Code snippet shortcut doesn't work everywhere

Question

I have a code snippet string.Format(@"") with a shortcut sf that inserts the snippet and places the cursor in between the two double quotes. Really convenient. I can normally use it, of course, by just typing sf and hitting tab twice:

However, I've just discovered that the shortcut doesn't work in all locations. For example, if I'm building this statement:

if(true) throw new FormatException() // <-- cursor is inside these parens

and I hit sf, the shortcut does not appear in the intellisense menu, and if I hit Tab twice, it doesn't generate the snippet. Why?

I have tried searching for "C# code snippet shortcut sometimes doesn't work", "C# code snippet shortcut doesn't work", "visual studio code snippet sometimes doesn't work" among others, and I can't find anything useful about it.

EDIT: Here is the snippet definition:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<CodeSnippets xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/VisualStudio/2005/CodeSnippet">
  <CodeSnippet Format="1.0.0">
    <Header>
      <SnippetTypes>
        <SnippetType>Expansion</SnippetType>
      </SnippetTypes>
      <Title>String.Format with @</Title>
      <Author>Rory</Author>
      <Description>
      </Description>
      <HelpUrl>
      </HelpUrl>
      <Shortcut>sf</Shortcut>
    </Header>
    <Snippet>
      <Declarations>
        <Literal Editable="true">
          <ID>anchor</ID>
          <ToolTip>
          </ToolTip>
          <Default>
          </Default>
          <Function>
          </Function>
        </Literal>
      </Declarations>
      <Code Language="csharp" Delimiter="$" Kind="method body"><![CDATA[string.Format(@"$selected$$end$")]]></Code>
    </Snippet>
  </CodeSnippet>
</CodeSnippets>

Do any of the default snippets load the intellisense menu? Try "prop" in the same place — g williams
– g williams, Commented Oct 1, 2015 at 16:39
That's not relevant -- none of the snippets are available (see my answer to g williams comment, above) — rory.ap
– rory.ap, Commented Oct 5, 2015 at 20:57
it actually might, the Snippet's Kind property for example scopes which snippets are active where. I'd expect your snippet to be of kind method body — jessehouwing
– jessehouwing, Commented Oct 5, 2015 at 21:03

gordy · Accepted Answer · 2015-10-05 21:25:56Z

2

According to the docs the Kind attribute determines where you can use the snippet - you have specified "method body" and you should probably specify "any"

answered Oct 5, 2015 at 21:25

gordy

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jessehouwing · Accepted Answer · 2015-10-05 21:27:45Z

1

I just created and tested (in VS2013 and VS2015) my own version of your snippet and it works as expected:

This is what it looks like:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<CodeSnippets xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/VisualStudio/2005/CodeSnippet">
  <CodeSnippet Format="1.0.0">
    <Header>
      <SnippetTypes>
        <SnippetType>Expansion</SnippetType>
      </SnippetTypes>
      <Title>SnippetFile1</Title>
      <Author>[email protected]</Author>
      <Description>
      </Description>
      <HelpUrl>
      </HelpUrl>
      <Shortcut>sf</Shortcut>
    </Header>
    <Snippet>
      <Code Language="csharp" Delimiter="$"><![CDATA[string.Format(@"$end$")]]></Code>
    </Snippet>
  </CodeSnippet>
</CodeSnippets>

For creating and editing Snippets, the Snippet Designer is a must have.

answered Oct 5, 2015 at 21:27

jessehouwing

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8 Comments

rory.ap Over a year ago

Thanks, gotta catch a train now but I'll compare this closely to my snippet (see edited question).

rory.ap Over a year ago

I even tried your snippet -- not working. VS 2013. BTW, I created mine with snippet designer.

jessehouwing Over a year ago

Any Visual Studio updates installed, I'm on 2013 update 5? Any plugins that may interfere with snippets? Like Resharper, CodeRush or something similar?

jessehouwing Over a year ago

Does the code you're editing currently parse/compile without errors? It may be that Intellisense is confused somehow.

rory.ap Over a year ago

I can't tell if I have any updates installed. It's version 12.0.21005.1 REL. I ran Windows Update but there was nothing for VS (and I do have it set to update all MS software, not just Windows). The code compiles fine. I can repro the issue very easily with just a simple new project. I can't even use the snippet in a line like this: System.Diagnostics.Debug.Print(sf);

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