Replace GUIDs

Right-click any file in the VS Code Explorer and choose Replace GUIDs to write a copy of the file with every UUID/GUID replaced by a configurable value. GUIDs embedded inside longer strings (ARM resource ids, machine names, connection strings, ...) are replaced too. The original file is never modified.

Useful for anonymizing Azure resource/template exports (subscription ids, appliance ids, BIOS GUIDs) before sharing them or checking them in as test data.

Usage

1. Right-click a file in the Explorer.
2. Choose Replace GUIDs.
3. A copy named <prefix><original name> (default 0guid-<original name>) is written next to the original, and a notification reports how many GUIDs were replaced.

The command is also available from the Command Palette and then applies to the file open in the active editor.

Settings

Building the VSIX from Github source

cd replace-guids-extension
npx --yes @vscode/vsce package

Installing the VSIX from Github source

code --install-extension replace-guids.vsix

Or in VS Code: Extensions view → ... menu → Install from VSIX...