[Bug] [UWP] CollectionView ItemsLayout not working when initially invisible

[SuNNjek]

Description

I'm trying to use a CollectionView in UWP with a vertical grid layout. This CollectionView, however, is revealed through a user action and is initially invisible (IsVisible="False"). When this happens, the ItemsLayout seems to be ignored, as the CollectionView displays its items as a vertical list.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Build and start the attached demo project
2. Click the button at the top to reveal the CollectionView

Expected Behavior

The items are arranged as a vertical grid with 3 columns.

Actual Behavior

The items are arranged as a vertical list

Basic Information

• Version with issue: 4.4.0.991265
• Last known good version: -
• IDE: Visual Studio 2019 Professional
• Platform Target Frameworks:
  • iOS: -
  • Android: -
  • UWP: 16299
• Android Support Library Version: -
• Nuget Packages: -
• Affected Devices: Windows 10 PC

Screenshots

The headers refer to the initial visibility of the CollectionView.

IsVisible="False"	IsVisible="True"

Reproduction Link

UWPCollectionViewBug.zip

[ElmellaliMobiArchitects]

the same problem. :'( IOS

[SuNNjek]

I've also noticed that the sample doesn't even launch on iOS when the CollectionView is initially invisible.

[VelizarGremori]

t works for me to put CollectionView into the zero size container.
For example, we do have the grid with 2 rows with zero and non zero height. Initially, put the CollectionView in to the row with zeroe height to make it invisible, then move it to the non zero height row to make it visible (using Grid.SetRow)
CollectionViewBugWorkaround.zip

[jhariel8]

I'm experiencing a similar issue when navigating away from the page and returning to it. The "IsVisible" property doesn't necessarily seem to affect it one way or the other.

I tried @VelizarGremori solution and it seemed like when setting the row back to the "nonzero" row, my collectionview would still have a height of zero, even if I changed the HeightRequest explicitly or changed layout options to FillAndExpand. Any ideas on why this might be?

[BioTurboNick]

Just wanted to +1 this and the related issues. I'm having to change the design of my app because CollectionView doesn't layout properly when it is made visible, and I can't find a reliable workaround. I hope your team will prioritize this set of issues.

[YuliaLoyko]

experiencing same issue: when set collectionview from invisible to visible state - it displays one column instead of 2

[hairatic]

Got similar problem on Xamarin Forms 4.8 on iOS. I use CollectionView with GridItemsLayout (Span = 2) inside Expander (long infographic screen with expandable sections).
But my result is even worse - app just FREEZES when I open up the page. Changing layout to Linear or expanding section at the start (IsExpanded = true in XAML) solves the problem.
I've tested it on 2 real devices and 2 simulators. Issue persists.
Android version works as expected.

[jrlaff]

Any chance this being fixed? it is opened since January 2020 and it is very annoying, requiring to change the design of my app.

[BioTurboNick]

I'm guessing for a lot of these the solution is going to be the new cross platform UI framework, MAUI.

[jsuarezruiz]

Soon in an upcoming SR.