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Editing Text

This section provides an overview of the core text and code editing features in Phoenix Code.

Multi Cursor​

Using Multi-Cursor, you can place multiple cursors in different locations, allowing you to edit text simultaneously. This feature is especially useful for making quick, consistent changes across multiple lines or sections of a file.

Creating multiple cursors​

Using Mouse :​

Hold the Alt key on Windows/Linux (Option key on macOS) and Click on the desired locations to place additional cursors. To quickly place cursors across multiple lines, drag the mouse while holding the same key.

Using Keyboard :​

If you want the cursor to be placed in the line above, use Alt + Shift + Up Arrow on Windows/Linux and Option + Shift + Up Arrow on MacOS. If you want the cursor to be placed in the line below, use Alt + Shift + Down Arrow on Windows/Linux and Option + Shift + Down Arrow on MacOS.

Switching back to single cursor​

To revert back to a single cursor, just press the Esc key.

Quick Docs​

Quick Docs provides immediate access to documentation for code elements directly within the editor.

Accessing Quick Docs​

  1. Right click on the element you want details about.
  2. A context menu will appear, click on Quick Docs or simply press F1 to bring up Quick Docs directly.

Quick Docs Image

Auto Rename Tag​

The Auto Rename Tag feature updates matching tags automatically when you rename one. It works with HTML, XHTML, HTM, XML, SVG, PHP, and JSP files.

How It Works​

When you rename an opening or closing tag, the corresponding tag updates instantly.

Enabling/Disabling Auto Rename Tag feature​

Toggle the Feature​

To enable or disable the Auto Rename Tag feature, go to Edit > Auto Rename HTML Tags.

Auto Rename Tag Disable Image

The Auto Rename HTML Tags feature is enabled by default.

Temporary Disabling​

To temporarily disable tag synchronization for the current tag: Press ESC.

To re-enable synchronization: Move your cursor out of the tag and then back into the tag.

Insert and Overwrite Mode​

Users can toggle between Insert Mode and Overwrite Mode for different text input behaviors.

Insert Mode is enabled by default when you begin typing in a file.

Understanding Insert Mode​

When in Insert Mode, any text you type is inserted at the current cursor position, pushing the existing text to the right.

Understanding Overwrite Mode​

Overwrite Mode replaces the existing text at the cursor position with the new text you type. Instead of pushing text to the right, it overwrites the characters directly under the cursor.

Toggle between Insert Mode & Overwrite Mode​

Using Editor Interface​

Click on the INS(OVR) button on the status bar to toggle between Insert Mode and Overwrite Mode. INS represents Insert Mode. OVR represents Overwrite Mode.

Insert/Overwrite Mode Image

Using Keyboard​

Press the Ins or the Insert key to toggle between Insert Mode and Overwrite Mode.

Auto Space Detection​

The Auto Space Detection feature in Phoenix Code Editor is designed to automatically detect and adapt to the indentation style used in your files, whether it’s tabs or spaces.

Automatic and Fixed Modes​

  • Auto mode: Automatically detects and applies the indentation style (tabs or spaces) based on the existing code in the file.
  • Fixed mode: Locks the editor to use a specific indentation style, regardless of the existing formatting in the file.

Toggle between Auto Mode & Fixed Mode​

When you open a new file, by default it is set to Auto mode, but you can easily switch to Fixed mode.

In the editor's status bar, you’ll find the Auto button. When clicked, it toggles between Auto and Fixed modes.

You can toggle between spaces and tab size by clicking the Tab Size or Spaces button in the status bar.

You can adjust the tab size width or number of spaces by clicking the value in the status bar and modifying it as needed.

Auto Space Detection Image

Quick Tips​

  • If you need to recompute the tab spacing configuration for a file, toggle the Auto button twice (switch to Fixed mode and back to Auto). This will refresh the spacing settings for the current file.
  • Switching to Fixed mode will apply a fixed spacing across the system.
  • You can use the Beautify Code feature to reformat the file according to the new tab size or spacing settings after making changes(use Ctrl-B in Windows/Linux, Cmd-B in macOS or right-click and select Beautify Code).

Editing Preferences​

You can personalize Phoenix to suit your workflow by adjusting the preferences.

Open the Preferences File:​

Open Preferences File Image To modify the preferences, go to File > Open Preferences File.

Understanding the Preferences Layout​

Once selected, two files will appear side by side:

  • defaultPreferences.json (on the left) :- This file is a read-only file containing the default settings.
  • phcode.json (on the right) :- This file is editable and used for any custom preferences you wish to apply.

Modifying Preferences​

Modify Preferences Image To change a preference, simply write the desired configuration and values in the phcode.json and save the file. These custom settings will automatically override the corresponding values in the default preferences.