regex parenthesis text formatting question!

ksimpson1986 · 11-10-2016, 12:36 AM

I feel like this should be cake, but i'm still learning regex...i have 900 greek index words, each having an English translation in parentheses next to it. I need a way to search and replace all words inside the parentheses on the page and italicize them. doing some research, I've found a few suggestions, but nothing that worked for me.

my example:
adikeo (hurt)
needs to be:
adikeo (hurt)

i found the regex code, \(.*?\) this definitely works in finding all the words i need, but i can't figure out the replace code with keeping the english word inside...i feel like (\1) should be working? but it just gives me an italicized "1"...any suggestions?

Doitsu · 11-10-2016, 01:44 AM

You almost got it. Use:

Code:

\((.*?)\)

Tex2002ans · 11-10-2016, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksimpson1986

i found the regex code, \(.*?\) this definitely works in finding all the words i need, but i can't figure out the replace code with keeping the english word inside...i feel like (\1) should be working? but it just gives me an italicized "1"...any suggestions?

You forgot to capture the text within parentheses:

Search: \((.*?)\)
Replace: (\1)

You matched the parentheses themselves by using the escaped RED \( \), but forgot to add the actual "capture" parentheses BLUE ( ).

And make sure you save a copy before you Replace using this.

ksimpson1986 · 11-10-2016, 01:54 AM

Thank you guys so much!! that worked perfectly! ill get regex down eventually. all the slashes and parenthesis can be a little overwhelming.

11-10-2016, 12:36 AM	#1
ksimpson1986 Member Posts: 14 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2016 Device: ibooks	regex parenthesis text formatting question! I feel like this should be cake, but i'm still learning regex...i have 900 greek index words, each having an English translation in parentheses next to it. I need a way to search and replace all words inside the parentheses on the page and italicize them. doing some research, I've found a few suggestions, but nothing that worked for me. my example: adikeo (hurt) needs to be: adikeo (hurt) i found the regex code, \(.*?\) this definitely works in finding all the words i need, but i can't figure out the replace code with keeping the english word inside...i feel like (<em>\1</em>) should be working? but it just gives me an italicized "1"...any suggestions?

11-10-2016, 01:44 AM	#2
Doitsu Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,700 Karma: 24031401 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Kindle PW2	You almost got it. Use: Code: \((.*?)\)

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11-10-2016, 01:54 AM	#4
ksimpson1986 Member Posts: 14 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2016 Device: ibooks	Thank you guys so much!! that worked perfectly! ill get regex down eventually. all the slashes and parenthesis can be a little overwhelming.

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