Understanding ActionScript > Using the Actions panel > Switching between editing modes

Switching between editing modes

Changing editing modes while writing a script can change the formatting of the script. For that reason, it is best to use one editing mode per script.

When you switch from Normal to Expert Mode, indentation and formatting is maintained. Although you can convert Normal Mode scripts with errors to Expert Mode, you cannot export the scripts until the errors are fixed.

Switching from Expert to Normal Mode is slightly more complex:

When you switch to Normal Mode, Flash reformats the script and strips any white space and indentation you've added.
If you switch to Normal Mode and then back to Expert Mode, Flash reformats the script according to its appearance in Normal Mode.
Expert Mode scripts containing errors cannot be exported or converted to Normal Mode; if you try to convert the script, you'll receive an error message.

To switch editing modes:

Choose Normal Mode or Expert Mode from the pop-up menu at the upper right of the Actions panel. A check mark indicates the selected mode.

To set an editing mode preference:

1 Choose Edit > Preferences.
2 Select the General tab
3 In the Actions Panel section, select Normal Mode or Expert Mode from the pop-up menu.