How do I refactor Swift in Xcode?

Question

Is there a way to refactor swift in Xcode 7.1?

When I try to rename a variable (e.g. highlight, right-click, refactor > rename), Xcode pops up an error dialog saying:

Can't refactor Swift code. Xcode can only refactor C and Objective-C code.

Is there a workaround for this?

At present, you can't. Similar question here: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/24133664/xcode-can-only-refactor-c-and-objective-c-code-how-to-rename-swift-class-name-i. — Martin R, Nov 03 '15 at 11:09
It is beyond insane that in 2016, a major IDE cannot handle such a basic task as refactoring. In 1995 with Visual Basic 3 I was able to refactor. — MusiGenesis, Jan 21 '16 at 21:01
Why Apple won't improve on this? Honestly Xcode is far behind the other major IDE already. — Bagusflyer, Oct 25 '16 at 13:29
Xcode 9 promises the refactoring of Swift. Release note of Xcode 9: https://developer.apple.com/library/content/documentation/DeveloperTools/Conceptual/WhatsNewXcode/xcode_9/xcode_9.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40004626-CH8-SW2 — Shad, Jun 07 '17 at 03:55

score 86 · Accepted Answer · answered Nov 03 '15 at 11:15

86

AFAIK the refactoring is not working with Swift right now, however, at least in the same file(scope), you can do the following:

answered Nov 03 '15 at 11:15

Dániel Nagy

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How did you record your screen? – Mohamad Nov 03 '15 at 13:25
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@Mohamad wirh LICEcap – Dániel Nagy Nov 03 '15 at 14:35
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I'm looking very much forward to "real" refactoring being introduced to Swift in Xcode. Until then, this is by far the best solution I've seen! Thank you @Dániel Nagy – Nikolaj Simonsen Feb 04 '16 at 09:37
You can do what? How did you get that dropdown? – TimSim Feb 25 '16 at 02:24
@TimSim if you click on a variable and then keep the cursor over it for a second, it will appear on the right side, or Editor -> Edit All in Scope – Dániel Nagy Feb 25 '16 at 09:23
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The short key for this is cmd+ctrl+E after selection. – ZaEeM ZaFaR May 30 '16 at 10:38

Guy Daher · Answer 2 · 2018-08-26T11:11:01.283

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Xcode 9 - 10

Xcode 9 now supports refactoring in Swift. This was announced in WWDC 2017.

edited Aug 26 '18 at 11:11

answered Jun 06 '17 at 09:28

Guy Daher

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score 6 · Answer 3 · answered Apr 15 '16 at 12:42

The lack of refactoring is astounding (especially as I am coming off of a major stint using VS) However I have just noticed that someone has done something about it. On GitHub there is Refactorator Xcode Plugin (MIT license) which claims:

Refactorator is an Xcode plugin for refactoring Swift & now Objective-C code. It will rename public or internal vars, functions, enums etc. For private and local entities use Xcode's existing "Edit All in Scope" functionality.

Full disclosure is that I have nothing to do with them and am just about to install the product myself.

I’ve had no luck with it. For example to rename a variable it may pick up most, but not all usages (why?) - find and replace gets 100%. I’ve not been impressed. — Lloyd Sargent, Aug 23 '16 at 22:01

Joseph Lord · Answer 4 · 2015-11-03T13:35:29.400

As of Xcode 7.2 beta the refactoring tools do not support Swift.

What I do is use the type checker. Change the name/type of something and then fix all the compile breakages. Because of the strong typing you can have more confidence that this approach will catch everything. I have at times deliberately changed things and broken them temporarily to check where objects or types are used or accessed from.

Or use AppCode for the refactoring, I hear it is good but haven't tried much myself.

How do I refactor Swift in Xcode?

4 Answers4

Xcode 9 - 10

Linked