Multi-Edit How-to (v8.6 new feature)

[donho]

Notepad++ v8.6 introduced a new feature called Multi-Edit. This feature allows users to edit text at multiple positions simultaneously.
Here's the demo of the feature published on the v8.6 release announce:

Many users have requested a tutorial. Here is a step-by-step guide that shows you how to transform from

# var1, var2, object1, object2, object3, flag1, flag2

to

obj.var1 = param["var1"]
obj.var2 = param["var2"]
obj.object1 = param["object1"]
obj.object2 = param["object2"]
obj.object3 = param["object3"]
obj.flag1 = param["flag1"]
obj.flag2 = param["flag2"]

Once you understand how it work this part, the remain demo should be intuitive & easy to follow.

Step 1

Copy the line from var1 to flag2 and paste it, and add another comma at the end.

Step 2

Select the first , of var1,

Step 3

Run Edit->Multi-Select Next->Match Case Only command 6 times.
Note: You can always run this command via the menu, but it'll be much easier to use the shortcut (I assigned Ctlr-E to it). You can assign any available shortcut to Multi-Select Next->Match Case Only command via Shortcut Mapper.

Step 4

Type 2 DELETE and 1 ENTER, then ArrowUp once to move all carets up 1 line

Step 5

Type obj.

Step 6

Ctrl-ArrowRight to move the carets to the end of the words

Step 7

Type = param[""]

Step 8

Put your caret after obj. of the 1st line, the Alt-Shift-ArrowDown to the last line
(Or you can use Ctrl-ArrowLeft to move carets after obj. column )

Step 9

Ctrl-Shift-ArrowRight to multi-select the words, then copy them (Ctrl-C)

Step 10

Move all carets to right by using ArrowRight to between "", then paste (Ctrl-V)

[theonlypwner]

If we select something we don't want followed by stuff we want to keep in the multi-select, how do we remove the earlier selection from the multi-select? (#12530)

If was not the last to be selected, then "Undo the Latest Added Multi-Select" wouldn't work.

Apparently, this will be fixed in v8.6.1.

[nr1995]

I'm just a Notepad++ noob,
but for the love of God, how do I completely disable the new multi everything introduced in v8.6 ?
Please just someone tell me how to make it go away.

[xomx]

Please just someone tell me how to make it go away.

Use empty noColumnToMultiSelect.xml config file:
https://npp-user-manual.org/docs/config-files/#other-configuration-files

[nr1995]

Please just someone tell me how to make it go away.

Use empty noColumnToMultiSelect.xml config file: https://npp-user-manual.org/docs/config-files/#other-configuration-files

I don't want to download a non-official non-stable Notepad++ build.

[donho]

Use empty noColumnToMultiSelect.xml config file: https://npp-user-manual.org/docs/config-files/#other-configuration-files
I don't want to download a non-official non-stable Notepad++ build.

For the love of God, it's not non-official non-stable Notepad++ build, it's the tutorial to guide you for disabling this usable feature you don't like.

[nr1995]

Use empty noColumnToMultiSelect.xml config file: https://npp-user-manual.org/docs/config-files/#other-configuration-files
I don't want to download a non-official non-stable Notepad++ build.

For the love of God, it's not non-official non-stable Notepad++ build, it's the tutorial to guide you for disabling this usable feature you don't like.

For the love of God. It doesn't work on the default executable.
Did you read to the end of #14476? Did you try your own suggestion?
Before dumping your attitude on me?

[xomx]

@nr1995
To be able to use the noColumnToMultiSelect.xml, you need to upgrade to the already released v8.6.1 (check the changelog item No. 5 there). But there were some regressions found, so maybe rather wait for the upcoming v8.6.2.

As with any more complex new features implemented, there are some birth pains, but these should be addressed in a few upcoming versions.

[tobwen]

I don't want to cause any trouble now because the function itself is quite useful, but my muscle memory is also quite strained.

Wouldn't it be possible to deactivate and reactivate the function via a shortcut or menu entry "on deman" without having to restart N++? The XML file is a good work-around, but if I ever need the function, I'd have to close N++ (with lots of open files).

But sure, let's wait for v8.6.2 first.