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Record Numbers

All records of a workfile have a number. This number is generated when the file is loaded, but omitted when saving the file. Several commands need the numbers to define a target or working area.

The record numbers run from 0 to 99999999. Normally the first record will have the number 100 and the interval between two record will be 100, too. When editing, lines might be added, deleted or moved. The record numbers will remain strictly ascending. Since the intervals between record numbers is set to 100 in the beginning, changes can often be handled within those intervals. Whenever possible, exaEdit avoids changing existing record numbers. Only when inevitable, exaEdit partially renumbers the records. The interval between two numbers then is 20 (instead of 100). Using small steps like this, it's highly probable that an existing record number that can be kept is reached soon. All following record numbers remain untouched. exaEdit reports a renumbering with the message:

If you want to renumber the records yourself, you can use the command: For modifying the starting number or the size of the intervals see the description of the command REKEY.

Usually, only 6 of the actual 8 digits of the record numbers are displayed (000100, 000200 etc.). If a file consisting of more than 10000 or more than 100000 lines is loaded, 7 or 8 digits will be displayed.

You can control this display width by using the command

and its parameters (see SKEY).

When the display width is not sufficient for showing all significant numbers, the required number of leading digits will be omitted on the display. The * character shows this has happened, e.g. the record number 1234500 could show as:

In most cases you should be able to avoid this situation by choosing suitable values for the display width of the record numbers. This is recommended, because otherwise there might occur misunderstandings between you and exaEdit, for example with the line number 234500.


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Next: Deleting and Inserting of Characters Previous: Presentation in the Window, Current Line Up: Functions