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I'm learning python (v 3.13.1) development, and using VS community edition 2022.
With Github Copilot, everytime I use TAB key for auto-completion, I've got a pop up telling me : Black doesn't support Format selection command.
The same issue has been resolved in VS Code for years ago, but the problem remains in Visual Studio Community.
Any clue or hint will be greatly appreciated.
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Hi Nicolas Goffin,
Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q & A forum.
The issue occurs because Black only supports formatting entire files, not specific code selections. To resolve this in Visual Studio Community, go to Tools > Options > Text Editor > Python > Code Style and disable selection-based formatting. Alternatively, save the file (Ctrl+S) to allow Black to format the entire document. You may also consider using a selection-based formatter like autopep8 or switch to Visual Studio Code for better compatibility with GitHub Copilot and Black.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any additional questions.
If you have found the answer provided to be helpful, please click on the "Accept answer/Upvote" button so that it is useful for other members in the Microsoft Q&A community.
Hi Pradeep and thanks for your answer.
I didn't find the option to disable (selection-based formating) in my version of VS Community (17.12.4). VS Code works fine using the default options but it does not offer the same functionalities as the full IDE.
What worked fine for me is to install autopep8 as formatter.
Thanks again.
Hi Nicolas Goffin,
I am glad to hear that autopep8 worked well for you it’s an excellent alternative for selection-based formatting when Black isn’t supported. The option to disable selection-based formatting may not be available in Visual Studio Community (17.12.4), as Black is specifically designed to format entire files rather than selections. If you'd like, you can configure autopep8 or Black to automatically format files upon saving for a more seamless workflow.