[FIXED] How to achieve a staggered grid layout using Jetpack compose?

Issue

As far as I can see we can only use Rows and Columns in Jetpack Compose to show lists. How can I achieve a staggered grid layout like the image below? The normal implementation of it using a Recyclerview and a staggered grid layout manager is pretty easy. But how to do the same in Jetpack Compose ?

Solution

One of Google's Compose sample Owl shows how to do a staggered grid layout. This is the code snippet that is used to compose this:

@Composable
fun StaggeredVerticalGrid(
    modifier: Modifier = Modifier,
    maxColumnWidth: Dp,
    children: @Composable () -> Unit
) {
    Layout(
        children = children,
        modifier = modifier
    ) { measurables, constraints ->
        check(constraints.hasBoundedWidth) {
            "Unbounded width not supported"
        }
        val columns = ceil(constraints.maxWidth / maxColumnWidth.toPx()).toInt()
        val columnWidth = constraints.maxWidth / columns
        val itemConstraints = constraints.copy(maxWidth = columnWidth)
        val colHeights = IntArray(columns) { 0 } // track each column's height
        val placeables = measurables.map { measurable ->
            val column = shortestColumn(colHeights)
            val placeable = measurable.measure(itemConstraints)
            colHeights[column] += placeable.height
            placeable
        }

        val height = colHeights.maxOrNull()?.coerceIn(constraints.minHeight, constraints.maxHeight)
                ?: constraints.minHeight
        layout(
                width = constraints.maxWidth,
                height = height
        ) {
            val colY = IntArray(columns) { 0 }
            placeables.forEach { placeable ->
                val column = shortestColumn(colY)
                placeable.place(
                        x = columnWidth * column,
                        y = colY[column]
                )
                colY[column] += placeable.height
            }
        }
    }
}

private fun shortestColumn(colHeights: IntArray): Int {
    var minHeight = Int.MAX_VALUE
    var column = 0
    colHeights.forEachIndexed { index, height ->
        if (height < minHeight) {
            minHeight = height
            column = index
        }
    }
    return column
}

And then you can pass in your item composable in it:

StaggeredVerticalGrid(
    maxColumnWidth = 220.dp,
    modifier = Modifier.padding(4.dp)
) {
    // Use your item composable here
}

Link to snippet in the sample: https://github.com/android/compose-samples/blob/1630f6b35ac9e25fb3cd3a64208d7c9afaaaedc5/Owl/app/src/main/java/com/example/owl/ui/courses/FeaturedCourses.kt#L161

Answered By - Saurabh Thorat
Answer Checked By - Marilyn (JavaFixing Volunteer)