Find and replace text

You can find and replace text in the Visual Studio editor by using Find and Replace (Ctrl+F or Ctrl+H) or Find/Replace in Files (Ctrl+Shift+F or Ctrl+Shift+H). You can also find and replace only some instances of a pattern by using multi-caret selection.

If you’re renaming code symbols such as variables and methods, it’s better to refactor them than to use find-and-replace. Refactoring is intelligent and understands scope, whereas find-and-replace blindly replaces all instances.

Find-and-replace functionality is available in the editor, in certain other text-based windows such as the Find Results windows, in designer windows such as the XAML designer and Windows Forms designer, and in tool windows.

You can scope searches to the current document, the current solution, or a custom set of folders. You can also specify a set of file name extensions for multi-file searches. Customize search syntax by using .NET regular expressions.

The Find/Command box is available as a toolbar control, but isn’t visible by default. To display the Find/Command box, select Add or Remove Buttons on the Standard toolbar, and then select Find.

Find and Replace control

• Press Ctrl+F as a shortcut to find a string in the current file.
• Press Ctrl+H as a shortcut to find and replace a string in the current file.

The Find and Replace control appears in the upper right corner of the code editor window. It immediately highlights every occurrence of the given search string in the current document. You can navigate from one occurrence to another by choosing the Find Next button or the Find Previous button on the search control.

You can access replacement options by choosing the button next to the Find text box. To make one replacement at a time, choose the Replace Next button next to the Replace text box. To replace all matches, choose the Replace All button.

To change the highlight color for matches, choose the Tools menu, select Options, and then choose Environment, and select Fonts and Colors. In the Show settings for list, select Text Editor, and then in the Display items list, select Find Highlight (Extension).

Search tool windows

You can use the Find control in code or text windows, such as Output windows and Find Results windows, by selecting Edit > Find and Replace or pressing Ctrl+F.

A version of the Find control is also available in some tool windows. For example, you can filter the list of controls in the Toolbox window by entering text in the search box. Other tool windows that allow you to search their contents include Solution Explorer, the Properties window, and Team Explorer.

Find in Files and Replace in Files

• Press Ctrl+Shift+F as a shortcut to find a string in multiple files.
• Press Ctrl+Shift+H as a shortcut to find and replace a string in multiple files.

Find/Replace in Files works like the Find and Replace control, except that you can define a scope for your search. Not only can you search the current open file in the editor, but also all open documents, the entire solution, the current project, and selected folder sets. You can also search by file name extension. To access the Find/Replace in Files dialog box, select Find and Replace on the Edit menu (or press Ctrl+Shift+F).

Find Results

When you choose Find All, a Find Results window opens and lists the matches for your search. Selecting a result in the list displays the associated file and highlights the match. If the file is not already open for editing, it is opened in a preview tab in the right side of the tab well. You can use the Find control to search through the Find Results list.

Create custom search folder sets

You can define a search scope by choosing the Choose Search Folders button (it looks like . ) next to the Look in box. In the Choose Search Folders dialog box, you can specify a set of folders to search, and you can save the specification so that you can reuse it later.

If you’ve mapped a remote machine’s drive to your local machine, you can specify folders to search on the remote machine.

Create custom component sets

You can define component sets as your search scope by choosing the Edit Custom Component Set button next to the Look in box. You can specify installed .NET or COM components, Visual Studio projects that are included in your solution, or any assembly or type library (.dll, .tlb, .olb, .exe, or .ocx). To search references, select the Look in references box.

Multi-caret selection

This section applies to Visual Studio on Windows. For Visual Studio for Mac, see Block selection.

Introduced in Visual Studio 2017 version 15.8

Use multi-caret selection to make the same edit in two or more places at the same time. For example, you can insert the same text or modify existing text in multiple locations at the same time.

In the following screenshot, -0000 is selected in three locations; if the user presses Delete, all three selections are deleted:

To select multiple carets, click or make first text selection as usual, and then press Alt while you click or select text in each additional location. You can also automatically add matching text as additional selections, or select a box of text to edit identically on each line.

If you’ve selected Alt as the modifier key for mouse-click Go to Definition in Tools > Options, multi-caret select is disabled.

Commands

Use the following keys and actions for multi-caret selection behaviors:

Shortcut	Action
Ctrl+Alt + click	Add a secondary caret
Ctrl+Alt + double-click	Add a secondary word selection
Ctrl+Alt + click + drag	Add a secondary selection
Shift+Alt+.	Add the next matching text as a selection
Shift+Alt+;	Add all matching text as selections
Shift+Alt+,	Remove last selected occurrence
Shift+Alt+/	Skip next matching occurrence
Alt + click	Add a box selection
Esc or click	Clear all selections

Some of the commands are also available on the Edit menu, under Multiple Carets:

replace

Replace existing files in a directory. If used with the /a option, this command adds new files to a directory instead of replacing existing files.

Syntax

Parameters

] Specifies the location and name of the source file or set of files. The filename option is required, and can include wildcard characters (* and ?). [ :][

] Specifies the location of the destination file. You can’t specify a file name for files you replace. If you don’t specify a drive or path, this command uses the current drive and directory as the destination. /a Adds new files to the destination directory instead of replacing existing files. You can’t use this command-line option with the /s or /u command-line option. /p Prompts you for confirmation before replacing a destination file or adding a source file. /r Replaces Read-only and unprotected files. If you attempt to replace a Read-only file, but you don’t specify /r, an error results and stops the replacement operation. /w Waits for you to insert a disk before the search for source files begins. If you don’t specify /w, this command begins replacing or adding files immediately after you press ENTER. /s Searches all subdirectories in the destination directory and replaces matching files. You can’t use /s with the /a command-line option. The command doesn’t search subdirectories that are specified in Path1. /u Replaces only those files on the destination directory that are older than those in the source directory. You can’t use /u with the /a command-line option. /? Displays help at the command prompt.

Remarks

As this command adds or replaces files, the file names appear on the screen. After this command is done, a summary line is displayed in one of the following formats:

If you’re using floppy disks and you need to switch disks while running this command, you can specify the /w command-line option so that this command waits for you to switch the disks.

You can’t use this command to update hidden files or system files.

The following table shows each exit code and a brief description of its meaning:

Exit code	Description
0	This command successfully replaced or added the files.
1	This command encountered an incorrect version of MS-DOS.
2	This command couldn’t find the source files.
3	This command couldn’t find the source or destination path.
5	The user doesn’t have access to the files that you want to replace.
8	There is insufficient system memory to carry out the command.
11	The user used the wrong syntax on the command line.

You can use the ERRORLEVEL parameter on the if command line in a batch program to process exit codes that are returned by this command.

10 Easy Steps to Replace a Window

Windows serve different purposes in a house like offering protection from the sun and adding elegance. It also helps to prevent cold air into the room, thus reducing energy bills. However, these windows damage sometimes, and you would need to remove and re-insert a replacement window.

There are guidelines that you need to adhere to when changing old windows for a new one. This guide will show you how to replace old windows yourself, thus saving you a whole lot of money.

Steps on How to Replace Window

Here are the steps to help in replacing existing windows.

Step 1: Get the Dimension of the Length and Height

You should get the correct measurement of the length and height of the window. To do this, run the tape on the left jamb to the one on the right side. Also, ensure that the dimensions are correct. Then, run the tape from top to bottom, getting the smallest possible size as the most accurate.

To get the dimension for the height, run the tape from the sill of the window to the top jamb. Check the window top; you’ll see another horizontal stop that is a bit down at the side of the jamb. Then, run the tape from sill to frame on the left, right, and middle using the smallest value as the most accurate.

Step 2: Check the Uniformity

You have to check the uniformity of the window by running the tape from the diagonal end to the other. Measure from the top right corner, and then take it straight to the bottom right corner and vice versa. If you notice a disparity that is smaller than a quarter or half-inch between the diagonal dimensions, then adjust a little and install the window. If it is large, call an expert.

Step 3: Buy a Fitting Window

After taking the dimension of the window carefully, the next thing is to buy a window that matches the measurement. You must measure the window and go to the store with accurate dimensions.

Check with the storekeeper or expert about the best window fit for your sizes. Ensure the windows are a bit smaller (like half or three-quarter-inch) than your opening in the house.

Step 4: Take Out the Old Window

To remove the old window, you should first take out the little stop by the side. Remember that the stops are on both sides of the frame as vertical stripes. So remove them with a pry bar or putty knife carefully off the frame. You should do this with much caution so as not to damage any of the stops.

If the stop piece cracks or damages, you should replace them by carving out a filler of wood into the cracked piece. Allow it to dry for some minutes, and then sandpaper the pad and surroundings for it to look neat. You can Repaint it to enable uniformity with the rest of the stop bars.

Remove the stops from the inside first to enable the ones below to pop out on their own. Connect the inner sash to a chain, if your window is old, and allow the weight to drop down below.

Push the sash above to the underside of the frame by removing the wood that holds it in place, allowing it to fall free. Cut the chains that bund them to weight if it’s a double-hung window.

Step 5: Tidy Up the Window Frame

When you’re removing the weights from the wells on the sides of the frame, take out the old nails or screws attached. Now, scratch out the existing caulk and paint on the wood, and then fill up all the holes with premium quality wood filler.

Leave the filler for some minutes to dry, depending on the instructions on its manual. Then use 120-grit sandpaper to smooth the surface before applying enough paint to cover up the mess.

Examine the frame for rotted wood by running a screwdriver around it for soft spots and falling wood crumbs. Call in an expert who knows how to replace window frame rotted.

Step 6: Check If the New Window Fits the Frame

You have to be sure that the window you bought fits perfectly into your opening frame. To do this, gently carry the window into the opening to check. It should have a half to quarter inch allowance on all sides. If you have ascertained the fitting, take the window to one corner.

Remember that you removed just the inside wood stops and not the one on the outside sashes. Use a caulk gun to spray out in 1cm bead of exterior grade waterproof caulk above the frame and on the sides of the stops. Then apply about two beads of the same size along with the molding on top of the interior window sill to achieve a great look.

Step 7: Install the New Window into the Frame

Press the underside of the window into position first, and then push the top into the exterior stops. Ensure that it is in the middle of the frame. Fasten a 5-cm screw into the two sides of the jamb to hold the window in place. This process allows you to examine the functionality of the window against the frame and trim it if need be.

Swing the moving parts of the window to ensure their perfect mobility. Then, switch the window regulator to a lock and an open position to make sure it’s working fine. This process is an essential step on how to install replacement windows.

Step 8: Tighten the Mounting Screws into Each Jamb

If you don’t have the set if 6-cm galvanized screws for mounting windows, you can use the screws that came with the window installation kit. Check for the already drilled screw holes on the new window.

Afterward, place in a shim in the middle of the window and frame. These shims you set before each hole will prevent the window from caving. Push in the screws into the already drilled holes, ensuring that it’s not too tight.

Step 9: Put Back the Interior Stops and Other Items You Took Out

You should replace any trim or stops you removed when taking out the old, old window. Place the wooden stops in position, and then fasten with three neat nails at the top, middle, and bottom of the stop.

Do this for the stops on all sides of the frame. If your new window design necessitates, you should attach stops to the exterior also.

Step 10: Apply Caulk to the Frame Gaps on the Outside

You should apply some beads of exterior-grade caulk on the spaces between the window and frame from the exterior. Apply them consistently with 1cm beads and ensure that the game between the sashes and jambs are free of caulk.

This caulk could cause damage to the jambs and sashes of the new window frame. You can apply caulk on the side between the covering and the exterior of the new window. If you caulk the jambs and sashes of the window, it won’t open freely.

Final Word

It’s essential to replace a window when necessary to avoid permanent damage to the frame and other accessories. The timely replacement of your window enables it to serve its purpose faultlessly without hindrance. To carry out this process on your own, you should consult these important tips on how to replace a window for straightforward steps.

• Ensure you call in an expert if the window has a rotted wood
• Do not apply caulk on the gap between the sash and jamb to allow smooth swinging
• Ensure to replace all you removed, so that the window will sit firmly in the frame.