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Regex Search in Code

Search ABAP source code using plain text or regular expressions (regex). Regex is a pattern language that lets you match variable text — for example, finding any method name that starts with "get", or any word boundary match.

Note: This searches committed code only. Unsaved local edits are not visible — use the standard VS Code search (Ctrl+Shift+F) for those.

Just ask Copilot in plain language:

  • "Find all usages of COMMIT WORK in ZCL_MY_CLASS"
  • "Search for methods matching 'get_*' in ZREPORT_ORDERS"
  • "List all methods in CL_SALV_TABLE"

Copilot determines whether to use literal or regex matching automatically.

Literal vs. Regex Mode

Mode When to use Example
Literal (default) Exact text match, fast COMMIT WORK
Regex Patterns, wildcards, boundaries METHOD.*get

Common Regex Patterns

Pattern What it matches Example
\bICT\b Whole word ICT only (not DICT) Word boundary
METHOD.*restrict METHOD followed by anything then restrict Pattern match
[A-Z]+ One or more uppercase letters Character class
^\s*(CLASS-)?METHODS?\s+\w+ Any method declaration Class structure

Searching Multiple Objects

Use wildcard patterns to search across several objects at once:

  • "Find SELECT * in all Z* reports" — searches up to 10 matching objects
  • Copilot limits the scope automatically (1–10 objects) to keep results manageable

Viewing Class Structure

To list all methods in a class with their line numbers:

  • "List all methods in ZCL_MY_CLASS"

Copilot returns each method name and the line where it's declared — useful for navigating large classes.

Extracting a Single Method

To see the complete code of one method:

  • "Show me the FACTORY method in CL_SALV_TABLE"

Returns everything from METHOD FACTORY. to ENDMETHOD., including interface method syntax like IF_SALV_TABLE~FACTORY.

Context Lines

By default, Copilot shows 3 lines before and after each match. Ask for more or fewer:

  • "Find RAISE EXCEPTION in ZCL_ORDERS, show 5 lines of context"