How do I find and replace all occurrences (in all files) in Visual Studio Code?

352
votes

I can't figure out how to find and replace all occurrences of a word in different files using Visual Studio Code version 1.0.

I get the impression this should be possible since doing Ctrl + Shift + F allows me to simply search a folder, but i am clueless to how to proceed from here.

I looked in various key combination https://code.visualstudio.com/Docs/customization/keybindings

But I only found how to replace all occurrences in the open file (Ctrl + h)

All help gratefully appreciated, this is driving me crazy.

9
replacevisual-studio-code
In all notes here the simple text "replace in files" doesn't disambiguate between open and closed files. In the current VSCode when you open the Find-All/Replace-All view there is a book icon for "Search only in open editors". Note also that your "files to include" and "files to exclude" must be crafted carefully. Another icon there is "Use exclude settings and ignore files". When active you may not see everything you want - or you may see files you don't want. Finally, note the Refresh icon at the top, which may be required after changing other settings here. HTH – TonyG

9 Answers

486
votes

I'm using Visual Studio Code 1.8, and this feature is available. But it's a little tricky to understand at first, and (at the time of writing) the docs don't explain clearly how to use it, so here's how it works, step by step:

Invoke Replace in Files (under the Edit menu, or with shortcut Ctrl+Shift+H)

You'll see a standard Find/Replace input replacing the files pane on the left:

enter image description here

Enter your search string and the replace string, then press enter. It may churn for a second searching all files, then it'll show the proposed changes in all your project files -- but note, these changes haven't been made yet! Here's what it looks like:

enter image description here

Now you need to make the changes (and even after that, you have to save the modified files.)

You can make those changes in various ways:

1) Make all changes to all files at once.

Click the replace icon next to your replace string (note: you'll get a dialog to confirm this bulk action.)

enter image description here

2) Make all changes in a single file at once.

Click the replace icon next to the filename (note: the icon only shows up when you hover over the filename row)

enter image description here

3) Make a single change in a single file.

Click the replace icon next to the individual change: (note: the icon only shows up when you hover over the change row)

enter image description here

Finally, don't forget to save!

All those files are now modified in the editor and not yet saved to disk.

Use File -> Save All (or Ctrl+Alt+S)

Update: I'm not sure when this was added, but if you click the "Replace all" button and see this dialog, clicking "Replace" will change and save all files in one click:

enter image description here

66
votes

Since version 1.3 of vscode this is possible

Search and replace with vscode

  1. Navigate to the search, click icon to the left or:
    • (mac) cmd + shift + h
    • (PC) ctrl + shift + h
  2. expand replace
  3. enter search term and replace term
  4. confirm!
45
votes

To replace a string in a single file (currently opened): CTRL + H

For replacing at workspace level use: CTRL + SHIFT + H

29
votes

Update for 2020

If you are using the search feature to search across files (Ctrl + Shift + F) it can be easy to miss how to convert your search to a search and replace within the UI.

Here's a typical search result:

search result image

To convert this to a search and replace you need to click the arrow icon to the left of the search input field. This will open the replace options as seen below. Note the arrow icon is now pointed down.

search and replace image

The keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + H will also work as well to access the search and replace.

Link to VSCode docs on search and replace: https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/editor/codebasics#_search-and-replace

24
votes

This is the best way.

  1. First put your cursor on the member and click F2.

  2. Then type the new name and hit the Enter key. This will rename all of the occurrences in every file in your project.

This is ideal for when you want to rename across multiple files. For example, you may want to rename a publicly accessible function on an Angular service and have everywhere that uses it get updated.

For more great tools I highly recommend: https://johnpapa.net/refactoring-with-visual-studio-code/

9
votes

On the Visual Studio Code Key Bindings page, the section Keyboard Shortcuts Reference has links to a PDF for each major OS. Once open, search for "replace in files" or any other shortcut you might need.

Another way is to use the Command Palette (ctrl/cmd+shift+P) where you can type "replace" to list all related commands, including the one you want:

Replace in Files ctrl/cmd+shift+H

4
votes

Visual Studio Code: Version: 1.53.2

If you are looking for the answer in 2021 (like I was), the answer is here on the Microsoft website but honestly hard to follow.

Go to Edit > Replace in Files

enter image description here

From there it is similar to the search funtionality for a single file.

I changed the name of a class I was using across files and this worked perfectly.

Note: If you cannot find the Replace in Files option, first click on the Search icon (magnifying glass) and then it will appear.

1
votes

There are 2 methods technically same

  1. First put your cursor on the word and press F2. Replace your word and press Enter.

  2. First put your cursor on the word and left click it. Click "Rename Symbol" option. Replace your word and press Enter.

0
votes

In the VSC version 1.57 you can use the F2 key to replace on the folder(Rename Symbol)

Only thing is that even though all the places inside folder are replaced the file is not saved and the save has to be done afterwards

Also, instead of presing enter and replace all directly, you can press Shift + Enter to preview the places that are going to be renamed.