How do I change the way the RAD Studio (2010 and later) IDE formats my code?
code-formatting, delphi, delphi-xe2
Solution
I am answering this question Q&A style.
- Go to `Tools` > `Options`
- Find the `Formatter` section in the tree on the left
- Inside that node, select `Delphi` > `Line Breaks`
- Locate the section on the right labeled `Insert line breaks for Begin and Single instructions`
- Inside here, find the setting labeled `Line breaks before Begin in control statements`
- Switch this setting between `Yes` or `No` depending on your preference.
`Yes` will produce this:
if (Foo = Bar) then
begin
end;
`No` will produce this:
if (Foo = Bar) then begin
end;
By default, this setting is set to `Yes` which means when you use `Format Source`, it will always bring `begin` to the next line.
There are many settings in this section which can define how `Format Source` will treat your code. This option is available in at least RAD Studio 2010 and above. Not sure of which exact editions.
Note: `Ctrl` + `D` is a keyboard shortcut to format your source, a quicker alternative.
Problem
How do I configure the RAD Studio IDE to format my code with `begin` on either the same or next line when I use the `Format Source` option? One of the most commonly debated preferences is the position of `begin` - on the same line or a line of its own. How do you set Delphi to format your source with `begin` on one line or the other in Delphi XE2? This is referring to when you go to `Edit` > `Format Source`