Code Style. Less

Use tab character

• If this checkbox is selected, tab characters are used:

  • On pressing the Tab key

  • For indentation

  • For reformatting code

• If the checkbox is cleared, IntelliJ IDEA uses spaces instead of tabs.

Smart tabs

An indentation consists of two parts. One part results from nesting code blocks, and the other part is determined by alignment.

• If this checkbox is selected, the part that results from nesting contains both tabs and spaces (if necessary), while the part defined by alignment consists only of spaces.

• If this checkbox is cleared, only tabs are used. This means that after reformatting a group of spaces that fits the specified tab size is automatically replaced with a tab, which may result in breaking fine alignment.

Tab size

In this field, specify the number of spaces that fits in a tab.

Indent

In this field, specify the number of spaces to be inserted for each indent level.

Continuation indent

In this field, specify the number of spaces to be inserted between the values of properties.

Keep indents on empty lines

If this checkbox is selected, IntelliJ IDEA retains indents on empty lines as if they contained some code. If the checkbox is cleared, IntelliJ IDEA deletes the tab characters and spaces on empty lines.

Keep Maximum Blank Lines

In this area, specify the number of extra blank lines to be kept after reformatting.

Minimum Blank Lines

In this area, configure whether to have or not to have extra empty lines around top-level blocks and nested selectors. In the field next to each option, specify the minimum number of extra blank lines to be left.

Braces placement

Use this list to specify where IntelliJ IDEA should place the opening braces of selectors. The available options are:

• At the end of line

• Next line

Align values

Use this list to specify how IntelliJ IDEA should align attributes and values. The available options are:

• Do not align: select this option to specify alignment on the first character of an attribute name.

• On value: select this option to specify alignment on the first character of the value of an attribute.

• On colon

Quote marks

In the CSS, SCSS, and Less context, IntelliJ IDEA by default uses double quotes for generated string literals in import statements and URLs. To use single quotes, select Single from this list.

To apply the chosen style to the entire file after reformatting, select the Enforce on format checkbox below the list.

Align closing brace with properties

If this checkbox is selected, the closing brace of the selector will be placed under the list of properties.

If this checkbox is not selected, the closing brace of the selector will be placed under the selector.

Keep single-line blocks

If this checkbox is selected, the blocks with a single property will be confined to one line.

If this checkbox is not selected, each property will be placed to its own line.

Spaces

Select the checkboxes in this area to add a space after the colon delimiting key and value, and before the opening brace of the selector.

Comments

Use the controls in this area to configure positioning of line and block comments and spaces inside them.

• Line comment at first column: select this checkbox to start line comments at the first column. When the checkbox is cleared, line comments are aligned in the code.

• Add a space at line comment start: when this checkbox is selected, a space will be inserted between a line comment character and the first character of a commented line.

• Add spaces around block comments: select this checkbox to add leading and trailing spaces in block comments.

  By default, when you enclose a code fragment in a block comment, the text starts right after the opening /* characters without any spaces. Before the closing */ characters no space is inserted either. This default code style may conflict with some linters' rules, for example, ESLint.

HEX Colors

Use this area to configure the hex color syntax. You can select from the following check options:

• Convert hex colors to: select this checkbox to configure the hex color letter case. You can choose Lower case or Upper case.

• Convert hex colors format to: select this checkbox to configure the hex color format length. You can choose Long format or Short format.

View changes in the Preview pane.