Option to replace a word

[naoliv]

I did search the open bugs and couldn't find something related with this (so sorry if it's duplicated).

Is it possible to have a find and replace option in JOSM, please?
For example, if we have a typo in the same word spread across a lot of relations, tags and etc, a find and replace all could fix this issue (instead needing to search, select and fix one by one).

Or there is some kind of problem in having this feature that I am not aware of?

[stoecker]

You can search for a certain tag e.g. "highway=secndary" or "hgway=secondary", select the properties list and enter the correct one. Then all instances are changed. It is not possible to do so for mixed tags or partial texts. Or do you mean something else?

[naoliv]

For example, I have some boundaries with the name starting with a wrong word (but the rest of the names is all different).

Something like:
name=Wrng something
name=Wrng anotherthing
name=Wrng otherthing

It's not possible to fix only this first word on all the boundaries.
Or if the word is in different positions of the tag, or in different tags.

[stoecker]

No. But there is a workaround when you need that often:

• You can search all these objects (or select all objects).
• Add an new useless tag to them like mydummytest=1
• Save the file.
• Open file in normal text editor
• Change the texts you want to fix
• Save file
• Open file again in josm
• Remove dummy text key again
• Call "Update Modified" from first menu (if all objects selected in first step, this is essential!)
• Upload (check that uploaded objects are really only these you want changed!).

I'll close this as wontfix, as the requirement is very special.

[naoliv]

But it's an enhancement request (and valid, I think). Why can't it stay open?
I don't think that I am the only one who needs to find and replace a lot of typos. It could also have other usages, like replacing abbreviated words, miscapitalized, etc.

[stoecker]

Well, also enhancement requests are closed. The work involved to do what you want is a lot compared to the benefits.

[skyper]

Could work with the scripting plugin

[akks]

CommandLine plugin can also help, it contain regular expression replacement.

One of the main reasons we are not going to add this into core is that possibilty of easy mass-replacing leads to edit wars :)

The requeust itself is OK, nothing personal.
Feel free to suggest more enchancements, they may be implemented.

[naoliv]

Replying to akks:

One of the main reasons we are not going to add this into core is that possibilty of easy mass-replacing leads to edit wars :)

But every tool/feature can be used maliciously or with good intentions :-)

[akks]

Of course :-) So we allow everyone to write the plugins that support this functionalty :)
(see regexp command in CommandLine plugin, to install plugin with commands fast use script ​https://dl.dropbox.com/u/63393258/CommandLineInstall.xml open with F12-Advanced-Import from file)

[liotier]

To frustrated JOSM users, I offer this method (​http://serendipity.ruwenzori.net/index.php/2015/08/25/from-josm-search-replace-to-processing-openstreetmap-with-your-favorite-text-edition-tools) using this script (​https://github.com/liotier/OSMtools/blob/master/OSMXML_mark_modified_JOSM-style) - works for me !