Replace a bunch of keywords at once?

[aryez91]

Hi people,

Is there any way to replace a bunch of different words at one search-and-replace operation?

Say I have two lists of words: one for search criteria, and another one for corresponding substitutions... Like so:

List: Example1, Example2, Example3....
Substitution list: Example1Substitution, Example2Substitutions, Example3Substitutions.... etc...

The long way is to search one by one:
Search for: Example1
Replace with: Example1Substitute

Search for: Example2
Replace with Example2Substitute

etc...

Can it be done with one go?

Search for: (list)
Replace with: (substitution list)

Help appreciated.

[fade2gray]

Not as it stands, but Doug is thinking about adding a scripting feature in a future release #755 (comment)

[jcmil101]

I too would like to be able to do a SAR with delimited literal text in non-overlapping search via lists or .csv etc.
Scripting would be a great addition.

[vatterspun]

This can be done in batch via the command line using a neighboring program on the Windows side called FNR (Find and Replace). I've currently got something to highlight words in a document (markdown highlighting using two equals signs):

"C:\temp\FNR\fnr.exe" --cl --dir "C:\temp\Automation\HTML-Input" --fileMask "*.md" --excludeFileMask "*.dll, *.exe" --includeSubDirectories --caseSensitive --find "appscan" --replace "==appscan=="

I generate these using a simple spreadsheet that puts the find and replace into separate columns. I can post that if anyone's interested. Then you save it as a batch file and run it. Works crazy fast.

Note that it doesn't work if you need to replace a " character. I've been meaning to post a bug report about that.

[jcmil101]

Sounds good, I'd like to see your file. :)
Is there a way to do a non-overlapping SAR with this method or will a non-match halt the processing?

[vatterspun]

I generate these using a simple spreadsheet that puts the find and replace into separate columns.

I'd like to see your file :)

Sure thing ... the spreadsheet is linked below. It's in LibreOffice format but should open fine in whatever spreadsheet program you've got:

replace syntax.ods

... and please do let me know if or how you use it. I feel like I'm on to something with this but lack the time to really dig into it.

---

As far as the non-overlapping SAR, I really don't know. That's a bit above my expertise.

[jcmil101]

Thanks for posting that. I will have to see if I can base a non-overlapping SAR on this formula. If I can manage it I'll post back :)

[fade2gray]

Here's a simple AutoHotkey script. You can either use single search and replace terms or use lists of comma separated terms.

It will create a copy of the original file appended with .SaR, i.e. TestFile.txt.SaR

Click to reveal script

#NoEnv
#SingleInstance, Force
SendMode, Input
SetBatchLines, -1
SetWorkingDir, %A_ScriptDir%

Gui, Add, Text,,% "Enter full path to file (do not enclose in quotes):"
Gui, Add, Edit, w250 vFile
Gui, Add, Text,,% "Enter comma separated list of search terms:"
Gui, Add, Edit, w250 vSearch
Gui, Add, Text,,% "Enter comma separated list of replacement terms:"
Gui, Add, Edit, w250 vReplace
Gui, Add, Button, gSearchAndReplace,% "Search && Replace"
Gui, Add, Button, xp+110 yp,% "Exit"
Gui, Show,,% "Search & Replace"
Return

SearchAndReplace:
  Gui, Submit, NoHide
  Search := StrSplit(Search, ",")
  Replace := StrSplit(Replace, ",")
  If (Search.Count() != Replace.Count())
    MsgBox,% "Different number of search and replace terms."
  FileRead, content,% file
  Loop,% Search.count()
    content := StrReplace(content, Search[A_Index], Replace[A_Index])
  FileAppend,% content,% file ".SaR"
  MsgBox,% "Finished."
Return

ButtonExit:
GuiEscape:
GuiClose:
ExitApp

Attached is a compiled version of the script if you don't have AutoHotkey installed.
Search and Replace.exe.zip

[jcmil101]

This is useful. What do you recommend for non-overlapping terms & through multiple files?

[fade2gray]

I'm by no means an expert in using AHK, but there's a wealth of excellent help and advice to be found on the AutoHotkey Community.

[jcmil101]

Coincidentally I've just started looking at that. :)
I'm wondering what the best way to add sth like ELSE...IF is.

[fade2gray]

It's all in the documentation ;) https://www.autohotkey.com/docs/commands/IfExpression.htm

[jcmil101]

That does look like it might do what I'd like it to. :)

[doug24]

v3.1.197 has been released with scripting. Using scripts, you can do multiple searches and replaces with different search patterns and replace text. Each search and replace is a separate operation, mainly because of how dnGrep modifies the files during a replace, but also to avoid any problems with overlapping search results. A dnGrep script may look like:

set folder C:\Repos\testFiles\test\scriptTest\
set pathtomatch *.cs
set searchfor string
set replacewith String
search
replace
set searchfor bool
set replacewith Boolean
search
replace

[jcmil101]

Great news! Thanks! Sounds like I need to start playing with this right away :)