A style resource defines the format and look for a UI. A style can be applied to an individual[View](https://developer.android.com/reference/android/view/View)(from within a layout file) or to an entire[Activity](https://developer.android.com/reference/android/app/Activity)or application (from within the manifest file).

For more information about creating and applying styles, please read[Styles and Themes](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/ui/themes).

**Note:** A style is a simple resource that is referenced using the value provided in the`name`attribute (not the name of the XML file). As such, you can combine style resources with other simple resources in the one XML file, under one`<resources>`element.

file location:
:   `res/values/`*filename*`.xml`  
    The filename is arbitrary. The element's`name`will be used as the resource ID.

resource reference:
:   In XML:`@[package:]style/`*style_name*

syntax:
:

    ```xml
    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
    <resources>
        <style
            name="style_name"
            parent="@[package:]style/style_to_inherit">
            <item
                name="[package:]style_property_name"
                >style_value</item>
        </style>
    </resources>
    ```

elements:
:

    `<resources>`
    :   **Required.** This must be the root node.

        No attributes.

    `<style>`
    :   Defines a single style. Contains`<item>`elements.

        attributes:

        `name`
        :   *String* .**Required**. A name for the style, which is used as the resource ID to apply the style to a View, Activity, or application.

        `parent`
        :   *Style resource*. Reference to a style from which this style should inherit style properties.

    `<item>`
    :   Defines a single property for the style. Must be a child of a`<style>`element.

        <br />

        attributes:

        `name`
        :   *Attribute resource* .**Required** . The name of the style property to be defined, with a package prefix if necessary (for example`android:textColor`).

example:
:

    XML file for the style (saved in`res/values/`):
    :

        ```xml
        <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
        <resources>
            <style name="CustomText" parent="@style/Text">
                <item name="android:textSize">20sp</item>
                <item name="android:textColor">#008</item>
            </style>
        </resources>
        ```

    XML file that applies the style to a[TextView](https://developer.android.com/reference/android/widget/TextView)(saved in`res/layout/`):
    :

        ```xml
        <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
        <EditText
            style="@style/CustomText"
            android:layout_width="fill_parent"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:text="Hello, World!" />
        ```