Coping multiple lines on monitor screen

Development Tools IDE 2.x
1

I tried to copy all messages on the serial monitor screen selecting all lines (CONTROL+A didn't work),
With the cursor on the middle of monitor screen I typed CONTROL+C.
On notepad I select paste (CONTROL+V), but only the lines on the last screen page was pasted.

Some button to help to copy, or to save monitor text into text-file, will be helpful.

I am running Arduino IDE 2.0.0-rc9.1 on Windows 10 Pro.

2

The Arduino IDE developers are tracking this bug here:

Even though this "only the lines on the last screen page" behavior doesn't quite match the "chaotically" description in the title, I do think it is the same bug as reported here:

Note the comment:

it often only appears to only copy the stuff that is visible on the screen at the time.

There is a request for a context menu here:

There was a proposal for adding a copy button to the Arduino IDE Serial Monitor here:

I think the developer made a valid comment here:

I just started to wonder if we can avoid the button by adding a contextual menu on the serial monitor itself with 2 entries:

  • copy selection
  • copy all

I think the right click context menu is an interface most users are already familiar with from it being standard in most applications. The advantage over a button is that it doesn't add any additional complexity/clutter to the GUI when the user does not have need for the capability. The context menu is there on demand when you need it, and out of sight when you don't need it.

Do you think a context menu with the standard "Select all" and "Copy" items would meet your needs @CamargoF?

2 Likes
3

You can use a terminal emulator instead of Serial Monitor and Log To File.

Depending on your code, set up an in-sketch pause button? I have done that many times. I have also had only 20 lines printed.

4

Is there a way to have a terminal emulator run instead of Serial Monitor?
A link would be great, you don't have to type what's typed.

Color, cursor control, file and comms options all open up, working utility to Arduino.

5

It would be nice. I suspect that one of the problems is that the IDE can't control it, e.g. for upload.

6

One of the really cool advancements of Arduino IDE 2.x is the "pluggable monitor" system. The primary motivation for this system is to allow for any arbitrary communication channel with the computer to be monitored rather than assuming all boards communicate over a serial port.

Boards platform authors can provide their own custom monitor tools. However, this is a backend tool that only acts as an interface between the Arduino IDE's monitor and the board's communication channel. The tool does not replace the Serial Monitor GUI provided by the Arduino IDE. So I don't think this system fulfills your request.

In case you are interested in learning more, details are available in the Arduino Pluggable Monitor Specification:

https://arduino.github.io/arduino-cli/latest/pluggable-monitor-specification/

Perhaps what would be more relevant is this request:

It is possible that such a system could be used to add a custom monitor tool to the IDE.

Since Arduino IDE is built on the Eclipse Theia IDE framework, which is based on VS Code, it is possible to add VS Code extensions (in fact, most of what makes Arduino IDE 2.x an Arduino IDE is done via extensions). So perhaps you could already accomplish this via the extension system.

1 Like
7

I know it is a bypass, but my idea is to help the development of Arduino IDE 2.0.0.
This copy should be done on previous Arduino IDE version.

8

The right click menu is an excellent solution.

I didn't check the serial plotter yet, but a button to save the screen on image file will be nice too.

9

I didn't know about that.
I will check, Thanks.

My idea is use this interface option to simplify the interaction with the microcontroller, creating programmable buttons windows to send commands to serial port.
If I have success to do it I will share the solution with you all.

1 Like
10

I already have used terminals outside of the IDE instead of Serial Monitor, it's just trouble that beginners won't take.

If they could add cursor control, just up, down, left, right

we could show beginners smart key entry, editing and records browsing, standard actions in business to game software.

To be honest, when it comes to text on screen work, AVRs are lightning fast compared to what worked in offices 30-40 years ago.

This is a place where Arduino Org can cover a bigger use-niche for not-great effort.

11

This topic was automatically closed 180 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.