CSS, auto complete and tabs

[digilover]

Hi,

We format our CSS like this:

Code: Select all

#my-id
{
    font-size:              small;
    color:                  #000;
    background-image:       url('image.gif');
}

I really like HTMLPad but there's one thing that's stopping me from converting from Dreamweaver: when I select font-size for example from the auto-complete list it gives me the list of possible values, while this list is visible I want to be able to tab so I can align the cursor with the values on the previous lines before I choose an option or type something.......is this possible? I can press space while the value list is there but not tab. Is it possible at all when pressing tab?

A better alternative would be if the software automatically tabbed to the 7th tab after choosing or typing an attribute like "font-size".

I'm using a demo of HTMLPad2007 8.3 (8.3.0.80)

Thanks,

James.

[syrupcore]

an extra keystroke but...

when the list pops up, hit escape.
hit tab until your tab happy
hold ctrl and hit space
up comes your list.


Will

[digilover]

Thanks Will but that's a real sticking point, I know it's only a couple of extra key strokes but when you're writing loads of CSS it soon becomes a pain. Don't get me wrong, I've only been playing with HTMLPad for a few hours and think it's amazing for the price, it'd just be nice to see these finishing touches so there's no reason to bother with Dreamweaver

James.

[Gatis]

Actually I think it is reasonable suggestion. Thank you for posting it.
I will register this and we will see what can be done to improve this feature.

A better alternative would be if the software automatically tabbed to the 7th tab after choosing or typing an attribute like "font-size".

I think I did not fully understand this. Did you mean the program would count the tabs (or spaces) in previous (or next) line and then automatically advance to that position in current line before showing auto-complete list?

[digilover]

Hi Gatis,

Thanks for your response. Here's a clearer explanation of the second piece of functionality:

In the Preferences you have the option to "Auto-Indent" for the text editor. What I'm talking about takes this a step further for CSS, so you can also say after how many tabs the CSS value would start. Please see this screenshot:

http://www.digitaloverload.co.uk/media/ ... xample.jpg

Another suggestion is that auto-complete should not put the the semi-colon in at the end, but let the user type it after using auto-complete. The reason for this is that I have to use the "End" of right arrow key to skip over the semi-colon before hitting return - both of these keys are off the normal set of keys and I therefore find more difficult to type (maybe this is different for non-english keyboards)...........sorry, this is a little one but thought I'd mention it.

Thank very much,

James.

[Gatis]

Ok, now I see what you meant, thanks. At the moment we are busy on the new version, so I am not sure we will be able to do something about it in the next version.

The problem with CSS semicolon is discussed in another forum tread. In next version there won't be the semicolon anymore. Only after you actually chose a value and the property can possibly can have only one value, a semicolon will be placed in text, and your cursor after it.

[chrisjlocke]

This seems a very 'personal' suggestion, and one which will add a lot of bloat to WeBuilder. There have been a lot of suggestions and the usual responce seems to be 'If this gets several votes, it'll go on the list'. digilover wants 7 tabs. Someone else will want 8. Someone else will want 6, so there will have to be an option for it. If WeBuilder 'autocalculates' the tab position, thats more code stuff that doesn't need to be in there.

This seems another suggestion which is crying out for a 'plug in' system. digilover can have his 7 tabs, and other users can have their slim editor.


Sorry digilover - not a dig at you personally - just highlighting how much of a benefit a plugin system would bring, and showing it via a specific example.