[intellij-idea] How to have the formatter wrap code with IntelliJ?

I'm not able to format my code in IntelliJ.

I can see the margin line (by default at 120 columns) but it seems that the activation from the menu:

Code -> Reformat Code

is just ignoring this margin.

This question is related to intellij-idea code-formatting

The answer is


In the latest Intellij ver 2020, we have an option called soft-wrap these files. Settings > Editor > General > soft-wrap these files. Check this option and add the type of files u need wrap.

soft wrap intellij option


Enabling "Ensure right margin is not exceeded" doesn't work for me in Intellij IDEA 2018.2. I have found the workaround, we need to change every elements below from "Do not wrap" to "Wrap if long".

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After that, we can preview what kind of wrap type will be changed by looking into right panel. If we are satisfied, Click "OK" or "Apply" to apply the changes. Finally we need a mannual format by using CTRL+ ALT+ L in Windows and Command+ Shift+ L in MacOS.


You can create a macro for Ctrl +Shift + S (for example) that do all this things:

Edit > Macros > Start Macro Recording (the recording will start). Click where you need.

For example:

Code > Reformat Code
Code > Auto-Indent Lines
Code > Optimize Imports
Code > Rearrange Code
File > Save All
... (all that you want)

Then, click on red button in bottom-right of the IDE to stop the Macro recording.

Set a macro name.

Go to File > Settings > Macros > YOUR MACRO NAME.

Right Click > Add Keyboard Shortcut, and type Ctrl + Shift + S.


IntelliJ IDEA 14, 15, 2016 & 2017

Format existing code

  1. Ensure right margin is not exceeded

    File > Settings > Editor > Code Style > Java > Wrapping and Braces > Ensure right margin is not exceeded

    File Settings Ensure right margin

  2. Reformat code

    Code > Reformat code...

    Reformat code

    or press Ctrl + Alt + L

    warning If you have something like this:

    thisLineIsVeryLongAndWillBeChanged();   // comment
    

    it will be converted to

    thisLineIsVeryLongAndWillBeChanged();   
    // comment  
    

    instead of

    // comment  
    thisLineIsVeryLongAndWillBeChanged();   
    

    This is why I select pieces of code before reformatting if the code looks like in the previous example.

Wrap when typing reaches right margin

  • IntelliJ IDEA 14: File > Settings > Editor > Code Style > Wrap when typing reaches right margin

    Wrap when typing

  • IntelliJ IDEA 15, 2016 & 2017: File > Settings > Editor > Code Style > Wrap on typing

    Wrap on typing


Or you can use the shortcut:

Ctrl + Alt + L


In order to wrap text in the code editor in IntelliJ IDEA 2020.1 community follow these steps:

Ctrl + Shift + "A" OR Help -> Find Action
Enter: "wrap" into the text box
Toggle: View | Active Editor Soft-Wrap "ON"

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