What do I need to create to make a non-editable display?

[mprowe (Martin)]

I wish to create a variable that I can set in an automation. To-date, I have used a Number Helper. The problem with this is, that when displayed in an Entity Card, it is editable. And looks different.
What sort of helper do I need that will display like a sensors?

I want the lower display to look and look like the top one and be read only.
In the hope that a YAML snippet makes my question clearer

  - service: input_number.set_value
    target:
      entity_id:
        - input_number.kwh_at_night_rate_start
    data:
      value: "{{ states('sensor.smart_meter_electricity_import') }}"

Apologies if the language is not correct, still not got my head around all of this!
Regards, Martin

[armedad]

does it have to show in the entity card? you could use something like a title card. however if you click through on the title card and get to the underlying entity, then you can still modify that.

the other alternative is to create a template sensor. have the template be {{ input_number.kwh_at_night_rate_start }}

then show that template sensor in your card.

tom’s answer

[tom_l]

There’s an option called simple-entity you can use in the card to make the number read only:

e.g. same entity different display:

type: entities
entities:
  - entity: input_number.upstairs_ac_temp_set_heat
  - entity: input_number.upstairs_ac_temp_set_heat
    type: simple-entity

Note however that if you click on the entity it is editable in the more-info pop-up.

To prevent this:

type: entities
entities:
  - entity: input_number.upstairs_ac_temp_set_heat
  - entity: input_number.upstairs_ac_temp_set_heat
    type: simple-entity
    tap_action:
      action: none

[Ildar_Gabdullin]

Another option: sometimes you need to keep displaying helpers as helpers - but read-only with disabled sliders, edits, checkboxes; and with grey “disabled” color. Also if this “read-only mode” is supposed to be conditional like “if user = someone” or “if anything = something”. This may be done by card-mod.

[mprowe (Martin)]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I’ve been working with Tom’s suggestion which gets me near what I was hoping for but… Isn’t there always!
Adding the type: simple-entity stops the Entities card from using the Visual Editor.

To me (a simple-entity ) it seems that it is complaining that Entity Card will only accept a string? Is this a correct understanding?
Regards, M.

[tom_l]

@mprowe

Adding the type: simple-entity stops the Entities card from using the Visual Editor.

Correct. You can only edit this in YAML.