Toad for Oracle 15.0 - Getting Started Guide

Auto Replace Substitutions

A substitution is a text phrase that corresponds to replacement text. For example:

• If you specify a substitution pair of ACT = ACTIVITY_CENTERS, when you type ACT and press space (or other word delimiters), ACT is automatically replaced by ACTIVITY_CENTERS
• If you specify a substitution pair of NDF = NO_DATA_FOUND and you type NDF and press a delimiter, NDF is automatically replaced by NO_DATA_FOUND

Auto Replace Substitutions are different from aliases in that you can use any group of characters to define and complete the replacement. Aliases do not change the text in the SQL. They are a method of referring to a table by a different name. Substitutions will actually change the text within your code to match the target keystrokes.

To edit Auto Replace entries

1. From the View menu, select View | Toad Options | Editor | Auto Replace.
2. Make changes in the Auto Replace grid.

When auto-replace is active, Toad uses several characters as auto replace activation keys. Toad will automatically replace an activation key with the substitution value when it reaches a terminator, for example the space key. For example, if you type teh, Toad replaces it with the word the in the Editor. Or, you can enter the word pack and Toad will expand it to package.

An activation key will cause a matched replacement string immediately before the cursor to be replaced by the substitution value. For example, if you have dept = DEPARTMENT in your auto replace file, you can enter the following:

• dept[space] and the Editor will expand to DEPARTMENT .
• dept: and the Editor will expand to DEPARTMENT:.
• dept; and the Editor will expand to DEPARTMENT;.

Note: The activation key is always included in the expanded substitution.

You can edit this list of keys in the box if you have other needs.

Also from the Editing options window, you can import and export auto substitution files.

Toad comes with a handful of substitution pairs. You can edit and add to the list from the Auto Replace dialog. You can then export the settings to a text file. Alternately, you can create or edit a substitutions file manually and then import it.

Export: Saves the auto replace settings to a separate text file. If you make many changes to your auto replace settings, it is recommended that you export them regularly for back up.

Note: If you do not export your settings to a file before you import a file, they will be lost.

Import: You can import a text file into Toad. This file can be created independently or by exporting the settings you have created in Toad.

Importing a file overwrites the current settings.

Because it can be tedious to add large amounts of information to the substitution file directly from the interface, you may want to edit or create a text file directly.

Use the format of string=replacement string. For example:

aax=AAX_ACCESSGROUP_APPLICATION

aca=ACA_ACTIVITY_ACTION

acc=ACC_ACTIVITY_CATEGORY

acd=ACD_ACTION_DESCRIPTION

acp=ACP_ACTIVITY_CONTACT_PARTIC

Customize the Schema Browser

Toad provides many ways for you to customize the interface to suit your work style and improve your productivity. Most areas of the interface are customizable, from the toolbars and menus, to the grids and workspace itself. You can also set custom defaults for actions, commands, and other tasks that Toad performs for you.

Select the Left-Hand Side Display Style

You can customize how the Schema Browser displays to better suit the way you work. The most common customization is to change how object types display in the left-hand side. Once you select a basic display style, you can rename, hide, or rearrange the object types on the left-hand side and detail tabs on the right-hand side. Customize Schema Browser Tabs

Tips:

• To hide the right-hand side of the Schema Browser, press F12. You can press F12 again to display it again.
• To hide or display images and tips in the left-hand side, click in the Schema Browser toolbar and select the appropriate option.

• In drop-down mode, you can hide leading characters of object names in the left-hand side. Right click a column and select Hide leading characters of name. The display resets when you change the schema or connection.

To select the left-hand side display style

1. Click in the Schema Browser toolbar.
2. Select one of the following options:

   Option	Description
   Drop-down	Displays object types in an alphabetical drop-down field.
   Tabbed (single row of tabs)	Displays object types as a single line of tabs. You must scroll through the tabs to view all object types.
   Tabbed (multi line tabbed)	Displays multiple rows of tabs instead of the scroll bar.
   Tree view	Displays object types in a tree view.
   Note: You may need to close any open instances of the Schema Browser for the new browser style to display.

Customize Tabs

The Schema Browser displays object types on the left-hand side and detail tabs on the right-hand side. You can rename, rearrange, and hide the object types that display in the left-hand side or the tabs on the right-hand side.

To customize tabs and object types

1. Click on the Schema Browser toolbar.
2. Select Configure LHS Object Types to customize the left-hand side, or select Configure RHS Tabs to customize the right-hand side.
3. Customize the display settings.

   If you want to...	Complete the following:
   Rename an object type or tab	Enter a new name in the Caption field.
   Hide an object type or tab	Clear the Visible field.
   Rearrange tabs	Select a tab and click the up or down arrow on the right. Note: You can only rearrange the order of object type tabs if you are in a tabbed view. Select the Left-Hand Side Display Style

4. To save the left-hand side settings as a configuration file, click at the bottom of the window.

   Notes: You can save and load different configurations. This gives you more flexibility when you are working, because you can easily change the display to suit different tasks.