Arduino LCD Shield - Coding Menus the Easy Way

If you have tried writing menu code for your Arduino projects, you will recognise the challenge in developing a generic menu system for an open prototyping platform. Follow this video tutorial and visit the link below for the source code and more information. Learn how to build LCD menus the easy way.

You'll need an Arduino Uno and a 16x2 LCD shield.

The Arduino LCD Menu Library by Kashif Baig offers several advantages for creating menu-driven interfaces on LCD displays.

1. Simplified Menu Creation:
• The library simplifies the process of building hierarchical menus for your Arduino projects.
• You can create multi-level menus with ease.

2. Memory Efficiency:
• The library utilizes PROGMEM to store menu data in program memory, saving precious RAM.
• This is crucial for resource-constrained Arduino boards.

3. Independence from Display Devices:
• The menu system is independent of the specific input and display devices you use.
• It achieves this by using callback methods for handling user input and rendering the menu display.

3. Online and downloadable Code Generator:
• Kashif Baig provides a menu builder that generates Arduino menu source code from a simple XML representation.
• You can quickly define your menu structure without manual coding.

4. Compatibility with Keypads and Rotary Encoders:
• The library can be adapted for various input devices, including keypads and rotary encoders.
• You can easily customize the menu navigation based on your hardware.

5. Sample Template Project:
• A downloadable sample project demonstrates how to create and use menus.
• It serves as a starting point for your own applications.

[lucas_mende_s]

This online code generator is really cool

[dickie]

Hi Kashif, thanks for posting the video, it was very interesting. I want to make a project with an LCD display to show real time temperatures from thermisters, do you have any examples? Thanks Richard.

[romanp.]

I have a seemingly similar shield from aliexpress. However, mine does not allow dimming the backlight (tried your sample code, has no effect)

[saikatbanerjee]

Something wrong with the code. 2nd line not showing except the arrow

[ab-zpgs]

Is it possible to use the Aruino Uno along with the Adafruit Adafruit LCD Shield Kit w/ 16x2 Character Display - Only 2 pins used! - BLUE AND WHITE with this? Is there anyway I can get some guide or mentorship to integrate to this different shield device?

[mpruijssers]

Not working with my lcd keypad shield. i do all steps but no beep select dont works i see no sensors on the menu. what do i wrong. i have same lecd keypad shield only noy on the right side of the top the bracket for the pin inputs.i make the pin connector on the board. and now?

[johnalex]

I want to make a program with a group of timers that all trigger from one input, using an lcd shield menu to set the timer values. Is this possible?

[capistor]

Can't thank you enough for this menu. i spend days trying to deign my own and trying other libraries. but yours was very easy to work with. with some tweaking i made it work with i2c lcd and push buttons with the help of your comment on your website. i am looking for a way to have 2 menus. is that possible with this? one sort of like a initial setup menu which will only fire at setup and the other will be a run time menu. i assume i will have to create make another copy of xml sample and do the whole menu building again. pasting 2 menus in menu data.h file should work. what do you think? is there something im missing? again. love the project.

[ab-zpgs]

Has anyone tried to utilize this code with the Adafruit LCD Shield Kit w/ 16x2 Character Display - Only 2 pins used! - BLUE AND WHITE
with an arduino Uno or Adafruit METRO 328?

I have been struggling to develop state machine menus using other methodologies besides this and have not been successful.

[mianabdullah]

MY lcd is not dsiplaying anything i have tried many libraries but could not gel display. although reset buttons are working on pressing

[mohsinku]

Hi there, I tried to follow the steps, but couldn't get the display. Today is my first day of experiencing with Arduino UNO.

[ab-zpgs]

I have both the Uno and the Metro 328 and am brainlessly compiling and uploading like a moron and kind of hoping i can use this device with this menu code features or use it as a stepping stone learning tool to learn.

[joshmellon]

So basically just use the sample? This didn't teach how to code anything, just how to use something you can already find..