Change to code formatting behaviour in editor in R2021b?
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Does anyone know if this is a change in default formatting behaviour for indents and formatting behaviour or whether I am just missing some setting that I had in R2019b? (I have compared my settings between R2019b and R2021b and they look the same and were presumably imported on installing r2021b)
Below is the same file in R2019b (top) and R2021b (bottom). I did what I always do when creating a new function, which is to type the signature line, a blank line and then the 'end' line, then after typing 'end' I hit up arrow to take me to the previous line to start typing my function body.
This has always been my method for creating new functions. I have all auto-completion things turned off and always have, I like to type my own 'end', close parentheses, quotes, etc. But while in R2019b this used to put my cursor exactly where I want to type, at the correct indent I now find in R2021b that pressing up arrow after typing 'end' takes me to the start of the line, which is just really annoying as I clearly don't want to start typing there.
This has only changed in behaviour since I updated to R2021b.
![](https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/uploaded_files/803819/image.jpeg)
![](https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/uploaded_files/803824/image.jpeg)
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Accepted Answer
Duncan Lilley
on 3 Dec 2021
Hi Adam,
I can see two possible options here:
1. Enable automatic completions for block statements in the preferences. This can be done through the preference panel (MATLAB > Editor/Debugger > Automatic Completions) and checking the boxes under "Autocomplete block endings". Setting these preferences will cause MATLAB to automatically insert the "end" after you type the starting keywords (i.e. "if" or "function") and then insert a return.
2. Alternatively, you should be able to regain the old behavior by modifying the following setting:
s = settings;
s.matlab.editor.indent.RemoveAutomaticWhitespace.PersonalValue = 0;
This should no longer remove whitespaces as you continue to type.
Please note that this setting is currently not documented, and is therefore subject to potential change in future releases of MATLAB.
Do either of these help with this?
7 Comments
Rik
on 11 Oct 2022
I would have hoped this setting would also affect the smart indentation. Now I will have to write my own indentor, or leave a copy of R2021a around to loop through my functions to fix the indentation style.
Luckily I already have a comment stripper to make it easier to determine the correct level of indentation.
Arthur
on 14 Apr 2023
The second option works and this is the behavior I expected. I didn't meet this problem in any other code editor I used. It's so annoying. Please make this an option and don't remove this setting.
More Answers (1)
DGM
on 18 Nov 2021
I don't have anything newer than R2019b, but the documentation suggests that the same should apply.
The SmartIndentWhileTyping setting under the Editor>Language tab is likely what you want to enable. The documentation indicates that this is disabled by default.
![](https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/uploaded_files/804459/image.png)
4 Comments
DGM
on 19 Nov 2021
Edited: DGM
on 19 Nov 2021
I am not looking forward to this new editor at all. It really sounds like all the lag and flakiness of the online version -- on the desktop.
Here's to hoping someone knows of a way around this. I can delete my answer if you think it would get more views in the 'unanswered' queue; but if so, this clarification should be moved to the question.
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