How to: Set Text Editor Options
You can specify global settings for several visual features in the editor, such as scroll bars and tracked changes, by using a single page in the Options dialog box. These settings apply to the editor regardless of the development language that you use. For more information, see General, Text Editor, Options Dialog Box.
To change the appearance of text in the editor, use the Fonts and Colors, Environment, Options Dialog Box.
Note
The dialog boxes and menu commands you see might differ from those described in Help depending on your active settings or edition. To change your settings, choose Import and Export Settings on the Tools menu. For more information, see Visual Studio Settings.
Displaying the Text Editor Page in the Options Dialog Box
To display the Text Editor page in the Options dialog box
On the Tools menu, click Options.
Expand the Text Editor node.
Select the General node under the Text Editor node.
Scroll Bars
To display vertical and horizontal scroll bars
Display the Text Editor page in the Options dialog box.
Under Display, select Vertical scroll bar and Horizontal scroll bar to display these features in the editor.
—or—
Clear the Vertical scroll bar and Horizontal scroll bar check boxes to hide these features.
Click OK.
Visual Margins
To display indicator and selection margins
Display the Text Editor page in the Options dialog box.
Under Display, select Selection margin to display a vertical space on the left edge of the editor that you can use to select and manipulate entire lines of code.
Under Display, select Indicator margin to display a shaded boarder along the left edge of the editor, which the editor uses to display debugging icons.
Click OK.
Tracking Changes
To display a visual indication of changed and unchanged code
Display the Text Editor page in the Options dialog box.
Under Settings, select Track changes to display colored vertical lines that indicate code that has been modified and code that contains no changes.
Note
Selection Margin must be selected for the Track changes option to be available.
Click OK.
Highlighting Delimiter Characters in Code
To highlight delimiter characters
Display the Text Editor page in the Options dialog box.
Under Settings, select Automatic delimiter highlighting to highlight delimiter characters that separate parameters or item-value pairs.
Click OK.