Quick Tip : Adding SWT controls to the Trim Area

Sometimes RCP applications needs to show a label or some swt control on the trim area (outer boundary of the workbench window ) for example in the status area, after the perspective switch bar area and so on.

org.eclipse.ui.menus extension point allows to places command or control on the toolbar , menubar or on the trim area. For this post, if you want to add a control or command to the status area or the perspective switch area, use the following locationURI.

For placing it on the status area - toolbar:org.eclipse.ui.trim.status this will place the control or command on the status area. ( You have to make sure the status area is made visible in the workbenchwindowadvisors preWindowOpen() method as

   public void preWindowOpen() {
       IWorkbenchWindowConfigurer configurer = getWindowConfigurer();
       configurer.setInitialSize(new Point(600, 400));
       configurer.setShowCoolBar(true);
       configurer.setShowPerspectiveBar(true);
       configurer.setShowStatusLine(true);
   }

For placing it on the perspective switch area - toolbar:org.eclipse.ui.trim.command2, this will add the control next to the perspective switch area.

The extension point should create a menuContribution with the correct locationURI, and add the controls/commands to a toolbar.

  <extension
        point="org.eclipse.ui.menus">
     <menuContribution
           locationURI="toolbar:org.eclipse.ui.trim.command2">
        <toolbar
              id="com.blog.sample.toolbar1">
           <control
                 class="com.blog.sample.WorkbenchWindowControlContribution1">
           </control>
        </toolbar>
     </menuContribution>
  </extension>

Have fun !