Introduction

When working with large solutions in Visual Studio 2005 which contain multiple projects, each with multiple folders and files, finding a particular file can be time consuming. Maybe you know the exact name and would like to jump to the file or maybe you only know part of the filename and would like to perform a quick search. SonicFileFinder is the right tool for the job.

How can SonicFileFinder help you?

The main function of SonicFileFinder consists of finding files by name within every project of the current solution.

To search for a file, simply enter the full or a partial of the filename in the search box. The list of matching files will automatically update.

You can quickly open and edit a file by double clicking the result or selecting it and pressing enter. SonicFileFinder will also let you edit the currently selected result from the search box and open multiple files at once.

Which search features does SonicFileFinder offer?

Searching for files with SonicFileFinder is quite simple: Just enter a text to search for and all file names containing this text anywhere in the file name will be shown.

However there are a few simple search options to refine your search. You can use wildcards, use placeholders or search by initials.

Wildcards

The * is used as a wildcard character. To search from the beginning of a file name just enter a search text and place the * afterwards, e.g. MySearchText* to find any file name beginning with MySearchText.

To match the end of a file name, just type the * first and enter the search text afterwards, e.g. *.cs to find any C# file.

You can use the wildcard anywhere in the search text. My*Text would match all files beginning with My and ending with Text.

Placeholders

The ? can be used as a placeholder – matching any single character.

Placeholders can be used to match a specific number of any character in a search text, e.g. My??????Text would match MySearchText, but not MyFirstSearchText.

Search by initials

When dealing with long file names, SonicFileFinder supports an intuitive initial filter. For example, if you want to find MyFirstClass.cs simply enter MFC into the search box.

Note that you have to type uppercase letters to use this feature. Furthermore you have to type all uppercased letter of the desired file name. So in the case of MyFirstClass.cs you can’t just type MF.

Additional Features

Sorting

SonicFileFinder supports sorting of multiple columns. By clicking on the header of a column you can change the sort order indicated by a small arrow pointing either up (ascending) or down (descending).

Best match

By sorting the Match column in descending order, you see the best matching result on top of the result list (see Screenshot above).

Explore

By pressing the Explore Button, Windows Explorer will be opened at the location of the selected file.

Use live preview

When navigating through the result list using the Cursor Up/Down keys with Use live preview enabled, the selected file will be automatically loaded into the editor.

Summary

SonicFileFinder is a free add-in for Visual Studio 2005 that allows a fast and convenient search of any file within every Project of the loaded Solution by entering complete or partinal filename. The found file(s) can either be edited with a single keystroke or a Windows Explorer can be opened at the file's location.

References

SonicFileFinder can be freely downloaded from the SonicFileFinder website:
http://sonicfilefinder.jens-schaller.de

About Jens Schaller

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