Adds the inputed action to this widget's action group.  This will auto-\
        create a new group if no group is already defined.
        
        :param      action | <QAction> || <str>
        
        :return     <QAction>

def addAction(self, action, checked=None, autoBuild=True):
        """
        Adds the inputed action to this widget's action group.  This will auto-\
        create a new group if no group is already defined.
        
        :param      action | <QAction> || <str>
        
        :return     <QAction>
        """
        # clear the holder
        actions = self._actionGroup.actions()
        if actions and actions[0].objectName() == 'place_holder':
            self._actionGroup.removeAction(actions[0])
            actions[0].deleteLater()
        
        # create an action from the name
        if not isinstance(action, QAction):
            action_name = nativestring(action)
            action = QAction(action_name, self)
            action.setObjectName(action_name)
            action.setCheckable(self.isCheckable())
            
            # auto-check the first option
            if checked or (not self._actionGroup.actions() and checked is None):
                action.setChecked(True)
        
        elif self.isCheckable():
            action.setCheckable(True)
            if not self.currentAction():
                action.setChecked(True)
        
        self._actionGroup.addAction(action)
        
        if autoBuild:
            self.rebuild()
        
        return action