find and replace automation in python

Ruben Lara

Hi there,

i need some help since i have to do a repetitive task at work every day, many times per day.

i need to replace a series of 18 numbers which are consecutive, but different in every file i open.
an idea of the script that i’m looking for is something like this:

find: 0001
replace: “numberX”
find: 0002
replace: “numberX+1”
find:0003
replace: “numberX+2”

and so on until get to
find: 0018
replace: “numberX+17”

note: the numbers 0001 to 0018 will always be in the raw file i use. therefore, it will always have to find the same numbers (0001 to 0018) and replace them with the number i enter(which is always different). i hope i can be understood and i really appreciate any help.

PeterJones

@Ruben-Lara ,

I might have understood. Here is my suggestion for a PythonScript solution:

# encoding=utf-8
"""in response to https://community.notepad-plus-plus.org/topic/20991/find-and-replace-automation-in-python
"""
from Npp import *

editor.beginUndoAction()

r = int( notepad.prompt("number", "Replace starting at", 1) )

for s in range(1,19):
    srch = "{:04d}".format(s)   # you showed 4-digit leading zeros
    repl = "{:04d}".format(r)   # assumed replacement also 4-digit leading zeros
    #console.write("s/{}/{}/\r\n".format(srch,repl))    # for debugging
    editor.replace(srch,repl)   # do the replacement on the first match found
    r = r + 1                   # move to next replacement integer

editor.endUndoAction()  # allows a single undo to undo all 18 replacements

Ruben Lara

Peter, you are a legend, that is exactly what I needed, Thank you so much !!!