Code editor with nav pane like Word?

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You know the Nav Pane in MS Word? If you set Heading styles [H1, H2, H3-9], the Nav Pane enables you to identify and get to the relevant place in your document with one click.

Does that facility exist in any code editor? Maybe implemented via comment system–eg start your comment with the equivalent of H1, H2 and it’ll show in a nav pane.

I’m finding it tiresome scrolling thru hundreds of lines to check or find bits of code. I’ve looked at code folding, which doesn’t seem to be what I’m after. Code I work with is VBA, HTML, CSS, maybe Python later this year.

Lugh.
~
Alienware Aurora R6; Win10 Home x64 1803; Office 365 x32
i7-7700; GeForce GTX 1060; 16GB DDR4 2400; 1TB SSD, 256GB SSD, 4TB HD

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Notepad++ has a Function List pane that should yield what you need, though you might have to do some configuration to tell it what constitutes a function in the languages you are using. It looks like python function support is built in, you’ll have to define what a function is in the other languages (or google for it).

Eclipse has an Outline pane that also provides this function, and the outline feature supports HTML and CSS out of the box (you will need the “Eclipse IDE for Java EE Developers” downloa). There is a python development plugin that you’ll have to add in; and unfortunately no VBA support. But Eclipse is an integrated development environment (IDE), not a plain text editor, so it’ll pretty much force you to use its directory structure (files need to be within project folders within a workspace folder), and it also requires that you have Java JDK installed. This might be a little more than what you are looking for, but it does have excellent HTML and CSS editing facilities.

Also, did you really mean VBA (which is a flavor of Visual Basic embedded within other software, such as MS Office) or just VB (which is used to write standalone apps, including web apps)? If the later, then MS Visual Studio is the tool to use (the community edition is free and fairly full featured). It’s Solution Explorer pane lists the functions in your file. Unfortunately, it doesn’t outline CSS or HTML (from what I can see) but there is a bookmark feature that you could use.

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Notepad++ has a Function List pane that should yield what you need, though you might have to do some configuration to tell it what constitutes a function in the languages you are using. It looks like python function support is built in, you’ll have to define what a function is in the other languages (or google for it).

Cafe00d,

I’ve googled this and tried to install the files (for PowerShell) but every time I do it breaks NP++ and I have to uninstall/reinstall to get it to work. I’m sure I’m doing something wrong but surely can’t figure out what.

:cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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did you really mean VBA

Yes, much of my core business work is in MS Office, so VBA is a crucial part of my setup. Thanks for your suggestions, I’ll look into them.

Seems odd that a simple user definable nav system doesn’t seem to feature in these editors. Maybe I’ll try coding in Word!

Lugh.
~
Alienware Aurora R6; Win10 Home x64 1803; Office 365 x32
i7-7700; GeForce GTX 1060; 16GB DDR4 2400; 1TB SSD, 256GB SSD, 4TB HD

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Perhaps you need to ask on Notepad++’s community RG!

Eliminate spare time: start programming PowerShell

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Lugh,

Since most of your work in in VBA I’m sure you know about the dropdown that will get you a list of the functions in the current module, but just in case…
43415-VBAVBE

Between the dropdown and the Project Explorer on the left it’s pretty easy to navigate your VBA project and with the added use of BookMarks (as you can see I added the icons to my toolbar) it’s easy to mark places you are working on for easy return.

HTH :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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Between the dropdown and the Project Explorer … with the added use of BookMarks

Thanks RG, I do futz with the dropdown, even naming main Subs a1… a2… a3… etc to help with finding them. I’ll have to figure out the Project Explorer and BookMarks, I haven’t used them to advantage.

Lugh.
~
Alienware Aurora R6; Win10 Home x64 1803; Office 365 x32
i7-7700; GeForce GTX 1060; 16GB DDR4 2400; 1TB SSD, 256GB SSD, 4TB HD

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Lugh,

I’d suggest against naming Subs a1, a2, etc. Six months from now what does a1 do?

Use MEANINGFUL names so you know what the Subs do and remember that the dropdown will show them in Alpha order.

HTH :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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I’d suggest against naming Subs a1, a2, etc. Six months from now what does a1 do?

Use MEANINGFUL names so you know what the Subs do

Thanks again RG, my bad for not being clear. I prefix the sub name with a1, a2 etc, just to get it top on the alpha sort, So eg:
a1WakeUp
a2MakeBreakfast
a3WashUp

This is only for a few top-level routines I want quick access to, typically containing a bunch of calls to other routines which do the individual tasks. They are usually the ones which end up as icons on a new ribbon tab.

No doubt it’s inefficient, but it’s simple enough for me to navigate and edit, which is what counts for me.

Lugh.
~
Alienware Aurora R6; Win10 Home x64 1803; Office 365 x32
i7-7700; GeForce GTX 1060; 16GB DDR4 2400; 1TB SSD, 256GB SSD, 4TB HD

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No doubt it’s inefficient, but it’s simple enough for me to navigate and edit, which is what counts for me.

Lugh,

That’s why they call it a Personal Computer, e.g. you can make it work for you! :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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