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Making F1 do something useful in Visual Studio

By , 12 Feb 2011
 
For Visual Studio 2008 and Visual Studio 2010:
 
1) Open VS, and on the Menu bar select "Tools...Macros...New Macro Project"
2) Call the project "GoogleSearchMSDN"
3) I'm so sorry about this, but VB is involved here. Not my fault, honest!
4) Rename the default Module1 to "DoGoogleSearchMSDN" - right click on the module name in the left hand pan, select "Rename"
5) Enter the following code as the module body:
    Sub GoogleSearchMSDN()
        Dim url As String
        Dim searchFor As TextSelection = DTE.ActiveDocument.Selection()
        If searchFor.Text <> "" Then
            url = "www.google.com/search?q=MSDN+" + searchFor.Text
        Else
            url = "www.google.com/search?q=MSDN"
        End If
        DTE.ExecuteCommand("View.URL", url)
    End Sub
6) Build and save your module.
7) Use the menu bar again: "Tools...Options...Environment...Keyboard"
8) In the "Show commands containing:" textbox, type "Google" - you should see your new macro.
9) Go to the "Press shortcut keys" box, and press F1
10) Press OK.
 
F1 now searches for "MSDN" plus whatever you highlighted.
 
[edit]Took out the "C#" reference in the "searches for" comment at the end - mine does, because I put that in the URL... :-O -- OriginalGriff [/edit]

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This article, along with any associated source code and files, is licensed under The Code Project Open License (CPOL)

About the Author

OriginalGriff
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Wales Wales
Member
Born at an early age, he grew older. At the same time, his hair grew longer, and was tied up behind his head.
Has problems spelling the word "the".
Invented the portable cat-flap.
Currently, has not died yet. Or has he?

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QuestionCoolmemberjibesh1 Feb '13 - 11:50 
GeneralMy vote of 5memberFarhan Ghumra22 Aug '12 - 22:49 
GeneralMy vote of 5memberraminxtar3 Jul '12 - 1:25 
GeneralRe: My vote of 5mvpOriginalGriff3 Jul '12 - 1:35 
GeneralI didn't change a thing in Help preferences and VS (2010 Ult...memberJacek Gajek12 Jan '12 - 10:56 
GeneralReason for my vote of 5 Great tip, implemented it right away...memberhoernchenmeister20 Sep '11 - 2:21 
GeneralReason for my vote of 2 followed the description, does not w...memberCristian Amarie30 Jul '11 - 21:16 
GeneralCool stuff, let me do it today it self.memberrushijoshi11 May '11 - 3:59 
GeneralReason for my vote of 5 Great tip.memberHimanshuJoshi9 Mar '11 - 11:51 
GeneralReason for my vote of 5 Thanks for sharingmemberPatrick Kalkman28 Feb '11 - 4:19 
GeneralReason for my vote of 5 Simple, yet brilliant idea!memberStephen Haselschwerdt16 Feb '11 - 10:14 
GeneralReason for my vote of 5 One of those macros that you wish yo...memberctrueman14 Feb '11 - 11:30 
GeneralThis is great, I've been trying to get the help search to op...memberKeith.Badeau14 Feb '11 - 5:48 
GeneralRe: Regrettably, no. If there was, I'd have used it! I guess you...mvpOriginalGriff14 Feb '11 - 8:38 
GeneralReason for my vote of 5 Sweet, real sweet! Thank you Origin...memberVic Rauch12 Feb '11 - 17:59 
GeneralReason for my vote of 5 Cool! I shall implement this right a...memberTarun.K.S12 Feb '11 - 6:16 
GeneralReason for my vote of 5 Thanks for writing this up so clearl...memberGlenn E. Lanier II11 Feb '11 - 3:23 
GeneralReason for my vote of 5 Arise, Sir Griffmemberjim lahey10 Feb '11 - 4:26 
GeneralThanksmemberDmitry Sharygin16 Feb '11 - 5:18 
Generalcrippled version blues..memberErrolErrol14 Feb '11 - 7:35 
GeneralTHANK YOU!!!memberSBJ14 Feb '11 - 6:46 

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