78

Is there a way to limit a search (via the "Find and Replace" dialog) in Visual Studio to specified folders or file types?

Improve this question

6 Answers 6

Reset to default
91

Yes, in the find/replace window you can:

  • specify the file types in the "Look at these file types" option
  • and choose the folders in the ... button of the "Look in" option.

Find and Replace Window

Improve this answer
Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

5 Comments

Just to be clear, the "Look at these file types" option is hidden behind the "Find options" expander button.
Thank you. My find/replace window defaulted to "Quick Find". When you mentioned these options I realized that there is a drop down to switch to "Find In Files".
[ CTRL ] + [ SHIFT ] + [ F ]
correct, but way unconvenient. selecting directory in a tree and hitting ctrl+f is way comfortable. vs loses to open source again :(
In VS 2017 you can right click the folder in the solution explorer and left click copy path and the paste it into the Look in text box. Much faster than searching for the folder.
20

I can't believe this issue still exists in VS2015. We have a solution explorer folder tree. Why is "Current Selected Folder" not an option in the drop down. The "..." doesn't default to starting in the solution folder, I have to browse across the network to t the share, then drill down through all the folders to get at a folder that is ALREADY right there and selected in the solution explorer. Dreamweaver has had this functionality for its search for at least a decade (maybe longer).

Improve this answer

5 Comments

I think the same. Not only Dreamweaver, almost any other IDE I've used has that option. I got used to it from JetBrains IDEs that I use for other languages, like PhpStorm and PyCharm and now almost can't believe VS being the monster it is doesn't have it.
Yeah, it makes no sense at all. If I want to search the filesystem I just fire up something like TotalCommander which is much faster anyway. VS should allow me to choose directories in the current solution first, and only then offer to navigate beyond those.
I totally agree with you on this. There should be a more intuitive process in drilling down to a specific folder that is already within the current solution.
100% agreed. I use this all the time in Netbeans. Utterly ridiculous it's not here
I agree. I would like a right click menu option when I click in the solution explorer to Search from Here or Search this Folder.
19
  1. Click Find in Files
  2. Choose search folders three dots button "..."
  3. Choose desired folder
  4. Verify folder name and click desired action

Click Find in Files

Choose search folders

Choose desired folder Verify folder name and click desired action

Improve this answer

Comments

10

Fastest folder search in VS:

As said in other answers, there is no immediate way to limit your search to a given folder within the current solution. (There are at least 3 feature requests for this in visualstudio.uservoice.com that have all been closed for lack of upvotes.)

But here is the fastest workaround that I could find.
Works without leaving VS and with keystrokes only (no mouse action required):

  • In Solution Explorer select the folder to search within.
  • Press Ctrl-C (copies folder path to clipboard).
  • Press Ctrl-Shift-F to open "Find in Files".
  • Enter your search term, then press Tab to forward the cursor to the "Look in" field.
  • Press Ctrl-V to paste in the folder path from clipboard.
Improve this answer

Comments

4

2020-Update: Actually you can select the folder (also the current directory with two clicks) and define file types in Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2019, Version 16.7.5

Select current directory in find and replace dialog

Improve this answer

Comments

0

While the Choose Search Folders works, it could be much better. I would really like to choose folders to exclude as well as include because sometimes folders are nested. You may want a folder but only some of the subfolders.

But by far the worst inconvenience is that it is not stored with the solution. If I go to the trouble of defining a search, and close VS, then reopen, I have to define it all over.

Improve this answer

Comments

Start asking to get answers

Find the answer to your question by asking.

Ask question

Explore related questions

See similar questions with these tags.