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gfrederickk
Participating Frequently
January 19, 2013
Answered

GREP: How to target one occurrence at end of paragraph?

  • January 19, 2013
  • 2 replies
  • 2766 views

GREP newbie here. Trying to write a GREP expression that will target a photo credit at the end of a photo caption and apply a character style.

Example text:

This is the caption for a photo and there is some more caption here (at left). This is the caption for a photo and there is some more caption here. (AP Photo/John Smith)

The GREP expression needs to target the credit type inside -- and including -- the parenthesis. The trick: The expression needs to target only a single occurrence at the end of the paragraph.

Suggestions? This is what I have, which isn't working. The expression applies the style to every occurrence of type within parenthasis:

\s\(.+\)$

Any help appreciated.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer tomaxxi

    Basically, it prevents picking up multiple closing parenthesis while seartching for a match.

    GREP breakdown:

    \([^\)]+\)$
    \(    Literal opening parenthesis
    [^    Exclusion: any character not in this group
        \)    Literal closing parenthesis
    ]    End Exclusion Group
    +    While any character is NOT in this group may occur once or more times; longest possible match will be taken
    \)    Literal closing parenthesis
    $    End of Paragraph, Story, Footnote, or Cell

    Hope that helps.

    --

    Marijan (tomaxxi)

    http://tomaxxi.com

    2 replies

    tomaxxi
    tomaxxi
    Inspiring
    January 19, 2013

    This will always match last set of parenthasis:

    \([^\)]+\)$

    Hope that helps.

    --

    Marijan (tomaxxi)

    http://tomaxxi.com

    G
    gfrederickkAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    January 19, 2013

    Marijan --- Thanks again. This works beautifully. Now -- if I can trouble you one more time -- can you help me understand the logic?

    \([^\)]+\)$

    Seems like it looks for an open parenthesis, followed by either a start of paragraph or close parenthesis that appear one or more times, located at the end of a paragraph. Correct?

    -- Question: why does it search for a ^ metacharcater? It works. I just don't understand why.

    G
    gfrederickkAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    January 19, 2013

    Basically, it prevents picking up multiple closing parenthesis while seartching for a match.

    GREP breakdown:

    \([^\)]+\)$
    \(    Literal opening parenthesis
    [^    Exclusion: any character not in this group
        \)    Literal closing parenthesis
    ]    End Exclusion Group
    +    While any character is NOT in this group may occur once or more times; longest possible match will be taken
    \)    Literal closing parenthesis
    $    End of Paragraph, Story, Footnote, or Cell

    Hope that helps.

    --

    Marijan (tomaxxi)

    http://tomaxxi.com


    Marijan ---

    Thanks again. I have lots to learn. Very powerful.

    I appreciate the help.

    Jump_Over
    Jump_Over
    Legend
    January 19, 2013

    Hi,

    If could we assume a period is always before desired parenthasis (with or without space between):

    (?<=\.)\s*\(.+?\)$

    should work

    rgds

    G
    gfrederickkAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    January 19, 2013

    Thanks Jump. I appreciate it. But I can't assume the period will precede the parenthesis. Could be a ? or a !

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