Changing template sensor icon based on state [UI Helper]

Configuration
1

Hi,

I am having trouble changing the state icon of a sensor using the Template Sensor helper in the UI.

How do I apapt the YAML from a manual config to the UI?

Example from Template Sensor

sensor:
  - platform: template
    sensors:
      day_night:
        friendly_name: "Day/Night"
        value_template: >-
          {% if is_state('sun.sun', 'above_horizon') %}
            Day
          {% else %}
            Night
          {% endif %}
        icon_template: >-
          {% if is_state('sun.sun', 'above_horizon') %}
            mdi:weather-sunny
          {% else %}
            mdi:weather-night
          {% endif %}

Edit: I have created a Template Sensor helper in the Helpers section.

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2

You are going to have to explain that a bit better.

Most core dashboard cards do not support templates.

3

I have edited the original post

4

You can’t combine the state and icon logic in the UI. The state template in the UI would be like this.

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You are better off adding the template to the configuration file as suggested

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Adding it to your config file can be done via the File Editor addon (other methods too)

Example configuration.yaml file

default_config:

frontend:
  themes: !include_dir_merge_named themes

automation: !include automations.yaml

script: !include scripts.yaml

scene: !include scenes.yaml

sensor:
  - platform: template
    sensors:
      day_night:
        friendly_name: "Day/Night"
        unique_id: day_night
        value_template: >-
          {% if is_state('sun.sun', 'above_horizon') %}
            Day
          {% else %}
            Night
          {% endif %}
        icon_template: >-
          {% if is_state('sun.sun', 'above_horizon') %}
            mdi:weather-sunny
          {% else %}
            mdi:weather-night
          {% endif %}

A more compact method to execute the same template code.

  - platform: template
    sensors:
      day_night:
        friendly_name: "Day/Night"
        unique_id: day_night
        value_template: >-
          {{ 'Day' if is_state('sun.sun', 'above_horizon') else 'Night' }}
          
        icon_template: >-
          {{ 'mdi:weather-sunny' if is_state('sun.sun', 'above_horizon') else 'mdi:weather-night' }}
5

Ok, thanks. I was trying to avoid using manual config as I have had trouble with splitting the config, due to not wanting to a large configuration.yaml file. And being unsure if some of the methods in older forum posts or even in the documentation are actually still valid.

6

Templating the state via the UI is available, but the icon is the kicker. From my understanding that has always been manual process. If you have a older forum post describing that method, it may add clarity.