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Adobe Dreamweaver CS3

Using Find and Replace in the Source Code

Dreamweaver's Find and Replace tool is used to search for and make changes to text within the document you are working on, within selected documents, or throughout the entire website. Searching the source code will take you into the code and stop at each occurrence of the text specified. This includes all meta tags when applicable. This document discusses how to find and replace text within the source code and uses the example of changing the Alt tag of an image.

  1. From the Edit menu, select Find and Replace...
    OR
    Press [Ctrl] + [F]
    The Find and Replace dialog box appears.
    Find and replace dialog box

  2. From the Find in pull-down list, select an area to search
    NOTE: For a description of these options, see Where You Can Search: Find In Options.
    EXAMPLE: Select Current Document

  3. From the Search pull-down list, select Source Code

  4. In the Find text box, type the text you are searching for
    NOTE: It is not necessary to include the tag or attribute, but doing so will help refine your search.
    EXAMPLE: Type alt="UWEC Bldg"

  5. In the Replace text box, type the replacement text
    EXAMPLE: Type alt="Photo: Schofield Hall"

  6. OPTIONAL: From Options, select the options appropriate to your search
    EXAMPLE: Select Ignore whitespace
    NOTE: For an explanation of the Find and Replace Options, refer to Using Find and Replace: An Overview.
    Find and Replace dialog box: example

  7. Click FIND NEXT
    NOTE: If you are not working in either the Show Code view or Show Code and Design view, the Show Code view window will open and display the first occurrence of the information searched.

  8. Click REPLACE or REPLACE ALL
    NOTES:
     Use the Replace option to replace each occurrence of the information individually. Clicking FIND NEXT will advance to and review subsequent occurrences.
    WARNING: Use the Replace All option with caution. This option will replace your specified information throughout the entire document(s).

  9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 until all desired occurrences are replaced

  10. To close the Find and Replace dialog box, click CLOSE

Using Find Next

Dreamweaver will remember your last search within a given document. If you have closed the Find and Replace dialog box, you can resume your prior search using the Find Next option. This option will not replace a specific occurrence within within your text, but will allow you to pass over an individual occurrence of your search and automatically locate the next one.

  1. From the Edit menu, select Find Next
    OR
    Press [F3]

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