Insert code before and after markdown selection

[fly-wire]

I have a text code with many pieces of java code I’m converting to markdown. I can select the code block manually. How can I insert:

```java
before selected text followed by
```

[PeterJones]

@fly-wire ,

If you’re going to be manually selecting each block of java code, then that sounds like a job for a macro:

1. Select the first block of java text
2. Macro > Start Recording
3. Ctrl+X to cut the block of text
4. Type ```java then hit ENTER
5. Ctrl+V to paste the block of text
6. Type ``` then hit ENTER
7. Macro > Stop Recording

At this point, you can select the next block of java text, and Macro > Playback to convert that one.

If you want to save this macro for future use, and maybe assign a keyboard shortcut to it, Macro > Save Current Recorded Macro, give the macro a name, and optionally assign the keyboard shortcut.

[guy038]

Hello, @fly-wire, @peterjones and All,

I thought about a macro, too, but based upon a regular expression Search / Replacement !

---

First, to test it :

• Select your entire block to write with the Markdown syntax

• Open the Replace dialog

• SEARCH (?s-m).+(\r\n)$|.+[^\r\n]$

• REPLACE ```java\r\n$0(?1:\r\n)```?1\1

• Tick the In selection option ( VERY IMPORTANT )

• Select the Regular expression search mode

• Click ONLY on the Replace All button

---

Now,

• At the end of the <Macros>........</Macros> node of your active shortcuts.xml file, add this equivalent macro, below :

        <Macro name="MD Raw Java Block" Ctrl="no" Alt="no" Shift="no" Key="0">
            <Action type="3" message="1700" wParam="0" lParam="0" sParam="" />
            <Action type="3" message="1601" wParam="0" lParam="0" sParam="(?s-m).+(\r\n)$|.+[^\r\n]$" />
            <Action type="3" message="1625" wParam="0" lParam="2" sParam="" />
            <Action type="3" message="1602" wParam="0" lParam="0" sParam="```java\r\n$0(?1:\r\n)```?1\1" />
            <Action type="3" message="1702" wParam="0" lParam="640" sParam="" />
            <Action type="3" message="1701" wParam="0" lParam="1609" sParam="" />
        </Macro>

• Stop and restart N++

• Do a normal selection of any block of lines

• Click on the entry Macro > MD RaW Java Block

---

Notes :

• This S/R does not mind if the final line-break of the selected block is included or not

• This S/R does not mind too, about possible blank or empty lines , within the selection

• Your selection can be all the contents of current file !

• If you work with Unix Files, use rather this S/R ( adapt the macro, accordingly ! ) :

  • SEARCH (?s-m).+(\n)$|.+[^\r\n]$

  • REPLACE ```java\n$0(?1:\n)```?1\1

• If you work with Mac Files, use rather this S/R ( adapt the macro, accordingly ! ) :

  • SEARCH (?s-m).+(\r)$|.+[^\r\n]$

  • REPLACE ```java\r$0(?1:\r)```?1\1

Best Regards,

guy038

[PeterJones]

@guy038 ,

Ah, yeah: I had avoided the S/R in the macro because I didn’t think of ticking the “in selection”. Good idea.

@fly-wire ,

My solution is okay; but if you want to preserve your clipboard you should use @guy038’s solution, because mine will replace the contents of the clipboard with your selected text, whereas the search-and-replace macro does not use the clipboard, so your old clipboard contents will still be available for pasting later.