructions, etc. 
 

View source code for this applet
Alternatives:

The standard Java Label only displays a single line of text.  Using multiple Labels is inefficient, especially for wraping lines of text.

Some programmers use a standard Java TextArea to display a block of text.  But with its frame, scrollbars, inability to inset margins, lack of line spacing, and fixed overall height, this is a poor substitute. 

Solutions like the Symantec WrappingLabel fail to support line breaks, tabs, or insets.  Swing JTextArea and JTextPane were designed for different purposes with UI characteristics that make them hard to use as multiple-line labels.

In addition, all these components have a fixed height and clip text unexpectedly, especially in cross-platform applications where font differences cause text to rewrap.  Plus, all these components lack a property editor that eases entry of text on multiple lines and with embedded tabs and quotation marks.

Features:
  • line wrap
  • line breaks
  • line spacing
  • tab expansion
  • margins (left, right, top, and bottom insets)
  • font selection
  • height autosizing
  • multiple line property sheet editor

 

Benefits:

  • Simple to use, with the features needed to make it really useful.
  • Works great as a bean in visual application builders and also as a simple class for programmatic use.
  • Line wrap and height autosizing ensure all text will always display, regardless of layout or cross-platform font differences.
  • The Free Version of MultiLineLabel displays "Evaluation Use Only" in the label and is licensed for evaluation, development, and non-commercial use.  Product and Source Code Versions are also available.

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