Keyboard shortcut to automatically wrap selected text in IsNull([text], 0) in SSMS

Question

Is there some way to have a shortcut in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) that when text is selected, it wraps that text in an IsNull() statement?

For example, I highlight the text below:

My_column_name

and when I click the keyboard shortcut, what was highlighted turns into:

IsNull(My_column_name, 0)

I am using SSMS v17.4

Answer 1

I may have found a way. In the C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\140\Tools\Binn\ManagementStudio\SQL\Snippets\1033\Function directory (adjust accordingly for your installation), I copied the Begin End.snippet file, named the copy IsNull.snippet, and modified the new file. I changed:

BEGIN

$selected$ $end$

END

To:

IsNull($selected$ $end$, 0)

(I also changed the Title, Description, and Author tags -- do whatever you want with those.)

Then, in SSMS, I used Tools -> Code Snippets Manager to import the new snippet. Now, with My_column_name selected in a query window, I can use Ctrl+K, Ctrl+S, Down, Down, Enter, Down, Enter to apply the new snippet.

It's not a single keystroke, but it's heading in that direction. Maybe this will inspire someone else who can make it even better.