ReSharper 2023.3 Help

Generate Formatting Members

Any type in .NET implements the ToString() method, which returns a string representation of an object of the type. To return a meaningful string for our types, we often need to override the ToString() method.

ReSharper allows you to automate this routine with the Generate formatting members command.

Depending on the target C# version, ReSharper either uses interpolated string or String.Format(). Note that you can always convert between those with context actions Alt+Enter.

In the example below, this command is used to generate the ToString() method based on _radius and _center fields.

Before generation

After generation

class Circle { int _radius; Point _center; }
class Circle { int _radius; Point _center; public override string ToString() { return $"{nameof(_radius)}: {_radius}, {nameof(_center)}: {_center}"; } }

Generate overrides for formatting members

  1. In the editor, place the caret at the type name or within a type at the line where you want to insert overrides for formatting members. If the caret is on the type name, the generated code will be added in the beginning of the type declaration.

  2. Press Alt+Insert or choose ReSharper | Edit | Generate Code… from the main menu. Alternatively, you can press Control+Shift+A, start typing the command name in the popup, and then choose it there.

  3. In the Generate popup, select Formatting Members.

  4. In the Generate dialog that appears, select fields and/or auto-properties to be used in the ToString() override.

    Generating 'ToString()' with ReSharper

    If there are no fields/properties in your type or you do not select any of them, ReSharper, depending on your settings, throws new NotImplementedException(), returns default value, or puts code that will not compile in the body of the generated methods. You can configure the settings on the Code Editing | Members Generation page of ReSharper options.

    Optionally, use the following controls in the dialog:

    • ToString already exists — appears if an implementation of ToString() already exists and lets you choose whether to:

      • Replace the method if it already exists.

      • Put the newly generated method side by side with the existing one.

      • Skip generating a new method altogether.

    • Use 'nameof' — appears if the target C# version is higher than 6.0. If this checkbox is selected, ReSharper will use nameof(symbol_name) to define the string representation of the symbol, otherwise, it will calculate the string representation automatically, for example, a field named _radius will be rendered as "Radius".

  5. Click Finish to complete the wizard.

    You can also click Options to review or modify common code generation preferences on the Code Editing | Members Generation page of ReSharper options.

You can also generate the override by choosing Overriding Members in the Generate menu, but in this case the override will return base.ToString().

This feature is supported in the following languages and technologies:

Language: C#

Language: VB.NET

Language: C++

Language: HTML

Language: ASP.NET

Language: Razor

Language: JavaScript

Language: TypeScript

Language: CSS

Language: XML

Language: XAML

Language: Resx

Language: Build Scripts

Language: Protobuf

Language: JSON

Feature is available in C#

Feature is available in Visual Basic

Feature is not available in C++

Feature is not available in HTML

Feature is not available in ASP.NET

Feature is not available in Razor

Feature is not available in JavaScript

Feature is not available in TypeScript

Feature is not available in CSS

Feature is not available in XML

Feature is not available in XAML

Feature is not available in Resource files

Feature is not available in build script files

Feature is not available in Protobuf

Feature is not available in JSON

The instructions and examples given here address the use of the feature in C#. For more information about other languages, refer to corresponding topics in the ReSharper by language section.

Last modified: 21 March 2024