Visual Studio (or resharper) variable and method coloring

Question

Ok, I am not sure what the naming for this is actually called, but I would like to know if the following is possible in Visual Studio.

When I set my cursor on or highlight a variable, or method name, or string... etc, I would like the IDE to highlight all uses of it. So if I highlight variable x, then it highlights all other uses of variable x.

This is done in eclipe and Notepad++, and I have become very fond of that feature, but when I move to VS, I cannot seem to get that functionality.

I know I can use the right click and find definition, also I can use resharper to find all uses, but that is not as easy and intuitive. I am currently using VS2008, but would like it in both 2008 and 2005.

Also, if this is a feature of resharper that I just don't see, that is good too.

Thanks

Answer 1

Sadly ReSharper does not support this...

Answer 2

This is not a feature of Visual Studio 2008 or previous versions. It will be a feature of Visual Studio 2010 though.

• http://blogs.msdn.com/somasegar/archive/2008/12/19/code-focused-development-in-vs-2010.aspx

Answer 3

With Reshaper you can press Shift+Alt+F11 when your cursor is inside a variable to highlight all usages of that variable in that file. (Then ESC to remove the highlighting)

Answer 4

DevExpress Refactor or Code Rush (I have both, so I'm not sure which) will do this.

Place the cursor on a variable and hit tab; all uses of the variable that are in scope will be highlighted.

Answer 5

With ReSharper, if you're using the IDEA keybindings, use Ctrl+Shift+F7. If you're using the VS keybindings, use Shift+Alt+F11 (like Martin Harris said).

You can find the full map of keybindings here: ReSharper Feature Map