How to Make Replace-all Work?

[Thomas Passin]

Every time I try to use the command replace-all, I can't get it to work.  I enter the search string and replacement string.  Then what?  If I enter replace-all in the minibuffer, I see the search string highlighted.  If I hit enter, the first found instance gets highlighted but not replaced.  I expect that a replace-all command will in fact replace all found instances.  I do know how to work through the instances one by one, but that does not require a replace-all command.

What am I missing?

Also, is it possible to search-and-replace only within a text selection?  The options on the search tab seem to make the node body the smallest unit that can be search-and-replaced.

[Edward K. Ream]

On Mon, Oct 12, 2020 at 7:52 PM Thomas Passin <tbp1...@gmail.com> wrote:

Every time I try to use the command replace-all, I can't get it to work. 

It works for me:  <Alt-x>def<tab>DEF<return>

In my personal test file the log shows: changed 278 instances in 0.05 sec.

Edward

[Thomas Passin]

Ah, I see.  I didn't see anywhere about the <tab><REPLACEMENT> part.  Not obvious to me.  Thanks!

[Edward K. Ream]

On Tue, Oct 13, 2020 at 7:01 AM Thomas Passin <tbp1...@gmail.com> wrote:

Ah, I see.  I didn't see anywhere about the <tab><REPLACEMENT> part.  Not obvious to me.  Thanks!

You're welcome. I've just made a note to myself to check the replace-all docs.

Edward