Find replace with Regex adding extra text

Question

I am using a regex within Visual Studio 2005 to turn my SQL statement into a readable string.

I am using the find expression {.*} and the replace expression & "\1 " _.

This should produce results something like: input:

select *
from x

expected

& "select * " _
& "from x " _

The reality is I am getting:

& "select * " _& " "_
& "from x " _& " "_

Have I got my expression wrong?

Answer 1

For your find pattern, use a + instead of a * to ensure at least one character is matched. I think something extra is being picked up with the * approach, perhaps a boundary or line-break despite the documentation.

Try this pattern instead: {.+}