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Is editing a locally available html file possible from within Firefox ?

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I use FF 45.0 to open a locally available and rather simple static html file. Everything displays well. I can view the document's html source within firefox, but can I edit it ? If so how exactly ?

I use FF 45.0 to open a locally available and rather simple static html file. Everything displays well. I can view the document's html source within firefox, but can I edit it ? If so how exactly ?

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Once upon a time, the Mozilla Suite included an HTML editor, along with an email program. But when Firefox was split out from the suite into a stand-alone browser, that feature was not included with Firefox.

Regarding the debugger, it sure would be convenient if I could edit during debugging. I don't know whether anyone is planning to add that. Is it included in the Firebug extension? http://getfirebug.com/

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All Replies (8)

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Note: I am NOT asking about html, rather about the FF functionality to edit that file.

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Hey!

If you right click with your mouse and go to inspect element, you will be able to view the code. Within the style editor you can edit the stylesheet. There is also a debugger where you can edit html files.

The edits you make within this function on Firefox will not change the local file and will also not be saved. This function is available on any website you visit.

Regarding a function within Firefox that changes local files, I am not sure it exists. I personally haven't found it yet.

Hope this helps!

Modified by Laura92

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Thanks Laura. I was familiar with the "Inspect Element" capability. I really wonder why the debugger mode does not directly allow at least minor edits (and immediate rendering on screen) of a locally opened html file. After all it can be done with JS relying on the scratchpad.

.. or I'm missing something completely...

Let's see if somebody can wisen me up on that. Cheers. -ced.

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Hi Cbhihe,

Even though a browse has the debugging functionality (and many plugins to support this), (use F12 BTW, it's the shortcut to those tools), the application is called a "Browser" because it does just that - a Read Only tool to access the web, even if the file is local to your computer.

If you want to make changes while actively viewing the HTML file, you can use Adobe Dreamweaver, or similar tools, as it was designed for such an occasion.

Hopefully this helps!

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Chosen Solution

Once upon a time, the Mozilla Suite included an HTML editor, along with an email program. But when Firefox was split out from the suite into a stand-alone browser, that feature was not included with Firefox.

Regarding the debugger, it sure would be convenient if I could edit during debugging. I don't know whether anyone is planning to add that. Is it included in the Firebug extension? http://getfirebug.com/

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professordns said

"... the application is called a "Browser" because it does just that - a Read Only tool to access the web, even if the file is local to your computer." "If you want to make changes while actively viewing the HTML file, you can use Adobe Dreamweaver, or similar tools, as it was designed for such an occasion."

Thanks, I really didn't know. Very helpful and completely wrong in the case of FF of course. Sorry, I don't do pay-ware, much less Adobe-ware. I do FOSS exclusively.

Modified by Cbhihe

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jscher2000 said

Once upon a time, the Mozilla Suite included an HTML editor, along with an email program. But when Firefox was split out from the suite into a stand-alone browser, that feature was not included with Firefox. ...

@jscher: That is exactly what I remembered. I had used that html editor and found it very handy for small editing adjustement.

As for Firebug, I plan on not having it anywhere close to my boxes. I am in the process of torifying my setup. In that area add-ons are generally an iffy proposition and FF's config. gives enough of a headache already.

Thanks.

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Cbhihe said

Sorry, I don't do pay-ware, much less Adobe-ware. I do FOSS exclusively.

Maybe: http://www.bluegriffon.org/