How to parse String to Enum in Java - Convert Enum to String with Example

Converting Enum into String and parsing String to Enum in Java is becoming a common task with growing use of Enum. Enum is very versatile in Java and preferred the choice to represent bounded data and since is almost used everywhere to carry literal value it's important to know how to convert Enum to String in Java.

Enum to String to Enum in Java

This article is in continuation of other conversion-related posts e.g. how to convert Date to String in Java

As these are common needs and having the best way to do things in mind saves lot of time while coding.

Convert Enum to String in Java Example

Enum classes by default provide valueOf (String value) method which takes a String parameter and converts it into an enum. String name should match with text used to declare Enum in Java file. Here is a complete code example of String to Enum in Java

Code Example String to Enum:

/**

 * Java Program to parse String to Enum in Java with examples.

 */

public class EnumTest {

    private enum LOAN {

        HOME_LOAN {

            @Override

            public String toString() {

                return "Always look for cheaper Home loan";

            }

        },

        AUTO_LOAN {

            @Override

            public String toString() {

                return "Cheaper Auto Loan is better";

            }

        },

        PEROSNAL_LOAN{

            @Override

            public String toString() {

                return "Personal loan is not cheaper any more";

            }

        }

    }

    public static void main(String[] args) {    

        // Exmaple of Converting String to Enum in Java

        LOAN homeLoan = LOAN.valueOf("HOME_LOAN");

        System.out.println(homeLoan);

        LOAN autoLoan = LOAN.valueOf("AUTO_LOAN");

        System.out.println(autoLoan);

        LOAN personalLoan = LOAN.valueOf("PEROSNAL_LOAN");

        System.out.println(personalLoan);   

    }

}

Output:

Always look for cheaper Home loan

Cheaper Auto Loan is better

Personal loan is not cheaper anymore

Convert Enum to String in Java Example

Now let's do opposite convert an Enum into String in Java, there are multiple ways to do it one way is to return exact same String used to declare Enum from toString() method of Enum, otherwise if you are using toString() method for another purpose then you can use default static name() method to convert an Enum into String. Java by default adds name() method into every Enum and it returns exactly same text which is used to declare enum in Java file.

Code Example Enum to String

public static void main(String[] args) {    

        // Java example to convert Enum to String in Java

         String homeLoan = LOAN.HOME_LOAN.name();

        System.out.println(homeLoan);

        String autoLoan = LOAN.AUTO_LOAN.name();

        System.out.println(autoLoan);

        String personalLoan = LOAN.PERSONAL_LOAN.name();

        System.out.println(personalLoan);     

}

Output:

HOME_LOAN

AUTO_LOAN

PERSONAL_LOAN

That’s all on How to parse String to Enum in Java and convert Enum to String object . This tip will help you to quickly convert your data between two most versatile types Enum and String in Java. If you know any other way to change String to Enum in java then please let us know.