Besides a function to search and replace in the current .eaf file it also possible to search and replace in multiple annotation files. To do so, click . Elan first warns you that the changes cannot be undone and that you should have copies of the files you are about to change. If you click , Elan shows the main dialog window. First define the search domain, i.e. the .eaf files to search and replace in, by clicking the button. Then do one of the following:
Select an existing domain from the list and click . (Click if you want to delete the domain.)
Create a new domain:
Click
Click in the new dialog on the Look in pull down box and browse to the directory that contains the annotation files.
Double-click an annotation file (*.eaf) to select it.
It now appears in the rightmost box. Alternatively, you can click on the
annotation file name and click the
button.
Repeat this for every annotation file you want to include.
It is also possible to select a complete directory. All
.eaf files in a selected directory will be
included.
Click to continue the exporting process; otherwise click to exit the dialog window without exporting.
If you clicked you can save this domain: enter a name and click . If you do not want to save the domain click .
Create a new domain from an IMDI search:
Click
Browse to and select an IMDI file that has been exported from a metadata search in the standalone IMDI Browser.
Click .
You can save this domain: enter a name and click . If you do not want to save the domain click .
The second step is to select the tiers to search and replace in. You can select either All tiers or Selected tiers. When selecting the latter, click the button to specify the tiers. In the new dialog, select the tier(s) in which you want to search and replace and click .
Next, enter a search string and a replace string. The search string may be a regular expression (see Appendix A) and may be case sensitive. If it is, check the corresponding checkbox.
Finally, click and start the process by clicking in the warning window. You can watch the progress in the progress bar.
After the process has finished, Elan shows a Process Report that tells you what is replaced in what files.