How to Format a Log Quickly

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Logging can be done smoothly. Usually, it is a case of knowing a little advanced Find and Replace. I've probably included more screenshots than is needed. A special thanks goes to Eleria for his help in getting the RegEx in order!

What You Need

  • A client that supports logging. For example, SimpleMU or BeipMU.
  • A text editor that supports advanced searches. If you run Windows, install Notepad++. If you're using another OS, use its native text editor.


How You Do It

To clean a log in this fashion, you will be tinkering with a few of Find and Replace's more advanced features. Don't worry, though. Just copy and paste what you see in the table below. The table shows you what to search for when doing this in Notepad++. Linux and Mac text editors should be able to perform similar functions.

Note you can avoid having to find and replace things like pages or channel chatter by using your MU Client's filters.


To Find... Open Search, and Select... Paste This into Find Paste this into Replace
Pages
Log fr regex.png

^From afar\, (.*?)$

^[A-Za-z\-\'\`]+ pages\: (.*?)$

^Long distance to (.*?)\: (.*?)$

^You paged (.*?) with \'(.*?)\'$

^From afar\, to \((.*?)\)\: (.*?)$

^To \((.*?)\)\, (.*?) pages: (.*?)$

Put nothing into Replace (that is, leave it blank)
Channel Chatter
Log fr regex.png
 ^\[[A-Za-z]+\] (.*?)$ Put nothing into Replace (that is, leave it blank)
OOC Chatter
Log fr regex.png
 ^<OOC> (.*?)$ Put nothing into Replace (that is, leave it blank)
Remove spacing before poses
Log fr regex.png
 ^\s+ Put nothing into Replace (that is, leave it blank)
Remove excess returns
Log fr extended.png

1. Search for \r\n\r\n and replace with \r\n

2. Do this until you get "0 occurances replaced" in the popup

After doing the above, insert the correct number of returns
Log fr extended.png
 \r \r\r


If you're running Linux or Mac: Regarding adding additional lines between paragraphs, or removing triple lines: \n and \r stand for New line, and Return, respectively. Depending on your OS, you may need to search for slightly different combinations. Try and see! You're not going to hurt it.

Want to Automate It?

You can also install a macro into Notepad++ that can clean your logs with just a click or two!

Install the Macro

1. Download the file
2. Navigate to: C:\Documents and Settings\[User]\Application Data\Notepad++\
3. Right-click on Shortcuts.xml, and open with Notepad++ or another text editor
4. Copy the text from the above file, and paste it into Shortcuts.xml, just below where you see:
<InternalCommands />
<Macros>
5. Save and close Shortcuts.xml

Run the Macro

1. Open your log in Notepad++
2. Navigate to the Macro menu, and select the name of the Macro you just imported
LogCleanOOC cleans everything BUT OOC
LogCleanALL cleans everything

Note that neither of these clear out +rolls or GAME information.

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