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How to: Use DataTips

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DataTips provide a convenient way to view information about variables in your program during debugging. DataTips work only in break mode and only with variables that are in the current scope of execution.

In Visual Studio 2010, DataTips can be pinned to a specific location in a source file, or they can float on top of all Visual Studio windows.

To display a DataTip (in break mode only)

  1. In a source window, place the mouse pointer over any variable in the current scope.

    A DataTip appears.

  2. The DataTip disappears when you remove the mouse pointer. To pin the DataTip so that it remains open, click the Pin to source icon, or

    • Right-click on a variable, then click Pin to source.

    The pinned DataTip closes when the debugging session ends.

To unpin a DataTip and make it float

  • In a pinned DataTip, click the Unpin from source icon.

    The pin icon changes to the unpinned position. The DataTip now floats above any open windows. The floating DataTip closes when the debugging session ends.

To repin a floating DataTip

  • In a DataTip, click the pin icon.

    The pin icon changes to the pinned position. If the DataTip is outside a source window, the pin icon is disabled and the DataTip cannot be pinned.

To close a DataTip

  • Place the mouse pointer over a DataTip, and then click the Close icon.

To close all DataTips

  • On the Debug menu, click Clear All DataTips.

To close all DataTips for a specific file

  • On the Debug menu, click Clear All DataTips Pinned to File.

Expanding and Editing Information

You can use DataTips to expand an array, a structure, or an object to view its members. You can also edit the value of a variable from a DataTip.

To expand a variable to see its elements

  • In a DataTip, put the mouse pointer over the + sign that comes before the variable name.

    The variable expands to show its elements in tree form.

    When the variable is expanded, you can use the arrow keys on your keyboard to move up and down. Alternatively, you can use the mouse.

To edit the value of a variable using a DataTip

  1. In a DataTip, click the value. This is disabled for read-only values.

  2. Type a new value and press ENTER.

Making a DataTip Transparent

If you want to see the code that is behind a DataTip, you can make the DataTip temporarily transparent. This does not apply to DataTips that are pinned or floating.

To make a DataTip transparent

  • In a DataTip, press CTRL.

    The DataTip will remain transparent as long as you hold down the CTRL key.

Visualizing Complex Data Types

If a magnifying glass icon appears next to a variable name in a DataTip, one or more Visualizers are available for variables of that data type. You can use a visualizer to display the information in a more meaningful, usually graphical, manner.

To view the contents of a variable using a visualizer

  • Click the magnifying glass icon to select the default visualizer for the data type.

    -or-

    Click the pop-up arrow next to the visualizer to select from a list of appropriate visualizers for the data type.

    A visualizer displays the information.

Adding Information to a Watch Window

If you want to continue to watch a variable, you can add the variable to the Watch window from a DataTip.

To add a variable to the Watch window

  • Right-click a DataTip, and then click Add Watch.

    The variable is added to the Watch window. If you are using an edition that supports multiple Watch windows, the variable is added to Watch 1.

Importing and Exporting DataTips

You can export DataTips to an XML file, which can be shared with a colleague or edited using a text editor.

To Export DataTips

  1. On the Debug menu, click Export DataTips.

    The Export DataTips dialog box appears.

  2. Use standard file techniques to navigate to the location where you want to save the XML file, type a name for the file in the File name box, and then click OK.

To Import DataTips

  1. On the Debug menu, click Import DataTips.

    The Import DataTips dialog box appears.

  2. Use the dialog box to find the XML file that you want to open and click OK.

See Also

Tasks

How to: Use the QuickWatch Dialog Box

Reference

How to: Change the Numeric Format of Debugger Windows

Concepts

Viewing Data in the Debugger

Other Resources

Visualizers