How to subclass custom Cell class with xib in swift

Question

I got stuck with simple issue and can't find any solution.

MyCell.xib has fileowner MyCell : UITableViewCell class.

I use it like that:

viewDidLoad method:

 let nib = UINib(nibName: "MyCell", bundle: nil)
 self.tableView.register(nib, forCellReuseIdentifier: "myIdentifier")

tableView cellForRowAt method:

 let cell = tableView.dequeueReusableCell(withIdentifier: "myIdentifier", for: indexPath) as? MyCell

It works good.

I subclass my class to add some new methods:

 class SuperCell : MyCell {
      func coolMethod {
           print("cool")
      }
 }

And try to use it like that:

let cell = tableView.dequeueReusableCell(withIdentifier: "myIdentifier", for: indexPath) as? SuperCell

it returns nil

How can I make it work?

I tried to create prototype cell in InterfaceBuilder with identifier myIdentifier and with class SuperCell, but it didn't help.

Why do I need it

I just want to use the same view (xib) for different cell classes.

In my case I have common cell (MyCell) with view (xib). MyCell completely describes fields (IBOutlets). Also I want to create some another cell classes that subclasses MyCell, but they will provide some behaviour of these IBOutlets. For example FirstMyCell : MyCell will have method setFieldsFrom(objectOne: ObjectOne) and SecondMyCell : MyCell will have another method setFieldsFrom(anotherObject: ObjectAnother).

Of course, I can just add this two methods into my MyCell class, but it will be unclean.

Beckwith

why whould you want to subclass a custom cell ? – Hothouse

@UmairAfzal please look my update – Beckwith

@JohnKakon did you find a way to subclass using same xib. – Mccourt

@JohnKakon Did you find any solution for this? – Potamic

@JohnKakon Did you resolve your problem ? – Peruse

Answer 1

• Do not set the files owner (remove it)
• Make sure your your XIBs Custom Class is set to SuperCell:

Arminius

What If I will have SuperClass : MyClass and SecondSuperClass : MyClass with the same xib? Which one should I set in InterfaceBuilder? MyClass? – Beckwith

That does not make sense to me. Maybe update your question and describe your use case, what you want to achieve, more detailed. – Arminius

Are you saying that there is no additional code required inside 'MyClass.swift' ? – Avoidance

Only code is let cell = tableView.dequeueReusableCell(withIdentifier: "myIdentifier") as? SuperCell. You certainly need to set outlets for Labels or such to MyCellClass. – Arminius