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I need to update a dateformat in a large file I have in textpad.

the dateformat is currently mm-dd-yyyy and I need to make it mm/dd/yyyy

each line with a date starts with a D.

like this: D02-12-2009

I have my regex search portion working fine ^D(.?)-(.?)-(.*?)?, but the replace is failing when trying to use $1 $2 $3 for my values D$1/$2/$3. It's replacing with the literal $1, $2, and $3. I have set textpad to use POSIX regex.

Any ideas how to capture the values and put them into my replace portion?

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Memo to self: edit first, then vote to migrate. I was making a few final touches when I got the notification that the post had been locked, and I don't have enough rep here on SU. – mmyers Dec 17 '09 at 17:13
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migrated from stackoverflow.com Dec 17 '09 at 17:11

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1 Answer

Please use \1 \2 \3 instead of $1 $2 $3

Find What: D([0-9]+)-([0-9]+)-([0-9]+)

Replace With: D\1/\2/\3

Before

D02-12-2009
D03-12-2009
D04-12-2009

After

D02/12/2009
D03/12/2009
D04/12/2009

Regarding Grouping

Groups a tagged expression to use in replacement expressions. An RE can have up to 9 tagged expressions, numbered according to their order in the RE. The corresponding replacement expression is \x, for x in the range 1-9. Example: If ([a-z]+) ([a-z]+) matches "way wrong", \2 \1 would replace it with "wrong way".

PS:I have no idea why this is moved to here, I had to come here for the first time. :-)

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Wow, I got my first reputation here, thanks a lot :-) – YOU Dec 17 '09 at 17:43
+1 have some more. now you can vote! – Nick Dec 17 '09 at 17:44
I am very happy, Thank you :-) – YOU Dec 17 '09 at 17:47
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