How can I select text from different parts of a document.

[Michael Haigh 0]

I have a large file with over 3 million words. I have it in date order and want to select all parts that relate to certain subjects in the file. I have tagged every piece of information with (*1) (*2) etc. There are anything up to 300 entries for (*1) throughout the text. How can I grab every piece relating to (*1) and concentrate in one place?

[guy038]

Hello, @michael-haigh-0 and All,

Just two constraints :

• Your (*###) tags must begin the line OR are preceded with blank space chars only. But these tags may be followed with some text

• You must run, at least, the v7.9.1 N++ release or a later one

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If so, the road map is :

• Open your file in N++

• Open the Mark dialog ( Ctrl + M )

• SEARCH (?s)^\h*\(\*1\).+?(?=\(\*\d+\)|\z)

• Tick the Purge for each search option

• Tick the Wrap around option

• Leave all other options unticked

• Select the Regular expression search mode

• Click on the Mark All button

• Click on the Copy Marked Text

• Close the Mark dialog ( Esc )

• Open a new tab ( Ctrl + N )

• Paste the clipboard’s contents ( Ctrl + V )

=> Each (*1) section is natively separated with a blank line and a ---- line ;-)

Now, just get concentrated !

Of course, change the 1 of the regex by any number required !

Best Regards,

guy038

P.S. :

You may, as well :

• Tick the Bookmark line option, in the Mark dialog, before clicking on the Mark All button

• Close the Mark dialog ( Esc )

• Go back to the very beginning of your file ( Ctrl + Home )

• And, simply, browse through each Bookmarked line, with the F2 or Shift + F2 shortcuts !