API for indentation of generated code

Question

in my current project, we have a couple of code generator routines to help us through some mindless tasks. Everything works fine from the technical point of view, so that might be more a curiosity than a real issue: when I open a newly generated piece of code, it is (of course) not properly indented (although syntactically correct).

Now, the question: is there an API somewhere that can be used to indent a piece of c# code? Much like what happens when I use the shortcut Ctrl+E,D in VS2010.

Thanks!

Just to clarify, I am looking for a function like that:

string GetProperlyFormattedCode(string notFormattedCode);

where notFormattedCode is a piece of valid c# source code, and the output of the function is the same code after application of formatting rules. In other words, I am looking for the function that lies behind the "Edit -> Advanced -> Format selection" command of Visual Studio.

Do you want indenting when you generate the code? Would the http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.codedom.compiler.indentedtextwriter.aspx help? — sisve, Feb 02 '12 at 18:47
Hi, I think it is not what I am looking for - I'm editing the question with an example. — Andrea, Feb 02 '12 at 18:50
possible duplicate of [How do you call "Document Format" programmatically from C#?](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/813119/how-do-you-call-document-format-programmatically-from-c) — Greg Hewgill, Feb 02 '12 at 20:17
The question you referenced is regarding formatting from the "add-in context". That would require you to make an add-in. This question does not involve addins. — marknuzz, Oct 29 '12 at 06:20

score 4 · Answer 1 · answered Nov 07 '17 at 08:07

To indent code just use Microsoft.CodeAnalysis.CSharp nuget package and .NET framework 4.6+. Sample code:

public string ArrangeUsingRoslyn(string csCode) {
    var tree = CSharpSyntaxTree.ParseText(csCode);
    var root = tree.GetRoot().NormalizeWhitespace();
    var ret = root.ToFullString();
    return ret;
}

One-liner:

csCode = CSharpSyntaxTree.ParseText(csCode).GetRoot().NormalizeWhitespace().ToFullString();

You may also use NArrange to sort methods in your cs file, organize usings, create regions, etc. Note that NArrange does not indent anything.

It's the best solution, save my time. Don't know why still not a accepted answer — Tấn Nguyên, Jul 03 '20 at 06:47

score 1 · Answer 2 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:03

1

This question seems to answer:

How do you call "Document Format" programmatically from C#?

The short is use Visual Studio's object model to call the format command.

edited May 23 '17 at 12:03

Community

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answered Feb 02 '12 at 19:43

EBarr

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That doesn't answer this question. The question you referenced is regarding formatting from the "add-in context". That would require you to make an add-in. This question does not involve addins. – marknuzz Oct 29 '12 at 06:19
I was suggesting that he can programatically leverage the code formatting built into VS, which by chance happens to be what the OP used as an example (CTRL+E, D). Why invent something when you can try to leverage the formatter you already like? – EBarr Oct 29 '12 at 14:30

API for indentation of generated code

2 Answers2