Find and replace in files

The search in files is done by the server, where the files are: even on a large project the window stays responsive, and the results arrive while the search goes on.

Finding

1. Choose the workspace in the tree, or a folder inside it.
2. Press Ctrl+Shift+F (or Edit → Find in files).
3. Type the text to find and, if needed:
   • Match case: tells capitals from lower case;
   • Whole word: finds “Log” but not “Logger”;
   • Regular expression: for example Log\.(Info|Error);
   • Folder: to search only part of the workspace, like src/;
   • File types: for example *.cs;*.md.

The list fills up as results come. Double click or Enter on a result opens the file at the right line. A new search stops the previous one.

Every file of the workspace is searched except the build and git folders (bin, obj, .git) and binary files. A file someone has open is searched in the text being written, even if it is not saved yet.

Replacing

Type the new text and press “Replace in N files”: the replacement is done in the files of the results. The Output says how many replacements were made.

Whoever has one of those files open sees the replacement arrive as a normal change, made by you, and can undo it like the others. With a regular expression, $1, $2... in the new text are the parts in brackets; without a regular expression $ stays a $.

Replacing changes the files: it needs the developer role. Anyone can search.