Hmm. Maybe try to use Fragments. I coded sample for you. Tell me if it is what you are looking for:)
MainActivity.java
public class MainActivity extends ActionBarActivity {
@Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
setContentView(R.layout.main_activity);
findViewById(R.id.open_dialog_button).setOnClickListener(new View.OnClickListener() {
@Override
public void onClick(View view) {
SampleDialogFragment dialogFragment = new SampleDialogFragment();
dialogFragment.show(getSupportFragmentManager(), "dialogFragment");
}
});
}
}
main_activity.xml
<FrameLayout
android:layout_width="fill_parent"
android:layout_height="fill_parent"
xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">
<Button
android:id="@+id/open_dialog_button"
android:layout_width="wrap_content"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:text="Open dialog"
android:layout_gravity="center" />
</FrameLayout>
SampleDialogFragment.java
public class SampleDialogFragment extends DialogFragment {
@Override
public Dialog onCreateDialog(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
AlertDialog.Builder alert = new AlertDialog.Builder(getActivity());
alert.setTitle("Timer");
alert.setPositiveButton("OK", null);
View view = View.inflate(getActivity(), R.layout.dialog, null);
String[] array = {"Hello", "Hello", "Hello", "Hello", "Hello", "Hello", "Hello", "Hello", "Hello", "Hello", "Hello", "Hello", "Hello", "Hello", "Hello"};
ArrayAdapter<String> adapter = new ArrayAdapter<String>(getActivity(), android.R.layout.simple_list_item_1, array);
((ListView) view.findViewById(R.id.listView)).setAdapter(adapter);
alert.setView(view);
return alert.create();
}
}
dialog.xml
<ListView xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
android:id="@+id/listView"
android:layout_width="wrap_content"
android:layout_height="wrap_content" />