Writing Scripts with ActionScript > Using the Actions panel > Switching between editing modes |  |

Switching between editing modes

While working in the Actions panel, you can switch between normal mode and expert mode at any time. When you switch modes, Flash maintains your script's formatting unless you change the script. For example, if you write a script in expert mode with your own style of indentation and switch to normal mode to view it, but make no changes, the formatting does not change. If, however, you modify the script in normal mode, Flash removes your custom indentation and formats the script using the Auto Format Options settings (see Working in expert mode). Flash warns you before changing any formatting.

To switch editing modes, do one of the following:

| Choose Normal Mode or Expert Mode from the Actions panel pop-up menu (at the upper right of the panel) or from the View Options pop-up menu above the Script pane. A check mark indicates the selected mode.
| To switch to normal mode, press Control+Shift+N (Windows) or Command+Shift+N (Macintosh).
| To switch to expert mode, press Control+Shift+E (Windows) or Command+Shift+E (Macintosh).

The Actions panel remains in the selected mode until you choose the other mode, even if you select a script on a different button, movie clip, or frame.

You cannot use normal mode to view an expert mode script that contains errors. If you try, you'll receive the message "This script contains syntax errors. It must be edited in expert mode."

You can use normal mode to view an expert mode script that uses ActionScript elements that are not supported by the current publish settings. However, if you export such a script, you'll receive a warning message.