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2023.2
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  1. Work with source code
  2. Code formatting
  3. ClangFormat as alternative formatter

ClangFormat as alternative formatter

Last modified: 30 November 2023

Settings | Editor | Code Style

By default: disabled

Enabled automatically if .clang-format is detected

Clangd-based engine

ClangFormat is a popular code formatting tool that helps maintain common code style across team members and IDEs. It provides an option to store formatting settings in special YAML files named .clang-format or _clang-format. In CLion, you can use ClangFormat as an alternative to the built-in code formatter.

.clang-format configuration files

.clang-format files with formatting conventions should be placed in the project tree. Each of them applies to code files at the same level and in the subdirectories. Having multiple .clang-format files for a single project lets you, if needed, use different styles for different code folders.

ClangFormat offers many style options, which you can mix to create the set of rules most suitable for your team. It also provides several built-in styles for C/C++: LLVM, Google, WebKit, Chromium, and Mozilla. These predefined styles can be used as is or as a baseline for your custom set of style definitions.

To generate a .clang-format file with, for example, LLVM code style, run the following command (make sure to have ClangTools already installed): 

clang-format -style=llvm -dump-config > .clang-format

tip

There is a handy interactive .clang-format builder: clang-format configurator.

ClangFormat in CLion

CLion automatically enables ClangFormat and applies the settings when there is a .clang-format file under your project root. You can also enable/disable ClangFormat using one of the following options:

After you enable ClangFormat, the appropriate formatting will be applied when you:

  • type in the editor (which includes indentation after Enter or Backspace, auto-completion, code generation, refactorings, and quick-fixes);

  • call Code | Reformat Code CtrlAlt0L - this action also lets you reformat a selection of code instead of the whole file;

  • commit changes and select Reformat Code as the Before commit action:

    reformat code before commit

Review ClangFormat settings for a file

  • Open the file in the editor and click View ClangFormat options for ... from the toolbar switcher:

    view ClangFormat settings for a file

    CLion will show the list of settings taken from the corresponding .clang-format file:

    ClangFormat settings file

    This list is currently read-only. To edit the settings, change them right in the .clang-format file.

Edit .clang-format files

  1. Open the desired source file in the editor and click Edit '.clang-format' for... from the toolbar switcher:

    switch to clang-format file

  2. To help you edit .clang-format configs, CLion provides coding assistance by validating the file content against the JSON Schema built specifically for ClangFormat. Coding assistance includes:

    • Completion for options and values, with option descriptions shown in the popup:

      https://resources.jetbrains.com/help/img/idea/2023.2/cl_clangformat_completion.png
      Gif

    • Checking the option values for consistency with the allowed value set:

      validating option values

    • Quick documentation popupCtrl0Q to help you explore the option details:

      quick doc for clang-format config files

Export the formatter settings into a .clang-format file

When you need to save or share the settings of the built-in code formatter, you can export them into a .clang-format file:

  1. Go to Settings | Editor | Code Style | C/C++.

  2. Click App general gear plain next to the Scheme field and select Export | .clang-format File:

    Export formatter settings into .clang-format

  3. In the dialog that opens, specify the filename and location. By default, CLion suggests .clang-format and the current project root.