How to format all Java files in an Eclipse project at one time?

Question

I have an old Eclipse project and the code is not well formatted. I'd like to format all the .java files according to the settings in Eclipse. I don't want to edit every individual file with Ctrl+Shift+F. Is there a way to format all my files? Perhaps an Eclipse plugin?

Tallbott

Answer 1

Right click on the project root and select Source -> Format. This should work for at least version 3.8.1. and above.

If the above does not work, you're probably using an older Eclipse-version. In such case you can select your Source Folders by clicking on them while holding down CTRL, then select Source -> Format from the right-click -menu. Works with package-folders and class files also, in case you don't want to format the entire project.

Isidroisinglass

Selecting project root worked fine for me to format all files in project, using Eclipse 3.8.1. – Xi

+1 selecting the project seems to work in eclipse 4.2 also. Consider removing the strikethrough and editing the answer to include the alternate solution for those who encounter a problem selecting the project. – Kythera

@Kythera and Jason McVetta: Thanks for the info, I've edited the answer to mention that selecting project root works in newer Eclipses and made the second paragraph a bit clearer. – Isidroisinglass

Actually, upon further testing I have determined that the difference is Package Explorer vs. Project Explorer. In Project Explorer, it doesn't format all the files and in Package Explorer it does. – Kythera

doesn't this has to auto format itself without having the option to use source->format?? – Dangelo

This also formats other files in the the project like .xml, .css and .html. Is there a way to only format the .java files? – Nona

@Dangelo autoformat is a thing, but when you change the formatting of your project, you need to reformat everything and this is not automatic – Statis

wooow thx a lot !! this is very helpful ... btw I'm using Luna Service Release 1a (4.4.1) , It worked when I selected all the packages then right click, Source, Format – Gratulate

Now I worked with Mars Release (4.5.0) and it worked by selecting the classes, than Source - Format – Gratulate

Answer 2

I also had the Java Perspective ON and this was still not working. My eclipse was only formatting css and Html files, but not JAVA ones.

Then, I located this answer that explains this:

You must add Java Facet to the project to allow Java classes to be detected by Eclipse formatter

Then, you should check on PROJECT-PROPERTIES-PROJECT FACETS and activate the Java facet for the project:

And by right-clicking on top of the PACKAGE-EXPLORER you will find the SOURCE - FORMAT option, and it will format Java files too.

Be careful, check it´s package explorer, not Project Explorer (click Window-Show View-PackageExplorer)

Seko

Answer 3

This is the purpose of

Source ->Clean Up...

selecting the appropriate options.

Jillianjillie

Answer 4

In older versions of Eclipse (Indigo) it works from Package Explorer (not Navigator). Right click the package you wish to format then choose Source -> Format. It will format all classes in that package and its sub-packages.

Prom

Answer 5

In Eclipse Mars.1 Release (4.5.1) version and above, just press Right click on the code typing area

Src > Source > Format.

If you want to format individual java / xml file just do Ctrl+Shift+f

Cuxhaven