How to open in XML Editor from Find in Files

[ghillerson]

I'm using 10.1. I frequently do use the Find/Replace in Files, searching in a content folder and specifying "Find All", so I can then iterate through some or all of the files in that folder that contain a phrase I want to change.

This works great, except for one thing. In the Results pane that opens and shows which files contained the search string, I can click the file name to open the file. However, it always opens in the Text Editor. Is there a configuration setting somewhere that lets me tell Flare to open those files in the XML Editor?

Even better would be: if I tell it to search in the code, open in the text editor; if not, open in the XML editor.

[LTinker68]

Does it always do that, or is it dependent on whether or not you have "find in source code" enabled when you search? I almost always have that checked because I am looking for something in the code, so I do want it to open the topic to that code. If you don't have "find in source code" enabled, then I would consider it a bug that it opens in the Internal Text Editor, and no, I don't know of a way to force it to open in the WYSIWYG editor.

[ChoccieMuffin]

And when a file opens in text editor (because that's what you searched for) you don't get the tab to look at it in the XML editor that is there if you open it normally. That's a PITA, so I then have to find the file in Content Explorer and open it again. Less than helpful.

[NorthEast]

And when a file opens in text editor (because that's what you searched for) you don't get the tab to look at it in the XML editor that is there if you open it normally. That's a PITA, so I then have to find the file in Content Explorer and open it again. Less than helpful.

There's a much quicker way - there's a button on the topic toolbar to Open in XML editor, or press Ctrl + F2.

[ChoccieMuffin]

And when a file opens in text editor (because that's what you searched for) you don't get the tab to look at it in the XML editor that is there if you open it normally. That's a PITA, so I then have to find the file in Content Explorer and open it again. Less than helpful.

There's a much quicker way - there's a button on the topic toolbar to Open in XML editor, or press Ctrl + F2.

See, ya learn summat new every day! Thanks Dave!!!

[ghillerson]

It does happen whether i'm searching in code or not; otherwise, I'd consider it the correct behavior.

As for clicking the icon to open it in the xml editor: I knew about that and it sort of works -- it opens a separate tab, so you now have two tabs editing the same file, which is confusing. Not so bad if you're only finding something in a couple files, but I'm doing searches that require me to make changes in dozens or hundreds of files, and having to click that button and end up with two tabs for each is beyond awkward.

g

[Jess77]

Dave Lee wrote:
ChoccieMuffin wrote:
And when a file opens in text editor (because that's what you searched for) you don't get the tab to look at it in the XML editor that is there if you open it normally. That's a PITA, so I then have to find the file in Content Explorer and open it again. Less than helpful.


There's a much quicker way - there's a button on the topic toolbar to Open in XML editor, or press Ctrl + F2.

Hi Dave,

I am working in 9.1 and searching frantically for this option. That Open in XML Editor button is no longer on the Topic Toolbar of the Text Editor. Also, CTRL + F2 does nothing.

I read the What's New for 9.1 topic in Flare's Help and it says that the toggle buttons that allowed you switch between the XML and Text Editors was removed from the toolbar. They have added the split view, which works well when you using Find & Replace without "Find in source code" selected. When you do that you can keep clicking Find Next and watch the item appear in both the XML and Text Editors at the same time.

The real problem, I find, is when you need to do a search that is best achieved in the source code. For instance, I am trying to find a Note graphic throughout the system. The fastest way to find it is to look for the source code and delete it. However, it would be nice to check my work in the XML Editor to verify.

In general, Flare's Find and Replace is just terrible and hasn't improved much over the years...unfortunately.

[NorthEast]

I am working in 9.1 and searching frantically for this option. That Open in XML Editor button is no longer on the Topic Toolbar of the Text Editor. Also, CTRL + F2 does nothing.

It's only been added in v10.

[kwag_myers]

I'm using 10.1. I frequently do use the Find/Replace in Files, searching in a content folder and specifying "Find All", so I can then iterate through some or all of the files in that folder that contain a phrase I want to change.

This is a bit off topic, but if you're repeating a phrase throughout your project, why don't you use a snippet? Then you only have to change one file. However, if you're translating into other languages, you should only use snippets for complete sentences.

[ghillerson]

I'm searching for a partial phrase in a situation in which a snippet isn't appropriate.

[Jess77]

Dave,

Thanks! Just yesterday I was talking to a Flare expert who mentioned that Find and Replace had been drastically improved in 10.

[NorthEast]

Dave,

Thanks! Just yesterday I was talking to a Flare expert who mentioned that Find and Replace had been drastically improved in 10.

I wouldn't agree with that - the interface has been changed slightly, but there's no improvement to the search capability, it is still lacking if you want to find/replace anything more than text.

[kwag_myers]

I haven't tried it in 10 yet, but previous versions of Find and Replace did not handle spaces well. I got in the habit of using Search & Replace Master for anything but a single word.

[Jess77]

kwag_mire,

Thanks for the tip! I downloaded Search & Replace Master and have been playing with it. For some reason the Help button doesn't work, so I need to ask you. This tool doesn't open files and let you see the change, correct? I don't see a way to do that. It just rips through the files and changes the code after you click Execute.

It's pretty powerful, you just have to be really confident of the intended results before you click Execute. I imagine you toggle back and forth between S&RM and Flare to make sure it worked as intended.

[kwag_myers]

Yeah, Search & Replace Master is not for wimps. The revised files are listed on the Result tab. I usually have the folder open in Windows Explorer to get the directory. You could review the revised files from there if you sort the window by Date modified.

Here's my procedure:

1. You can use the directory window of the File tab, but it's kind of clunky. Open the Content folder of your project in Windows Explorer.
2. Right-click the address bar and select Copy address as text from the context menu.
3. In Search & Replace Master, select List From: Directory and click the folder icon on the File tab (below the Search icon)
4. Paste in the directory and click OK.
5. Check Include Sub Folders to include your Snippets.
6. Go to the Text tab and enter your strings. You can include any number of spaces, line returns, etc. I've actually done whole paragraphs (before my Flare days and the wonderful world of Snippets).
7. Click Execute.

That's it. I suggest staying away from wild cards at first, unless you really know what you're doing. You can do more damage than good if you're too vague with your Search Pattern.