How to create an IBInspectable of type enum

Question

enum is not an Interface Builder defined runtime attribute. The following does not show in Interface Builder\'s Attributes Inspector:

Answer 1

Instead of setting your inspectable enums with ints, you could also set them with strings. Although not quite as preferable as a dropdown, at least this option offers some level of readability.

Swift-only Option:

// 1. Set up your enum
enum Shape: String {
    case Rectangle = "rectangle" // lowercase to make it case-insensitive
    case Triangle = "triangle"
    case Circle = "circle"
}


// 2. Then set up a stored property, which will be for use in code
var shape = Shape.Rectangle // default shape


// 3. And another stored property which will only be accessible in IB (because the "unavailable" attribute prevents its use in code)
@available(*, unavailable, message: "This property is reserved for Interface Builder. Use 'shape' instead.")
@IBInspectable var shapeName: String? {
    willSet {
        // Ensure user enters a valid shape while making it lowercase.
        // Ignore input if not valid.
        if let newShape = Shape(rawValue: newValue?.lowercased() ?? "") {
            shape = newShape
        }
    }
}

It is possible to also get this to work with objective-c as well, by adding an initializer to the enum. However, the compiler will only show the "unavailable" error for your IB-only properties in swift code.

Swift Option with Obj-C Compatibility:

@objc enum Shape: Int {
    case None
    case Rectangle
    case Triangle
    case Circle

    init(named shapeName: String) {
        switch shapeName.lowercased() {
        case "rectangle": self = .Rectangle
        case "triangle": self = .Triangle
        case "circle": self = .Circle
        default: self = .None
        }
    }
}

var shape = Shape.Rectangle // default shape

@available(*, unavailable, message: "This property is reserved for Interface Builder. Use 'shape' instead.")
@IBInspectable var shapeName: String? {
    willSet {
        if let newShape = Shape(rawValue: newValue?.lowercased() ?? "") {
            shape = newShape
        }
    }
}