This is a workaround for `android:showAsAction="withText"` not displaying text on narrow layouts e.g. in portrait on phones. This uses styles found in ActionBarSherlock so it matches the native styling. I tested it with ABS v4.4.0 but earlier versions are probably compatible.Note: This should only be used if you absolutely have to display the te…

action_button.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>

<!-- TODO: This could be genericized by removing android:text so the caller
     can set it dynamically. -->
<TextView xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
   android:layout_width="wrap_content"
   android:layout_height="match_parent"
   android:gravity="center"
   style="@style/Widget.Sherlock.ActionButton"
   android:text="@string/text"
   android:drawableLeft="@drawable/icon"
   android:background="@drawable/abs__item_background_holo_dark"
   android:clickable="true"

   android:textSize="12sp"
   android:textStyle="bold"
   android:textColor="?attr/actionMenuTextColor"
   android:textAllCaps="@bool/abs__config_actionMenuItemAllCaps" />
<!-- Note: The text attributes were copied from:
     "@style/TextAppearance.Sherlock.Widget.ActionBar.Menu" -->

menu.xml

 <item
     android:id="@+id/button_id"
     android:icon="@drawable/icon"
     android:showAsAction="always"
     android:actionLayout="@layout/action_button"
     android:title="@string/text"/>

MyActivity.java

public class MyActivity extends Activity {
  ...
  
  @Override
  public boolean onCreateOptionsMenu(Menu menu) {
    // Trigger onOptionsItemSelected for the custom menu item because it doesn't
    // happen automatically.
    final MenuItem item = menu.findItem(R.id.button_id);
    barcodeItem.getActionView().setOnClickListener(new OnClickListener() {
       @Override
       public void onClick(View view) {
          onOptionsItemSelected(item);
       }
    });
    
    // This sets up the long press listener to make the tool tip.
    // CheatSheet can be found here: https://gist.github.com/romannurik/3982005
    CheatSheet.setup(item.getActionView(), R.string.text);
    
    return super.onCreateOptionsMenu(menu);
  }
}