Emoji Converter

A VS Code extension that provides full bidirectional conversion between various emoji formats including Unicode escape sequences, HTML entities, and Markdown shortcodes. This makes it easier for code formatters to process files containing emoji characters and ensures compatibility across different platforms and languages.

Features

New in v2.0.0: Full Bidirectional Conversion

This extension now supports direct conversion between any format and any other format. You can convert directly from Unicode to HTML, from Markdown to Unicode, or any other combination without intermediate steps.

This extension provides commands to convert characters between multiple formats:

1. Convert to Unicode escape sequences from any format:

   • 💬 becomes \u{1F4AC}
   • 😊 becomes \u{1F60A}
   • 🚀 becomes \u{1F680}
   • :blush: becomes \u{1F60A}
   • 😊 becomes \u{1F60A}

2. Convert to HTML entities from any format:

   • 💬 becomes 💬
   • 😊 becomes 😊
   • 🚀 becomes 🚀
   • :blush: becomes 😊
   • \u{1F60A} becomes 😊

3. Convert to Markdown shortcodes from any format:

   • 💬 becomes :speech_balloon:
   • 😊 becomes :blush:
   • 🚀 becomes :rocket:
   • \u{1F60A} becomes :blush:
   • 😊 becomes :blush:

4. Convert to emojis from any format:

   • \u{1F60A} becomes 😊
   • 😊 becomes 😊
   • :blush: becomes 😊

This multi-directional conversion helps prevent formatting issues in code editors and ensures compatibility with tools and systems that may not properly handle special characters, while also giving you the flexibility to convert between any formats as needed.

Usage

There are multiple ways to use this extension:

1. Quick Format Selection:

   • Press Ctrl+Alt+Q (or Cmd+Alt+Q on macOS) for quick format selection dialog
   • Or press Ctrl+Shift+P (or Cmd+Shift+P on macOS) and search for "Convert Emoji Format..."
   • Select your desired target format from the dropdown menu

2. Context Menu:

   • Right-click in the editor
   • Select "Emoji Converter" from the context menu
   • Choose your desired conversion option

3. Command Palette:

   • Press Ctrl+Shift+P (or Cmd+Shift+P on macOS) and search for any of the conversion commands:
     • "Convert to Unicode Escape Sequences"
     • "Convert to HTML Entities"
     • "Convert to Markdown Shortcodes"
     • "Convert to Emojis (from any format)"

4. Keyboard Shortcuts:

   • Ctrl+Alt+U (Cmd+Alt+U on macOS): Convert to Unicode
   • Ctrl+Alt+H (Cmd+Alt+H on macOS): Convert to HTML Entities
   • Ctrl+Alt+M (Cmd+Alt+M on macOS): Convert to Markdown Shortcodes
   • Ctrl+Alt+E (Cmd+Alt+E on macOS): Convert to Emojis

The extension will apply the conversion to your current selection, or to the entire document if nothing is selected.

Format Selection Dialog

The quickest way to use this extension is through the format selection dialog:

1. Press Ctrl+Alt+Q (or Cmd+Alt+Q on macOS)
2. Select your desired target format from the dropdown menu:

This dialog provides options for converting to all supported formats in one convenient place.

Why Use This Extension?

• Full Bidirectional Conversion: Convert directly between any formats without intermediate steps
• For Web Developers: Convert between emojis and HTML entities for proper display in HTML
• For Documentation: Convert emojis to Markdown shortcodes for compatibility with Markdown renderers
• For Source Code: Convert emojis to Unicode escape sequences for compatibility with code formatters
• For Readability: Convert any format back to visible emojis for better visual understanding
• One Tool for All: Handle multiple character format conversions with a single extension
• Flexibility: Choose the right format for your specific use case
• Prevention: Avoid encoding issues when sharing code or content

Requirements

No additional requirements or dependencies.

Extension Settings

This extension does not add any VS Code settings.

Known Issues

• Some rare or complex emoji sequences may not be properly converted
• Not all emojis have corresponding Markdown shortcodes
• Please report any issues on the GitHub repository

Release Notes

2.0.0 - Full Format Conversion

• Full bidirectional conversion between all formats:
  • Convert between any format (Unicode, HTML, Markdown, emoji) to any other format
  • Example: Select Unicode escape sequences and convert directly to HTML entities
  • Example: Select Markdown shortcodes and convert directly to Unicode escape sequences
• Updated commands and descriptions for clarity
• Improved conversion logic

1.1.0 - Repository Update

• Updated repository URL
• Code cleanup and optimization

1.0.0 - Initial Release

• Multiple format conversion options:
  • Convert emoji characters to Unicode escape sequences
  • Convert emoji characters to HTML entities
  • Convert emoji characters to Markdown shortcodes
  • Convert back from any format to emoji characters
• Full keyboard shortcut support
• Quick format selection menu (Ctrl+Alt+Q / Cmd+Alt+Q)
• Editor context menu integration
• Selection-based or full document conversion
• Progress indicators for large file conversions

Enjoy!